Factsheet 28 – November 2009

Motorcycle licences: How to get a Class 6 licence

Motorcycle riding requires skills that you can only gain by spending time on a motorcycle. For this reason, you can't legally ride a motorcycle on the road using a car driver licence. You need a Class 6 (motorcycle) licence to ride a motorcycle on the road.

Three stages to get your licence

New Zealand's graduated driver licensing system has three stages:

• Stage 1: Learner licence
• Stage 2: Restricted licence
• Stage 3: Full licence.

As you graduate from one stage to the next, you're given a new licence with different requirements and more responsibilities. Normal road rules apply at all times, and you must always carry your licence with you when you're riding.

You must be at least 15 years old before you can apply for a motorcycle licence.

Basic handling skills test

Before you can apply for a learner licence you must pass a basic handling skills test conducted by an approved motorcycle riding instructor or approved testing officer.

Before your test you can practise basic motorcycle handling skills on your own private property or at a motorcycle training school.

For more information on the riding exercises in this test, see the latest version of The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists.

Fees for getting your motorcycle licence

	Fee
Basic handling skills test	Cost may vary between providers*
Learner licence application fee	$39.30
Learner licence test	$39.70
Restricted licence application fee	$39.30
Restricted licence test	$48.90
Full licence application fee	$44.30
Full licence test	$70.80
Total	$323.30

All fees include GST and are non-refundable.

* Note: Undertaking the basic handling skills test with a testing officer will cost $41.00. The fee charged by motorcycle riding instructors may vary.

Stage 1 – Learner licence

When you have your basic handling skills test certificate, you can apply to sit the learner licence theory test. You can do this at a NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) driver licensing agent. These are selected branches of:

• the Automobile Association (AA)
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ)
• Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ)

You'll need to:

• fill out an application form
• produce your basic handling skills test certificate
• produce evidence of your identity (see Factsheet 20, Identification for driver licensing for a full list of acceptable forms of ID)
• produce evidence of your address, eg a recent bank statement (see Factsheet 20)
• pay the application and test fees
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see below)
• provide a signature
• have your photograph taken
• pass a multi-choice theory test.

The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists includes practice test questions and provides all the information you need when preparing for the test. You must correctly answer 32 of the 35 questions in the test to pass. You can use a reader to assist you with the test if you have difficulty reading.

After you pass the test you'll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your learner licence in the mail. Your learner licence should arrive within two to three weeks.

Eyesight requirements

You must prove that your eyesight meets the required standard each time you apply for a new licence class or endorsement. To do this you can:

• present a satisfactory eyesight certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered optometrist (this certificate must not be more than 60 days old)
• present a satisfactory medical certificate issued by a New Zealand-registered medical practitioner (this certificate must not be more than 60 days old)
• pass an eyesight screening check at a driver licensing agent.

Note: the agents' eyesight screening machines eliminate the need for many drivers to be tested by an optometrist or medical practitioner. However, if you don't pass the screening check then you must provide one of the certificates listed before your application can proceed. Some drivers choose to supply a certificate instead of taking a screening check. If you have vision in only one eye, you must present an eye certificate from a doctor or optometrist.

Learner licence conditions

• You must not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 250cc.
• You must not go faster than 70 km/h on the open road.
• You must not ride between 10 pm and 5 am.
• You must not carry a passenger.
• When you're riding, you must always have a learner (L) plate attached to the rear of your motorcycle. You can obtain L plates from the NZTA's driver licensing agents (listed earlier).
• You must always carry your learner licence when you're riding.

If you're under 20 years old, the legal alcohol limit is 150 micrograms per litre of breath and 30 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. This is effectively a zero limit – consuming one drink will mean you can be charged with drink driving.

If you're 20 years or older, the legal alcohol limit is 400 micrograms per litre of breath and 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

Stage 2 – Restricted licence

After holding a learner licence for at least six months you can visit any driver licensing agent and book a time to sit your restricted licence practical riding test.

To obtain your restricted licence, you must:

• have held your learner licence for at least six months
• pay the application and test fees
• produce evidence of your identity – this can be your learner licence
• produce evidence of your address
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see above)
• have your photograph taken
• provide a signature
• pass the restricted licence practical riding test.

When you pass this test you'll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your restricted licence in the mail. Your restricted licence should arrive within two to three weeks.

Restricted licence conditions

• You must not ride between 10 pm and 5 am.
• You cannot carry a passenger.
• You must not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 250 cc.
• You must always carry your restricted licence when you're riding.

Your legal alcohol limit is still the same as it was on your learner licence. To be safe, you should not drink anything before you ride.

Stage 3 – Full licence

You can apply for a full licence after 18 months on your restricted licence if you are under 25 years old, or after six months on your restricted licence if you are 25 or older.

If you successfully complete an approved course, the length of time you must hold your restricted licence for will be reduced to 12 months for those aged under 25 years, and three months for those 25 or older. You must present the course certificate to the driver licensing agent when you book the practical test.

If you're under 25, you can only complete an approved course after you've had your restricted licence for at least six months.

