If you are learning to ride a motorcycle in New South Wales, your protective gear is about to become more important than ever. From 1 July 2026, NSW learner and provisional motorcycle riders will need to meet new gear requirements when riding on the road.
The biggest change is simple: NSW learner, P1 and P2 motorcycle riders must wear approved protective motorcycle gloves labelled as complying with EN 13594:2015. Learner riders in NSW must also wear an approved high-visibility vest or jacket when riding.
These changes are not just about following the law. They are about helping new riders protect their hands, improve visibility and build safer riding habits from the start.
This guide explains the NSW motorcycle gear requirements, who they apply to, what gear learner and provisional riders need, how rules can differ across Australian states, and how to choose practical motorcycle gear for everyday riding.
What Are the New NSW Motorcycle Gear Requirements?
The new NSW motorcycle gear requirements apply to learner and provisional motorcycle riders in New South Wales.
From 1 July 2026:
• NSW learner riders must wear approved protective motorcycle gloves
• NSW P1 riders must wear approved protective motorcycle gloves
• NSW P2 riders must wear approved protective motorcycle gloves
• NSW learner riders must also wear an approved high-visibility vest or jacket
• Gloves and hi-vis gear must have the correct compliance label or tag
For many new riders, this means it is time to check your current riding gear before the rule starts. If your gloves are not labelled as complying with EN 13594:2015, they may not meet the NSW requirement.
Who Needs to Follow These Rules?
The gloves rule applies to NSW learner, P1 and P2 motorcycle riders.
The hi-vis vest or jacket rule applies to NSW learner motorcycle riders.
That means:
• Learner riders in NSW need EN 13594:2015 labelled gloves and approved hi-vis gear
• P1 riders in NSW need EN 13594:2015 labelled gloves
• P2 riders in NSW need EN 13594:2015 labelled gloves
These rules are aimed at novice riders because learner and provisional riders are still building road experience, hazard awareness and riding confidence.
Are These Rules for All Australian Riders?
No. These new glove and hi-vis requirements are NSW rules. They do not automatically apply to every rider across Australia.
This is an important point because motorcycle gear requirements in Australia can differ by state and territory. NSW has introduced specific requirements for learner and provisional riders. Victoria also requires motorcycle learners to wear an approved high-visibility vest or jacket. Other states may strongly recommend protective gear and visibility, but they may not have the same NSW-style EN 13594 glove requirement for learner and provisional riders.
If you ride outside NSW, always check the official license conditions for your own state or territory. If you are a NSW rider travelling interstate, you should continue to follow your NSW license conditions as well as the road rules where you are riding.
What Motorcycle Gloves Do NSW Learner, P1 and P2 Riders Need?
NSW learner, P1 and P2 riders must wear motorcycle gloves labelled as complying with EN 13594:2015.
EN 13594:2015 is a motorcycle protective glove standard. For riders, the key point is simple: do not choose gloves based only on appearance, price or comfort. Check the label, tag, packaging or product description before relying on them for NSW learner or provisional riding.
When buying motorcycle gloves, look for wording such as:
• EN 13594:2015
• Motorcycle protective gloves
• CE motorcycle gloves
• Tested to EN 13594
• Level 1 or Level 2 motorcycle gloves
Both Level 1 and Level 2 gloves can be suitable under the standard, but Level 2 generally indicates a higher level of protection. The right choice depends on your riding style, comfort needs and budget.
Why Motorcycle Gloves Matter for New Riders
Hands are often one of the first body parts to touch the road during a fall. Even a low-speed crash can cause painful hand, palm or wrist injuries if a rider is wearing casual gloves or no gloves at all.
Purpose-built motorcycle gloves can help protect against:
• Road abrasion
• Palm injuries
• Knuckle impact
• Cuts and scrapes
• Grip loss in wet or cold conditions
• Hand fatigue on longer rides
For learner and P plate riders, gloves are not just a legal box to tick. They are one of the most important pieces of motorcycle gear you can wear.
RIDERACT® Motorcycle Gloves for NSW Riders
RIDERACT® offers motorcycle gloves designed for riders who need protection, comfort and real road use.
