Motorcyclists are being warned that major new road rules are just weeks away, with thousands of novice riders set to face stricter safety requirements from July 1, 2026.
Learner riders in New South Wales will soon be required to wear high-visibility vests or jackets and approved protective gloves under sweeping new safety reforms aimed at reducing the state’s rising motorcycle road toll. The changes form part of what NSW Premier Chris Minns and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison described in October last year as the state’s biggest motorcycle safety overhaul in almost two decades.
What the New Rules Require
Under the new rules, approved high-visibility gear will become mandatory for learner riders whenever they are on the road. Additionally, protective gloves complying with European safety standards will become mandatory for learner and provisional riders, including P1 and P2 licence holders.
The NSW Government said the changes are designed to improve rider visibility and reduce the risk of serious injuries in crashes involving novice motorcyclists. “Learner riders must wear an approved high-visibility (hi-vis) vest or jacket when riding,” the government stated. “This makes it easier for other road users to see you, reducing the risk of a crash.” The high-visibility gear must comply with approved Australian or international standards.
Background of the Reforms
The reforms stem from the 2025 NSW Motorcycle Safety Roundtable, which brought together more than 70 riders, trainers, academics and safety experts amid growing concerns over motorcycle deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads. An insights report produced after the roundtable found strong support for tougher rider training requirements, improved protective gear standards and better road infrastructure for motorcyclists.
The overhaul extends beyond protective clothing requirements, with the NSW Government also flagging longer pre-learner training courses, expanded online learning modules, additional knowledge testing and group on-road coaching and assessment as part of changes to the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme. Transport for NSW said the changes would be introduced progressively over several years to allow time for consultation and rider education.
Rising Fatalities Prompt Action
The reforms follow a sharp increase in rider fatalities across the state. In 2024, 68 motorcycle riders and passengers were killed on NSW roads, a 34 per cent increase on the previous year, according to the NSW Government. Motorcyclists are also 34 times more likely to die in a crash than other road users. Despite motorcycles accounting for just 3.8 per cent of registered vehicles in NSW, they represent almost one in five road deaths.
The government said learner riders are over seven times more likely to be killed in a crash than fully licensed riders. “The evidence is clear: as riders progress through their licence stages, the risk of fatality falls, demonstrating that structured training and on-road experience save lives,” the NSW Government said in the insights report.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Riders who fail to comply with the new protective gear requirements after July 1 could face a $330 fine and two demerit points, as previously reported. The reforms come amid a string of serious motorcycle crashes reported across Australia in recent months, including a fatal truck collision in regional NSW and multiple riders left fighting for life in separate crashes in Queensland and Sydney.
When announcing the reforms in October 2025, Minister Aitchison said the measures were designed to better prepare riders before progressing through the licensing system. “We are delivering the most significant motorcycle safety reforms in almost two decades,” she said at the time. “These reforms are about smarter, safer riding.”
