Motorcycle licence and engine size rules

Licence classes

There are 2 classes of motorcycle licence:

• RE licence (learner, provisional, probationary or open)
• R licence (provisional, probationary or open).

Read more about motorcycle licence classes.

Engine size rules for RE licence holders

As an RE licence holder you can ride a learner approved motorcycle.

The learner approved motorcycle scheme (LAM Scheme) gives you access to a range of motorcycles and scooters that are appropriate to your level of experience.

Under the LAM Scheme, a learner approved motorcycle is a production motorcycle that is fitted with an electric motor, or has an internal combustion engine with a capacity of not more than 660mL, and:

• a power-to-weight ratio that does not exceed 150kW/t
• has not been modified (other than for an allowable modification)
• is included on the LAM Scheme list of approved motorcycles.

Motorcycles produced prior to 1960 and do not exceed 660 mL will be included within the scheme.

Individually built (custom made) motorcycles will not be considered for inclusion in the LAM Scheme.

As an RE provisional or open licence holder, you can learn to ride an R motorcycle if you have held an RE provisional or open licence for at least 2 years. You must ride under the direction of a person who currently holds and has held an R open licence for at least 1 year.

Note: If you got your RE provisional or open licence before 1 October 2016 you can learn to ride an R motorcycle after you have held your RE provisional or open licence for at least 1 year.

Engine size rules for class R licence holders

As a class R licence holder (provisional, probationary or open), you can ride a motorcycle of unlimited engine size.