🏍️ Motorcycle Laws in Australia (2025 Update)

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Licensing, Bike Restrictions, Speed Limits, Helmets, Lane Filtering & Penalties

Riding a motorcycle in Australia involves following both national standards and state-specific laws. Whether you’re a Learner (L), Provisional (P), or Full Licence (R) rider, knowing your local rules is essential for safety and avoiding fines.

This guide covers:
Licensing & bike restrictions
Speed limits
Helmet & visor laws
Lane filtering rules
Common penalties

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Licensing, Bike Restrictions & Speed Limits by State

New South Wales (NSW)

Learner (L):

• Must ride a LAMS-approved motorcycle (≤ 660 cc, ≤ 150 kW/tonne).

• Max speed 90 km/h (and obey posted limits).

• No pillion, must display L-plates, BAC 0.00, minimum 12 months.

Provisional (P1):

• Same LAMS restriction.

• Max speed 90 km/h.

• No pillion passengers.

Provisional (P2):

• Same LAMS restriction.

• Max speed 100 km/h.

• Pillion passengers allowed.

Full (R): No restrictions on bike type or speed beyond posted limits.

Typical penalties:

• Non-LAMS bike: ~$650 fine + demerit points.

• Exceeding limit: $300 – $2,200 + 3–6 demerits.

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Victoria (VIC)

Learner (L):

• LAMS-approved bike (≤ 660 cc, ≤ 150 kW/tonne).

• Follow posted speed limits (no capped learner limit).

• No pillion, L-plates, BAC 0.00, minimum 3 months.

Provisional (P):

• Same bike restriction.

• Follow posted limits.

• May carry a pillion after 12 months.

Full (R): No restrictions.

Typical penalties:

• Non-approved bike or pillion breach: $330 – $825 fine.

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Queensland (QLD)

Learner (RE L):

• Must ride an RE-class (LAMS) bike (≤ 660 cc, ≤ 150 kW/tonne).

• Follow posted limits.

• No pillion, L-plates, BAC 0.00.

Provisional (RE P1/P2):

• Same LAMS restriction.

• Follow posted limits.

• P1: No pillion. P2: Pillion allowed.

Full (R): Any bike, no restrictions.

Typical penalties:

• Unapproved bike: ~$430 fine + 3 demerits.

• No L-plates: ~$150 fine.

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Western Australia (WA)

Learner (L):

• LAMS-approved motorcycle (≤ 660 cc, ≤ 150 kW/tonne).

• Max speed 100 km/h.

• No pillion, L-plates, BAC 0.00, minimum 6 months.

Provisional (R-E):

• Same restriction.

• Max speed 100 km/h.

• May carry pillion after 6 months.

Full (R): No restrictions.

Typical penalties:

• Unapproved bike: $100 – $500 fine.

• Speeding: $150 – $1,000 + demerits.

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South Australia (SA)

Learner (L):

• LAMS-approved motorcycle.

• Follow posted limits.

• No pillion, L-plates, BAC 0.00.

Provisional (P1/P2):

• Same restriction.

• Follow posted limits.

• P1: No pillion. P2: Pillion allowed.

Full (R): No restrictions.

Typical penalties:

• Non-approved bike: $187 – $500 fine.

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Tasmania (TAS)

Learner (L):

• LAMS-approved motorcycle.

• Follow posted limits.

• No pillion, L-plates, BAC 0.00.

Provisional (P1/P2):

• Same restriction.

• Follow posted limits.

• P1: No pillion. P2: Pillion allowed.

Full (R): No restrictions.

Typical penalties:

• Non-compliant bike: $130 – $350 fine.

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Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Learner (L):

• LAMS-approved motorcycle.

• Follow posted limits.

• No pillion, L-plates, BAC 0.00.

Provisional (P):

• Same restriction.

• Follow posted limits.

• Pillion allowed.

Full (R): No restrictions.

Typical penalties:

• Unapproved bike: ~$250 fine.

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Northern Territory (NT)

Learner (L):

• Must ride a LAMS-approved motorcycle (≤ 660 cc, ≤ 150 kW/tonne).

• Max speed: 80 km/h.

• No pillion passengers.

• Must display L-plates and maintain BAC 0.00.

• Minimum period: 6 months before applying for a provisional licence.

Provisional (P):

• Must ride a LAMS-approved motorcycle.

• Max speed: 100 km/h.

• May carry a pillion.

• Minimum period: 12 months (or 24 months if under 25 years old).

Full (R):

• No LAMS restrictions or speed caps.

Typical penalties:

• Non-LAMS bike: $100 – $300 fine.

• Exceeding licence-specific speed limit: fine + demerit points.

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Helmet & Visor Laws (All States)

Helmet standards:

• Must comply with AS/NZS 1698 or ECE 22.05 / ECE 22.06.

• Helmets must have an approved label or certification mark.

Visors:

• Tinted visors or goggles are legal only in daylight and must be clear at night.

• In Victoria, it is illegal to ride at night with a tinted visor.

• Non-compliant helmets or visors attract the same fine as riding without a helmet.

Typical penalties:

• No approved helmet: $300 – $600 + 3–4 demerits.

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Lane Filtering Laws (All States)

Legal for fully licensed riders in most states.
Learners and P-platers cannot lane filter anywhere in Australia.

Conditions:

• Max speed while filtering: ≤ 30 km/h.

• Only between vehicles travelling in the same direction.

• Not allowed in school zones, next to kerbs or parked cars, or in bicycle lanes.

Typical penalties:

• Illegal filtering: $200 – $500 fine + 2–3 demerits.

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Summary: Key Takeaways

Category	Rule
Bike restrictions	L/P riders must ride LAMS-approved bikes (≤ 660 cc, ≤ 150 kW/t).
Speed limits	NSW: L = 90 km/h, P1 = 90 km/h, P2 = 100 km/h. WA: L/P = 100 km/h. Other states: follow posted limits.
Helmets & visors	Must meet AS/NZS 1698 or ECE 22.05/22.06. Tinted visors OK in daylight only (illegal at night in VIC).
Lane filtering	Only full licence holders, ≤ 30 km/h, between slow/stationary traffic.
Penalties	Range from ~$100 for minor breaches to >$2,000 for serious offences.

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Ride Safe & Stay Legal

Always check your state’s official transport authority (e.g. Transport NSW, VicRoads, TMR QLD) before riding — laws, penalties, and approved bikes can change at any time.

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