Australian Road Rules: L- and P-plate restrictions by state and territory

UPDATE, June 2023: Learner and probationary driver restrictions by state

The opportunity to earn your learner or probationary licence is an exciting time for many new drivers and their families, but they must follow significant restrictions.

As the road rules in Australia are enforced at a state level, there are slight variations on what restrictions are applied to new drivers depending on their place of residence.

While there are differences in rules, each state and territory has a strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs for both L- and P-plate drivers.

Here is a run-through of critical rules and regulations facing learner and probationary drivers on the road across Australia's different states and territories.

NOTE: The following content is a guide only and does not substitute official information provided by authorities.

Please consult the government/transport authority of your state or territory for information on road rules.

In addition, this information does not include the entire process required to move through the licensing system in each state or territory.

JUMP AHEAD

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia
• Other frequently asked questions

10

Australian Capital Territory

What age do I have to be to get a licence in the ACT?

To become eligible for a learner permit in the ACT, you must be at least 15 years and nine months of age.

The minimum age to obtain a provisional licence is 17, and you must have held a learner licence for at least 12 months with the required driving hours.

How many passengers can I carry in the ACT?

P1 licence holders in the ACT are allowed to drive with only one passenger between 11pm and 5am, unless it is a family member or required for work or education.

Learner and P2 licence holders can carry up to the passenger capacity of the vehicle they are driving.

Can I tow a trailer in the ACT?

A trailer must not exceed a 750-kilogram Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) for learner drivers. This includes the weight of the trailer and load combined.

This restriction also applies to P1 drivers.

How fast can I drive in the ACT?

Learner and provisional drivers can drive up to the posted speed limit for the road.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in the ACT?

As part of the sweeping changes to the ACT’s graduated licensing scheme in recent years, L- and P-plate drivers must not use mobile devices while driving.

In the capital, it is illegal to make calls (including hands-free or Bluetooth functions), text or use social media.

Using a mobile phone for GPS, music or podcasts is allowed, provided it is programmed before the trip starts and requires no interaction while driving.

What vehicles are prohibited in the ACT?

There are no vehicle restrictions for provisional drivers in the Australian Capital Territory.

10

New South Wales

What age do I have to be to get a licence in NSW?

To apply for a learner permit in NSW, you must be 16 or older.

The provisional P1 licence is available for residents aged 17 or older. A learner permit must be held for at least 12 months with the required logbook hours if aged under 25.

How many passengers can I carry in NSW?

P1 licence holders under 25 are not permitted to drive with more than one passenger under 21 between 11pm and 5am.

In addition, P1 or P2 drivers who are issued with a new licence after a period of being disqualified from driving will, for 12 months, only be allowed to carry one passenger.

Can I tow a trailer in NSW?

Learner drivers must not tow a trailer or any other vehicle and are not permitted to drive any vehicle being towed.

P1 provisional drivers must not tow another motor vehicle or trailer with an unladen mass exceeding 250 kilograms. The trailer can weigh more once loaded, but it must be 250kg or less when unloaded.

How fast can I drive in NSW?

Learner permit holders and P1 provisional drivers in New South Wales must not drive faster than 90 km/h, even when a higher speed limit applies.

P2 drivers cannot travel faster than 100 km/h.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in NSW?

Learner permit holders and provisional drivers must not use mobile phones while driving. This ban includes using a mobile phone in hands-free mode.

What vehicles are prohibited in NSW?

Learner permit holders can drive any registered vehicle in New South Wales.

P1 and P2 provisional licence holders must not drive a vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 130 kilowatts per tonne, if it has had a significant engine modification, or if other ‘high-performance’ classifications apply.

For example, a Subaru WRX is considered a ‘high-performance’ vehicle and banned for provisional drivers in New South Wales, despite several variants falling below the maximum power-to-weight ratio of 130kW per tonne.

According to Transport for NSW, a provisional licence holder is permitted to drive a prohibited vehicle if it needs to be driven for "genuine work purposes" or if "exceptional circumstances apply".

For further information on vehicles banned for provisional drivers in New South Wales, you can access the searchable database compiled by Transport for NSW [↗].

10

Northern Territory

What age do I have to be to get a licence in the NT?

To apply for a learner permit in the NT, you must be 16 or older.

A provisional licence is available once a learner has held a permit consecutively for at least six months. There are no minimum logbook hours, but around 100 hours is recommended by authorities.

How many passengers can I carry in the NT?

There is no passenger capacity limit for learner or provisional drivers in the Northern Territory.

Can I tow a trailer in the NT?

Learner and provisional drivers can tow another motor vehicle or trailer in the Northern Territory.

You must have L- or P-plates visible at both ends of the towing vehicle and at the rear of the trailer or motor vehicle being towed.

How fast can I drive in the NT?

Learner permit holders must not exceed 80 km/h, even if the posted speed limit is higher.

