Category: All Australian states and territories

Photo: Hunty Hunt, Pexels

Driving on the beach in Australia is not off the rule book. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) says all Queensland road rules apply even on beaches, and WA’s parks department says WA’s road and traffic laws apply, with licensed drivers and roadworthy vehicles. Many popular beaches also need a vehicle access permit before you drive on the sand. This guide is for learners, new P platers and their supervisors planning a first beach or four-wheel-drive trip. It covers permits, licence rules, tides, tyre pressures and getting unbogged.

Key facts

• Queensland: “All Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches” (QPWS). Police patrol anywhere.
• WA: road and traffic laws apply in parks. Drivers must be licensed and vehicles roadworthy (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions).
• In Queensland, you need a vehicle access permit before driving on Bribie Island, K’gari (Fraser Island), Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), Cooloola and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) recreation areas. Driving in without one can mean a $518 fine, a figure that rises each 1 July.
• Travel at low tide, or within 2 hours either side, and drive on the firmer sand between the waterline and the high tide mark.
• Lower tyre pressures only within the manufacturer’s specifications, and reinflate before you return to normal roads.
• Councils can ban beach driving outright. Always check the local rules for the beach you plan to use.

Do road rules and licence conditions apply on the beach?

Jurisdiction	What the official guidance says
Queensland	QPWS: all Queensland road rules apply, even on beaches, and police patrol anytime, anywhere. Park vehicles must be fully road registered. Recreational use of conditionally registered vehicles is not permitted in recreation areas.
WA	DBCA: WA’s road and traffic laws apply. All vehicles and drivers must be licensed and vehicles roadworthy. Designated off-road vehicle areas are the only places you can drive without a driver’s licence or road registration.
Other states	The road rules apply on roads and “road-related areas”, which Tasmania’s handbook defines to include any area open to the public for driving. Check with the state transport department, the park authority and the local council before driving on a beach.

What this means on L or P plates

Do not assume your L or P conditions are relaxed on beaches or park tracks. If you think an exemption applies, check with your licensing agency first. Plan the trip as if all your normal conditions apply:

• Learners: a qualified supervisor beside you, L plates displayed, zero alcohol and your learner speed cap. See Queensland learner rules and WA learner rules.
• P platers: P plates, zero alcohol, your speed cap, and any passenger, night or vehicle limits. Some powerful four-wheel drives may be banned for P platers in your state. See P plate rules compared and Queensland P1 and P2 rules.
• Seatbelts: everyone belted. QPWS rangers name rollovers, speeding and unbelted occupants among the dangers they see on beaches. See seatbelts and child car seats.

Confirm with TMR or your state’s transport department before taking a learner onto sand.

Queensland vehicle access permits

1. Buy the permit before you enter. For Bribie Island, K’gari and Cooloola, book through the Queensland National Parks Booking Service or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68). Mulgumpin and Minjerribah have their own camping and permit websites.
2. Buy it in your own name as the driver of the registered vehicle. Permits are not transferable. A permit attached to a second-hand four-wheel drive you just bought does not cover you.
3. Hiring a vehicle? Get a permit in your name with the hire vehicle’s registration number for the dates you will be there.
4. Carry proof. At Bribie, K’gari and Cooloola, number plate cameras check permits, so you don’t need to display one, but you must be able to show a copy (a digital copy on your phone is fine) if an officer asks. At Minjerribah and Mulgumpin, the permit must be displayed on the vehicle.
5. Changes and refunds: make them more than 2 calendar days before the permit start date for an automatic refund.

A combined K’gari and Cooloola permit is available with a 20 per cent discount. Check current fees on the QPWS booking service.

Other places

Elsewhere in Queensland, QPWS says to contact local councils or QPWS offices to find out about restrictions and permits before driving on beaches. In WA, DBCA says to seek permits where needed, stay on designated roads and tracks, and check park alerts. Councils set their own beach rules, and some ban vehicles on beaches entirely.

Before you go: preparation checklist

• Experience: QPWS suggests novices first drive with an experienced four-wheel driver. For a learner, that means a supervisor who has driven on sand before.
• Vehicle: mechanically sound, registered, and a genuine four-wheel drive. QPWS says to make sure your vehicle is in 4WD on sand.
• Know your car. The NT handbook warns that four-wheel drives handle differently from standard cars, with a higher centre of gravity and more effect from wind. Learn how to engage 4WD and use features such as locking front hubs before the trip.
• Kit: tyre pressure gauge, air pump, shovel, traction aids, first-aid kit, enough water, food, fuel and spares.
• Load: pack light and stow heavy gear low. Top-heavy vehicles tip over more easily.
• Plan: check tide times, park alerts and fire bans, and carry paper maps in case GPS fails.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. In remote beach areas, travel with at least one other vehicle.
• Communications: for remote trips QPWS recommends a satellite phone or UHF radio and a personal locator beacon.

How to drive on sand

Tides

• Drive at low tide, or within 2 hours either side of it.
• Stay on the harder sand between the waterline and the high tide mark.
• Watch for washouts. QPWS rangers single them out as a beach hazard that changes with the conditions.

Tyre pressures

• Lowering tyre pressure helps traction on soft sand. Stay within the manufacturer’s specifications.
• With lower pressures, avoid sharp turns, sudden braking, high speeds and rough surfaces. QPWS warns tyres have come off rims and serious crashes have happened.
• Reinflate as soon as you reach harder sand, and before you drive on normal roads.

On the beach

• Use only designated beach access tracks. Keep off sand dunes and vegetation.
• Give way to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
• Drive slowly near people and animals. They may not hear you over the surf and wind.
• Park well away from traffic areas and at an angle to the water, so other drivers can see you have stopped.
• Keep away from nesting seabirds.
• Don’t drive tired.

Turtle season in Queensland

On beaches where marine turtles nest, from November to April, QPWS asks drivers to drive slowly, avoid nests, keep to the wet sand below the high tide mark, and avoid beach driving at night and bright lights between 6pm and 6am. Fines may apply for disturbing turtles or nests.

If you get bogged

• Carry the gear and know how to use it. QPWS says to carry a shovel or traction aids in case you get bogged, and to learn how to use them before you need them.
• Try traction aids first. QPWS suggests that, if it is safe, you free the vehicle with traction aids rather than tow ropes or snatch straps.
• Check your tyre pressures. Lower pressures help traction on soft sand, within the manufacturer’s range.
• Snatch straps and tow ropes should only be used by trained operators with safety-rated equipment.
• Don’t count on a ranger tow. QPWS rangers can’t help with towing or snatch strap recoveries because of the safety risks, though they may suggest local towing services.
• In an emergency, call 000. This is why you plan around the tide and travel with another vehicle in remote areas.

If you break down somewhere remote, QPWS advises staying with your vehicle. More: outback and remote driving in Australia.

Inland tracks and four-wheel driving

• Stay on designated roads and tracks. In WA parks, DBCA says never drive where there is no existing access, and vehicles aren’t allowed on walking or cycling tracks.
• Closed means closed. Never drive past locked gates or closure signs.
• If it’s flooded, forget it. Don’t drive through floodwater or fast-flowing creeks, and stay out of parks during and after heavy rain. See driving in rain, fog, smoke and floods.
• Unsealed roads. The NT handbook recommends engaging 4WD on unsealed roads, slowing for corrugations and curves, and notes some gravel roads need 4WD in the wet season, especially at creek crossings and floodways.
• Clean your vehicle in WA’s south-west, to avoid spreading Phytophthora dieback in mud and soil.

WA-specific advice: country driving in WA. Wildlife: kangaroos and wildlife on Australian roads.

Common questions

Can a learner drive on the beach in Queensland?

No official page checked bans it, but QPWS says all Queensland road rules apply on beaches, so your learner conditions still apply: a supervisor, L plates, zero alcohol and your speed cap. Check with TMR before you go.

Do I need a permit to drive on K’gari (Fraser Island)?

Yes. A vehicle access permit is required before you drive in the K’gari recreation area. Buy it in your name, for the vehicle you are driving, before you arrive.

Can I drive on any beach in WA?

No. Councils and park authorities decide where vehicles can go, and some councils ban beach driving. DBCA says you must stay on designated roads and tracks and get permits where needed.

Can I drive on the beach without a licence if it isn’t a road?

Not in WA: DBCA says road and traffic laws apply and drivers must be licensed. Designated off-road vehicle areas are the only exception. In Queensland, all road rules apply on beaches.

What tyre pressure should I use on sand?

Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications for sand. QPWS does not give a single figure. Carry a gauge and pump, and reinflate before returning to the road.

Is a two-wheel-drive car OK on sand?

QPWS advice is written for four-wheel drives: it says to make sure your vehicle is in 4WD on sand, and that sand driving can be difficult and dangerous. Check with QPWS or the council before taking any other vehicle onto a beach.

National overview: the Australian Road Rules explained. Towing a camper to the coast: towing a trailer or caravan on L or P plates.

Sources

• Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service), “Vehicle access permits” (parks.qld.gov.au)
• Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, “Four-wheel drive with care” and “Driving on sand” (parks.qld.gov.au)
• Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, “Four-wheel driving” (parks.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, “Four-wheel driving” (exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, 3.7 Crossing Water on Roadways (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Four-wheel drive vehicles and unsealed roads (nt.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, What is a road or road-related area? (transport.tas.gov.au)

Photo: Philip Mallis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Australian licensing and road rule terms change from state to state: the learner test is the DKT in NSW, PrepL in Queensland and the CTT in WA, and the practical test can be a Q-Safe test, a PDA or a VORT. This glossary explains the abbreviations and road terms a learner meets, with the official spelling and the state that uses each one. Use it alongside your own state’s handbook, because the same word can mean slightly different things in different states.

The same step, different names: a state-by-state table

Jurisdiction	Learner test	Hazard test	Practical test	First licence stage
NSW	Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)	Hazard Perception Test (HPT)	Driving Test	Learner licence, then P1 and P2 provisional
Victoria	Learner Permit Test	Hazard Perception Test	Drive test	Learner permit, then P1 and P2 probationary
Queensland	PrepL (or the written road rules test)	Hazard perception test	Q-Safe practical driving test	Learner licence, then P1 and P2 provisional
WA	Computerised Theory Test (CTT)	Hazard Perception Test (HPT)	Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)	Learner’s permit, then a 2-year provisional licence
SA	myLs online course or the in-office theory test	Hazard Perception Test	VORT or CBT&A	Learner’s permit, then P1 and P2 provisional
Tasmania	Driver knowledge test (Plates Plus course)	Hazard Perception Test	P1 driving assessment	Learner licence (L1, L2), then P1 and P2
ACT	Pre-Learner Licence Course and road rules knowledge test	Hazard Perception Test	CBT&A or the one-off driving assessment	Learner driver licence, then provisional
NT	Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)	None	Practical driving test with an authorised examiner	Learner licence, then provisional

Full comparisons: learner knowledge tests compared, hazard perception tests compared and practical driving tests compared.

