To ride a motorcycle, you need a motorcycle licence. There are three types of motorcycle licences - learner, restricted and full licence.
The process to get a motorcycle licence is different from getting a licence to drive a car. Please see below for more information about the process.
At your nearest AA Driver Licensing Agent you can:
- Apply for your motorcycle learner licence and sit the theory test (once you have completed the Basic Handling Skills Test).
- Apply for your motorcycle restricted licence
- Apply for your motorcycle full licence
Motorcycle learner licence
You must be at least 16 years old to apply for your motorcycle learner licence. There are two main steps:
1. Complete basic handling skills test (BHST) with a motorcycle instructor.
Recommended training and assessment providers
2. Sit learner licence test
Once you have completed a basic handling skills test, you will need to take your learner licence theory test.
Practice for the learner licence test
You can book, pay for and sit the test at any AA Licensing Agent around New Zealand.
Motorcycle restricted licence
For a motorcycle restricted licence there are two options you can choose from:
1. Comptency-based training and assessment option (CBTA)
- You can undertake optional training at any stage to prepare for the assessment (recommended)
- Be assessed by an approved CBTA assessor at any time
- Once you pass, you will get a certificate to use to apply for your restricted licence
2. Practical test option
- You can undertake optional training at any stage to prepare for the practical test
- You must have held your learner licence for at least six months and be at least 16.5 years of age before you can apply
- Attend and pass the practical test
There is no minimum time restriction for either option, but you must be at least 16.5 years to apply for your restricted licence.
To book a CBTA or motorcycle riding lessons, we recommend contacting an approved motorcycle instructor.
Motorcycle full licence
For the motorcycle full licence, there are two options you can choose from:
1. Competency-based training and assessment option (CBTA)
- You can undertake optional training at any stage to prepare for the assessment (recommended)
- Be assessed by an approved CBTA assessor after you have held your restricted licence for at least 9 months
- Once you pass, you will get a certificate to use to apply for your full licence
You must have held your restricted licence for at least 12 months and be at least 17.5 years of age before applying for your full licence.
2. Practical test option
- You can undertake optional training at any stage to prepare for the assessment (recommended)
- You must have held your restricted licence for at least 18 months and be at least 18 years of age before you can apply
For enquiries about booking the CBTA for a full licence or general motorcycle riding lessons, we recommend contacting an approved motorcycle instructor.
Subsidised rider training and coaching - please see Ride Forever website for more information.
From learning how to stay safe on your daily commute to practicing advanced riding techniques, there's a Ride Forever course that will suit you. Ride Forever courses also support Waka Kotahi NZTA's Competency-based Training and Assessment requirements for licensing.
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