Provisional drivers are prohibited from travelling above 100 km/h in the Northern Territory.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in the NT?

Learner and provisional drivers must not use a mobile phone – including hands-free – for any purpose when driving, including while stationary, but not parked.

What vehicles are prohibited in the NT?

There are no vehicle restrictions for provisional drivers in the Northern Territory.

10

Queensland

What age do I have to be to get a licence in Queensland?

To apply for a learner permit in Queensland, you must be 16 or older.

The provisional P1 licence is available for residents aged 17 or older. A learner permit must be held for at least 12 months with the required logbook hours if aged under 25.

How many passengers can I carry in Queensland?

P1 licence holders under 25 are not permitted to drive with more than one passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member between 11pm and 5am.

Learner and P2 licence holders can carry up to the passenger capacity of the vehicle they are driving.

Can I tow a trailer in Queensland?

Learner and provisional drivers can tow another motor vehicle or trailer in Queensland.

You must have L- or P-plates visible at both ends of the towing vehicle and at the rear of the trailer or motor vehicle being towed.

How fast can I drive in Queensland?

Queensland has no restrictions on speed for L- and P-plate drivers.

All drivers must follow the posted speed limit for the road they are travelling on.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in Queensland?

Learner permit holders and P1 provisional drivers are not allowed to use a mobile phone for any purpose while driving. This includes hands-free wireless headsets and speaker phones.

If you are a learner driver under 25, your supervisor and passengers can’t use a mobile phone on loudspeaker while driving. This also applies to passengers of a P1 provisional licence holder.

These restrictions don’t apply to P2 licence holders, with hands-free use of a mobile phone allowed.

What vehicles are prohibited in Queensland?

Learner permit holders are permitted to drive any registered vehicle in Queensland.

P1 and P2 provisional licence holders must not drive a vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 130 kilowatts per tonne or if its engine has been significantly modified to increase performance.

According to the Queensland Government, a provisional licence holder with an automatic-only condition can drive a prohibited vehicle with a manual transmission to learn, but only when a fully-licenced driver sits beside them and provides supervision.

For further information on vehicles banned for provisional drivers in Queensland, you can access the searchable database compiled by the Department for Transport and Main Roads [↗].

10

South Australia

What age do I have to be to get a licence in SA?

To be issued a learner permit in South Australia, you must be 16 or older.

The provisional P1 licence is available for residents aged 17 or older. A learner permit must be held for at least 12 months with the required logbook hours if aged 24 or under.

When is driving banned in SA?

A unique restriction in South Australia applies to P1 provisional drivers under 25.

They must not drive a motor vehicle between midnight and 5:00am – even when travelling solo – and are forbidden from carrying more than one passenger aged 16 to 20 years all day, excluding immediate family members.

This rule does not apply to learner permit holders or P2 provisional drivers.

Can I tow a trailer in SA?

There are no restrictions on towing another motor vehicle or trailer for L- and P-plate drivers in South Australia.

How fast can I drive in SA?

Learner permit holders and both P1 and P2 provisional drivers must not travel faster than 100 km/h in South Australia, even if the posted speed limit is higher.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in SA?

Learner permit holders and P1 provisional drivers must not use any mobile phone function while driving, including hands-free mode, Bluetooth technology, or loudspeaker operation.

These restrictions do not apply to P2 licence holders, with hands-free use of a mobile phone allowed.

What vehicles are prohibited in SA?

Learner permit holders can drive any registered vehicle in South Australia.

P1 and P2 provisional licence holders under 25 must not drive a vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 130 kilowatts per tonne or any modification to alter vehicle performance.

This restriction applies to all vehicles in South Australia produced after January 1, 2010.

For further information on vehicles banned for provisional drivers in South Australia, including cars produced before 2010, you can access a searchable database compiled by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport [↗].

10

Tasmania

What age do I have to be to get a licence in Tasmania?

To become eligible for a learner permit in Tasmania, you must be at least 15 years and 11 months of age.

The minimum age to obtain a provisional licence is 17, and you must have held a learner licence for at least 12 months with the required driving hours.

How many passengers can I carry in Tasmania?

For the first 12 months, P1 licence holders in Tasmania must not carry more than one peer passenger aged 16 to 21, excluding a spouse/domestic partner or immediate family.

This restriction applies 24/7, although exemptions apply for employment, education or training, medical purposes, undue hardship, emergency services, or travelling with a fully-licenced driver beside you.

Learner drivers and P2 drivers can carry up to the passenger capacity of the vehicle they are driving.

Can I tow a trailer in Tasmania?

Learner drivers are not permitted to tow another motor vehicle or trailer.

P1 and P2 licence holders can tow another motor vehicle or trailer in Tasmania.

How fast can I drive in Tasmania?

Learner permit holders in Tasmania must not drive above 90 km/h, even when a higher speed limit applies.

