Your learner motorcycle licence in NZ (class 6L)

The basic handling skills test

It checks you have the skills to ride safely on the road once you hold a learner licence. It has four stages:

• Basic turn and stop
• Figure of eight and park
• Linking figures of eight
• Increased speed and emergency stop

Each stage mixes moving off, riding straight, cornering, stopping and parking. The assessor looks at where you’re looking, your signals and head checks, your position, control and speed, and how you park.

Before the test, you can practise on your own private property or at a motorcycle training school, but not on a road. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) suggests talking to your provider about any training you’ve done, to decide if you’re ready.

Which bikes count under LAMS?

LAMS picks out the motorcycles that suit learner and restricted riders, based on how the bike performs overall. A bike is LAMS approved if it’s:

• 250cc or under, unless it’s on the LAMS-prohibited list
• Made before 1960, at 660cc or under
• Powered wholly by electricity and approved by NZTA
• Between 251cc and 660cc, and on NZTA’s list in standard form

Checking your bike is up to you. A change that raises its power-to-weight ratio takes it out of LAMS, even if its model is on the list. Look at the exact model too, as a close name may not be listed.