Applying For Your Learner Licence In Australia: Everything You Need To Know

A learner driving licence–also known as a learner permit–is what allows Australians to learn how to drive. When you obtain a learner permit, you are then able to drive on Australian roads prior to passing your driving test, as long as you are supervised by a certified driving instructor or another adult with a full driver’s licence.

In Australia, the requirements for obtaining a learner permit vary depending on which state and territory you are driving in. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown.

When can I apply for my Ls?

In Victoria, you must be 16 years or older to obtain a learner permit, granted that you also meet the eligibility requirements. This includes having a Victorian residential address; being medically fit to drive; not being currently subject to a Fines Victoria license sanction; and having passed all of the appropriate tests.

How do I apply for my learner permit?

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, which can be completed online at VicRoads, you can then take the learners permit online or in-person.

The Learner Permit Test Online is an interactive 4-6 hour online course which teaches you the knowledge required to pass the test. As of 15 August 2022, a Victorian’s first attempt to take the online test is free. After the first attempt, the online test costs $25.40.

To take the test in person, you will need to book an appointment at a VicRoads branch.  The appointment costs $19.60, while the test costs $25.4o (total of $45 for each attempt).

How much does a learner permit cost?

Once you’ve passed the test to obtain a learners permit, you still need to purchase the license in order to officially get behind a wheel as a learner driver. In Victoria, a new learner permit (whether for car or motorcycle) is usually $26.

However, as of August 15, 2022, this permit issue fee is being waived for new drivers under the Victorian government’s Motorist Package and Safe Driver Discount.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

Your learner permit is the first step in obtaining your full driver’s licence, and it comes with certain rules and restrictions.

Along with all road laws and rules, you will also need to:

• Carry your learner permit with you whenever you are driving;
• Have a supervised driver with you, who must have a full and current license;
• Make sure your L plates are visible from at least 20 metres away on both the front and back of your vehicle;
• Have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level at all times when driving
• Not tow a trailer, caravan or another vehicle.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

In Victoria, there is no set speed limit when driving on your Ls. Instead, you must always drive within the designated speed limit for the area you are in.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

VicRoads recommends learner drivers only have their supervised driver with them while driving; however, it is not illegal to have additional passengers on your Ls as long as they do not cause any distractions.

When can I apply for my Ls?

In New South Wales, you must be 16 years or older to apply for a learners permit. You’ll also need to prove your identity, pass an eyesight test, and pass a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT).

How do I apply for my learner permit?

To apply for your learner permit in New South Wales, you’ll need to visit a service centre to complete the eligibility requirements of proving your identity, having your eyes tested, and completing the DKT.

To take the DKT, you will need to book an appointment at a Service NSW Service Centre. The test takes approximately 30 minutes and costs $49 for each attempt.

How much does a learner permit cost?

Once you’ve passed the DKT, you will be able to purchase your learner permit straight away from the Service NSW Service Centre. It costs $26.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

Your learners permit is the first step in obtaining your full driver’s licence, and it comes with certain rules and restrictions.

Along with abiding by all road laws and rules, whether driving in NSW or interstate, you will also need to:

• Have a supervisor sitting in the seat next to you, who has an open licence;
• Display L plates on both the front and back of the car;
• Not tow any other vehicle; and
• If driving in Sydney, you must not drive in Parramatta Park, Moore Park or Centennial Park.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

In New South Wales, learner drivers must never exceed 90km/h, even if the speed limit of the area is higher. This speed limit is in place whether driving in NSW or in a different state.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Yes, NSW learner drivers can have passengers in the car while they drive. Service NSW says if you’re driving with passengers, you must ensure these passengers all sit in seats with seat belts or child restraints.

When can I apply for my Ls?

In Queensland, you can begin the process for applying for your learners licence when you are 15 years old and 11 months. However, you will not be able to receive your learner permit until your 16th birthday.

How do I apply for my learner permit?

To get a learner car licence in Queensland you will need to either complete PrepL, or a written road rules test.

PrepL is an interactive online program that you can complete in your own time (it takes approximately four to six hours to complete). At the end of the program, there is a 30 question multiple choice test, in which you need to get 90% correct to get your leaners.