Licensing terms A to Z

BAC

Blood alcohol concentration: the amount of alcohol in your blood, the figure police measure. Learners and P platers must have zero BAC. See zero alcohol for learners and P platers.

CBT&A

Competency Based Training and Assessment. In SA and the ACT, an accredited instructor teaches and assesses you in stages instead of one final test. SA’s handbook offers it as one of two routes to your Ps, alongside the VORT. See VORT or CBT&A and CBT&A or the one-off assessment in the ACT.

CTT

Computerised Theory Test, WA’s learner’s permit test. See the WA Computerised Theory Test.

Demerit points

Points recorded against your licence for traffic offences. Learners and P platers have much lower limits than full licence holders. See demerit limits for L and P platers compared.

DKT

Driver Knowledge Test. The learner test in NSW, and the name the NT also uses for its theory test. See the NSW Driver Knowledge Test and the NT driver knowledge test.

Double demerits

Extra demerit points for some offences during holiday periods, used by some states only. See double demerit points in Australia.

DriveSafe NT

The NT program offering learner help, including free lessons and subsidies. See DriveSafe NT.

GDL or Graduated Licensing Scheme

The staged system of learner, provisional and full licences, with rules relaxing as you gain experience. SA’s handbook calls it the “Graduated Licensing Scheme”. Victoria’s handbook uses “Graduated Licensing System”.

HPT

Hazard Perception Test: a computer test of how well you spot and respond to traffic hazards. Every state and territory except the NT has one.

Keys4Life

A WA school road safety program. Completing it within the last 2 years means you don’t take or pay for the CTT.

L plates, Ls

The learner licence or permit, and the yellow “L” plates you display while learning. “Getting your Ls” means passing the learner test.

Learn&Log

WA’s free digital learner log book, in the ServiceWA app. See WA learner rules and the 50 hour logbook.

Logbook

The record of supervised driving hours most states require before the practical test. The hours and the format, paper or app, vary by state.

myLs

SA’s online learner course and test, done through your mySAGOV account. See myLs or the in-office theory test.

Open licence, full licence, unrestricted licence

The licence after your provisional period. Queensland calls it an open licence. Most other states say full licence.

P plates, Ps, P1 and P2

Your provisional (or, in Victoria, probationary) licence and its plates. Most states split it into two stages, P1 then P2. WA has one 2-year provisional licence: red P plates for the first 6 months, then green for 18 months. See P plate rules compared.

PDA

Practical Driving Assessment, WA’s driving test. See the WA Practical Driving Assessment.

Plates Plus

Tasmania’s learner pathway and course. See the Tasmanian driver knowledge test and Plates Plus.

PrepL

Queensland’s online learner course and road rules assessment. See PrepL and the Queensland written road rules test.

Probationary licence

Victoria’s word for a provisional licence. The stages are still P1 and P2.

Q-Safe

Queensland’s practical driving test. See the Q-Safe practical driving test.

QSD

Qualified Supervising Driver, an SA term. For example, SA P1 drivers under 25 must not carry more than one passenger aged 16 to 20 (not counting immediate family) unless a Qualified Supervising Driver is with them. See SA P1 rules.

RBT

Random breath testing, roadside alcohol tests by police. Drug tests are also done at the roadside: see drug driving in Australia.

Safer Drivers Course

A NSW course that can count towards learner logbook hours. See the NSW learner log book.

Supervisor, supervising driver

The fully licensed driver who sits beside a learner. Each state sets who can supervise. See supervising in NSW, Queensland and WA.

U class

SA’s licence class for ultra high powered vehicles. See high powered vehicles and the U class licence.

VORT

Vehicle On Road Test, SA’s one-off practical driving test, the alternative to CBT&A.

Road and rule terms A to Z

Clearway

A road where you must not stop during the hours on the sign, except in an emergency. In NSW a broken kerb line marks a clearway. See parking rules in Australia.

Floodway

A section of road that water can flow across. WA’s handbook calls floodways and river crossings dangerous places and tells inexperienced drivers to use another route if there is one. See driving in rain, fog, smoke and floods.

Give way

Slow down and stop if needed so you don’t cause another road user to change speed or direction. SA’s handbook stresses that nobody has an absolute right of way. See giving way in Australia.

Hook turn

A right turn made from the left side of the intersection, required where there are traffic lights and a Hook Turn sign, found at some intersections in central and South Melbourne. You move forward on the far left of the intersection and turn when the lights for the road you are entering go green. See how to do a hook turn in Melbourne.

Keep left

Drive in the left lane unless you are overtaking or turning right. Victoria’s handbook says that on roads with a limit over 80 km/h you must keep out of the right lane unless you are overtaking or one of the exceptions applies.

Road-related area

Places that aren’t roads but still fall under the road rules. Tasmania’s handbook lists road-dividing strips, footpaths and nature strips next to a road, areas open to the public for bicycles or animals, and any other area open to the public for driving, riding or parking, such as a car park.

Road train and B-double

Long heavy vehicles with several trailers, common in the NT and WA. A Multi Combination (MC) licence is needed to drive them. See sharing the road with trucks, buses and road trains.

Safety zone

A Victorian term for the area around certain tram stops. See driving with trams in Victoria.

School zone

A lower speed limit near schools at set times. Times and limits differ between states. See school zones in every state.

Shared zone

A street shared by pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles. In NSW the limit is 10 km/h and you must give way to any pedestrian in the zone, stopping if necessary.

Slip lane

A separate left-turn lane at an intersection, usually divided from the other lanes by a traffic island. See turning and indicating rules in Australia.

Transit lane (T2, T3)

A lane reserved during set hours for vehicles carrying a minimum number of people, shown on the sign. See NSW transit lanes, bus lanes and T-ways.

Wombat crossing

A pedestrian crossing on a raised section of road. SA’s handbook says these usually come with a 40 km/h speed limit. See pedestrian, school and wombat crossings.

Zip merge

When two lines of traffic merge into one with no lane lines marked, you give way to a vehicle on your left or right if any part of it is ahead of yours, so cars merge alternately. SA’s handbook says it doesn’t apply where lane lines are marked and one lane ends, such as at the end of an overtaking lane or entering a freeway. In that case, the driver in the ending lane gives way. See overtaking, merging and changing lanes.

Car ownership terms

CTP and green slip

Compulsory Third Party insurance, which covers injury to people in road crashes. Every registered car must have it. In NSW you buy it separately, as a “green slip”. See car insurance for learners and P platers.

Rego

Short for registration: the yearly fee that lets a car be driven on the road. See registration, CTP and roadworthy checks in each state.

Pink slip and roadworthy

A vehicle safety inspection. In NSW it is commonly called a pink slip. Other states have their own roadworthy or inspection rules. See NSW car registration and pink slips.

E-tag

The windscreen tag that pays tolls electronically. See toll roads for new drivers.

Common questions

What is the difference between a learner licence and a learner permit?

Only the name. NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the NT say learner licence. Victoria says learner permit. WA and SA say learner’s permit. The ACT says learner driver licence.

Is a probationary licence the same as a provisional licence?

Yes, in practice. Victoria uses “probationary”. The other states use “provisional”.

What does DKT stand for?

Driver Knowledge Test, the NSW learner test. The NT uses the same name for its theory test.

What is CBT&A?

Competency Based Training and Assessment: an instructor-led route to your Ps in SA and the ACT, instead of a single driving test.

Is the hook turn used outside Melbourne?

Hook Turn signs are found at some intersections in central Melbourne and South Melbourne. You must hook turn wherever there are traffic lights and a Hook Turn sign.

Which states have no hazard perception test?

The NT has no HPT. Every other state and territory has one.

More: the Australian Road Rules explained, Australian road signs explained and learner licence rules compared.

Sources

• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (MR200, February 2026), including Care, Courtesy, Common Sense, Zip merge, Wombat crossings and the Graduated Licensing Scheme (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Licence classes (nt.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Road lanes, lines and markings (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, What is a road or road-related area? (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Take the Computerised Theory Test (CTT)”, “Get your provisional licence” and “Keys4Life program” (transport.wa.gov.au)

Photo: Chris.sherlock2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

As of November 2026, digital driver licences are available in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. The NT expects to launch one by late 2026 and WA by the end of 2027. In every state that has one, it is optional and the plastic card is still issued. This guide covers which states have a digital licence, whether learners and P platers can use one, the phone rules for showing it to police, and when you should still carry the card.

Key facts

• Available: NSW (Service NSW app), Victoria (Service Victoria or myVicRoads app), Queensland (Digital Licence app), SA (mySAGOV app).
• Coming: NT (expected late 2026), WA (expected by the end of 2027, in the ServiceWA digital wallet).
• Tasmania and the ACT: carry your physical card, and check Service Tasmania or Access Canberra before relying on any digital licence.
• Learners can use it in Queensland, and Victorian learner and probationary licence holders have downloaded theirs.
• Only open the app when a police officer asks. NSW says accessing it while driving, even when stopped, is illegal unless police ask.
• Carry the card interstate and overseas. NSW advises this, and the card is your backup if your phone fails.

Which states have a digital driver licence?

Jurisdiction	Status (November 2026)	App	Notes
NSW	Available, free	Service NSW app	Needs a MyServiceNSW Account linked to Roads. Apply after your licence card arrives.
Victoria	Available	Service Victoria or myVicRoads app	Has a timed QR code. Shows if a licence has been cancelled or suspended.
Queensland	Available	Queensland Digital Licence app	Covers learner, provisional and open licences.
SA	Available	mySAGOV app	A renewed licence’s expiry date updates in the app straight away.
WA	In development	ServiceWA digital wallet	Wallet trial planned for early 2027; licence expected by the end of 2027, subject to a trial from mid-2027.
NT	In development	Not yet named on the project page	Expected by late 2026. Optional, and the physical card stays.
Tasmania	Check Service Tasmania for the current position	Physical card	Carry your card.
ACT	Check Access Canberra for the current position	Physical card	Carry your card.

Launch dates move. Check the transport department’s own page before you leave your card at home.

Can learners and P platers get a digital licence?

• Queensland: yes. The Digital Licence app is open to holders of a learner, provisional or open licence. Queensland’s learner rules let you carry either the physical card or the app and show it to police if asked. P2 drivers can do the same.
• Victoria: yes. In its first year, 323,000 learner and probationary licence holders downloaded the digital licence, according to the Victorian Government.
• NSW: the Road User Handbook says that once your licence card arrives, you can apply for a digital driver licence through your MyServiceNSW Account. On the day you pass your test, you get a temporary paper licence and the card is posted to you.
• SA: check eligibility for your permit or licence in the mySAGOV app.

Can I use my phone to show a digital licence while driving?

Only when police ask. This matters most on L and P plates, because most states ban learners and many P platers from using a phone at all while driving.

