If you’re currently on your motorcycle restricted licence and wondering how to get your full licence — here’s exactly how it works in New Zealand.

At Passmasters Rider Training, we help riders move from Restricted to Full every week. The process is straightforward once you understand your options.

Quick Answer: What Are the Requirements?

To progress from a restricted to a full motorcycle licence in NZ, you must:

Option 1 – CBTA Pathway

Hold your restricted licence for at least 9 months
Complete a CBTA 6F assessment
Then wait until you’ve held your restricted for 12 months total
Be at least 17.5 years old
Apply for your full licence

Option 2 – Practical Test Route (No CBTA)

Hold your restricted licence for 18 months
Be at least 18 years old
Sit and pass the full licence practical test

Now let’s break down what that actually means.

What Is CBTA 6F?

CBTA stands for Competency-Based Training and Assessment.

The 6F assessment is:

An on-road riding assessment
Conducted by an NZTA-approved assessor
Focused on real-world riding skills
Less stressful than a formal testing environment

At Passmasters, we offer CBTA 6F assessments as an approved provider.

Why Most Riders Choose CBTA

The biggest advantage?

You can reduce your restricted period from 18 months to 12 months.

That’s 6 months earlier eligibility for your full licence.

CBTA is not about catching you out — it’s about demonstrating safe, competent riding in normal traffic conditions.

What Happens During a 6F Assessment?

You’ll be assessed on:

Road positioning
Hazard awareness
Speed management
Decision making
Observation and head checks
Safe gap selection

It’s about how you ride every day — not performing tricks in a carpark.

When Can You Sit Your 6F?

You must:

Hold your restricted for at least 9 months
Be confident riding in varied traffic environments

Once you pass 6F, you still need to wait until the 12-month mark before applying for your full licence.

What If You Don’t Do CBTA?

If you choose not to complete CBTA:

You must wait 18 months on your restricted
Then book and pass the full licence practical test at AA/VTNZ/VINZ

This test is more structured and exam-style compared to CBTA.

Age Requirements

To apply for your full licence, you must be:

17.5 years old if completing CBTA
18 years old if going via the standard practical test

Do You Need Your Own Motorcycle?

You can use your own bike — or hire one.

At Passmasters:

✔ We provide CBTA 6F assessments
✔ We offer refresher training before assessment
✔ We provide hire bikes if needed
✔ We coach riders to improve pass confidence

Common Questions

Is 6F Hard?

No — if you’re riding consistently and safely.

Most riders who fail do so due to:

Poor observation habits
Inconsistent head checks
Positioning errors
Hesitation at intersections

All of these are coachable.

Should I Do a Prep Session First?

We recommend it.

A short coaching ride before your 6F:

Identifies weak areas
Fixes habits quickly
Builds assessment confidence
Improves first-time pass rates

The Smart Progression Path

Here’s what we recommend:

✔ Hold restricted for 9 months
✔ Book a refresher ride
✔ Sit CBTA 6F
✔ Apply for full at 12 months

Simple. Structured. Efficient.

Why Upgrade to Full?

Moving to your full licence:

Removes restricted conditions
Removes night riding limitations
Removes pillion restrictions
Demonstrates full competency
May reduce insurance premiums

Final Checklist

✔ Held restricted 9+ months (for CBTA)
✔ Book CBTA 6F or practical test
✔ Meet minimum age
✔ Apply for full licence

Ready to Upgrade?

If you’re approaching your 9-month mark and want to progress smoothly, we can help.

Whether you need:

A confidence ride
A CBTA 6F assessment
Or a hire bike for the day

Passmasters will guide you through the final step to your full licence.

How to Progress from a Restricted to a Full Motorcycle Licence in New Zealand