To ride on New Zealand roads, you must be Licenced.
To achieve a NZ Motorcycle Learner Licence, you will need to complete two separate tests.
- The first part comprising of a Practical Test - The Basic Handling Skills Test - The second part being a Written Test - based on the New Zealand Road Code
You must pass the Basic Handling Skills test before applying for the written test.
What is the Basic Handling Skills test?
The Basic Handling Skills Test (BHS test for short), is a practical riding test to see if you have mastered the basic skills that will keep you safe on the road while you’re working towards your full licence.
RIDER TRAINING (NZ) is a NZTA approved tester of the Basic Handling Skills Test.
We specialize in BHS training and testing. We have the right course for you to attain your BHS certificate. See our Training Courses page to find out which package would suit you best.
What do I have to do in the BHS test?
These are the NZTA requirements to achieve a pass for a BHS certificate:
1. Slow
riding
You must ride at walking speed (no faster than 10secs) through a lane measured 0.75M wide by 18M long without placing / dragging your feet on the ground or any excessive swerving.
2. Routine stop
You must ride at a speed of approx 20 km/h and stop so the motorcycle's
front wheel comes to rest within a marked square using the correct braking technique.
3. Cone
weave (slalom)
You must ride along a slalom course,
weaving between cones placed 3.5 metres apart with a offset
of 0.5M from the center.
You cannot touch any cones, place a foot on the ground or miss out a cone.
4. Riding
a curve
You must ride up to a curve from a distance of 25M at a speed of approx
20 km/h. You must then give a turn signal, adjust your speed and ride around
the curve (which is 1.2M wide), keeping within the lines all the way.
Complete in both directions.
5. Quick
stop
You must ride at a speed of approximately 20 km/h and on a signal from the
examiner, stop as quickly and safely as possible.
6. Stopping
in the curve
You must ride up to a curve from a distance of 25M at a speed of approx
20 km/h. You must then adjust your speed, enter the curve and come to a stop
within the curve.
There are also other requirements that the Instructor will be looking out for
while you conduct these exercises.
I have passed the BHS test, what's next?
Once you have passed the BHS test, you will be presented with a Basic Handling Skills Certificate. You will need to take this with you when applying for your learner licence at your closest NZTA agency (AA, VTNZ or Onroad).
You will need to:
- Complete the application form (DL9) - Produce your Basic Handling Skills Certificate - Show identification and evidence of your address - Pay the appropriate fees - Sit the theory test - Pass an eye sight test - Have your photograph taken (Smile!) - Provide your signature on an electronic pad
It is highly recommended to purchase a copy or use the online version of NZ Road code for Motorcyclists and study the Road code as you will be tested on this for your theory test.
When
you've passed the theory 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 two to three weeks. You will notice that your new licence will show 6L which means 6 is for Motorcycle and L is for Learner.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You are now a Learner Rider and can legally ride on the road!
**** But don't forget to keep to the conditions of the Learner licence! ****
- You must display an “L” plate attached to the rear of the motorcycle - Ride a motorcycle no larger than a 250cc - Must not ride between the hours of 10pm and 5am - You must not carry pillion passengers
- You must carry your learners licence at all times - You must not drink alcohol before riding, if :
If you're under 20, Effectively a zero limit - consuming one drink will mean a rider can be charged with drink driving.
If you're over 20, Your riding, however, may be affected well before you reach the legal alcohol limit. It would be best practice not to have a drink when you intend to ride.
Change to the Learner Rule As of 1st October 2011, you MAY ride up to the open speed limit on the open road on a Learners Licence. See HERE for more info from NZTA.
This is a very brief summary of how to get a motorcycle licence - for more information you will need a copy of The Official New Zealand Road Code and Licence Guide for Motorcyclists or visit the New Zealand Transport Agency website (NZTA)
I've got my Learners Licence, where to next?
It
doesn't matter what age you are, all riders must hold their Learner
Licence for at least 6 months before being able to apply for the
Restricted Licence. Before applying for your restricted licence
you must pass a practical riding test. This test is known as the
"Restricted Licence Practical Test". It has been designed to test your
riding ability in a range of traffic situations and on various
different road conditions.
Applying for a Restricted Motorcycle Licence - (Class 6R)
To apply for your Restricted Licence you will need to:
- Hold a learner licence for at least six months; - Go to your to your nearest driver licensing agent, - Complete an application form and pay the appropriate fees - Pass the restricted licence practical test; - Pass an eyesight screening check; - Have your photograph taken - Provide a signature.
On
passing the restricted licence practical test, you will be given a
temporary licence, valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your
restricted licence in the mail. You must carry your driver licence at
all times when you drive.
Restricted licence conditions Holders
of a restricted licence must carry their restricted licence with them
at all times when you are riding and adhere to the following
conditions:
- Ride a motorcycle no greater than 250cc - Not ride between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am - Must not carry a pillion passenger - You should avoid drinking any alcohol before you ride
However, you can say goodbye to the L plate and you are permitted to do the open speed limit.
Riders under 25 years of age Riders
who successfully pass their practical riding test will be granted a
restricted licence. You will be required to hold your restricted
licence for a minimum period of 18 months. This 18 month minimum period
can be reduced to 12 months upon the successful completion of an
approved course teaching advanced riding skills provided the course is
undertaken after you have held your restricted licence for at least six
months.
Riders aged 25 or over Riders who successfully
pass their practical riding test will be granted a restricted driver
licence. You will be required to hold your restricted licence for a
minimum period of six months. This six month minimum period can be
reduced to three months upon the successful completion of an approved
course teaching advanced driver skills.
Awesome, I've passed the Restricted test, whats next?
If you are under 25 years of age,
you can apply for your full licence once you have held a restricted
licence for 18 months. This time can be reduced to 12 months if: you
have completed a driving course approved by the Director of Land
Transport Safety; and you began the course no less than 6 months after
receiving your restricted licence.
If you are aged 25 or over,
you can apply for your full licence once you have held a restricted
licence for 6 months. This time can be reduced to 3 months if you have
completed a driving course approved by the NZTA.
All restricted licence holders need to sit and pass a full licence test before graduating to a full licence.
To obtain your full licence you must:
- Pay the appropriate fees for the test and full licence application - Pass the full licence test - Pass an eyesight screening check - Have your photograph taken - And provide a signature
The
full licence test for motorcyclists involves a thorough examination of
your riding skills and how you detect and respond to driving hazards.
On
passing the full licence test you will be given a temporary licence,
valid for 21 days, to use until you receive your full licence in the
mail. Your full licence should arrive within 2-3 weeks.
Now I have a Full Licence, what can I do?
Well Done!
You now have no restrictions on Motorcycle size, riding hours & can take pillions.
Time to go bike shopping!
This
is a very brief summary of how to get a motorcycle licence - for more
information you will need a copy of The Official New Zealand Road Code
and Licence Guide for Motorcyclists or visit the New Zealand Transport Agency website - www.nzta.govt.nz (NZTA).
The Basic Handling Skills Test (BHS test for short), is a practical riding test to see if you have mastered the basic skills that will keep you safe on the road while you’re working towards your full licence.
It
doesn't matter what age you are, all riders must hold their Learner
Licence for at least 6 months before being able to apply for the
Restricted Licence. Before applying for your restricted licence
you must pass a practical riding test. This test is known as the
"Restricted Licence Practical Test". It has been designed to test your
riding ability in a range of traffic situations and on various
different road conditions.