Get your motorcycle rider licence

After you've studied the NT Road Users' Handbook and the Motorcycle Riders' Handbook, you can take the motorcycle riders knowledge test (theory test).

Prepare for the test

Before you take the theory test, you can:

• take the practice rider knowledge test
• review the rider knowledge questions for learner riders PDF (2.8 MB).

About the theory test

The test has 30 multiple choice questions. The questions are selected at random from a pool of more than 300 questions.

You must get at least 26 out of 30 questions correct to pass.

If you’re not confident with your reading or writing, or have difficulty understanding English, you can request the below at some MVR offices:

• a verbal theory test or
• an interpreter.

If you want an interpreter or a verbal theory test, you must call MVR on 1300 654 628 or attend an MVR office and:

• check if a verbal theory test or an interpreter is available in your area
• book the test
• pay the theory test fee before you can sit it.

How to take a test

To take a test, go to an MVR office and submit all of the following:

• a completed L1 apply for an NT rider licence form PDF (202.4 KB)
• evidence of your identity and residency - if you’re not an MVR customer yet.

You must also pay the theory test fee.

The result will remain valid for 12 months.

After you pass your theory test, you must also pass a practical assessment before you can get your learner rider licence.

Before you organise your practical assessment, make sure you have the right safety gear to ride a motorcycle.

Read the Good Gear Guide for motorcycle and scooter riders PDF (3.1 MB).

Find out how to book a practical assessment with an approved provider.

After you pass the practical assessment

Once you pass both the theory test and practical assessment, you must:

• pass an eye test at an MVR office – not required if you hold a licence in another class
  • you can also provide a recent eye examination from your doctor or optometrist instead
• pay the learner licence fee.

Receiving your learner licence card

When your learner rider licence is ready, it will be mailed to the address shown on your licence receipt. If the address is not correct, you must contact MVR.

You must allow standard mail delivery times for your area.

While you wait for your licence card to arrive, you can use your licence receipt as your authority to ride.

Renewing your learner rider licence

If your learner licence is about to expire, you can renew it 6 weeks before it is due to expire.

By doing so, you will avoid breaking the 6 month learner period needed before you can take your next practical assessment.

To renew your learner rider licence, you need to redo the following:

• pass the theory test
• pass practical assessment
• pay the learner licence fee.

If you reapply for the learner licence after your current learner licence expires, you must hold it for 6 consecutive months from the date it is reissued to be eligible to progress to the next stage of rider licence.

Once you have your learner rider licence, you can ride on the road.

As a new rider, you should start in a quiet area until your skills improve before you move on to busier roads.

A good way to build your skills is to have an experienced rider guide you from another motorcycle, receive professional tuition from a riding instructor or participate in a rider training course.

Your learner rider licence has conditions, which include all of the following:

• zero blood alcohol concentration
• must not exceed 80km/h
• display an L plate at the rear of the motorcycle you're riding
• do not carry pillion passengers
• only ride motorcycles approved for novice riders.

To get the list of approved motorcycles for novice riders, go to the New South Wales Government's website.

Read more about your rider licence and other licence classes and conditions.

Before you can sit your next practical assessment, you must have held your learner rider licence for 6 consecutive months.

Find out how to book a practical assessment with an approved provider.

Your practical assessment result will remain valid for 12 months from the date of the assessment.

If you don't upgrade from a learner rider licence within 12 months of your practical assessment, you will need to complete another assessment.

After you pass the practical assessment

After you pass the practical assessment, you must go to an MVR office to get your next stage rider licence. You must do this before your learner rider licence expires.

Your next stage of rider licence will be either a:

• restricted rider licence or
• provisional rider licence.

Restricted rider licence

If you already hold an open licence of another class, such as a car driver licence, your next rider licence stage will be a restricted rider licence for 12 months.

Your restricted licence has riding conditions which include:

• not carrying a pillion passenger
• only riding a learner approved motorcycle.

You will have to pay the restricted rider licence fee.

Provisional rider licence

If you do not hold a licence of another class, your next rider licence stage will be a provisional licence.

You will have to pay the provisional rider licence fee.

Provisional licence period

The period of your provisional licence depends on your age:

• if you're under 25 - you will receive a 2-year provisional licence
• if you're 25 and over - you will receive a one-year provisional licence.

Conditions for all provisional riders

Your provisional rider licence has riding conditions, which include all of the following:

• zero blood alcohol concentration
• you must not exceed 100km/h
• you must display your P plate at the rear of the motorcycle you are riding
• you must not carry pillion passengers
• you can only rider a learner approved motorcycle.

Receiving your licence card

When your rider licence card is ready, it will be mailed to the address shown on your licence receipt. If the address is not correct, you must contact MVR.

You must allow standard mail delivery times for your area.

While you wait for your licence card to arrive, you can use your licence receipt as your authority to ride.

After you have completed your provisional rider licence period, or restricted rider licence period, you will be eligible for an open NT rider licence.

If your licence is due to expire, you will need to pay a licence renewal fee.