Jurisdiction	Rule
NSW	All drivers, including learner, P1 and P2 drivers, can use a phone to show their digital driver licence when instructed by police. Accessing the digital licence while driving, including when stationary, is otherwise illegal, and penalties apply.
SA	The SA handbook says drivers may show identification on their phone, such as a digital driver’s licence, where they are required to. Learner and P1 drivers otherwise can’t use any phone function while driving.
Queensland	Tell the officer you have the app, and wait until they ask you to use your phone. You don’t hand your device over: the officer reads the screen or scans the credential.
Victoria	Check the current device rules for L and P platers before using a phone for any purpose in the car. See Victoria’s phone and device rules for L and P platers.

Full phone rules: mobile phone rules for L and P platers in every state and NSW phone and screen rules for L and P platers.

Using a digital licence interstate

A digital licence is a version of your home state’s licence. Transport for NSW says to carry your plastic card if you plan to travel overseas or interstate, and as a backup. WA says its future digital licence is being built to globally recognised standards so it can be trusted across Australia and overseas.

The safe rule for new drivers:

• Driving interstate: take the card. Your licence conditions still follow you. See driving interstate on L or P plates.
• Travelling overseas: take the card, as NSW advises, and check the other country’s rules before you go.
• Proving your identity: a digital licence may not be accepted everywhere a card is. NSW notes that organisations may take time to be ready. For learner licence applications, see proof of identity for a learner licence.

Showing your licence to police: a checklist

1. Keep your phone charged and the screen uncracked. The NSW handbook warns about both.
2. Stay logged in. The NSW digital licence works offline as long as you stay logged in to the Service NSW app, but you need your PIN to open it.
3. Pull over and stop when police direct you to.
4. Wait to be asked before you touch the phone. Say that you have a digital licence.
5. Don’t hand over the phone unless asked. In NSW and Queensland the officer checks the screen or scans the QR code.
6. Carry the card as a backup. In NSW you can be fined for driving without your licence or refusing to show it.

Is a digital licence secure?

• NSW: protected by your phone’s security (PIN, fingerprint or face recognition) and the Service NSW app’s security. Report a lost phone to PoliceLink on 131 444.
• Victoria: accessed by PIN or biometrics, with a timed QR code that businesses and authorities scan to check it is genuine.
• Queensland: for age checks, the app can show your photo and confirm your age without showing your name or address.

Licence details update in real time in NSW and Victoria, so a renewal or change of address shows straight away.

Common questions

Do I still need to carry my plastic licence?

In NSW, Victoria, Queensland and SA, the digital licence is optional and the card is still issued. NSW recommends carrying the card as a backup and when travelling interstate or overseas. In WA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT, carry the card.

Can I get a digital learner licence in NSW?

The NSW handbook says you can apply for a digital driver licence through your MyServiceNSW Account after your licence card arrives. Check in the Service NSW app whether your licence type is eligible.

Is a digital licence accepted at pubs and clubs?

In NSW, Transport for NSW says it is accepted by most pubs and clubs. Acceptance elsewhere depends on the business.

What if my phone dies when police pull me over?

You may not be able to show your licence, and in NSW you can be fined for not having it with you. Carry the card or keep your phone charged.

When will WA get a digital licence?

The WA Government expects it in the ServiceWA digital wallet by the end of 2027, subject to a trial from mid-2027.

Can I use a digital licence for my driving test?

Don’t rely on it. WA’s PDA booking page, for example, asks you to present your learner’s permit card or primary and secondary ID, or the test is cancelled. Check the test-day rules for your state: driving test day checklist for Australia.

Visiting from overseas? See driving in Australia on an overseas licence. National overview: the Australian Road Rules explained.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Your driver licence card, Driving with the correct licence and mobile phone exemptions (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “NSW digital driver licence” (nsw.gov.au)
• Premier of Victoria, “Digital Driver Licences Hit One Year Milestone” (premier.vic.gov.au)
• Service Victoria, “Digital Driver Licence Announcement” (service.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “About the Digital Licence app”, “Using your Digital Licence app” and “Rules for learner driving” (qld.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “Renewing your driver’s licence” (sa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (MR200, February 2026), Mobile phones (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Government of Western Australia, “ServiceWA app: Digital driver licence and digital wallet” (wa.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, “NT digital driver licence” (dli.nt.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Renew or replace your driver licence” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)

Photo: Alpha, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Age-based licence checks in Australia vary a lot between states. NSW requires a yearly medical from 75 and a driving assessment every 2 years from 85, WA requires a yearly medical from 80, the ACT requires one from 75, and Queensland drivers aged 75 and over must carry a current medical certificate. Victoria has no age-based test, and Tasmania ended compulsory medicals at 75 in 2014. This page sets out the rules in each state as of November 2026, for older drivers, their families, and adults learning to drive for the first time later in life.

Key facts

• Every state requires you to report a medical condition that affects your driving, whatever your age. Age-based checks come on top of that.
• NSW: annual medical and eyesight test from 75; practical driving assessment every 2 years from 85, or a modified local-area licence instead.
• Queensland: from 75 you must always carry a current medical certificate when you drive.
• WA: annual medical assessment from 80 before each renewal.
• SA: annual self-assessment for car licence holders over 75 with no medical condition recorded; a doctor’s certificate of fitness instead in some cases.
• ACT: eye tests at 50, 60, 65 and 70, and a yearly medical from 75.
• Victoria: no licence test at any particular age.

Older driver rules in each state compared

Jurisdiction	Age-based requirement (car licence)	Driving test?
NSW	From 75: pass a medical assessment and eyesight test every year	From 85: practical driving assessment every 2 years, unless you choose a modified (local area) licence
Victoria	None. Keeping your licence depends on your behaviour and medical fitness to drive	No age-based test
Queensland	From 75: you must carry a current medical certificate whenever you drive	Not age-based; check with TMR
WA	From 80: annual medical assessment with your doctor before your licence is renewed	Only if your doctor requests one, or from 85 if you want to keep a Light Rigid (LR) or higher class
SA	Over 75 with a car licence and no recorded medical condition: annual self-assessment. Certificate of fitness instead if you have a reported condition under periodic review, or from 70 if you hold a class other than car (unless you downgrade)	No age-based test
Tasmania	None since October 2014, when compulsory annual medicals for drivers 75 and over without a medical condition ended	No age-based test
ACT	Eye test at 50, 60, 65 and 70. From 75: yearly medical assessment from your doctor	Not age-based for car licences. Public vehicle and heavy vehicle licence holders need annual medical and driving assessments from 70
NT	Not age-based. Keeping your licence depends on your driving behaviour and medical fitness. You pass an eyesight test when you first apply, and you may need further vision assessments depending on your circumstances or licence conditions	No age-based test; check with the MVR

The NSW rules come from the 2022 Road User Handbook and the Tasmanian point from a 2014 Tasmanian document. Confirm current requirements with Transport for NSW, Transport Tasmania or the NT MVR before relying on them.

NSW: 75 and 85

• From 75: pass a medical assessment and eyesight test every year to keep your licence.
• From 85: you also take a practical driving assessment every 2 years.
• The alternative: if you no longer need a full licence, you can choose a modified licence that limits you to your local area. With that, no practical driving assessment is needed.

Licence types and fees: NSW licence and test fees 2026.

Queensland: the medical certificate rule at 75

Queensland has no upper age limit on driving if you can drive safely. Once you are 75 or older, you must always carry a current medical certificate when driving. Ask your GP how long your certificate lasts and diary the renewal well before it expires. Details are on the qld.gov.au page “Driving when you’re 75 and over”.

WA: the annual medical from 80

1. About 12 weeks before your licence expires, DTMI posts you a Medical Assessment Certificate (Form M108A).
2. Fill in the driving history and medical question sections, then book a medical with your doctor. Bring the form, a list of your medications, and any glasses or hearing aids you use.
3. Your doctor sends the completed form to DTMI.
4. Your doctor may ask you to pass a Practical Driving Assessment before renewal.
5. If you are found fit, you are sent a new licence or a renewal notice. You must still validate it online, through DoTDirect, by phone on 13 11 56, or in person, even if no fee is payable.

An annual PDA is compulsory from 85 only if you want to keep a Light Rigid or higher class. WA’s Drive Safe handbook (section 2.4) also says doctors concerned about a person’s fitness may recommend a driving assessment. Concessions on renewal fees are available to eligible seniors, pensioner and veteran card holders.

SA: the self-assessment from 75

• If you hold a car licence, are over 75 and have no medical condition recorded, you complete a self-assessment every year. Service SA sends a notice around your birthday.
• Complete it online through your mySAGOV account (in a web browser, not the app), on the paper form returned in person at a Service SA centre or by post, or by phone on 13 10 84. Return it by the due date.
• If you answer “yes” or “unsure” to any question, take the form to a doctor to complete.
• If you already have a medical condition recorded, you submit a certificate of fitness completed by a medical practitioner instead. The same applies if you hold a driver accreditation.
• From 70, if you hold a class other than car, such as heavy vehicle or motorbike, you need a certificate of fitness unless you downgrade your licence. Car, light rigid and motorbike holders use form MR712; medium rigid and heavier classes use MR713.

ACT: eye tests from 50, medicals from 75

• Take an eye test when you turn 50, 60, 65 and 70. An optometrist, doctor or Access Canberra Service Centre can do it, and the result is valid for 6 months.
• From 75, see your doctor for a medical assessment every year. Your doctor completes the Driver Licence Medical form, which is valid for 6 months.
• Access Canberra may also ask for a driving assessment by an occupational therapist.

Victoria, Tasmania and the NT

Victoria’s transport department says drivers aren’t required to pass a licence test at any particular age. All Victorian licence holders must report serious, permanent or long-term conditions to VicRoads Medical Review. Victoria may offer a conditional licence to keep you driving, for example local roads only, daylight or off-peak only, or with vehicle modifications.

Tasmania ended compulsory annual medicals for drivers 75 and over without a medical condition in October 2014. Drivers are expected to self-assess regularly and report conditions themselves.

In the NT, keeping your licence depends on your driving behaviour and medical fitness, not your age, and the rules on reporting medical conditions apply at every age. You need an eyesight test when you first apply. You may also be asked for periodic vision assessments to show you still meet the standard. Follow any conditions on your licence and ask the MVR what you need when you renew.

Worried about an older family member’s driving?

1. Talk to them first. Tasmania’s guidance suggests raising it directly and, if they won’t discuss it, encouraging them to see their doctor for an objective opinion.
2. Suggest a self-check. SA’s self-assessment and Victoria’s ageing and safe driving guide are useful starting points.
3. Look at conditional options. A local-area licence (NSW) or daylight-only conditions (Victoria) can keep someone independent.
4. If they refuse and you believe they are unsafe, you can notify the licensing authority. Tasmania accepts third-party notifications and keeps the notifier’s details confidential.

