Australian Road Rules: L- and P-Plate Restrictions Explained

It’s one thing to get your hands on your learner or provisional licence, but another thing entirely to hold onto it when you’re an inexperienced driver due to a number of restrictions you might not know about.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at Australia’s State and Territory restrictions and road rules for drivers progressing from their L through to P1 and P2 licences.

Latest Learner and Provisional Driver Restrictions by State & Territory

Australian Capital Territory

The following restrictions apply for learner and provisional drivers in the ACT issued after the 1st of January, 2020.

• One passenger limit (aged between 16-22) from 11pm to 5am; unless carrying family members or travelling for work purposes

• Trailer towing capped at 750kg for P1 and P2 licences

• No speed restrictions

• No mobile phone use, even with hands-free accessory

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

New South Wales

• No “high-performance” or modified vehicles with a power-to-weight ratio greater than 130kW/tonne

• 90km/h speed restriction for L and P1 licences

• 100km/h speed restriction for P2 licence

• One passenger limit for P1 drivers under 25 years old between 11pm-5am; family members excluded from the restriction

• No towing permitted for L plates

• 250kg towing restriction for P1 licence

• No mobile phone use, even with hands-free accessory

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

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Northern Territory

• 80km/h speed limit for L plates; 100km/h for P1 and P2 licences

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

• No mobile phone use, even with hands-free accessory

Queensland

• One passenger limit for drivers aged under 25 between 11pm-5am; family members excluded

• No high-performance vehicles (power-to-weight ratio of 130kW/tonne)

• No speed restrictions

• No mobile phone use, even with hands-free accessory

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

Tasmania

• 90km/h restriction in 100km/h zones for L and P1 drivers

• Posted speed sign restrictions for P2 drivers

• No towing permitted for L plates

• One passenger limit for drivers aged between 16-21; family members and work trips excluded

• Standard towing rules for P1 & P2 drivers

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

Victoria

• One passenger limited for drivers aged 16-22

• High-performance vehicle restrictions

• No towing on L and P1 plates

• Standard towing limits for P2 licence holders

• No mobile phone use, even with hands-free accessory

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

Western Australia

• Restrictions for P1 drivers traveling between midnight and 5am; applies to P1 holders that have obtained licence within six-months, though work exemptions apply

• No mobile phone usage

• Zero per cent blood alcohol limit

What is the Blood Alcohol Limited for L- and P-Plate Drivers?

There is a nation-wide blood alcohol limit for L- and P-plate drivers here in Australia of 0.0 per cent, with instant suspensions applying for drivers recording a blood alcohol result of more than zero per cent.

Can P-Platers Rent a Vehicle?

The simple answer is yes, Australians with a provisional licence on either their P1 or P2 licence can indeed rent a vehicle, though this is at the discretion of the lender.

This means that P-platers can rent a car from certain companies, though there will likely be an added cost due to the risk involved and added insurance costs for renting a vehicle to a P-plater.

A major caveat here is that rental car operators have minimum age restrictions for P-platers looking to rent a vehicle, so be sure to check each lender’s terms.

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If you’re progressing through your learner to a provisional licence and looking to get your own set of wheels, click here to contact one of our car-buying specialists who can help find the perfect car at the best possible price.