Date published: 24/04/23. All content in this article is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be financial or professional advice.

Road rules for learners differ from state to state, so we forgive you if you’re a little confused about which rules apply. Luckily, we’ve pulled together a handy guide to help you out. Let’s get into it.

No matter where you are in Australia, learners must keep that pesky blood alcohol level at zero at all times, and always be supervised by someone with unrestricted licence. In some states it doesn't matter how long they've had their full driver's licence, but Tassie and Queensland require supervisors to have had their fulls for 1 year, and at least four years in Western Australia. These guys have to sit in the passenger seat, and they can be immediate family members, friends or driving instructors.

Learners in all states aren't allowed to use their mobile phone in any capacity. This includes hands-free devices via bluetooth technology and loud speakers, as well. When in doubt, put your mobile phone in the glovebox.

Display them L plates like ya mean it. This means displaying them clearly on the front and back of the vehicle, making sure the letter L isn’t obscured at all.

To make sure you're ready to hit the road, read on to check out the state specific road rules for learners.

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory
• Tasmania
• Queensland
• ACT

L-PLATER RULES IN NSW

Once you’ve turned 16, you can head on down to Service NSW to take the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) and get your learner driver licence. The DKT is a computer based test, and you can prepare for it by studying the Road User Handbook, or completing free practice tests. Learners must comply with NSW road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• The maximum speed limit for learner drivers is 90km/hour.
• Learners aren’t allowed to tow trailers, caravans or other vehicles.
• For L plate drivers based in Sydney, Parramatta Park, Moore or Centennial Park are off limits.
• If L platers accumulate 4 or more demerit points in a 3 year period, they risk their licence being suspended or disqualified. Yikes.

L-PLATER RULES IN VIC

You’ve reached the ripe old age of 16, which means you can get your learners permit. To get your L’s, you’ll need to take the Learner Permit Test, which can be done either online or in person. The test is a 4-6 hours online course that teaches you about the road rules in Victoria, and will help you develop safe driving skills. Yay! Go here if you’re taking it online, or make an appointment at your local [VicRoads Customer Service Centre](VicRoads Customer Service Centre). Learners must comply with VIC road rules, but there are a few additional learner driver restrictions that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• There’s no additional speed limit for learner drivers in VIC. But L platers should be driving within posted speed limit, and at a speed you’re comfortable with and safe for the area they’re in.
• L plate drivers also can’t tow a trailer, caravans or other vehicles.
• If learners exceed more than 11 demerit points in a 3 year period, or more than 4 in a four month period, then it's licence suspension or disqualification time.

L-PLATER RULES IN QLD

Your sweet 16 has arrived, and hopefully when you were 15 years and 11 months old, you enrolled in the PrepL interactive program so you had time to work through and pass it so you can get your permit on your 16th birthday. Great planning ahead! This bad boy will take you anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to complete, and you’ll need 90% correct to get your learners. You can opt to complete a written road rules test instead if you'd like, which can be done at a transport and motoring customer service centre. Once you’ve passed either of these and you’re at least 16, you can apply for your learner licence. Learners must comply with QLD road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• L plate drivers must be supervised at all times by a driver who has held their unrestricted licence continuously for at least a year.
• Learners from Queensland don't have additional restrictions on their speed limits compared to unrestricted drivers, so just stick to the posted speed limits - or slower if you prefer!
• If learner drivers accumulate more than four demerit points within a continuous 1 year period, they'll probs be copping a 3 month licence suspension.
• Luckily the state of caravans allows their learners to pull both caravans and trailers. Just make sure that L plate is on the back of what you're towing as well as on the front and back of the car.

L-PLATER RULES IN ACT

If you’re exactly 15 years and 9 months old, have successfully completed a Pre-Learner Licence course AND passed the ACT Road Rules based computerised knowledge test, then groovy! You can get your learner drivers licence. Once all that’s sorted, learners can head on down to an Access Canberra Service Centre location and apply for their learner licence. They’ll need to complete an eye test and provide their certificate of completion for the knowledge test. Learners must comply with ACT road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• There aren’t any additional restricted speed limits for learner drivers compared to unrestricted licence holders in the ACT, so they’ll just need to stick to the speed limits posted, and drive to the conditions of course.
• Learners in the ACT can’t pull anything that exceeds 750kgs.
• Learners in the ACT have a demerit point threshold of four points. After that, their licence can be suspended for three months.