The ACT Government also points to Thriving Without Driving, a resource for planning life after driving.

Learning to drive for the first time when you are older

You follow the same learner steps as anyone else: knowledge test, learner licence, supervised practice, hazard perception test where it applies, and a driving test. What changes:

• Shorter minimums for adults. Most states cut the learner period or logbook hours once you are 25 or older. See learning to drive over 25 in Australia.
• Medical declaration and eyesight test. You declare conditions and medications when you apply, as every applicant does. See medical conditions and fitness to drive.
• Age-based checks. The checks above are tied to holding a licence at a given age. If you are already past a threshold, ask the licensing authority when you apply how and when they will apply to you.
• Automatic or manual. Most states put a condition on your licence if you pass in an automatic. See automatic licence conditions in each state.
• Budget for lessons and fees. See the cost of getting a licence in Australia.

Common questions

Is there a maximum age for driving in Australia?

Queensland says there is no age limit on driving if you can drive safely. The rules in each state and territory, set out above, are about checking fitness at set ages, through medicals, eye tests or driving assessments. If you are unsure what applies to you, ask your state or territory licensing authority.

At what age do you need a medical to drive in NSW?

From 75, every year, together with an eyesight test. From 85 you also take a practical driving assessment every 2 years, unless you choose a modified local-area licence.

Do older drivers in Victoria have to retest?

No. Victoria has no age-based licence test. You must still report serious or long-term medical conditions to VicRoads Medical Review.

What happens if I fail the WA seniors medical?

If you don’t pass the medical assessment or meet the safe driving standards, your licence can’t be renewed. DTMI tells you in writing and explains your rights of appeal. Once your licence expires, you can’t drive.

Can I keep driving while waiting for my SA certificate to be processed?

Yes. Once you have submitted the form, you may keep driving unless your doctor or Service SA tells you otherwise.

Do these rules apply to drivers moving from interstate?

The rules follow the licence you hold. Once you transfer to a new state, its age-based checks apply. See moving to NSW, moving to Queensland, moving to Victoria and moving to WA.

National overview: the Australian Road Rules explained.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Medical conditions and disability: As you get older (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Ageing and safe driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Driving when you’re 75 and over” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Renew your driver’s licence (seniors 80 years or more)”, “Report a medical condition” and “Booking a PDA” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, section 2.4 Seniors Assessments (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “Complete your self assessment” and “Submit your certificate of fitness to drive”, Department for Infrastructure and Transport, both last updated 5 November 2026 (sa.gov.au, Driving and transport, Licences, Fitness to drive)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (MR200, February 2026), Fitness to drive responsibilities (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Ceasing compulsory medicals for drivers aged 75 and over in Tasmania: frequently asked questions” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Medical conditions and fitness to drive” and “Renew or replace your driver licence” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• ACT City Services, “Driving as an older adult” (cityservices.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Medical fitness to hold a licence (nt.gov.au)
• Road Safety NT, “Seniors” (roadsafety.nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Eyesight tests” and “Renew your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Arunangshu Banerjee, Pexels

In every Australian state and territory, you must tell the licensing authority about a long-term medical condition, disability or treatment that could affect your driving. Western Australia’s transport department notes that this kind of mandatory reporting applies in every state and territory. Reporting does not usually mean losing your licence: many drivers keep driving with conditions such as wearing glasses or reviews at set intervals. This guide covers when to report in each state, what happens next, eyesight tests for learners, and how conditional licences work.

Key facts

• You declare medical conditions when you apply for a learner licence, and you must report new or worsening conditions while you hold a licence.
• Licensing authorities decide fitness to drive using the national Assessing Fitness to Drive standards published by Austroads.
• Most learner applications include an eyesight test. If you need glasses or contacts to pass, your licence will say you must wear them when driving.
• In the ACT, you must report a condition within 7 days of becoming aware of it.
• In WA, not reporting a long-term condition that may affect safe driving is an offence that can carry a fine.
• Reporting often ends in a conditional licence, not a cancelled one.

What is Assessing Fitness to Drive?

Assessing Fitness to Drive is the national set of medical standards used across Australia. Your doctor applies it when filling in a licensing medical form, and the licensing authority uses it to decide whether you get:

• an unconditional licence (no restrictions), or
• a conditional licence, for example with periodic medical reviews, a requirement to wear glasses, or limits on where and when you drive.

WA, SA, the ACT and Tasmania all name these national standards as the basis for their decisions. Requirements are stricter for heavy vehicle and commercial drivers.

Which conditions might you need to report?

WA and SA give example lists. Conditions that commonly need assessment include:

• blackouts, fainting, seizures and epilepsy
• diabetes treated with medication (insulin or tablets)
• heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, including pacemakers
• eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts
• neurological conditions such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and head injury
• musculoskeletal conditions, including amputations and conditions causing chronic pain or restricted movement
• psychiatric and mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• sleep disorders
• alcohol and substance misuse

Having a condition on this list does not automatically stop you driving. The test is whether it is likely to affect your ability to drive safely. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or call the licensing authority.

Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and autism

WA’s list of neurological conditions includes neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder. Queensland’s transport department has clarified that autism alone does not trigger reporting: you report only if it is likely to affect safe driving. Talk to your doctor about whether your condition or its medication affects your driving, and declare it honestly on your application.

When to report in each state

Jurisdiction	What you must do	Who to contact
NSW	State any medical condition or disability that could affect your driving when you apply, and pass an eyesight test. Tell Transport for NSW if you develop a condition once licensed. Some conditions, such as epilepsy or cardiovascular conditions, need regular medical assessments.	Transport for NSW
Victoria	If you have a disability or illness that may affect your driving, bring a medical report to your learner permit test. Learners and licence holders must tell VicRoads about any condition or injury that may affect driving. Serious, permanent or long-term conditions go to VicRoads Medical Review.	VicRoads Medical Review
Queensland	Report long-term or permanent conditions likely to impair your driving, and any worsening of a condition already reported. Temporary conditions generally don’t need reporting unless they become long-term. A medical certificate usually goes with the report.	Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
WA	Declare conditions and medications on the licence application form (DLA1). If you hold a permit or licence, report a permanent or long-term condition, injury or treatment that is likely to impair driving, online, on form M109A or by letter.	Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI)
SA	Declare any illness, disease or disability on your application or renewal. Both you and your doctor are required to report conditions that could affect safe driving. You can call Service SA on 13 10 84 to notify.	Registrar of Motor Vehicles, via Service SA
Tasmania	Talk to your doctor, then notify the Registrar if your driving will be affected. Tasmania’s guidance stresses this is your legal responsibility, not your doctor’s.	Registrar of Motor Vehicles (Transport Tasmania)
ACT	Report a permanent or long-term illness, injury or incapacity that may affect safe driving within 7 days of becoming aware of it. Call 13 22 81 if you are unsure.	Access Canberra
NT	NT law requires drivers and intending drivers to notify the Registrar of any condition, including disability, mental illness or eyesight, that could affect safe driving. Health professionals must also notify the Registrar if they believe a patient’s condition could affect driving.	Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR), 1300 654 628

What if you don’t report?

• WA: failing to notify DTMI of a long-term condition that may affect safe driving is an offence, and the penalty may include a fine.
• Queensland: TMR says not reporting can lead to a court fine (listed at more than $9,600) and possible licence cancellation. Check the current figure with TMR.
• NSW: failing to follow medical direction can lead to losing your licence.
• SA: if you are sent a fitness-to-drive notice and don’t act on it by the due date, your licence may be suspended.

What happens after you report?

1. The authority reviews what you sent and writes to tell you what, if anything, is needed.
2. A medical assessment with your GP, on the state’s form. Your doctor completes the medical section and usually sends it straight to the authority. Some conditions need a specialist letter.
3. Possibly a driving assessment. WA may ask you to pass a Practical Driving Assessment. In the NT and Tasmania, some conditions need an on-road assessment with an occupational therapist.
4. A decision: no change, a conditional licence, review dates, or in some cases suspension until you are fit to drive.

In SA, once you have submitted your certificate of fitness, you can keep driving unless your doctor or Service SA tells you otherwise. In WA, if you aren’t passed fit before your licence expires, you can’t drive until the medical requirements are complete and the licence is renewed. Tasmania’s guidance says you pay for any assessments you need; ask Medicare whether you can claim the consultation.

Eyesight tests for learners

Jurisdiction	Eyesight check when you apply
NSW	You must pass an eyesight test when you apply for your licence.
Victoria	The learner permit test includes reading an eyesight chart. If you have poor vision, bring an eyesight certificate from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The probationary licence test includes an eyesight check too.
WA	You take an eyesight test when you apply for your learner’s permit. If you need glasses or contacts to pass, your permit and licence are endorsed to say you must wear them.
SA	If you have a vision condition that needs assessment, you need an Eyesight Certificate from your doctor or an eyesight specialist. If corrective lenses are needed, an ‘S’ condition goes on your licence. It can be removed later with a new eyesight certificate (form MR204).
NT	Passing an eyesight test is one of the steps to a learner licence.
ACT	The ACT handbook requires eyesight tests for some applicants, such as people transferring an interstate licence. ACT drivers also take an eye test at ages 50, 60, 65 and 70.
Queensland, Tasmania	Check the eyesight requirement with TMR or Transport Tasmania when you book your learner test.

Bring your glasses or contacts to the learner test if you normally wear them for distance.

Conditional licences: what they look like

Examples of conditions from the handbooks and transport pages:

• wear glasses or contact lenses while driving (WA, SA, NT)
• take medication as prescribed (WA)
• drive only automatic vehicles (NSW, NT)
• vehicle modifications or driving aids (NSW, Victoria)
• limits on distance, local roads only, or daylight or off-peak driving only (Victoria)
• regular medical reviews, which may mean a shorter licence period (WA, ACT, SA)

WA says your licence card shows only the condition, such as the need for visual aids, not your diagnosis. Medical information you give DTMI is kept confidential. If a condition affects how you physically control a car, see learning to drive with a disability in Australia. Automatic-only conditions: automatic licence conditions in each state.

Medicines and short-term illness

Queensland says temporary conditions generally don’t need reporting unless they become long-term, but you still must not drive if you are not fit to. SA’s handbook puts it simply: if you feel you are not in a fit state to drive, don’t drive. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines affect driving, and learners and P platers face zero drug rules. See drug driving, prescription medicines and medicinal cannabis and zero alcohol for learners and P platers.

Scenario: a learner with type 1 diabetes

You are 16, applying for your Ls in WA, and you use insulin. You declare it on form DLA1 in the health and medical questions section. The customer service officer tells you whether you need a medical assessment before your learner’s permit can be issued. If you do, you see your doctor with the form, the doctor sends it to DTMI, and DTMI writes with the outcome, which may include review dates. Then you carry on with the theory test and the rest of the steps as normal.

Common questions

Do I have to tell the licensing authority about ADHD or anxiety?

