Learner-approved motorbikes

If you hold an R-DATE learner's permit or have held an R-DATE licence for less than 2 years, you can only ride certain learner-approved motorbikes.

On this page

    Motorbikes you can ride

    You can ride motorbikes and motor trikes that meet at least one of these requirements.

    • It's on the learner-approved motorbike list (on this page)
      • they must not be modified in any way that increases its power-to-weight ratio and
      • are the standard model and variant as specified on the approved list.
    • It was built before December 1960 with an engine capacity up to 660 mL (millilitres).
    • It has an electric powered engine up to 25 kW (kilowatts).
    • It has an engine capacity up to 260 mL (millilitres) and a power to weight ratio up to 150 kilowatts per tonne, except for these motorbikes: Suzuki RGV250, Kawasaki KR250 (KR-1 and KR1s models), Honda NSR250, Yamaha TZR250, Aprilia RS250.

    Find a learner-approved motorbike

    You can check the list to see if a particular motorbike is approved.

    You'll need to know the:

    • make
    • model and variant name
    • year of manufacture
    • engine capacity.

    Search the list of learner-approved motorbikes

    Riding a moped

    A moped is a 2 or 3-wheeled motor vehicle, other than a power-assisted bicycle that:

    • can't go faster than 50 kilometres per hour
    • is propelled by a motor or an internal combustion engine with a capacity not exceeding 50 millilitres.

    You can ride a moped with any class of South Australian driver's licence. The moped must be registered, insured, and compliant with Australian design rules.

    If you have a learner's permit, you can only ride a moped if the permit is for R-DATE or R-class.

    Your next steps

    Once you have held your R-DATE licence for more than 2 years, you are no longer restricted to ride learner-approved motorbikes.

    You can start riding any motorbike or motor trike as soon as the 2 years has lapsed. You don't need to apply or do further testing to upgrade to your R class.

    An R class will automatically be added to your driver's licence on your next licence renewal.

    Need help?

    Contact Service SA


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    Page last updated 13 April 2026

    Provided by:
    Department for Infrastructure and Transport
    URL:
    https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/licences/motorcycle-licences/learner-approved-motorcycles
    Last Updated:
    13/04/26
    Printed on:
    22/06/26
    Copyright statement:
    SA.GOV.AU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © Copyright 2026
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