L-PLATER RULES IN NT

16 year olds in the Northern Territory are eligible for their learners once they pass an eyesight test and a knowledge test, which you can take at your local MVR office. The test has 30 questions, which have been randomly selected from a question bank of more than 300 questions - you can study for it via the Road Users’ Handbook. Learners must comply with NT road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• Northern Territory L platers can’t drive any faster than 80km/h. And obvs follow the speed limit when it’s below 80km/h. Don’t always go 80km/h, that would be breaking the law.
• NT learners are permitted to tow a trailer if they are so inclined. Just make the L plate is on the back of what you're towing as well as on the front and back of the car. In the NT, learners will get their licence suspended for a certain period of time depending on how many demerit points they have.
• 5 to 8 points - 3 month suspension.
• 9 to 12 points - 4 month suspension
• 13 or more points - 5 month suspension

L-PLATER RULES IN SA

At 16 years old, South Australians can either complete a a myLs course and theory test online, or a theory test at a Service SA centre. Learners must comply with SA road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• Learners in SA can’t exceed more than 100km/h.
• L platers are allowed to pull a trailer, caravan, boat or horse float - but not all at once obvs.
• L platers can’t accumulate more than four or more demerit points during their learner's permit period, otherwise they can kiss said permit.

L-PLATER RULES IN TASMANIA

Down in good old Tassie, potential learners can do a diver knowledge test once they’re 15 years and 11 months old, but you have to be 16 before you can actually get your permit. You can do the test either online via the Plates Plus course, or you can book a test at Service Tasmania. Learners must comply with Tasmanian road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• Learners must be supervised at all times by a driver who has held their unrestricted licence continuously for at least a year.
• L platers can’t go any faster than 90km/h.
• Tasmanian learners aren’t allowed to tow anything.
• Learners are liable for suspension if you accumulate four or more demerit points in a period of 12 months or less.

L-PLATER RULES IN WA

16 year olds in Western Australia can apply for a learners permit after they’ve completed and passed a computerised theory test, which they study for via the Drive Safe handbook. They’ll need to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services Centre and complete an application form so they can take the theory test. Learners must comply with WA road rules, but there are a few additional requirements that they’ll need to comply with as well.

• Learners in WA don’t have additional speed limit restrictions compared to unrestricted drivers, so they’ll just need to adhere to the posted speed limits.
• WA is the place if you're a learner and you want to pull a trailer.
• Learners in WA risk a 3 month licence suspension if they rack up 4 or more demerit points in 1 year.

L plates must be displayed clearly on the front and back of the vehicle. This means the letter L can’t be obstructed at all. If it isn’t displayed clearly or it falls off, the learner and the supervising driver risk getting a fine.

If you’re having trouble keeping the plates secure or making sure they’re displayed clearly, you can use clips to attach them to the number plate, or display them behind the windscreen in the top left corner, on inside the back window.

Learner drivers have a zero blood alcohol limit. And don’t you forget it. Also, it’s important to remember that it only takes about 185 bottles of premixed Lemon Lime Bitters to get drunk. Be careful out there.

Supervising drivers also have to be under the blood alcohol limit permitted with an unrestricted licence, which is under 0.05.

So you can’t be having a nap in the back or watching Grey’s Anatomy. Eyes on the road, pal. If your learner cops a fine, you could be in for the same one as well, so make sure they know the right things to do.

And don’t forget that supervising drivers must be under the blood alcohol concentration limit for an unrestricted licence - that's 0.05%. When the learner gets breathalysed, it’s more than likely the supervisor will as well. Sorry to break it to you, but learner drivers aren't automatically your designated driver for your upcoming bender.

In Queensland and Tasmania, the supervising driver must have held their licence for at least a year. If you’re in Western Australia, the supervising driver must have held an unrestricted driver’s licence for at least 4 years.

There aren’t any limits for how many hours learners can drive in a day. But, learners can’t drive more than two hours consecutively. It's important to take breaks! It's recommended that all drivers take a break every two hours, so this is a great habit you can keep doing even after your get your provisional licence all the way to your fulls.

