Older Motorcycle Rider Licence and Testing Requirements

Introduction

The older driver licensing system is designed to balance the safety of road users and the general community, whilst allowing the continued independence and mobility of older drivers and riders.

There is no upper age limit for any class of licence. When you reach a certain age, you must undergo a periodical medical examination and/or riding test as specified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to make sure you are medically fit to hold a rider licence. TfNSW sends a notice by mail eight weeks before your birthday.

TfNSW requires that you have an annual medical and a biennial (every two years) riding test even if you hold a three-or five-year licence.

Older rider overview

Compulsory medical reports

If you hold a rider licence you must provide a satisfactory medical report annually after the age of 75.

Older rider test / assessments 80 –84 years old

If you are between 80 and 84 years old and hold a rider (class R) unrestricted licence, you don’t need to take a practical riding test, although you must have a medical review every year to keep your licence.

You must pass all the reviews and assessments before your birthday each year. If you are not able to do this, you must contact Service NSW for advice.

Older rider test / assessments 85 and over

When you reach 85 you are required to have a medical review every year to keep your licence. You can choose, if you so wish, to have a modified licence. To keep your unrestricted motorcycle rider licence (Class R), you will need to take an aged Motorcycle Operator Skills Test (MOST) every second year. If you live in a declared area, contact your nearest Rider Training Provider to ask for an Aged MOST. If you live in an undeclared area*, contact a Service NSW centre by phone or in person to book an Aged Rider Kerbside Test.

* undeclared areas are those where a Rider Training facility is not within easy reach.

Modified licence

A modified licence lets you keep riding once you reach 85, under certain conditions. If you choose a modified licence, you do not need to attempt a practical riding assessment (Aged MOST). Modified licence conditions are printed on the back of the card. You must comply with the conditions on your licence when riding. For example, you may choose to ride only within a certain distance of your home, or only at certain times of the day. You should discuss options with your doctor, who can advise you on ways to keep you safe on the road. Once you are ready to apply for a modified rider licence, visit a Service NSW centre. The manager will discuss your individual needs with you and work out the conditions that meet your riding needs.

Practical Riding Test

You must satisfy the medical requirements that are needed to keep your licence before attempting a riding test.

If you live in a declared area, a Practical Skills Test (MOST) at a Rider Training Centre is required. You must contact a Rider Training Centre to schedule an Aged MOST. The Rider Training Centre will request approval for a free Aged MOST via TfNSW before confirming the booking. If you live in an undeclared area, a Kerbside Test at a Service NSW centre is required. You do not need to pay for an aged kerbside test, but motorcycle hire for the test is not available.

Older rider MOST test manoeuvres

During the practical riding test, you will be evaluated on a number of specific manoeuvres. The following information will help you practice these manoeuvres before taking the test. The MOST has been modified for the Aged Rider.

Left turn and stop in the box

• Make a left turn through marked yellow lines.
• Make a smooth, non-skidding stop with the ‘contact patch’ of the front tyre completely inside the white painted box.
• The test is done at whatever speed, and in whatever gear you choose.
• Points are accumulated for:
• Touching the yellow lines or putting your foot on the ground, during the left turn
• Skidding either wheel or stopping with the ‘contact patch’ of the front tyre outside the white painted box. Stopping on the line is considered outside the box.

* allowances are made for 3 wheeled motorcycles by:- 1/ those that are too wide to be able to make the left hand turn and remain within the yellow lines should treat the yellow lines on the left as a kerb and ride as close as possible to them. 2/ On a reverse trike (2 wheels at the front) stop with the front left wheel in the white box.

**Diagram supplied by “NAX Motorcycle Rider Training”

U-turn (two-wheel motorcycle and three wheeled motorcycles with a narrow front wheel track)

• Make a right (clockwise) ‘U-turn’ within the box, formed by the yellow lines.
• This test is done at whatever speed, and in whatever gear you choose. After completing the U-turn, stop near the testing officer. Points are accumulated for:
• Touching the yellow lines, though putting a foot down is permitted.