Only if the condition or its treatment is likely to affect your ability to drive safely. Ask your doctor, and declare it honestly on your application if you are unsure. The authority decides using national standards.

Will reporting a condition mean I can’t get my Ls?

Usually not. The NT handbook notes that very few conditions prevent a licence being issued, and many drivers with medical conditions drive with conditions on their licence.

Does my doctor have to report me?

It depends on the state. In SA and the NT, health professionals are also expected to report. In Tasmania, the guidance says reporting is your responsibility, not your doctor’s. In every state, you should not rely on your doctor to report for you.

I passed the eyesight test with glasses. Can I drive without them?

No. If your licence carries a corrective lenses condition, you must wear them whenever you drive. In SA you can apply to remove the ‘S’ condition with an eyesight certificate completed by your doctor or optometrist.

Can I sit the driving test with a medical condition?

Yes, once the authority has cleared you. In Victoria, if you have a condition you haven’t told VicRoads about, you must bring a medical certificate stating your fitness to drive to the drive test.

What about older drivers?

Some states add age-based checks on top of these rules. See older drivers’ licence rules in each state.

Back to the overview: learner licence rules in every Australian state compared.

Sources

• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Report a medical condition” and “Fitness to drive” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, The Six Steps to a Provisional Licence (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Medical conditions and disability (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, The 10 steps to getting your licence (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Ageing and safe driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “When you must tell us about your medical condition”, “Medical fitness to drive” and “Reporting your medical condition” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Fitness to drive in Queensland” media statement (tmr.qld.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (MR200, February 2026), Medical fitness to drive (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “Report a medical condition”, “Submit your certificate of fitness” and “Remove an eyesight condition from your licence” (sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Ceasing compulsory medicals for drivers aged 75 and over in Tasmania: frequently asked questions” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Medical conditions and fitness to drive” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• ACT Government, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, Medical Information (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Medical fitness to hold a licence (nt.gov.au)

Photo: MDRX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Road rage is illegal as well as dangerous. The NSW Road User Handbook says you must not respond in a threatening or aggressive manner, and every Australian state has penalties for dangerous driving and hooning. This guide is for learners, P platers and their supervisors. It covers what Australian handbooks count as aggressive driving, what to do when someone tailgates or confronts you, how to report it, and the penalties set out in each handbook.

Key facts

• Tailgating, flashing headlights, continuous horn use, braking to force you to stop and getting out to approach you are all listed as aggressive driving in WA’s Drive Safe handbook.
• If you are confronted: lock your doors, keep your windows up, do not get out, and drive to a police station or busy public place if you are followed.
• In WA, call 000 in an emergency and 131 444 to report aggressive driving that is not an emergency.
• Being tailgated on L plates is not a reason to speed up. Your learner speed cap still applies.
• Hooning can cost you your car. NSW and WA police can impound vehicles, and WA can confiscate them on a third offence.

What counts as aggressive driving?

WA’s Drive Safe handbook (section 4.5) gives the clearest list. Aggressive driving includes:

• a driver pulling alongside you, shouting, making obscene gestures, pointing or demanding that you pull over
• a vehicle following too closely behind you (tailgating)
• the driver in front slowing down to try to force you to stop
• a driver flashing their headlights or sounding the horn continuously
• someone getting out of their vehicle and approaching you in a threatening way

Victoria’s Road to Solo Driving handbook adds that small mistakes, such as indicating late or moving into what another driver sees as their space, can set someone off.

What does the law say in each state?

Jurisdiction	What the handbook says
NSW	You must not respond in a threatening or aggressive manner; road rage is “dangerous and illegal”. You must not drive negligently or at a speed or in a manner dangerous to the public. Penalties for dangerous driving include large fines, loss of licence and prison.
Victoria	Drive cooperatively. Only use the horn or flash headlights to warn of danger, and don’t make offensive hand gestures. Dangerous and careless driving are among the offences that lead to penalties.
Queensland	See Queensland demerit points and licence sanctions and check penalties with TMR or Queensland Police.
WA	Section 4.5 covers aggressive driving. Dangerous driving and careless driving are offences that can lead to disqualification. Anti-hoon laws allow impoundment and confiscation.
SA	“Care, Courtesy, Common Sense”: you must drive with due care and attention and reasonable consideration for other road users. Don’t over-react to thoughtless or deliberately aggressive driving.
Tasmania, ACT, NT	The NT handbook lists negligent or dangerous driving offences. For Tasmania and the ACT, check current offences and penalties with the transport department or police.

Reacting to road rage with your own aggression puts you in the wrong too. Under the NSW rules, responding aggressively is itself the offence.

Hooning and vehicle impoundment

Hooning, meaning burnouts, donuts, street racing and speed trials, is treated as high-risk driving everywhere. Penalties from the handbooks:

State	Hooning and high-risk penalties
NSW	Large fines, demerit points, loss of licence, impoundment of your vehicle or number plates, and prison. Police can impound for up to 3 months, you pay the storage fees, and on a second offence the vehicle may be sold. Organising, promoting or filming hooning is also banned. Police can also impound for driving more than 45 km/h over the limit.
WA	Racing or burnouts: the vehicle can be impounded for 48 hours. A second offence: impoundment for up to 3 months and licence suspension. A third offence: the vehicle can be confiscated and the driver permanently disqualified. Driving 45 km/h or more over the limit can be charged as reckless driving.
Victoria	Vehicles can be impounded for offences including speeding 45 km/h or more over the limit and street racing. The handbook gives periods starting at 30 days by police for a first offence. The handbook dates from 2023, so check current periods with VicRoads or Victoria Police.

On L or P plates, a hooning charge usually also means losing your licence and starting again. See demerit limits for L and P platers compared.

How to avoid trouble in the first place

WA’s handbook says you lower the risk of being targeted if you:

• drive courteously and stay aware of what is around you
• don’t cut in front of other drivers
• slow down to let a vehicle move into your lane
• keep a safe gap to the car in front
• keep well clear of anyone driving erratically

Victoria’s tips for keeping your own cool:

• Plan your trip and leave plenty of time. If you are running late, call ahead before you start driving.
• Avoid driving when you are angry, tired or emotionally stressed.
• If you make a mistake, acknowledge it.
• If someone else makes a mistake, treat it as a mistake, not a personal attack.

Merging, lane changes and gaps cause most flashpoints. Practise them until they are smooth: overtaking, merging and changing lanes in Australia.

What to do if another driver is aggressive

1. Stay calm and stay in control. Drive normally. Don’t react, gesture back or make eye contact.
2. Lock up. Keep your doors locked and windows up. Don’t get out of the car.
3. Make space. If they are in front, drop back. If they are behind, keep a steady speed or give them a chance to pass.
4. If they follow you, don’t drive home. Drive to the nearest police station or a busy public place.
5. Note the details when it is safe: number plate, colour, make and model.
6. Report it. Call 000 if it is an emergency. In WA, report non-urgent aggressive driving to police on 131 444.

Supervisors: if someone confronts your learner, tell them to keep driving, not to stop. Don’t take over the argument from the passenger seat.

Being tailgated on L or P plates

Tailgating is the most common aggression new drivers meet, often because a learner is driving at or below the limit.

• Don’t speed up. Your learner or P plate speed cap still applies, and a speeding fine or demerit points cost you far more than an annoyed driver.
• Keep a steady speed and leave extra space in front, so you won’t need to brake hard.
• Give early warning. SA’s handbook suggests flashing your brake lights a couple of times if a vehicle behind is tailgating, especially when approaching lights that have been green for a while.
• Let them pass. When it is safe and legal, move left or pull over somewhere suitable. On a multi-lane road with a limit over 80 km/h, keep out of the right lane unless you are overtaking.
• Never brake-check. Braking to “teach them a lesson” is exactly the behaviour WA lists as aggressive driving.

Learn the horn and headlight rules so you know what is legal: headlights, high beam and horn rules in Australia.

Scenario: a driver tailgates, overtakes and stops in front of you

You are a learner on a 60 km/h road. A ute tailgates you for a kilometre, overtakes, then brakes sharply and stops in front of you. The driver gets out.

• Stop with enough space to drive around them. Keep your doors locked.
• If you can safely drive away, do so. Don’t wind down the window to talk.
• If you are blocked, stay inside, call 000 and keep the phone on speaker. Your supervisor makes the call if you have one.
• Note the plate when it is safe, then report it.

Phones: if you are on L or P plates, stop before you use the phone where you safely can, and let your supervisor make the call. See phone rules for L and P platers in each state.

Passengers and peer pressure

SA’s handbook warns new drivers not to let passengers distract them or push their decisions. Friends egging you on to “get back at” another driver is a common way a minor incident becomes a crash or a charge. You are the one who loses the licence.

Common questions

Is road rage a criminal offence in Australia?

Road rage behaviour can be dealt with under other offences, such as dangerous or negligent driving. NSW’s handbook says responding in a threatening or aggressive manner is illegal.

Can I flash my headlights at a driver who cut me off?

Victoria’s handbook says only flash your headlights or use the horn to warn of a situation that could be dangerous, not to express anger.

Should I pull over if someone demands it?

No. WA lists demanding that you pull over as aggressive behaviour. Keep driving, and go to a police station or busy public place if they follow you.

What if I get angry behind the wheel?

Pull over somewhere safe and take a break. Victoria advises avoiding driving when angry, tired or stressed, because anger affects your judgement. Fatigue makes it worse: driver fatigue on Australian roads.

A car tailgated me and then hit me. What now?

Follow the crash duties for your state: stop, exchange details and report to police where required. See what to do after a crash in Australia.

Does hooning on my Ps mean I lose my licence?

Often, yes. Hooning carries loss of licence in NSW and suspension or disqualification in WA, on top of impoundment. P plate demerit limits are low, so a single serious offence can end your Ps.

More on how risk is managed for new drivers: managing risk as a new Victorian driver and the Australian Road Rules explained.

Sources

• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, sections 1.6 and 4.5 and Part 5 (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Dealing with other road users and Rules and responsibilities (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (MR200, February 2026), Care, Courtesy, Common Sense (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Safe driving behaviour, Sharing with other road users and Penalties (nsw.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Marcus Wong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Australia’s toll roads are in Sydney, Melbourne and south-east Queensland, and they are fully electronic: there are no booths, so you pay with a tag, a tagless account or a pass. Learners and P platers pay exactly the same tolls as everyone else, because the toll is charged to the vehicle, not the driver. This guide explains how tolling works for new drivers, what happens if you drive a toll road without paying, and the NSW changes that took effect in July 2026.

Key facts

• Tolls are charged to the registered operator of the car. If you learn in a parent’s car, the toll goes on their account or to them as a bill.
• In NSW you have 72 hours after a trip to pay or open an account if you had no tag or pass.
• Since July 2026, NSW has removed toll notice administration fees. A video matching fee still applies when your trip is matched by number plate.
• From July 2026, NSW vehicle owners can no longer nominate another driver for toll trips. The owner is responsible.
• In Queensland, occasional users can pay a toll up to 3 days after the trip, through Linkt.
• Your learner or P plate rules, including speed caps, still apply on a tolled motorway.

