Motorcycle learner and provisional riders in New South Wales will soon need to follow new safety rules, in what the state government says is the biggest overhaul of the motorcycle licensing system in two decades.
From July 1, novice riders will be required to wear high-visibility vests and protective gloves under changes to the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme. Riders have just weeks left to make sure they have the correct gear before the new rules begin.
The reforms are designed to cut the number of serious injuries and deaths among beginner riders, who are far more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than experienced motorcyclists.
“It is really distressing when we see fatalities where people weren’t wearing helmets and when we see serious crashes and trauma where people have not been wearing gloves,” New South Wales Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison told 7News.
“They have a crash, damage their hands, and that can mean their career is gone.”
The changes were developed after recommendations from the NSW Motorcycle Safety Round Table 2025, which brought together more than 70 riders, trainers and road safety experts.
The move comes as motorcycle riding becomes increasingly popular across the state, especially among younger people. Over the past 20 years, NSW has seen a 65 per cent rise in motorcycle licences, with about 27,000 issued each year.
Even with that growth, road deaths among motorcyclists have continued to rise. In 2025, 75 motorcyclists were killed on NSW roads, seven more than the year before. Of those who died, 21 were under 25.
“These reforms target novice riders because they are over seven times more likely to die in a crash than experienced riders,” Ms Aitchison previously said.
“By strengthening training, improving on-road experience and mandating simple protective gear, we’re giving new riders the best possible start.
“We’re taking a whole-of-system approach: safer people, safer roads and safer vehicles. It’s all part of our Towards Zero vision of eliminating deaths and serious injuries by 2050.
“Every life lost on our roads is one too many. We all have a role to play in keeping NSW roads safe.”
Under the new rules, gloves worn by learner and provisional riders must meet the European EN 13594 safety standard. Learner riders will also have to wear high-visibility vests to make them easier to see on the road.
The NSW government website states, “Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence and will incur fines and demerit points.”
The high-visibility vest requirement brings NSW into line with Victoria, where learner riders already have to wear reflective clothing.
New riders are being encouraged to check MotoCAP’s website before the rules take effect so they can choose suitable protective gear. MotoCAP, the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program, independently tests motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves to assess how well they perform in crashes.
Like ANCAP safety ratings for cars, MotoCAP gives star ratings to riding gear based on abrasion resistance, burst strength and impact energy absorption, helping riders compare safety performance before buying.
