Getting a motorcycle license can be a complicated process. You’ll need to take your riding skills test, theory test and give evidence of meeting the age and licensing requirements set by your state or territory. Depending on where you live, you may also need to take an additional module to show that you understand the responsibilities that come with being a motorcyclist. If you are over the age of 16 and meet the licensing requirements for riding a motorcycle in your state or territory, you will usually only need to pass the riding test and theory test to get your license. However, individual states may have different processes for getting a motorcycle license. They may require riders to take additional classes so that they have more knowledge about their responsibilities as motorcyclists. This can add time to getting your license. Here are some general guidelines about how long it takes to get a motorcycle license:
How Long Does It Take To Get A Motorcycle License?
1. Getting A Motorcycle License In The United States
So, how long does it take to get a motorcycle license in the U.S.? This depends on where you live and what type of state licensing you are applying for. Generally speaking, it takes around 6 months to receive your motorcycle license if you meet the minimum requirements for riding a motorcycle in your state or territory.
2. Getting A Motorcycle License In New South Wales
In New South Wales, riders can apply for their full (Class-1) motorcycle license after they have completed an approved rider training course and passed the “Riding Practice Syllabus” test. The minimum age to apply for full or Class 1 is 14 years old, though some exceptions will apply. The application fee is $70 and there’s no additional cost for the insurance endorsement option or rider training course. Once you have passed your written theory test and practical test with an average score of 75%, you will be issued your Class 1 (full) motorcycling endorsement within 2 months of receiving payment from JARC NSW.
3. Getting A Motorcycle Licence In Queensland
The process of getting your Class 4 motorcycle license differs depending on where you live in Queensland, Australia:
- If you live in Brisbane, your course will take around 22 days to complete. The minimum age when you apply for your Class 4 motorcycle license will be 14 years old.
- If you live in one of Queensland’s other capital cities or a regional town or city, the course takes around 28 days to complete and the minimum age is 15 years old. You need to pass the theory test and practical part of the class 3 practical exam before applying for your Class 4 license, which is a step further than the other classes that take only 2 months maximum to obtain a motorcycle license
- If you have lived in Queensland for at least 2 years, but less than 5 years, you can apply for a Class 1 (full) motorcycle license within 12 months of completing your training course with an average final score of 75%. The application fee is $70 and there’s no additional cost for the insurance endorsement option or rider training course
4. Getting A Motorcycle Licence In Victoria
In Victoria, you can get your full (Class 1) motorcycle license after completing an approved rider training course and passing either part or all of the theory test portion with an average score of 75%. The minimum age for getting a full or Class 1 motorcycle license is 14 years old, though some exceptions will apply.
5. Getting A Motorcycle Licence In Western Australia
In WA, you can get a Class 1 motorcycle license after completing an approved rider training course and passing whichever part of the theory test you’ve passed with a 75% average score. The minimum age to get a full or Class 1 license is 15 years old, though some exceptions will apply.
Theory Test
- Applicants that are less than 18 years of age but over 16 years of age, who have held their provisional or learner license for less than 3 years and have not completed the practical test portion of the licence may enter a special 2-day, 2-hour zone at the Burwood Police Station. The applicants must pass the theory test to obtain their full Class 1 Category motorcycle license. There is a theory test fee of $50 and there is no limit to how many people can take this course as long as it doesn’t conflict with other courses.
- Candidates that are under 15 years old and do not hold an Australian driver’s license at all will have to complete an “Initial Licence Course” before they can start the practical module for their Class 1 motorcycle license (Category C). This course consists of 10 sessions over 5 days, each session lasting 90 minutes. There is only one hour per day that applicants don’t have to sit in a classroom, with the remaining 90 minutes being spent riding a motorcycle. The cost for this course is $150, which includes the two theory test fees and an insurance endorsement. There is no limit to how many people can take this course as long as it doesn’t conflict with other courses.
- Theoretically, candidates who have completed at least 5 years of age but are younger than 16 years old, hold a current or valid license that is not a class 1 category C or higher, are not holding another Australian driver’s license at all, and have not held an Australian driving license within the last 10 years may take the 2-day, 2-hour zone theory test at either Burwood Police Station or Monash Police Station (all North Metro area). This test would be conducted on a single day and would also require applicants to pass both parts of the test before they are eligible to receive their Class 1 Category motorcycle license. The cost for this course is $50 (plus $15 for each test component) and there is a limit to how many people can take this course as long as it doesn’t conflict with other courses. Candidates that have taken the above-mentioned theory test wish to undertake the practical part of their Class 1 Category motorcycle license.
- Candidates that are under 16 years old and have held a current or valid licence that is not a Class 1 Category C or higher for at least 5 years, hold an Australian driver’s license at all, and have held an Australian driving license for the last 10 years may take the 1-day, 1-hour zone theory test at either Burwood Police Station or Monash Police Station (all North Metro area). The cost for this course is $50 (plus $15 for each test component) and there is a limit to how many people can take this course as long as it doesn’t conflict with other courses.
Get Your License.
- To be eligible for the Class 1 Category motorcycle license, candidates must complete the above courses and pass both parts of the theory test.
- To be eligible in Theory Part 2, applicants must hold a Class 1 Category motorcycle license within the last 6 months. Applicants will not be allowed to sit for their practical test until they have completed both parts of the theory test.
- To sit for both Parts of the Theory Test, applicants should attend Burwood Police Station or Monash Police Station (all North Metro area) on a single day and take both parts of the test within 90 minutes (2 hours). Candidates that do not have a current Class 1 Category motorcycle license but wish to obtain this class may only take part one of the test with an hour time limit and hold their Australian driver’s license at all. Candidates that have taken part one of this course before obtaining their Class 1 Category motorcycle license may retake it for just $50 (plus $15 for each test component).
- Candidates that are under 16 years old and have held a current or valid license that is not a Class 1 Category C or higher for at least 5 years, hold an Australian driver’s license at all, and have held an Australian driving license for the last 10 years may take the 1-day, 1-hour zone theory test at either Burwood Police Station or Monash Police Station (all North Metro area). The cost for this course is $50 (plus $15 for each test component) and there is a limit to how many people can take this course as long as it doesn’t conflict with other courses. Candidates that have taken part one of the theory test may retake it for just $50 (plus $15 for each test component).
- To sit for both Parts of the Theory Test at Monash Police Station (all North Metro area), applicants must provide their motorcycle helmets when they take their test.
- The Class 1 Category motorcycle license that is required to ride a motorcycle anywhere in Victoria, is also the same class of license needed to obtain the motorcycle endorsement required by all VicRoads’ departments to drive any type of road train transport vehicle.
Conclusion
Getting a motorcycle license can take time. You’ll need to take a riding course, pass the theory test, and take the riding test. Depending on your state, you may need to take an additional module to show that you understand the responsibilities of riding a motorcycle. Depending on where you live, getting a motorcycle license may take a few weeks or a few months. You’ll need to find out what rules and regulations apply to getting a motorcycle license in your state or territory.