To legally ride a motorcycle or motor scooter, regardless of engine size, in the Australian Capital Territory you must have a rider licence.  As a road safety initiative, to become licenced the ACT Government administers a Compulsory Rider Training and Testing Scheme.

Stay Upright Motorcycle Techniques is contracted by the ACT Government to operate the scheme and conducts pre-learner and pre-provisional rider training courses and provisional licence assessments.

Getting Started

Prospective motorcycle learner licence holders must successfully complete a 9 hour Pre-Learner Motorcycle Rider Training course. The course fee is $248. Enrolments conditions apply. You must be at least 16 years and 9 months of age and hold a current (not expired, restricted, disqualified or suspended) 'C' Class learner, provisional or open licence issued by the ACT Government.

If your current provisional or open driver licence was issued interstate or overseas, click here Rego ACT for more information on exchanging it for an equivalent ACT licence.

If you hold only a learner licence/permit issued interstate or overseas, it cannot be exchanged for an equivalent ACT learner driver licence. You must successfully complete a Road Ready Learner Licence Course, including a computerised knowledge test on the ACT Road Rules before applying for an ACT learner driver licence.

Pre-learner Training Course Format and Content
There is no pre-requisite knowledge or experience for undertaking pre-learner training but good balance, coordination, a reasonable degree of physical fitness and a good command of the English language are essential (training is delivered in English only).  

Specialist motorcycle clothing is not required for the course but for safety reasons we insist you wear sturdy clothing offering full skin cover, that is, long trousers and a long sleeved shirt, sweater or jacket.  Sturdy, fully enclosed footwear is also required.  Avoid tall heels or lose fitting trousers which can interfere with the controls. 

Don't forget to bring you current driver licence.  It will be checked at the commencement of the course.

Course Days and Start Times
Courses are usually held on Wednesday/Thursday and Saturday/Sunday (single day courses are not usually held on weekends.)

Morning sessions start at 8:00am.  Afternoon sessions start at 1:00pm from May through to September and 1:30pm from October through to April.  To pass the course, you must be present for the entire duration so be sure to allow plenty of travel time to get to the Centre.  You will be excluded if you are late and a $100 rebooking fee will apply.

Waiting time to get on weekday courses may be up to 3 weeks (1 to 2 weeks in winter) and for weekend courses up to 5 to 6 weeks (3 to 5 weeks in winter).

Course Location
Pre-learner training is conducted close to Queanbeyan at the Sutton Road Driver Training Centre, also known as Transport Industries Skill Centre (TISC).  There is no public transport to the training centre but there are bus services to the ACT Airport and to the main street of Queanbeyan.  Both locations are a short taxi ride to the training centre.

What If You Have Difficulties During the Course
Once training begins, each activity requires you to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge.  We understand the reality that people learn at different paces.  Should you be unable to demonstrate a particular skill or knowledge, for safety reasons you will be stopped riding and your instructor will discuss with you a future personalised training program.

When You Pass the Course
You will be awarded a Certificate of Completion valid for three months.  The Certificate must be presented to any ACT Government Shopfront along with a small fee to have the learner rider class added to your existing driver licence.  You cannot legally ride until this is done.

What Happens After You Get Your Learner Rider Licence
You must be aware that ACT learner rider licence holders are subject to special restrictions when riding in the ACT.  Should you ride outside of the ACT, you must also be familiar with local traffic regulations as each state and territory has different rules for learners in areas like BAC limits, restricted speed limits, engine capacity limits and so on.

Your rider Ls are valid for 24 months during which time we recommend you regularly practice the skills and systems developed during pre-learner training.  In addition to practicing privately, you may consider other Stay Upright training activities to develop and broaden your skills in preparation for your provisional assessment.
Your learner rider licence must be current when you attempt the provisional assessment.  If your learner licence expires beforehand you will need to repeat the Pre-Learner course at full cost.

Booking a Pre-Learner Course
Contact or visit the ACT Stay Upright Booking Office.  On-line bookings are not available but you may enquire online and we will telephone you to arrange a booking.   If you wish to train on an automatic scooter, let us know when booking as we have only a limited number of automatics.

Fee Payment
Our office hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm,  business days are Monday through Friday excluding public holidays. 

Your booking will be confirmed in writing on receipt of the full course fee. Tentative bookings not paid in full within two business days will automatically lapse.

Payment Options:

	by phone (Visa or Mastercard only)
	in person (cash, cheque or EFTPOS)
	by direct deposit to our bank account at any NAB branch or via internet transfer to:
	BSB: 082-057                                     Account No: 160 000 667 Account Name: Stay Upright              Payment Reference: your first name and last name

Postponement or Refund
Pre-learner course fees may be transferred, refunded or held in credit only if:

	your course is cancelled prior to commencement, or
	you give Stay Upright at least two (2) full business days notice prior to the course start date of your inability to attend.

Other Information

ACT Government learner approved motorcycle scheme