Where are the toll roads in Australia?

Area	Official guidance	Who you pay
Sydney (NSW)	NSW Road User Handbook and nsw.gov.au tolling pages	Two providers: E-Toll (Transport for NSW) for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel; Linkt for the other Sydney toll roads
Melbourne (VIC)	Road to Solo Driving handbook	CityLink and EastLink are both fully electronic and run their own tags and passes
Brisbane and south-east Queensland (QLD)	qld.gov.au “Paying tolls”	Linkt is the toll payment provider (13 33 31)

If you learned in WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT or the NT and are driving interstate, check the rules of the state you are in: driving interstate on L or P plates.

How do I know I am on a toll road?

Signs warn you before a toll. In NSW, motorway signs show the word TOLL and the road name. Victoria’s handbook shows two signs to learn:

• Tollway entrance sign: you are about to enter a tollway from a non-tollway road. If you do not want to use it, take the next exit.
• Start tollway sign: you are now on the tolled section.

Once you pass the entrance, you are committed to that section. Never stop, reverse or make a sudden lane change to avoid a toll point. Pay afterwards instead. Signs in detail: Australian road signs explained.

Tags, tagless accounts and passes

• Tag account: a small electronic tag mounted on the windscreen. The toll is charged to your account as you pass each toll point. A tag must be mounted properly to be read.
• Tagless account: no tag; cameras read your number plate and charge your account. The plate must be linked to the account.
• Casual pass: for occasional trips. In NSW, E-Toll sells an eMU Casual pass. In Victoria, the handbook says CityLink offers day passes and EastLink a trip pass. Check the current pass types with the operator, because products change.

Transport for NSW advises adding your number plate to a tag account too, so a trip can still be matched if the tag is not read. Plate-matched trips can attract a video matching fee.

Why you might still get a bill with an account

Transport for NSW lists the usual causes:

• the account was suspended, for example because of low funds or an expired card
• the tag was not detected, or not properly mounted on the windscreen
• the car’s plate was not linked to the account
• the account was not active at the time of travel

If you borrow a family car with a tag that belongs to another vehicle, the trip may not match. Check before you go.

What happens if I drive a NSW toll road without paying?

This is the process on nsw.gov.au and the E-Toll site as of November 2026:

1. Within 72 hours of the trip: you can still open an account or buy a pass that covers the trip. A video matching fee may apply.
2. About 2 to 3 days after travel: the registered operator gets an Unpaid Toll Reminder by email and/or SMS, using the contact details on the car’s registration. There is one reminder per day of unpaid travel. If no email or mobile is on the rego, no reminder is sent.
3. If the toll is still unpaid more than 8 days after travel: a Toll Payment Demand is issued for each unpaid toll. It covers the toll plus a video matching fee. Depending on the contact details held, it arrives by email or post.
4. If the Toll Payment Demand is not paid by the due date: a penalty notice may be sent to the registered operator. Transport for NSW says the fine for non-payment exceeds $230. Unpaid tolls may also go to a debt collection agency, with extra fees.
5. If the fine is not paid: an overdue fine can follow, and your licence or registration may be cancelled.

The 2022 NSW Road User Handbook describes the older process, with a 3-day payment window and administration fees on toll notices. The web pages above are newer. Follow those.

Paying for a trip you have already taken

• Sydney Harbour Bridge or Tunnel: pay through E-Toll’s toll notice payment service.
• All other Sydney toll roads: pay through Linkt’s toll notice service or the Linkt app.

Keep the car’s registration contact details up to date in your MyServiceNSW account so the reminder reaches you.

Who pays if a learner was driving?

From July 2026, NSW vehicle owners and registered operators can no longer nominate another driver for toll trips taken on or after that date. Nominating someone else is not a valid objection either. If your learner drove the car on a toll road, the owner pays and sorts it out with the learner privately. A stolen vehicle, backed by a Police Event Number, is the main exception.

Paying tolls in Queensland

• Linkt is the toll payment provider for Queensland toll roads.
• Visitors, occasional and casual users may pay a toll up to 3 days after using a toll road.
• The Toowoomba Bypass also has tolling information on qld.gov.au.

Check the qld.gov.au “Paying tolls” page for what happens after the 3 days. Brisbane’s tolled tunnels have their own driving rules: driving safely in Brisbane tunnels and on Queensland motorways.

Paying tolls in Victoria

Victoria’s Road to Solo Driving handbook describes CityLink as Melbourne’s fully electronic tollway, used with an e-TAG or a pass. It describes EastLink (M3) as a fully electronic tollway from the end of the Eastern Freeway at Mitcham to Frankston, used with a tag, a non-tag account or a trip pass. The handbook was last updated in 2023, so check current pass names, payment windows and unpaid toll steps with CityLink or EastLink before you drive.

Learners and P platers on toll roads

• You can use them. A toll road is a motorway or freeway with a charge. Your learner rules decide whether you can use motorways at all. See learners on motorways and freeways in Australia.
• Your speed cap still applies, even where the motorway limit is higher. See default speed limits and L and P plate caps.
• Your supervisor sorts the tag before you set off. Ask whether the car has an active tag or tagless account linked to its plate.
• Do not let the toll point distract you. There is nothing to do at a toll gantry. Keep your speed and your lane.
• Fix toll debts on your own car. Once you own a car on your Ps, you are the registered operator. Unpaid fines can affect your registration and licence. See registration, CTP and roadworthy checks.

Common questions

Do learner drivers have to pay tolls?

Yes. Tolls are charged to the vehicle, so the same toll applies whoever is driving. In NSW the registered operator is responsible for payment.

I drove through a toll in Sydney with no tag. What should I do?

Within 72 hours, open an account or buy a pass that covers the trip, or pay through the provider for that road. After that, wait for the Unpaid Toll Reminder and pay straight away. A video matching fee may apply.

Are there still administration fees on NSW toll notices?

No. Since July 2026, NSW has removed toll notice administration fees. Video matching fees still apply, and fines can follow if a toll stays unpaid.

Can I nominate my son or daughter as the driver for a NSW toll?

Not for trips on or after July 2026. The owner or registered operator is responsible and must recover the cost from the driver privately.

Can a toll fine affect my licence?

In NSW, if a toll penalty notice and the overdue fine that follows are not paid, your licence or registration may be cancelled.

Is a message asking me to pay a toll genuine?

If you are unsure, do not click the link. Contact your toll provider directly and check before paying, as E-Toll advises.

Does a Brisbane toll pass work in Sydney?

Ask your provider before you travel. Whether a tag or pass covers another state’s toll roads depends on the product. Confirm which roads it covers, how your vehicle registration is linked, how you pay and whether any extra fees apply.

More on national road rules: the Australian Road Rules explained. NSW lane rules on motorways: NSW transit lanes, bus lanes and T-ways.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Toll roads and Toll notices (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Paying a toll or Toll Notice” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “What if I don’t pay a Toll Payment Demand on time?” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW E-Toll, “The unpaid toll process is changing” (myetoll.transport.nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW E-Toll, “Travelling on a toll road without an Account or Pass” (myetoll.transport.nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Tollways and Resources (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Paying tolls” and “Toowoomba Bypass tolling info” (qld.gov.au)

Photo: Zigzig20s, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Most failed driving test appointments in Australia never get as far as the drive: a logbook not lodged in time, a car with a warning light on, or a park brake the examiner cannot reach. This checklist is for learners and supervisors in every state and territory. It covers what to bring, logbook deadlines, car rules, arrival times and what happens if your car is refused, as of November 2026.

Key facts

• Logbook deadlines: NSW app hours at least 48 hours before the test; Queensland logbook approved first (submit at least 12 business days before the test); WA Learn&Log declaration at least 24 hours before.
• Park brake: Victoria (solo tests), WA, Tasmania and the ACT want one the examiner can reach. Victoria refuses electronic or foot-operated park brakes for solo tests.
• Driver aids: NSW requires safety systems such as AEB and traction control to stay on.
• L plates: on in most states, but WA says remove them for the PDA.
• Arrive early: 15 minutes in NSW, WA, Tasmania and the ACT; 10 minutes in Queensland and the NT.
• If your car fails the pre-test check, you usually lose the fee and must rebook and pay again.

The checklist every state shares

• Your current learner licence or permit. It is your ID on the day in most states.
• Your logbook, completed and signed, or the app declaration submitted (if you are under 25, or under 21 in Victoria).
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive.
• A registered, roadworthy car that meets your state’s test vehicle rules (below).
• A fully licensed driver to take the car home if you do not pass (NSW says so directly; Tasmania asks you to bring your supervisor).
• Payment for the licence fee if you pass. Some centres take cards only.
• A charged phone if your logbook or booking confirmation is on it.

State by state: documents, logbook and timing

State	Bring	Logbook rule	Arrive	Change or cancel
NSW	Learner licence, completed licence application form, a fully licensed driver	Paper log book, or app hours submitted 48 hours before	15 minutes early	At least 48 hours before, or the fee may be lost
VIC	Appointment number, learner permit, medical certificate if relevant	Under 21: 120 hours (20 at night) in myLearners or the Learner Log Book with declaration	On time for your appointment	24 hours’ notice or you lose your fees
QLD	Learner licence	Under 25: logbook approved by TMR before you can book (submit at least 12 business days before the test)	10 minutes early	At least 2 working days’ notice
WA	Learner’s permit (or identity documents)	Paper log book signed by you and your supervisor, or Learn&Log declaration 24 hours before plus your device	15 minutes early; late means cancelled	At least 48 hours’ notice or pay for a new PDA
SA	Current learner’s permit	75 hours (15 at night) completed	As your VORT instructor advises	Book with a VORT instructor at least 3 days ahead
TAS	Learner licence, logbook or app declaration, L plates, your supervisor	80 hours including 15 at night	15 minutes early	Check your booking confirmation
ACT	Completed logbook with required hours	Logbook complete before the one-off assessment	15 minutes early; over 5 minutes late means rebook and pay	48 hours’ notice, with a change or cancellation fee
NT	Current learner licence (or receipt plus photo ID)	Check with the MVR or your examiner	10 minutes early	Arrange with your authorised examiner

Victoria is strict about logbooks: if you cannot prove 120 hours including 20 at night, you cannot sit the test, your fees are forfeited and you must wait at least six weeks.

