Approved motorcycles for learner and provisional riders
Planning to get your rider licence? Make sure you know what you're legally allowed to ride as a learner, P1 or P2 provisional rider.
Choosing an approved motorcycle for novice riders
Learner, provisional P1 (red Ps) and P2 (green Ps) rider licence holders are restricted from riding more highly-powered motorcycles under a nationally-agreed standard.
The Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM) scheme allows novice riders to ride only lower and moderately powered motorcycles or scooters.
It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re riding an approved motorcycle if you hold a learner, P1 or P2 rider licence.
Approved motorcycles
In order to be approved for L, P1 and P2 rider, motorcycles must have:
- an engine capacity up of 660ml or less
- a power-to-weight ratio of 150 kw per tonne or less
- a power up to 25kW or less for electric motorcycles
- appear on the Approved Motorcycles for Novice Riders (PDF 329.39KB) list.
Motorcycle power and weight is based on manufacturer data supplied for Australian Design Rules compliance. Motorcycles cannot be modified or restricted in order to be reclassified as approved motorcycles.
Modifications are not permitted
For a motorcycle to be approved for use by novice riders, it must not be modified in any way from its manufacturer’s standard specifications.
Only motorcycles and scooters that have the manufacturer’s original equipment for that model and model variant keep their LAM-approved status.
Accessibility modifications exemption
Transport for NSW has approved for an accessibility modification to be made to Learner Approved Motorcycles without changing their power to weight ratio. This exemption is only available to customers with physical disabilities.
The exemption is provided to ensure fair and equitable access for customers with disability. The exemption only applies for LAM-approved motorcycles. Any vehicle modifications completed must be approved by a licensed certifier.
Minor modifications
A learner approved motorcycle that is modified by incorporating optional components offered by its manufacturer, or otherwise modified so that it continues to comply with the manufacturer’s specifications is allowed, so long as it does not increase the power output of the motorcycle, nor reduce the tare weight of the motorcycle.
The following other minor modifications are also allowed provided it does not increase the power nor reduce the weight:
- Replacement of parts or components by identical parts or components.
- Replacement parts or components with parts or components with equivalent functional performance.
- Optional parts or components as prescribed by the motorcycle’s manufacturer.
Minor modifications that are allowed do not need to be approved by a licensed certifier. See Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme fact sheet (PDF 482.79KB) for more information.
Three-wheeled motorcycles
A trike-only testing and training pathway to enable customers to obtain a licence to ride three wheel motorcycles is now available. A number of pilot courses (encompassing both pre-learner and pre-provisional/MOST tests) were conducted at multiple Rider Training and Testing Centres to enable this pathway to be implemented.
To ride a trike on NSW roads, riders must complete trike training and testing. These courses are delivered with a strong focus on individual attention and safety.
Trike riders are encouraged to visit the motocap website to compare safety and comfort ratings of gear for their ride.
Approved 3 wheel motorcycles (Trikes) are included on the Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM) list (PDF 482.79KB).
Three-wheeled scooters
Three-wheeled scooters with a narrow front wheel track can be used for rider training. See Training and testing on a three-wheeled scooter for more information.