For NSW learner, P1 and P2 riders preparing for the new rule, check the glove product label and product description carefully. If the gloves are labelled as complying with EN 13594:2015, they may suit the NSW protective glove requirement starting from 1 July 2026.
Do not remove the compliance tag or label from your gloves. If your gear is checked, the label helps show that the gloves meet the required standard.
What Hi-Vis Gear Do NSW Learner Riders Need?
NSW learner riders must also wear an approved high-visibility vest or jacket when riding.
The hi-vis vest or jacket must be labelled or marked as complying with an approved high-visibility standard. This means a bright casual jacket is not automatically enough. Learner riders should check the compliance tag before using a vest or jacket for NSW riding.
The purpose of hi-vis gear is to make learner riders easier for other road users to see, especially in traffic, poor light, wet weather or busy urban conditions.
How Should Learner Riders Wear Hi-Vis Gear?
A high-visibility vest or jacket should be worn over the top of other riding clothing, including your protective motorcycle jacket.
This matters because the high-visibility material needs to be visible. If you wear hi-vis underneath another jacket, other drivers may not see it.
A zippered vest or pull-over style is usually more secure because it is less likely to open or flap in the wind. The vest or jacket should be fastened properly and clearly visible from the front, side and rear where possible.
Does a Motorcycle Jacket Count as Hi-Vis Gear?
Not automatically.
A protective motorcycle jacket may include abrasion-resistant material, armour pockets, ventilation and weather protection, but that does not mean it meets the approved hi-vis standard.
For NSW learner riders, the safest approach is to wear an approved hi-vis vest over a protective motorcycle jacket. That way, you can have both visibility and upper-body protection.
Motorcycle Gear Requirements Australia: Why State Rules Matter
Motorcycle gear rules are not the same in every Australian state and territory.
NSW has introduced specific protective gear requirements for learner and provisional riders from 1 July 2026. Victoria also has a high-visibility vest or jacket requirement for motorcycle learners. Other states and territories may recommend protective motorcycle gear, but the legal requirements may differ.
This is why riders should avoid relying on general advice alone. Always check the official rules for the state or territory that issued your license.
This is especially important if you are:
• Getting your motorcycle learner license
• Riding on P plates
• Travelling interstate
• Booking a rider test
• Buying gloves for compliance
• Buying hi-vis gear for learner riding
Motorcycle gear is important everywhere, but the legal requirement can change depending on your state, license stage and riding situation.
Recommended Motorcycle Gear for Learner and P Plate Riders
The NSW rule focuses on gloves and hi-vis gear, but good rider protection should go further than the minimum requirement.
A practical motorcycle gear setup for learner and provisional riders may include:
• Approved motorcycle helmet
• EN 13594:2015 labelled motorcycle gloves
• Protective motorcycle jacket
• Motorcycle pants or reinforced riding jeans
• Motorcycle boots or riding shoes
• Approved hi-vis vest or jacket for NSW learner riders
• Optional motorcycle body armour for extra protection
The legal minimum and the safest riding setup are not always the same thing. New riders should think of motorcycle gear as a complete system.
Motorcycle Jackets for New Riders
A motorcycle jacket helps protect the upper body from abrasion, wind, weather and impact. While the new NSW rule does not make motorcycle jackets mandatory under this specific gear requirement, a proper riding jacket is still one of the most important pieces of gear a rider can own.
When choosing a motorcycle jacket, look for:
• Abrasion-resistant outer material
• Shoulder and elbow armour pockets
• Back protector pocket
• Reinforced stitching
• Secure waist and cuff closures
• Ventilation for warm weather
• Weather-ready construction for changing conditions
RIDERACT® motorcycle jackets are designed for riders who want practical protection, comfort and everyday road use without looking like they are wearing track-only gear.
Motorcycle Pants and Riding Jeans
Regular denim is not designed for motorcycle crashes. It may feel comfortable, but it does not offer the same protection as motorcycle pants or reinforced riding jeans.
