Getting your motorcycle licence
You must be at least 15 years old before you can apply for a motorcycle licence in New Zealand.
How does motorcycle licensing work?
New Zealand has a graduated driver licensing system. This means you get your licence in three stages. (These stages apply regardless of your age when you first apply for a licence.)
The stages are:
- 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. Your riding and road safety skills should progressively improve as you move through the system.
Note that normal road rules apply at all stages.
How much do motorcycle licences cost?
| Fee | |
| Basic handling skills test | $60.00* |
| 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 | $343.30 |
* This is the fee charged by testing officers. The fees charged by motorcycle riding instructors will vary.
All fees include GST and are non-refundable.
Penalties you may incur
Penalty for not carrying your licence
You must carry your licence with you at all times when you're riding. If you're found riding without your licence, you could be ticketed and face an infringement fee of $55.
Penalties for not keeping to your licence conditions
It's important that new riders develop driving skills in a safe environment - safe for themselves and others. Consequently, you'll face fines and demerit points if you break the conditions of your restricted and learner licences. (These measures are designed to encourage new riders to abide by the rules at all times.)
If you break the conditions of your learner or restricted licence, you'll face:
- a $400 infringement fine
- a penalty of 25 demerit points.
Other penalties
Traffic enforcement measures are used to help make our roads safer.