Car rules by state

State	Key car rules for the test
NSW	Registered and roadworthy; working indicators (including side repeaters) and brake lights; lap-sash seatbelt and head restraint for the officer; front passenger door handle and window switch working; no device recording the test, such as a dashcam; dual accelerator disabled; AEB and traction control on; park assist off for reversing
VIC	Registered and roadworthy with L plates; a speed display the testing officer can see; seatbelts for everyone; for a solo test, a centrally mounted handbrake the officer can reach (no electronic or foot-operated park brakes)
QLD	Registered and roadworthy; L plates shown correctly; you have the registered operator’s permission to use it
WA	Licensed and roadworthy; L plates removed; centrally mounted park brake that holds on a slope (dual-control instructor cars exempt); no red or amber warning lights, including low fuel; no recalled car or Takata airbags
SA	Check with your VORT instructor before the day
TAS	Registered, roadworthy and reasonably clean; handbrake between the front seats the assessor can reach; no brake, ABS, airbag or red stability control warning light; at least 1.5 mm tread on every tyre
ACT	Registered (an unregistered vehicle permit is not accepted); clean inside with clear windows; working seatbelts; centre-mounted park brake (electric or manual) the examiner can reach; L plates front and back; proof of airbag replacement if the car was under the Takata recall
NT	Registered and roadworthy with L plates; no broken seatbelts, cracked windscreen blocking your view, unsafe tyres or loose objects; working speedometer; no prohibited driver assist feature that cannot be switched off

Full detail is in each state guide: NSW Driving Test, Victorian test cars, Q-Safe, WA PDA, SA VORT, Tasmanian P1 assessment, ACT assessment and NT practical test.

Five-minute car check the night before

1. Lights: have someone watch while you test the indicators (both sides, including side repeaters), brake lights and reverse lights.
2. Dashboard: start the car. No warning lights should stay on. Fill the tank so the low fuel light is off (WA and Tasmania check this).
3. Tyres: no flats, bald patches or visible damage.
4. Windscreen and mirrors: clean, with no crack in your line of sight.
5. Inside: passenger seatbelt and door work; loose items secured or removed; dashcam off or removed in NSW.
6. Park brake: make sure the examiner can reach it from the passenger seat if your state requires that.
7. Paperwork: registration current; L plates on (or off in WA).

If you are testing in an automatic, check your state’s rules first: automatic licence conditions in each state.

What happens if your car is refused?

• NSW: the test is terminated and the fee is not refunded.
• WA: the PDA is cancelled and you pay for another one.
• ACT: the assessment does not go ahead and you rebook and pay again.
• Queensland: a car that fails inspection is one of the reasons TMR keeps the fee.
• Tasmania: the assessment may not start.
• NT: the test is ended if the car is unsuitable or breaks down.

A refusal does not count as a fail, but it costs the same. If your family car is borderline, book a lesson in an instructor’s car on test day instead.

On the day: timeline

1. Two hours before: a short warm-up drive with your supervisor, ideally near the test centre.
2. Before leaving: learner licence, logbook or phone, glasses, payment card. Check the L plates are secure (or removed in WA).
3. Arrive 10 or 15 minutes early, depending on your state, and tell staff you are there for a test.
4. Car check: the examiner checks the car. In Tasmania, for example, you start the car, work the brake lights and indicators and select reverse.
5. After the drive: pass, and you go to the counter for your P licence and fee. Fail, and your supervisor drives home. See failed your driving test? Rebooking in each state.

Common questions

Can I use my instructor’s car?

Yes in every state, if it meets the rules. In NSW the dual brake must work, the dual accelerator must be disabled, and any use of the dual controls by the officer is a fail. In Victoria an instructor with a current Driving Instructor Authority can sit in with you.

Can I use a car with an electronic park brake?

Not for a solo test in Victoria. The ACT accepts electric or manual park brakes if centre-mounted and reachable. WA and Tasmania ask for a central park brake the assessor can reach, so check before booking.

Do I need my supervisor at the test?

You still hold a learner licence when you arrive, so you need a supervisor to drive there. NSW asks you to bring a fully licensed driver, and Tasmania asks you to bring only your supervisor.

My logbook app has not synced. What now?

Do not leave it to the morning. NSW needs app hours 48 hours ahead and WA needs the Learn&Log declaration 24 hours ahead. Queensland will not let you book at all until TMR approves the logbook.

Can I bring a reversing camera?

NSW allows reversing cameras and sensors, but you must still check your mirrors and look around. Park assist must be off for the reversing manoeuvres.

What if I am sick on test day?

Change the booking within your state’s notice period. Victoria refunds late cancellations only with a medical certificate or other evidence.

Compare the tests themselves: practical driving tests in every state compared. Supervising for test day: Queensland and WA.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “A Guide to the Driving Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Drive test for a Victorian driver’s licence” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Driver tests” and “Practical driving tests” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Bookings online: book a driving test” (service.transport.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Book and pass your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)” and “Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) vehicle standard” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, My Licence, “Option 1: Vehicle On Road Test (VORT)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Getting your P1s” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “About your driving assessment” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “One-off practical driving assessment” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “A guide to the Driving Test” and “Learner Drivers’ Guide” (nt.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Learner logbook” (qld.gov.au)

Photo: Melike B, Pexels

In most of Australia, if you pass your practical driving test in an automatic car, your licence is limited to automatics for a while. How long that lasts, and how you remove it, depends on the state. South Australia is the exception: its licence covers both. This checklist compares all eight states and territories as of November 2026, for learners deciding which car to test in and P platers who now want to drive a manual.

Key facts

• Shortest restriction: NSW (P1 only) and the NT (first 12 months of Ps).
• Longest: Victoria (all of P1 and P2, about 4 years) and Tasmania (3 years before it can be removed without a test).
• No restriction: South Australia. My Licence says an SA licence covers manual and automatic cars whichever you tested in.
• Lasts until you act: Queensland and WA keep the automatic condition or class on the licence until you qualify in a manual.
• Driving a manual alone while restricted breaks your licence conditions. In most states you may practise in a manual with a fully licensed supervisor.

Automatic licence conditions compared

State	Pass in an automatic and…	How long	How it comes off
NSW	You can drive a manual only with a supervisor holding a full Australian licence	P1 only	Ends automatically when you move to P2
VIC	A condition: automatics only	Whole P1 and P2 period	Pass another drive test in a manual, or it is removed when you get your full licence
QLD	Class CA (automatic car) on the licence: automatics only	Until removed	Pass a practical test in a manual (confirm with TMR)
WA	C-A class licence: automatics only	Until you upgrade	Upgrade to a C class licence (ask DTMI what is required)
SA	No restriction	n/a	n/a
TAS	Condition A: automatic vehicle only	Until removed	After 3 years on the licence, Service Tasmania can remove it; sooner, pass a driving assessment in a manual
ACT	A condition: manual only with a full licence holder beside you and L plates displayed	Until removed	Pass in a manual, or ask for removal after 12 months on your Ps
NT	Automatic-only condition; manual only with a full licence holder supervising	First 12 months of Ps	Removed at an MVR office after 12 months, or pass the test again in a manual

NSW: P1 only

Pass the Driving Test in an automatic and, on P1, you may drive a manual only when supervised by someone with a full Australian licence. The restriction ends when you move to P2, after at least 12 months on P1. No second test is needed. More: NSW learner, P1 and P2 restrictions.

Victoria: the A condition for your whole P period

A pass in an automatic puts an A condition on your probationary licence for all of P1 and P2. Your options:

• Do nothing. The condition is removed when you get your full licence.
• Pass a drive test in a manual. Then pay the licence variation fee to have the A condition removed.

While practising in a manual, you need a fully licensed supervisor beside you and a yellow “Driver under instruction” plate as well as your P plates. Step by step: upgrading from an automatic to a manual licence. Victoria also bans electronic park brakes for solo drive tests: see which cars you can use for the VicRoads drive test.

Queensland: condition code A

Queensland’s Driver Licensing Regulation lists condition code A: the holder may only drive a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission. The regulation also says the holder of an open class C licence with that condition is authorised to learn to drive a manual car. On the licence card, TMR shows an automatic-only car licence as class CA rather than class C with a separate code. To practise in a manual, your supervisor must have held an open licence for that class for at least 1 year and you must display L plates. Pass a practical driving test in a manual to have the restriction removed. Confirm the booking steps with TMR on 13 23 80. See the Q-Safe practical driving test.

Western Australia: C or C-A class

WA issues two car classes:

• C class: manual and automatic cars.
• C-A class: automatic cars only. You get this if you pass your PDA in a car with an automatic or synchromesh transmission, and the restriction appears on your licence card.

DTMI says you can always upgrade from C-A to C class later. Ask DTMI on 13 11 56 what the upgrade involves before you book anything. A supervising driver with an automatic-only licence cannot supervise a learner in a manual. More: the WA PDA and supervising a learner driver in WA.

South Australia: no automatic restriction

My Licence says a driver’s licence issued in South Australia covers both automatic and manual vehicles, whatever type you passed your test in. An “A” code can still appear on an SA licence (for example for medical reasons), but passing the VORT or CBT&A in an automatic does not add it. If you have never driven a manual, take lessons before you try one. See VORT or CBT&A.

Tasmania: the 3-year rule

Pass the P1 assessment in an automatic and your licence carries condition A (automatic vehicle only). To remove it:

• Held for 3 years or more (not counting suspension or disqualification): Service Tasmania can remove it without a manual assessment.
• Held for less than 3 years: pass a driving assessment in a manual car.
• Added for medical reasons: provide a medical report saying why it no longer applies.

Either way, you go to Service Tasmania, book the assessment if needed, complete a licence application, pay the fee and have your photo taken. To practise, drive with someone who holds a basic manual car licence (not provisional or restricted) and follow learner conditions: L plates, 90 km/h maximum and zero alcohol. See the Tasmanian P1 driving assessment.

ACT: the A condition

Pass in an automatic, whether through CBT&A or the one-off assessment, and your licence carries an A condition. You can drive a manual only with a full licence holder beside you and L plates displayed, until you either pass in a manual or ask for the condition to be removed after 12 months on your Ps. It is removed automatically when you renew to a full licence after 3 years. See CBT&A or the one-off driving assessment.

Northern Territory: the first 12 months

An automatic pass gives you an automatic-only condition for the first 12 months of your provisional licence. During that time you may drive a manual only with a full licence holder supervising. After 12 months, have the condition removed at an MVR office. To drive a manual alone sooner, pass the practical test again in a manual. Many NT examiners hire out test cars, and their list shows whether each one offers manual, automatic or both. See NT P plate rules.

Should you test in an automatic or a manual?

Your situation	Better choice
Family car and likely first car are automatics	Automatic. Most restrictions will not affect you.
You may need to drive a manual ute or van for work	Manual, especially in VIC, QLD, WA, TAS and the ACT, where the restriction lasts longest or needs a second test
You live in SA	Either. Your licence covers both.
You are struggling with clutch control and the test date is close	Automatic now, manual later. In NSW the restriction ends at P2 and in the NT after 12 months.

Whichever you pick, the test car must still meet your state’s vehicle rules. See the driving test day checklist and, for automatic driving technique, learning to drive an automatic car.