P1 drivers cannot travel faster than 100km/h, while there is no reduced speed limit for P2 licence holders.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in Tasmania?

All learner and P1 drivers must not use a mobile phone – including hands-free – for any purpose when driving, including while stationary but not parked, in Tasmania.

The mobile phone ban does not include playing audio or using navigation functions, but only if a “phone is set up prior to commencing driving” with no interaction on the road.

P2 licence holders are allowed to use a mobile phone hands-free in Tasmania.

What vehicles are prohibited in Tasmania?

There are no vehicle restrictions for P1 or P2 drivers in Tasmania.

10

Victoria

What age do I have to be to get a licence in Victoria?

You must be at least 16 years old to get a learner permit in Victoria.

The minimum age to obtain a probationary licence is 18, and you must have held a learner permit for at least 12 months with the required driving hours if aged under 21.

For additional information, refer to the VicRoads website's ‘How to get your Ps’ [↗] guide.

How many passengers can I carry in Victoria?

P1 licence holders in Victoria cannot carry more than one peer passenger aged 16 to less than 22 years of age, excluding a spouse/domestic partner or siblings/step-siblings. This rule applies 24/7.

Learner and P2 licence holders can carry up to the passenger capacity of their vehicle.

Can I tow a trailer in Victoria?

Learner and P1 drivers must not tow another motor vehicle or trailer in Victoria.

However, a P1 licence holder can tow another motor vehicle or trailer if it is in the course of employment and requested by an employer or if a fully-licenced driver is sitting beside the probationary driver.

P2 licence holders can tow another motor vehicle or trailer.

How fast can I drive in Victoria?

There is no reduced speed limit for learners or probationary drivers in Victoria.

All drivers must follow the posted speed limit for the road they travel.

The default speed limit in built-up areas in Victoria is 50 km/h, where no speed sign is displayed. Country roads (outside built-up areas) have a 100 km/h default speed limit when no speed limit signs exist.

Can I use my phone or other devices whilst driving in Victoria?

All learner and probationary drivers must not use a mobile phone – including hands-free and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – for any purpose when driving, including while stationary but not parked, in Victoria.

These rules have been tightened to include built-in systems, mounted devices, and wearable and portable systems. Learner and probationary drivers are now prohibited from using voice control – even if it is built into the vehicle.

Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras were introduced in the state on March 31, 2023.

What vehicles are prohibited in Victoria?

Learner permit holders are permitted to drive any registered vehicle in Victoria.

P1 and P2 probationary licence holders must not operate a vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 130 kilowatts per tonne or if its engine has been modified after manufacture to increase performance.

This restriction applies to all vehicles in Victoria, including those with a club permit.

According to VicRoads, a probationary licence holder can drive a prohibited vehicle if a fully-licenced driver sits beside them and provides supervision.

In addition, exemptions apply to selected vehicles. For further information, consult VicRoads’ Probationary Prohibited Vehicle database [↗].

10

Western Australia

What age do I have to be to get a licence in WA?

To be issued a learner permit in Western Australia, you must be aged 16 or older.

The provisional P1 licence is available for residents aged 17 or older, with the required logbook hours if 25 or under.

When is driving banned in WA?

In similar fashion to South Australia, P1 provisional licence holders are not permitted to drive between midnight and 5am for the first six months they hold a driver's licence in Western Australia (with some exemptions).

There are no passenger capacity restrictions for learner and provisional drivers in Western Australia.

Can I tow a trailer in WA?

There are no restrictions on towing another motor vehicle or trailer for L- and P-plate drivers in Western Australia.

How fast can I drive in WA?

There is no reduced speed limit for learners or provisional drivers in Western Australia.

All drivers must follow the posted speed limit for the road they are travelling on.

Can I use my phone whilst driving in WA?

In Western Australia, learner permit holders and provisional drivers can use a mobile phone to make or receive a phone call, listen to music/audio, or navigate while driving.

Physically touching a phone or using it for other purposes – such as text messaging, video calls or email – is prohibited.

What vehicles are prohibited in WA?

There are no vehicle restrictions for provisional drivers in Western Australia.

10

Other frequently asked questions

What is the blood alcohol limit for L- and P-plate drivers?

Across the nation, all L- and P-plate drivers must have a zero blood-alcohol concentration.

Is food delivery, i.e. Uber Eats, allowed for P-plate drivers?

Uber Eats and Menulog do not allow P-plate drivers to deliver food and other items.

DoorDash allows drivers with a licence, including P1 or P2, to deliver food in Australia.

All independent drivers in Australia seeking to deliver items should have third-party insurance as a minimum – and this is often a requirement for most delivery services.

Can P-platers rent cars?

There is no legislation banning P-plate drivers from renting a vehicle in Australia; it is the decision of an individual business regarding limitations on vehicle hire for young drivers.