Two Wheels and a New Perspective: My Journey to a Rider’s Licence
It’s a question I get asked more often than you’d think here at Scooter Central: “How do I actually get a licence to ride a scooter?” People usually ask with a mix of curiosity and a hint of envy, perhaps picturing themselves zipping past peak-hour traffic or finding easy parking on a sunny Saturday.
Well it all starts with the two-day Pre-Learners Course at ‘Stay Upright’ or a similar rider training provider. My first piece of advice? Book early. Naturally, my mate and I did the exact opposite and left it until the very last minute.
Because the closest places to us were fully booked, we turned our “procrastination” into a road trip. We headed up to the Central Coast for the weekend to get it done. Honestly? It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. What I thought would be a simple box-ticking exercise turned into a weekend of genuine fun and a total shift in how I view the road.
It’s more than a skills check.
Most people think you just show up and ride around some cones, but I walked away with a totally different mindset. We covered the real-world essentials: defensive riding, “reading” traffic, and the kind of emergency braking that gives you real confidence.
The Mix of People
One of the coolest parts was seeing who else showed up. The instructors treated everyone the same, which was great because the experience levels were all over the shop. In my group, we had a 17-year-old who’d been riding dirt bikes since he could walk, sitting right next to a lady in her 60s who just decided she wanted to give it a crack. Everyone was equally nervous to start with, but by the end, we were all just having a blast together.
The Verdict – If you’ve been thinking about it, stop thinking and start booking. It’s a great system and it gives you the confidence to get out there and join in the fun. Just maybe check the calendar a bit sooner than I did!
Here’s how the system works
- Book your Pre Learner Course ($114) at a training centre HERE. The Pre Learner course is subsidised by the government to encourage riders to skill up before using the roads. I understand its all subsidised because we are seen very positively when it comes to minimal emissions and reducing congestion. The Pre Learner course also gives you an opportunity to try scooter riding in an enclosed environment and see if it’s for you. The training centre provides you with a scooter or motorcycle, helmet and gloves as part of the deal. The course is held over two days and runs around about 3 1/2 hors a day.
- Next step is to answer some road rules questions (Rider Knowledge Test $57) at the RMS and get your Learners license($31). You can practice for the Rider Knowledge test HERE. Make sure to have a read through the road users Handbook HERE so you are up to date.
- Any NSW car, motorcycle or scooter license allows you to buy a scooter, so most can purchase their scooter before they have their license to save time. I have many customers waiting for their course dates to come up, that buy their scooter in anticipation using their current NSW car drivers license. Sure, they cant ride their scooter just yet, but the day they have their license they can ride straight away.
- Now that you have your Learners license it’s time to ride on the road, where and when it suits you. Theres no rush. Many of my customers wait for a sunny Sunday morning, others just can’t wait and get out riding straight away. I can even arrange transport to your house of your new scooter, so you can start riding locally in streets you know well.
- After 3-12 months you will be required to do your ‘P’s test. The days consists of doing a Pre Provisional Course in the morning (169) where by the instructor gives you the info and on how to pass the test, and then the Motorcycle Operators Skills Test (MOST test $69) in the afternoon. This is another subsidised day that is practical in nature and sees you riding with a group on the road with you’re own scooter, while an instructor confirms you are riding with some confidence and within the road rules. The instructors are great at giving you all the tips you need to pass successfully.
- NOTE that my licensing at under 25 years old, takes most of 4 years to complete as you I did my Learner’s (L plates) and another three years on Provisional (P plates). I’m pretty sure those that are over 25 and have a gold car license only do one year on P plates which is pretty reasonable as you already have quite a lot of road craft.
Well that’s about it. Do the Pre Learner course and computer test at the RMS to get riding on your Learner plate, then the Pre Provisional and MOST test to get riding on your P plates.
Once you’ve done your time you automatically get a your riders license. Nice!
I highly recommend the process. It may seem like a few steps, but in reality, it assists greatly in making you a safe and capable rider.
You can check out the RMS version of how to do it HERE
See you on the road or here at the shop some time – Ashton