To obtain your full licence, you must also:

• pay the application and test fees
• produce evidence of your identity – this can be your restricted licence
• produce evidence of your address
• prove your eyesight meets the required standard (see above)
• have your photograph taken
• provide a signature
• pass the full licence practical riding test (Factsheet 59, Full motorcycle licence: What the full licence test involves tells you more).

When you pass the full licence test you'll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your full licence in the mail. Your full licence should arrive within two to three weeks.

Remember, you must always carry your motorcycle licence when you're riding.

What do I need for the riding tests?

Your motorcycle must:

• have a current warrant of fitness (WoF), be up to WoF standard, and
• have a current licence label (sometimes incorrectly called 'registration' label) showing.

If your motorcycle isn't roadworthy, the test won't proceed (even if it has a current WoF or CoF). You'll have to pay another fee when you rebook. (The fee won't be refunded).

You can't use a moped for a restricted or full licence practical test.

You must have an L plate displayed on your motorcycle for a restricted licence practical riding test. You must have your licence with you.

The testing officer will observe your riding, including the way you search around you and control your speed and direction. They will assess your overall driving standard, including your behaviour toward other road users.

Remember that if your motorcycle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1980 you must switch on your headlamp (or daytime running lamps, if fitted) during daylight hours.

Don't be late for your test. The test can't be rushed, so if you're more than five minutes late, your test will have to be cancelled. You'll have to pay another test fee when you rebook.

If you can't make the appointment, or need to change it, please contact your driver licensing agent. If you don't advise your driver licensing agent of a cancellation or change at least two working days (excludes weekends and public holidays) before the date of your appointments, the fee will not be refunded.

Questions and answers

Are the requirements different if I'm 25 or older?

If you are 25 or older, you don't have to spend as long on the restricted licence stage of the graduated driver licensing system.

Can I ride to my learner licence test?

No. You don't yet have a licence and it's illegal to ride without one.

What happens if I'm unlicensed and I ride?

You will be breaking the law. The penalty for this offence is a $400 infringement fine, or a fine of up to $1,000 if you're summoned to appear in court. If you crash, you may not be covered by insurance. You'll also be forbidden to ride by the Police until you obtain a licence. If you're caught riding unlicensed on another occasion, you will be fined again and your motorcycle will be impounded by the Police for 28 days.

What material should I study to pass my learner licence test?

The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclist.

Where can I get copies of The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists?

You can buy The official New Zealand road code for motorcyclists from major bookstores and some driver licensing agents, or you may find it at your public library.

Where can I practice the theory test questions?

The learner licence theory test is a computerised multichoice test. You can become familiar with the format by purchasing practice tests at: roadcodepractice.co.nz.

How many answers have to be correct in the learner licence test?

For your learner licence, you must answer 32 out of 35 questions correctly.

What languages are the learner licence theory tests translated into?

Theory test translations are available in Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Hindi, Gujarati, Korean, Māori, Punjabi, Samoan and Tongan.

Can I pass the learner licence test if I can't read properly?

You can arrange for a reader-writer to read the questions to you.

Who can teach me to ride?

An approved riding instructor can teach you.

Where do I find my nearest approved riding instructor?

Look in the Yellow pages first, under motorcycle riding schools.

Are there any exemptions to the conditions that apply to the restricted licence?

You can apply for an exemption through a driver licensing agent if you can prove the restrictions are unreasonable in your case, and that safety will not be compromised if an exemption is granted. There is a non-refundable application fee of $22.50.

What if I break the conditions of my learner or restricted licence?

Each time you are caught offending you will get 25 demerit points and a $400 infringement fine, or a fine of up to $1,000 if you are summoned to appear in court. If you crash, your insurance claim could be delayed or declined. Licences are suspended for three months if a driver gets 100 or more demerit points within two years (and, in addition to more court appearances, vehicles can be impounded for 28 days if a person is caught driving with a suspended licence).

What kind of motorcycles can I ride when I've got a full licence?

You can ride any motorcycle, moped or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

What should I do if I lose my licence?

If your licence has been lost, defaced, mutilated or has become unreadable, you can apply for a replacement by filling out an application form, which can be picked up from any driver licensing agent. You'll have to pay a fee.

Replacing your lost licence automatically cancels your lost card. If you are not replacing your lost licence immediately, we recommend you contact us so that the licence card can be cancelled.

What can happen if I commit driving offences?

This will depend on how serious the offence is. The penalties range from a fine to imprisonment, or both. Your licence could also be suspended or you could be disqualified from riding.

What happens if I'm disqualified from riding?

You will need to hand in your licence to the court, or return it to your nearest NZTA office. You will not be able to ride until your disqualification period has passed. If the disqualification is for longer than a year, you will have to sit and pass the tests again and pay the appropriate fees. If you are caught riding while disqualified, you will have the motorcycle you are riding impounded for a period of 28 days (see Factsheet 50, Disqualifications and suspensions for more information).

What if any details on my licence application are wrong?

It is important to make sure that you fill out your application form correctly. You may be fined for putting false details in your application. If the agent makes a mistake, your licence will be replaced free of charge.

Can I get a licence if I have a medical condition?

There are some medical conditions that could stop you from getting a licence. For more information, see our medical factsheets. Your doctor will also have information on medical conditions.

Where you can find out more

• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Call our driver licensing contact centre: 0800 822 422.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 4161.