Yes! Learner drivers can absolutely drive on highways and freeways, just ensure you're staying within the restricted speed limit if your state imposes one. In fact, it’s super important to get experience driving in a range of traffic and weather conditions. But maybe stick to the quieter roads before you head out on the highway.

Across Australia, learners can carry more than one passenger. At least one of these passengers needs to have their full licence to be the supervising driver, and they need to be in the passenger seat. Also, it goes without saying - but we’re gonna say it anyway - only passengers that can be seated properly in a seat fitted with a seat belt or a child restraint where suitable can be carried.

In saying that, when learner drivers first start hitting the frog and toad - that’s “road” in Dad speak - we reckon it’s a good idea to only have your supervising driver with you until you get more practice. Then, once you’re ready and you’re more confident, you can have a go at carrying more than one passenger.

Yes! In fact, there’s a certain amount of night hours you need to complete to be eligible for their P1 licence.

• NSW and VIC - 120 hours all up, including 20 hours at night.
• TAS - 80 hours, including 15 at night.
• ACT and QLD - 100 hours all up, including 10 at night.
• WA - a minimum of 50 hours, including 5 hours at night.
• SA - 75 hours, including 15 hours at night.
• NT - learners in the NT don't have a minimum requirement of hours - day or night - but it’s recommended that they do more than 50 hours of practice driving. And don't forget to chuck some nighttime driving in as well.

Here is a handy guide:

• NSW and TAS - 90 kms
• NT - 80 kms
• SA - 100 kms
• ACT, VIC, WA and QLD - the speed limit for these drivers is not dictated by the type of licence held by the driver. Learner drivers may travel at or below the sign posted speed limit on any road.

In most Australian states, the supervising driver needs to have a full licence, but there’s no requirement for how many years they need to have held their full licence. But, in Western Australia, the supervising driver needs to have held their unrestricted licence for at least four years, and, in Queensland and Tassie, they need to have held it for at least one year.

Plus, it’s super important to make sure the vehicle you’re driving can actually tow the trailer and the load. This is towing capacity, which you can find out in the owner’s manual of your vehicle.

• NT, QLD, SA, WA - In these states learners can pull a trailer. Just make sure the L plate is visible at both ends of the towing vehicle, as well as at the rear of the trailer or motor vehicle being towed.

• ACT - L platers in the ACT can only tow trailers that don’t exceed 750 kgs Gross Vehicle Mass, which includes the weight of the trailer and the load combined. And just like the other states, make sure your L plates are visible on both ends of the towing vehicle, and on the rear of the trailer or the motor vehicle you're towing.

• NSW, TAS, VIC - Learners in these states aren't allowed to pull a trailer.

NSW

• Complete 120 hours of driving, which includes 20 hours of night driving
• Held a learners licence for at least 12 months (if you’re under 25)
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test
• Pass a practical driving test

VIC

• Complete 120 hours of driving, which includes 20 hours of night driving
• Held a learners licence for at least 12 months continuously
• Be 18 years or older
• Pass an eyesight test
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test
• Pass the Drive Test

TAS

• Complete 80 hours, including 15 at night
• Be 17 years or older
• Pass a provisional driving assessment

ACT

• Complete 100 hours all up, including 10 at night
• Be at least 17 years old
• Held a learner licence for the minimum period of 12 months
• Completed the Hazard Perception Test
• Pass a practical driving test

QLD

• Complete 100 hours all up, including 10 at night
• Be 17 years or older
• Held a learner licence for at least one year
• Completed the online Hazard Perception Test
• Pass a practical driving test

WA

• Complete a minimum of 50 hours, including 5 hours at night
• Be 17 years or older.
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test
• Pass the Practical Driving Assessment

SA

• Complete 75 hours of driving, including 15 hours at night
• Held a learner’s permit for at least 12 months
• Passed a practical driving test
• Passed the hazard perception test

NT

• There's no minimum requirement for hours in the NT - day or night - but it’s recommended that you do more than 50 hours of practice driving.
• Hold a learners permit for at least 6 months continuously
• Pass the practical driving test

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