Stephens Driving School

The Motorcycle Licence
Example of under 250cc (top pic) and over 250cc (bottom pic)

To ride a motorcycle on the road you need a Class 6 (motorcycle) licence.
Riding requires skills that you can only gain via time spent on a motorcycle. For this reason you cannot legally ride a motorcycle on the road using a car driver licence.

New Zealand's graduated driver licensing system (GDLS) is designed to progressively build riding and road safety skills as you move through the system.

The licensing system has three stages:
Stage 1 - learner licence
Stage 2 - restricted licence
Stage 3 - full licence
As you graduate from one stage to the next, you are given a new licence with different requirements and more responsibilities. Normal road rules apply at all times. You must carry your licence with you at all times while riding.

You must be at least 15 years old before you can apply for a motorcycle licence.

WE CAN SUPPLY THE BIKE
Previous riding experience is not required

All applicants must wear a safety approved helmet, gloves,good footwear (preferably boots), a jacket and trousers (no shorts or tee shirts).
A helmet & gloves can be provided by us if necessary. (please request in advance.)

Course Location & Time

Held at the South end of the Riverside carpark, next to Ewen Bridge, Lower Hutt.

Wet or fine, every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month, 2pm - 5-30pm.

Basic Skills course Fees

Basic Handling Skills Test

Before you can apply for a learner licence you must first pass a ‘Basic Handling Skills Test’ conducted by an approved motorcycle riding instructor or an approved testing officer.

Before your test you can practise basic motorcycle handling skills on your own private property or at a motorcycle training school.

The following skills will be tested.
The Slow Ride: Ride the motorcycle for 18m in a straight line taking no more than 10 seconds.
Routine Stop
Cone Weave
Quick Stop
Riding The Curve: Enter from both ways using the indicators.
Stop in Curve, drive in from both directions, exit.
General Skills:
Keep head up.
Keep wrists low.
Don't stall or drive eratically.
Good Posture.
Correct Braking.

Stage 1 - Learner licence

Once you have your Basic Handling Skills Test certificate you can apply for a motorcycle learner licence.
You’ll need to:
fill out an application form at your local driver licensing agent
produce your Basic Handling Skills Test certificate
produce two forms of identification – one can be your birth certificate, passport or other proof of your identity and age and the other must show your current address
pay the appropriate fees for the test and the learner licence application
pass an eyesight screening check
provide a signature
have your photograph taken
pass a written theory test.

The Road Code provides all the information you need when preparing for the test and practice questions. You must correctly answer 32 of the 35 questions in the test to pass. You can use a reader to assist you with the test if you have difficulty reading.

Once you pass the test you’ll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your learner licence in the mail. Your learner licence should arrive within 2-3 weeks.

Learner licence conditions

You must not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 250cc.
You must not go faster than 70km/h on the open road.
You must not ride between 10pm and 5am.
You must not carry a passenger.
You must display a learner (‘L’) plate attached to your motorcycle’s rear number plate at all times when you are riding.
You can obtain ‘L’ plates from NZTA’s driver licensing agents.
You must carry your learner licence at all times when you’re riding.

If you’re under 20 years old the legal blood alcohol limit is 30mg/100ml, and 150mcg/litre for breath alcohol. This is effectively a zero limit – consuming one drink will mean a rider can be charged with drink driving.

If you’re over 20 years the legal blood alcohol limit is 80mg/100ml, and 400mcg/litre for breath alcohol.

Stage 2 - Restricted licence
After holding a learner licence for at least six months you can book a time with your driver licensing agent to take your restricted licence practical riding test.

To obtain your restricted licence:-
You must have held your learner licence for at least six months
You must pay the appropriate fees for the test and restricted licence application
You must produce two forms of identification (one can be your learner licence, the other must show your current address)
You must pass an eyesight screening check
You must have your photograph taken
You must provide a signature
You must pass the restricted licence practical riding test.
On passing this test you’ll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your restricted licence in the mail. Your restricted licence should arrive within 2-3 weeks.

Restricted licence conditions

You must not ride between 10pm and 5am.
You cannot carry a passenger.
You must not ride a motorcycle with an engine capacity greater than 250cc.
You must carry your restricted licence at all times when you are riding.

If you are under 20, your legal alcohol limit is still the same as it was on your learner licence. To be safe, you should not drink anything before you ride.

Stage 3 - Full licence
You can apply for a full licence after 18 months on your restricted licence if you are under 25 years old, or after six months on your restricted licence if you are 25 or older.

If you successfully complete an approved course, the length of time you must hold your restricted licence for will be reduced to 12 months for those aged under 25 years, and reduced to three months for those 25 or older. You must present the course certificate to the driver licensing agent when you book the practical test.

If you are under 25 you can only complete an approved course after you’ve had your restricted licence for at least six months.

To obtain your full licence:-
You must pay the appropriate fees for the test and full licence application
You must produce two forms of identification (one can be your restricted licence, the other must show your current address)
You must pass an eyesight screening check
You must have your photograph taken
You must provide a signature
You must pass the full licence practical riding test
On passing the full licence test you’ll be given a temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your full licence in the mail. This licence should arrive within 2-3 weeks.