Learner and provisional riders should look for pants or riding jeans with:
• Abrasion-resistant materials
• Reinforced impact zones
• Knee armour pockets
• Hip armour compatibility
• Stretch panels for riding comfort
• A secure fit in a riding position
For daily riders, motorcycle riding jeans can be a practical option because they combine casual styling with riding-focused construction.
Motorcycle Boots and Riding Shoes
Foot and ankle protection is often overlooked by new riders. Regular sneakers may be comfortable, but they are not built for gear shifting, road grip, abrasion or ankle support.
Motorcycle boots and riding shoes can help with:
• Ankle support
• Toe and heel protection
• Grip on foot pegs
• Grip on wet or oily surfaces
• Gear shift comfort
• Better protection than casual shoes
For commuting, touring or weekend rides, RIDERACT® motorcycle boots and riding shoes give riders practical options for Australian roads.
NSW Learner Rider Gear Checklist
Before riding as a NSW learner, check the following:
• Approved motorcycle helmet
• Approved high-visibility vest or jacket
• Motorcycle gloves labelled EN 13594:2015
• Protective motorcycle jacket
• Motorcycle pants or reinforced riding jeans
• Motorcycle boots or riding shoes
• L plate displayed correctly
• License conditions checked
• Compliance labels kept attached
This checklist can help learner riders prepare before the 1 July 2026 rule change.
NSW P1 and P2 Rider Gear Checklist
For NSW P1 and P2 riders, the key new gear requirement is approved protective motorcycle gloves.
Before riding, check:
• Approved motorcycle helmet
• Motorcycle gloves labelled EN 13594:2015
• Protective motorcycle jacket
• Motorcycle pants or riding jeans
• Motorcycle boots or riding shoes
• P plates displayed where required
• License conditions checked
• Compliance labels kept attached
Even when hi-vis gear is not required for P1 and P2 riders under this NSW rule, many riders still choose visible or reflective gear for extra road presence.
Common Mistakes New Riders Should Avoid
New riders often buy motorcycle gear in a hurry or choose based on style alone. That can lead to gear that looks good but does not meet the right standard.
Avoid these mistakes:
• Buying gloves without checking EN 13594:2015 compliance
• Removing compliance labels from gloves or hi-vis gear
• Assuming any bright jacket counts as approved hi-vis gear
• Wearing hi-vis underneath a motorcycle jacket
• Riding in regular sneakers instead of motorcycle boots or riding shoes
• Wearing casual jeans instead of motorcycle pants or riding jeans
• Choosing loose gear that allows armour to move
• Waiting until the rule starts before buying compliant gloves
Good gear should fit properly, meet the right standard where required and suit the way you actually ride.
Why RIDERACT® Is Helping Riders Prepare
At RIDERACT® motorcycle gear is built around real riding needs: protection, comfort, fit, grip, weather use and everyday practicality.
For learner, P1 and P2 riders preparing for the NSW requirements, the goal is not just to buy gear quickly. The goal is to understand what each piece of gear does and choose equipment that supports safer, more confident riding.
RIDERACT® can help riders build a complete motorcycle gear setup with gloves, jackets, pants, riding jeans, boots and motorcycle shoes designed for Australian road use.
For NSW glove compliance, always check that the gloves are labelled as complying with EN 13594:2015. For learner hi-vis compliance, check that the vest or jacket has the correct approved high-visibility standard on the label.
Final Thoughts on NSW Motorcycle Gear Requirements
The new NSW motorcycle gear requirements are an important change for learner and provisional riders. From 1 July 2026, NSW learner, P1 and P2 motorcycle riders must wear approved protective gloves labelled as complying with EN 13594:2015. NSW learner riders must also wear an approved high-visibility vest or jacket.
These rules do not apply the same way across every Australian state or territory, so riders should always check their local license conditions and road rules before riding.
For new riders, this is also the right time to think beyond the minimum legal requirement. A complete motorcycle gear setup — helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, boots and visibility gear — can help improve comfort, protection and confidence on the road.
RIDERACT® is here to help Australian riders choose practical motorcycle gear built for real roads, real conditions and safer everyday riding.
