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 list. (PDF 331.25KB)
If you are undertaking rider training on a three-wheeled trike, the following are the only LAMS approved trike options:
- CAN-AM Ryker Rotax 600 ACE
- Kyburz DXP
- OZ Trike Fun 500
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, or with equivalent aftermarket parts that do not alter a vehicles specifications or ADR compliance.
- Use of optional parts or components as offered by the vehicle’s manufacturer for an equivalent vehicle, provided they are fitted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.
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 trike motorcycles
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.
The only approved three-wheel motorcycles (Trikes) are:
- CAN-AM Ryker Rotax 600 ACE
- Kyburz DXP
- OZ Trike Fun 500
LAMS approved trikes are also reflected on the Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM) list (PDF 331.25KB).
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.
Approved three-wheeled scooters are included on the List of approved motorcycles for novice riders (PDF 331.25KB).