Licence to ride

An image of an L-plate, registration number plate and registration label on the back of a motorcycle

Queensland's motorcycle licensing scheme is designed to ensure motorcycle riders develop safe and proficient riding skills. So our motorcycle licensing happens in three stages:

learner (class RE)
provisional (class RE or R)
open (class RE or R).

To ride a motorcycle on Queensland roads, you must have one of these licences.

Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM Scheme)

The LAM Scheme was introduced in Queensland on 1 July 2009. It 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.

An image of the new rules for safer riding brochure

The LAM Scheme restricts learner riders to motorcycles that comply with both of the following capacity restrictions:

power-to-weight ratio must not exceed 150 kW/t
engine capacity must not exceed 660 ml.

The power-to-weight ratio is a comparison of the engine output to the weight of the motorcycle. It is a measure of the motorcycle’s performance.

Read the new rules for safer riding brochure (PDF**, 167KB) for more information about the LAM Scheme, new rules for displaying P-plates, and pillion passenger restrictions.

You can also view the LAM Scheme list of approved motorcycles and scooters.

Getting your motorcycle learner licence

Before you can apply for a motorcycle learner licence, you must hold a provisional or open car licence for at least 12 months.
You will need to complete a written test and make your licence application at a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, authorised Queensland Government Agency Program office or a licence-issuing police station.
Once you've obtained a motorcycle learner licence, you must display a yellow L-plate at the rear of your motorcycle or on your vest.

An image of a motorcyclist and a trainer

Stepping up to a provisional licence

To graduate from the learner licence you will be required to successfully complete training and/or assessment through either the Q-SAFE assessment process or a Q-Ride
course.

For more information on motorcycle licensing view Section 1 of the Queensland Motorcycle Riders' Guide (PDF**, 701KB).

Or visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.

There is also more information available in the rider training options section of this website.

**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is required to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://get.adobe.com/reader. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from our Help web page.