Applying for your motorbike licence

The RiderSafe booking line is currently experiencing a very high number of calls. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Changes to motorbike licensing in South Australia are coming in December 2024. Learn more about the Rider Safe reform.

Find out how to get your South Australian motorbike licence.

Steps to getting a licence

Pass the basic rider safe course

The basic rider safe course is a pre-licence training course that teaches the basic skills necessary for you to ride a motorbike safely on the road. It's what you need to pass to get your R-date learner's permit. The fee for the course is $429. Requirements and how to book

Apply for your R-date learner's permit

• have passed the basic rider safe course
• be at least:
  • 18 years of age
  • 17 years of age and hold a provisional licence for another class of vehicle
  • 16 years of age and live in a prescribed locality. You will be eligible for a restricted learner's permit and will only be able to ride for specific purposes
  • $72 issued for 2 years if aged over 17
  • $98 issued for 3 years if aged under 17.

  You must hold your motorbike learner's permit for a minimum period of 12 months, regardless of age and regardless of whether a full licence is held.

  You must carry your learner's permit at all times while riding.

  Pass the advanced training course

  Move to an R-date licence

  • have passed the advanced rider safe course
  • be at least 19 years old
  • have held your R-date learners permit for at least 12 months
  • present your certificate of competency at a Service SA centre to apply for your R-date licence within 12 months of issue.

  If you already hold a driver's licence, the R-date motorbike class will be added to your driver's licence. A fee of $20 will apply.

  If you do not hold a driver's licence but have held a learner's permit for at least 12 calendar months and you are at least 19 years old, you may be able to apply for a provisional licence.

  You must hold your R-date licence class for 2 years before you can ride motorbikes other than those on the learner approved motorbike scheme.

  Move to an R class licence

  After holding your restricted R-date licence for 2 years and the eligibility date on your R-date class licence has lapsed, you can ride a motorbike or motor trike of any power to weight ratio. You do not need to apply or do further testing to upgrade to your R class. Your licence class will automatically update to an R class upon your next licence renewal. Alternatively, you can apply to have the class upgraded from a class R-date to R once the eligibility date has lapsed, however a $20 fee will apply for a replacement licence card.