You can begin the PrepL work at 15 years and 11 months, so that you can receive your learner licence on your 16th birthday.

If you would prefer to sit a written road rules test, you must be at least 16 years old and must attend a Queensland licence issuing centre to complete the test.

The written road rule test will eventually be replaced with PrepL, although the Queensland government has not specified when this date will be.

At the time of writing, both PrepL and the written road rules test cost $26.85.

How much does a learners permit cost?

In Queensland, a learner permit is valid for three years. It costs $186.55, however, you may be eligible for a reduced fee of $143.15 if you already hold a photo identification card.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

In Queensland, you must abide by all Queensland road rules when driving on your learner licence. You must also:

• Have a supervisor beside you—someone who holds a valid open licence for the class of vehicle you are driving and has held the licence for at least one year;
• Clearly display L plates at the front and rear of the vehicle;
• Carry your learner licence or driver licence receipt if you are waiting for your licence; and
• Comply with the no alcohol limit and not be affected by drugs—either illegal or prescription.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

Queensland drivers on their Ls do not need to abide by a special speed limit. Instead, they are required to follow the speed limit in whatever area they are driving in.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Yes, Queensland learner drivers can have passengers however restrictions do apply, such as only having one passenger under 21 from 11.00pm to 5.00am

When can I apply for my Ls?

You can begin the process of applying for your learner licence in South Australia when aged at least 15 years and 9 months. However, you cannot be issued your learners permit until you are 16 years or older.

How do I apply for my learners permit?

People who wish to obtain a South Australian learner’s permit need to successfully complete a theory test, which can be completed online or in-person.

To complete the myLs online course and theory test, you will still need to attend a Service SA customer service centre to verify your identity, have your photograph taken, and register for mySAGOV.

The online course is then completed through mySAGOV, with the course taking approximately four hours. It then costs $38 to sit the online theory test following completion of the myLs online course.

If completing a theory test at a centre, you must wait until you are 16 years of age. You then have to book an appointment at an SA Service customer service centre (via phone) and pay the $38 fee to sit the test.

How much does a learner permit cost?

Once you have successfully completed the theory test, whether in-person or online, you will pay a fee of $69 to receive your South Australian learner’s licence.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

Along with abiding by all road laws and rules, South Australian learner drivers also must:

• Have a qualified supervising driver in the seat beside you;
• Clearly display L plates at the front and rear of the vehicle;
• Carry your learner licence at all times while driving; and
• Have a zero alcohol concentration level.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

South Australian learner drivers must never exceed 100km/h. This limit stays in place even in areas that exceed 100km/h, and if driving interstate.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Learner drivers are not subject to passenger restrictions in South Australia, as long as they have their qualified supervisor in the seat next to them.

When can I apply for my Ls?

You can begin the process of getting your Ls when you are 15 years and 11 months old in Tasmania. However, you will not be able to receive your learner permit until you are 16 years old.

How do I apply for my learner permit?

To apply for a learner permit in Tasmania, you need to complete the learner driver knowledge test (online or in person) prove your identity, fill out an application form at a Service Tasmania centre, and pay the designated fee.

If choosing to complete the learner driver knowledge test online, you will first need to get a client ID number by filling out an application form and visiting a service centre to show proof of identity. You will then have access to Plates Plus, an online learning system that teaches you what you need to know about road rules and driving a vehicle before sitting the learner driver knowledge test.

Alternatively, you can sit the learner driver knowledge test at a Service Tasmania centre. According to the Tasmanian government website, no appointment is required.

There is no fee associated with taking the test, regardless of whether you sit the test online or in-person.

How much does a learners permit cost?

A Tasmanian learners permit costs $35.29.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

In Tasmania, drivers in the learner stage must comply with all road rules and also:

• Be accompanied by a supervisory driver at all times;
• Never tow another vehicle, including trailers;
• Display L plates on the front and rear of the vehicle; and
• Have a blood alcohol content of 0.00

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

In Tasmania, learner drivers must never exceed 90km/h even when a higher speed limit applies to the area they are driving in, or if driving interstate.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Yes, you can have passengers when driving on your Ls in Tasmania. However, the Tasmanian government recommends you “only drive with your regular supervisory driver if possible”, to limit distractions.

