Learner Licence

Motorbike

To be eligible for a motorbike (class RE) learner licence, you must have held a provisional or open licence for another class of vehicle for at least one year during the last five years.

This provides motorbike riders with at least two years on-road driving experience before riding solo, and a better understanding of how vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists interact to improve rider judgement and safety.

Before you drive, or learn to drive, any class of motor vehicle (including a motorbike) on a road in Queensland, you must have a current driver licence allowing you to drive or learn to drive that class of vehicle.

You may choose to obtain your motorbike (class RE) provisional or open licence through Q-Ride or by passing the Department of Transport and Main Roads Q-SAFE practical riding test. The main differences are outlined in the table below.

Q-SAFE		Q-Ride
You must hold your class RE learner licence for six months before you are eligible to apply for your class RE licence.		You do not need to hold your class RE learner licence for six months before you are eligible to apply for your class RE licence if completing Q-Ride training.
You must pass a practical riding test before you are issued with your class RE licence.		While learning to ride you are assessed in four competency based units, and you may be issued with your class RE licence once you receive your Q-Ride certificate (competency declaration) from your Q-Ride provider.

You may also choose to obtain your motorbike (class R) provisional or open licence through Q-Ride (after obtaining your Q-Ride certificate) or by passing the Q-SAFE practical driving test on a class R motorbike. However, you must have held your motorbike (class RE) provisional or open licence for at least one year before learning to ride a class R motorbike.

Popular information

Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM Scheme)

The Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM Scheme) was introduced on 1 July 2009, and restricts class RE (restricted) motorcycle licence holders to a combined power-to-weight ratio and engine capacity restriction. The former 250 millilitre (mL) engine capacity restriction no longer applies.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

improve safety for novice motorcycle riders
achieve consistency between Queensland and the other eastern states (New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and South Australia).