What is LAMS?

1 July 2021

Often when our team is giving you a quote for motorcycle insurance we say “subject to the bike being LAMS approved”, so what exactly does this mean?

The Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) determines which models of motorcycle can legally be ridden in NZ by a rider on a Learner or Restricted Licence.

Riders on a learner or restricted licence can ride any motorcycle under 250cc except for a list of prohibited, highly-powerful machines. You can also ride any bikes with an engine capacity under 660cc, or with an electric motor, that don’t exceed a 150kW per tonne power-to-weight ratio.

LAMS choices range from easy-to-control machines that are perfect for novice or less-experienced riders through to high-performance middleweight bikes that will challenge any rider.

The most important aspects for someone choosing to start riding a bike are:

• Do you feel confident and in control riding it?
• Is it equipped with everything you need for the type of riding you’ll mostly be doing?

Every motorcyclist has to start somewhere, and Star Insurance is happy to insure riders on learner and restricted licences. We also encourage riders to take professional rider training with the ACC run Ride Forever courses.