If you are looking to buy a Scooter or Motorbike you might be asking yourself this question –
Is it possible to ride a motorcycle or road scooter with a car license?
The Answer is No, it is not allowed in Queensland to ride a motorbike using a car license. However, if you possess an Open Car license, you are authorised to ride a 50cc Moped.
Open Car Licence
If you hold a C Class Licence, you can drive the following vehicles:
- A motor vehicle (with or without a trailer), other than a motorcycle, that:
- has a maximum weight of 4.5 tonne (t) gross vehicle mass (GVM)
- is built or fitted to carry no more than 12 adults, including the driver.
- A moped—fitted with an electric motor or an internal combustion engine (with a maximum capacity of 50mL) with a maximum manufacturer’s top-rated speed of 50km/h that is not a bicycle. If you are riding a moped on a car licence you must not carry a passenger.
If you are looking for a Scooter to ride on your Open / C-Class driver’s license, you will want to consider a 50cc and under. See our 50cc scooter options.
No Riding Experience at all? A Pre-Learner Course is highly recommended prior to obtaining your RE Class Licence.
For legal motorcycle riding in Queensland, it is mandatory to hold a specific motorcycle license or learner permit.
If you would like to ride a more powerful faster Scooter or Motorbike, here is some information to obtain a license:
If you have maintained your provisional or open car license for a minimum of 1 year, you can apply for a learner motorcycle license. This license permits you to ride a Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAMS) with an engine capacity of 660cc or lower and a power to weight ratio less than 150Kw per tonne.
Learner requirements:
As a learner rider, you must visibly display an L-plate and be supervised by a rider with a RE O license for at least 1 year.
Additionally, you must maintain a 0.0 Bac and are not allowed to carry a pillion passenger.
License progression:
To obtain a full motorcycle license in Queensland, you must initially hold a learner motorcycle license for a minimum of three months.
Afterward, complete an online Motorcycle Hazard Perception Test (HPT) and a Q Ride training course (refer to local options in this article), and successfully pass a practical riding test.
During the Restricted license period, you can ride unsupervised on a LAMS motorbike.
Two years with a Restricted license are mandatory before upgrading to an Unrestricted license.
Riding a motorcycle demands specific skills and knowledge. Acquiring a motorcycle license ensures that you have received the necessary training and education.
Information provided from Licence types, classes and conditions from the Qld Government
RE Class Licence
If you hold a RE Class Licence, you can drive the following vehicles:
- A moped—fitted with an electric motor or an internal combustion engine (with a maximum capacity of 50mL) with a maximum manufacturer’s top rated speed of 50km/h that is not a bicycle. Any other vehicle with a larger engine or faster top rated speed is classed as a motorcycle.
- A LAMS Approved ( learner approved motorcycle ) 2 or 3 wheel, with or without a trailer.
Note: The Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) identifies motorcycles that are considered suitable for motorcycle learners and novice riders after progressing from a motorcycle learner licence. A learner approved motorcycle is a production motorcycle that is fitted with an electric motor, or has an internal combustion engine with a maximum engine capacity of 660mL and:
- has maximum power to weight ratio of 150kW per tonne (t)
- has not been modified other than for an allowable modification is included on our learner approved motorcycle list.
- An allowable modification, for a learner approved motorcycle is a modification:
- designed to enable a person with a physical impairment to ride the motorcycle or
- to the seating capacity of the motorcycle.
Either of these modifications must be approved under the Vehicle Standards and Safety Regulation.
Modifications that increase the maximum engine power of the motorcycle are not considered allowable.
You can find a local Sunshine Coast Q-Rider Training Provider Here
Licence types, classes and conditions can be found Here
R Class Licence
If you hold a R Class Licence, you can drive the following vehicles:
- A motorcycle (2 or 3 wheel) with unlimited engine size, with or without a trailer.
Note this is current at the day of publication and we would recommend you check prior to making any decisions based on this information.
Last updated September 2023
Scooter Style Moped or 50cc Scooters to ride on your C-Class driver’s license:
Benzina Zero Electric eScooters V-10 and V-50
If you have a LAMS-approved or Unrestricted Motorcycle license and you are looking for a faster more powerful engine. View our range of 125cc, 150cc, 200cc, 250cc, 300cc, 350cc, 400cc, 550cc and 650cc across our Brands: Vespa, Piaggio, Peugeot, SYM, Kymco, Italjet, Super Soco, Benzina Zero and Royal Enfield Motorcycles