**Diagram supplied by “NAX Motorcycle Rider Training”

3 Point Turn (Trikes with 2 wheels at the back and Reverse Trikes with 2 wheels at the front)

• Make a 3-point turn’ within the box, formed by the yellow lines.
• This test is below 25km/h, and in whatever gear you choose. After completing the 3-point turn, stop near the testing officer. Points are accumulated for:
• Touching the yellow lines during the 3-point turn

**Diagram supplied by “NAX Motorcycle Rider Training”

Braking

On the riding instructor’s signal proceed between the blue and yellow cones at a speed of 20 – 25km/h.

When the front edge of your front tyre passes the yellow cones, begin braking. The aim is to bring your motorcycle to a complete stop as quickly and as safely as you can. Skidding tyres is permitted

If you’re under 20km/h, you’ll be asked to perform a second stop.

If you brake early or prepare your brakes before the yellow cones, you’ll be asked to perform a second stop.

If you’re under 20km/h or brake early on the second attempt, it will be considered a fail.

You will accumulate points for:

• Incorrect stopping distances

**Diagram supplied by “NAX Motorcycle Rider Training”

Note:- For a trike:-

1/ the blue and yellow cones will be moved further apart

Obstacle Turn

• On the testing officer’s signal, proceed between the blue and yellow cones, at a speed of 20-25km/h.
• When the front tyre edge passes the yellow cones, steer to the right or left (the side the testing officer is standing on), to avoid hitting the half tennis ball. Then, turn back in before hitting the side blue lines.
• If your speed is under 20 km/h, you will be asked to perform a second turn.
• If you turn early, or prepare to turn before the yellow cones, you will be asked to perform a second turn.
• If your speed is under 20 km/h, or you turn early on the second attempt, a fail will be recorded.
• Once you have completed the obstacle turn, bring your motorcycle back to where the testing officer is standing. Points are accumulated for:
• Hitting a half tennis ball or blue line – a fail will be recorded.
• Turning to the incorrect side (you must turn to the side that the testing officer is standing on) a fail will be recorded

**Diagram supplied by “NAX Motorcycle Rider Training”

Note:- For a trike:-

1/ the blue and yellow cones will be moved further apart

2/ instead of 2 half tennis balls, one half tennis ball is placed in the centre

3/ there is no requirement to remain within the blue lines but you must turn back towards the centre

Kerbside Test

This test requires that you demonstrate to the testing officer that you have:-

• the ability to operate the controls
• can complete manoeuvres such as a U Turn, emergency stop*
• ride safely in traffic

* Note it is not intended as an exhaustive list of all of the manoeuvres you will be evaluated on, at your test

What happens next?

You’ll be notified of the result after the test.

You’ll receive a test report. This shows if you have passed or failed. It will show areas where you performed well and areas requiring improvement

If you pass

You can keep your licence if you have:

• passed the older rider test described above AND
• successfully completed the Medical assessment for fitness to drive.

If you don’t pass

If you don’t pass the driver or rider test:

• check the test report for reasons why
• make sure someone else drives you home.

You can book to resit the test:

• if it’s still within the required time as specified in the letter sent to you about 8 weeks before your birthday and
• you haven’t committed a serious error. A serious error is riding in a manner that’s a clear danger to yourself or others.

If you failed due to a serious error, your licence will be cancelled.

How to book to resit the Older Rider Riding Test.

If you live in a declared area, contact a Rider Training Centre to schedule an Aged MOST. If you live in an undeclared area, a Kerbside Test at a Service NSW centre is required. To be able to resit the Kerbside Test you will need to apply for a Learner Licence. This Learner Licence will allow you to ride on public roads while doing the Kerbside Test. The conditions of this Learner Licence must be strictly adhered to.

Alternatives to your current licence

You can opt for a modified licence which restricts your riding to the local area. If you choose this option, you may not need to resit the aged rider test.

You can retire from riding by returning your licence to a service centre. You can get a photo ID if you need one.

Taking the Matter to Court

If you believe your licence has been unfairly cancelled, you can take the matter to Court.