When can I apply for my Ls?

You must be 16 years old before you can apply for your learner licence in Western Australia.

How do I apply for my learner permit?

To get a learner permit in Western Australia, you need to sit (and pass) the Computerised Theory Test (CTT) at a WA Department of Transport centre.

It costs $20.40 to sit the test initially. If required to resit the test, every subsequent attempt costs $16.90.

How much does a learner permit cost?

It costs $126.10 to receive your learners permit in WA upon passing the CTT. This fee includes one Practical Driving Assessment, which you can sit once you are at least 17 years of age and have met the other requirements of your Ls.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

In addition to obeying all road laws and rules, WA learner drivers must also:

• Have a supervising driver instructor in the car;
• Display L plates on both the front and rear of the vehicle;
• Not drive within the boundaries of Kings Park, or anywhere that has signs prohibiting learner drivers;
• Never exceed a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.00%

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

Learner drivers in Western Australia must never exceed a speed limit of 100km/h, regardless of whether a higher speed limit applies. This remains the rule for learner drivers from WA even if driving in another state.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Yes, learner drivers in Western Australia can carry passengers in addition to their supervising driver instructor.

When can I apply for my Ls?

Northern Territory residents can apply for their drivers licence at 16 years old, as long as they are also a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) customer. To do so, you must go to an MVR office with evidence of both your identity and NT residency.

How do I apply for my learner permit?

To apply for a learner permit in the Northern Territory, you must first pass the theory test.

Before sitting the theory test, individuals can learn what they need to know by either studying the NT Road Users’ Handbook and taking practice tests, or enrolling in the DriveSafe NT program (which costs $110).

The DriveSafe NT program is a driver education training and licensing program for all motorists in Darwin, Palmerston Katherine and Alice Springs, which provides the education and training required to get your licence, and more than $600 in subsidies.

To sit the theory test, you must attend a MVR office. It costs $20 to sit the test; however, DriveSafe NT participants do not have to pay.

If you get at least 26 out of 30 questions right on your theory test, you will pass. Then, after passing an eye test at the MVR office and paying the licence fee, you will be able to receive your Northern Territory learners licence.

How much does a learner permit cost?

A NT learners permit is valid for two years and costs $25. If you’re a DriveSafe NT participant, you don’t have to pay the first time you get your learners licence.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

In addition to obeying all road laws and rules, learner drivers in the NT must also:

• Have a zero blood alcohol concentration;
• Be supervised by a fully licensed driver in the front passenger seat at all times while driving; and
• Clearly display L plates in a visible position at the front and rear of the car.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

Learner drivers in the Northern Territory must never exceed 90km/h. This remains true even if driving through an area with a higher speed limit, or if driving interstate.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Yes, there are no passenger capacity limits for learner drivers in the Northern Territory.

When can I apply for my Ls?

You must be at least 15 years and 9 months to apply for your Ls in the ACT.

How do I apply for my learners permit?

To apply for your learner permit, you must first successfully complete a pre-learner licence course, which includes passing the ACT Road Rules based computerised knowledge test.

This pre-learner licence course is provided by most ACT schools free of charge, as part of the Year 10 curriculum.

It is also available from various training providers within the ACT, being:

• Stay Road Right;
• Road Ready Centre;
• Pinnacle Driving School;
• Belconnen Youth Centre;
• Canberra Institute of Technology;
• Ascent Training Services;
• Road Ready Driving School; and
• Galilee School.

Each training provider will charge a varying fee for the course and subsequent test. After passing the test, you must attend an Access Canberra Service Centre with a passed computerised knowledge test certificate to apply for your learners licence.

How much does a learners permit cost?

An ACT learner permit costs $51.10.

What are the restrictions when driving on your Ls?

When driving on a learner licence in the ACT, you must abide by all road rules and also:

• Display L plates on the front and rear of your vehicle;
• Have a full Australian driver licence holder sitting in the seat next to you;
• Never tow a trailer exceeding 750kg GVM; and
• Have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of zero.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers?

There is no additional speed limit for learner drivers in the ACT. Learner drivers can drive up to the posted speed limit of the designated area.

Can I have passengers when driving on my Ls?

Yes, there are no limits to passengers for learner drivers in the ACT.