Worked examples

A Victorian who passes in an automatic at 18

The A condition stays through P1 and P2. At 18 the minimum probationary period runs to about 22, so, unless they pass a manual drive test sooner, they cannot drive a manual alone until then.

A NSW driver who passes in an automatic

On P1 they can drive the family manual only with a full licence holder beside them. Twelve months later, on P2, they can drive it alone with no further test.

A Tasmanian who passes in an automatic

Three years later, Service Tasmania can remove the condition without a test. If they need a manual sooner, they book a manual driving assessment.

Common questions

Can I learn in a manual and test in an automatic?

Yes. The car you test in decides the condition, not the car you learned in.

What happens if I drive a manual while restricted?

You are breaking a licence condition. Tasmania warns that your licence may be suspended or cancelled, and Victoria lists a fine and demerit points. P platers have low demerit limits. See demerit limits for L and P platers.

Does the restriction apply when I drive interstate?

Yes. Your licence conditions travel with you. See driving interstate on L or P plates.

Can someone with an automatic-only licence supervise a learner in a manual?

Not in WA, where Drive Safe says so directly. In other states, the supervisor must hold a licence for the car the learner is driving, so assume not.

Are cars with dual-clutch or semi-automatic gearboxes manual?

As a rule of thumb, if there is no clutch pedal, expect it to count as an automatic. WA counts synchromesh test cars with automatics for the C-A restriction. Ask your state agency if your car is unusual.

Do I pay to remove the condition?

Usually yes: a test fee if a manual test is needed, plus a licence variation or replacement fee in some states (Victoria and Tasmania mention one). See the cost of getting a licence in Australia.

Related: practical driving tests in every state compared and P plate rules compared.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” and “A Guide to the Driving Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook and drive test pages (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021”, section 15 and schedule 3 (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Car licence” and “Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) vehicle standard” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, My Licence, “Frequently asked questions” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “Licence conditions” (sa.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “Licence conditions” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “One-off practical driving assessment” and “Licence classes and conditions” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver licence classes and conditions” and “Take a practical driving test with an authorised driving examiner” (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Roadrunnerz45, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every Australian state and territory asks you to prove who you are, and usually where you live, before it issues your first learner licence. The rules are close but not the same: NSW can accept two documents, while Western Australia asks for five. This checklist is for first-time learners and their parents. It lists what each licensing agency accepts as of November 2026, what to do if you are under 18 with nothing in your own name, and where to get help if you have no birth certificate.

Key facts

• Bring original documents in every state. Photocopies and certified copies are refused everywhere. The NT also refuses digital copies, including digital driver licences, and WA accepts only physical records.
• Most states want three documents mixing two categories (QLD, SA, TAS, NT, ACT). Victoria wants one of each of two categories, NSW one from each of two lists, and WA five.
• Between them, your documents usually need to show your full name, date of birth, signature and current address in that state.
• Birth certificate extracts and commemorative certificates are not accepted (Victoria, WA, SA, TAS and the ACT say so directly).
• Check the consent rules for your state and age: Western Australia, for example, uses a parent or guardian consent form (E20) for minimum-age exemptions. Otherwise parents matter mainly for proving a teenager’s identity or address (WA, the ACT and NSW).
• Free help exists for people without documents: NSW’s Driver Licensing Access Program and DriveSafe NT.

Documents for a learner licence, state by state

State	What you need	Typical first-time combination
NSW	One List 1 + one List 2 document (or a current NSW Photo Card)	Birth certificate + Medicare card
VIC	One category A + one category B, plus proof of Victorian address if not shown	Passport + student ID + utility bill
QLD	3 documents: 1 category A + 2 category B, or 2 A + 1 B	Birth certificate + Medicare card + bank card
WA	5 documents in one of two set combinations (categories A to D)	Birth certificate + E41 declaration + 2 community documents + an address document
SA	3 documents: 1 primary + 2 secondary, or 2 primary + 1 secondary, plus an address document if needed	Passport + Medicare card + bank statement
TAS	3 documents: 1 category A + 2 category B, or 2 A + 1 B	Birth certificate + Medicare card + student ID
ACT	Category A (primary) + category B (secondary) proof of identity, plus proof of ACT residency	Passport + Medicare card + utility account
NT	3 documents: 1 category A + 2 category B, or 2 A + 1 B, including NT address	Birth certificate + 2 bills or statements

The typical combinations are examples only. Check each document against your state’s full list before you go.

NSW: List 1 and List 2

NSW accepts either a single stand-alone document (a current NSW driver licence or NSW Photo Card, or one that expired in the last 2 years) or two documents, one from each list. Most first-time learners use the two-document option.

List 1 (must show your full name and date of birth)

• Australian full or integrated birth certificate showing parental details
• Australian passport, current or expired within 2 years
• Current overseas passport, or an overseas birth certificate with a passport or Australian travel document
• Australian citizenship or naturalisation document
• Current ImmiCard (or one expired up to 2 years), or a current DFAT travel document
• Interstate driver licence, current or expired up to 2 years

List 2 (must show your family name and first given name in full)

• Current Medicare card
• Current photo student ID from an Australian secondary school, TAFE or university, or proof of enrolment up to 12 months old
• Current bank card showing your name and signature, or a bank statement or letter up to 12 months old
• Phone, gas or electricity bill, or a rates notice, up to 12 months old
• Current interstate Proof of Age or Evidence of Age card, or a physical Keypass card

The names must match across both documents. Middle names shown as initials are fine if they are in the same order, but a first name shown only as an initial is not. One document should carry your signature. If neither does, bring a witness letter from someone such as your school principal, employer or parent. Documents not in English need an official translation from one of the providers Transport for NSW names, such as Multicultural NSW or the Department of Home Affairs’ Translating and Interpreting Service.

You also need to be 16, pass an eyesight test and pass the DKT. See the NSW Driver Knowledge Test and learning to drive in NSW.

Victoria: one category A and one category B

Before you sit the learner permit test, VicRoads needs proof of who you are and that you live in Victoria. Bring:

• One category A document, for example a passport (current or expired by up to 2 years) or an Australian birth certificate (not an extract or commemorative certificate).
• One category B document, for example a current Medicare card, a student identity card, a bank card, a Commonwealth entitlement card, or a phone, gas or electricity bill no more than 1 year old.
• Evidence of Victorian residence if neither document shows your current address. If you have nothing, a referee who has known you for at least 12 months and holds a current Victorian licence can complete the Victorian residence declaration on your application form.
• Evidence of a name change, such as a Change of Name certificate, if the names on your documents differ.

All names must match and be in the same order. Photocopies, certified or not, are refused. More: the VicRoads learner permit test.

Queensland: three originals

TMR asks for three original documents: one category A and two category B, or two category A and one category B.

• Category A (legal name and date of birth): full Australian birth certificate, Australian or foreign passport, citizenship or naturalisation certificate, Australian photo driver licence. Each must show your full legal name.
• Category B (use of your name in the community): Medicare card, debit or credit card in your name, photo student ID.

Extracts and commemorative birth certificates are refused, as are photocopies and certified copies. If your address is not on your documents, you may need a separate proof of address. Eligible car learners can apply through TMR’s online “Get my learner licence” service; others go to a customer service centre. See learning to drive in Queensland.

Western Australia: five documents in set combinations

WA asks first-time applicants for five original documents that together show your full name, date of birth and current address. You choose one of two combinations:

Combination	Category A	Category B	Category C	Category D
1	1	1	2	1
2	1	0	2	2

• Category A (identity in Australia): original Australian birth certificate (not an extract), citizenship or naturalisation documents, or an Australian visa with an overseas passport.
• Category B (links you to that identity): Australian passport, current overseas passport, interstate licence or learner permit with photo and signature. Learners can instead use a Secondary Identification Statutory Declaration (Form E41). A parent or legal guardian must attend with their own current primary and secondary ID.
• Category C (identity in the community): Medicare card, current bank card, WA student photo ID, a WA secondary school report, a WA Keys4Life certificate less than 2 years old, a WA Recreational Skipper’s Ticket or an ATO notice.
• Category D (address): for example a letter from your school or another recognised education institution less than 12 months old. A category B or C document showing your address also counts, if you have not already used it.

At least one document must show your signature, and only physical originals are accepted. For school reports, DTMI’s identity page says less than 6 months old, while the Drive Safe handbook says less than 12 months. Bring the most recent report you have. The DTMI ID Checklist tool on its website helps you pick a combination. See learning to drive in WA.

South Australia: primary and secondary evidence

For your first SA permit you need at least three original evidence of identity documents: one primary and two secondary, or two primary and one secondary. Together they must show your full name, date of birth, signature and current SA address. If they do not show your address, bring a fourth document that does.

• Primary: Australian passport (current or expired within the previous 3 years), full birth certificate showing parental details, Australian visa with a foreign passport, ImmiCard, citizenship certificate, or a current interstate photo licence or learner permit.
• Secondary: current Medicare or concession card, bank card, or a bank statement, utility bill or ATO letter up to 12 months old, a student ID (current or expired up to 12 months), or evidence of electoral enrolment up to 2 years old.

If your middle name appears only as an initial, bring another primary document showing it in full. If you are genuinely unable to get acceptable documents, Service SA may ask for an alternative document or a non-standard evidence of identity verification form. Cost, or a lost document you could replace, does not count as genuinely unable. The handbook list was correct at January 2025, so check the current list on sa.gov.au. Next step: myLs or the in-office theory test.

Tasmania: three documents

Without a Tasmanian licence, you need at least three original documents: one category A and two category B, or two category A and one category B.

• Category A: Australian birth certificate (not an extract or commemorative certificate), Australian citizenship papers, Australian passport, or a Tasmanian Government Personal Information Card.
• Category B: Medicare card, bank or credit card with your signature, or a photo student ID from an Australian educational institution.

Documents must be in English or come with an accredited translation. If they do not show your current Tasmanian address, you must prove it separately. If you cannot meet the standard rules, ask Service Tasmania (1300 135 513) about the non-standard route: one category A document plus two non-standard documents. You take your evidence of identity to a Service Tasmania shop when you sit the standalone knowledge test, or after passing Plates Plus online. See the Tasmanian driver knowledge test.

ACT: proof of identity and residency

You need proof of identity and ACT residency before Access Canberra lets you sit a knowledge test or get your Ls. The ACT Road Rules Handbook lists:

• Category A (primary): Australian birth certificate (not commemorative, not an extract), Australian or overseas passport (expired by up to 2 years), citizenship certificate, ImmiCard, or an Australian proof of age card such as a NSW Photo Card.
• Category B (secondary): current Medicare card, bank card with your signature, current student ID with photo or signature, or a current concession card.
• Proof of residency, as an extra document if your others do not show it: a utility or home internet account paid in the last 6 months, a lease from a real estate agent or ACT Government (private rental agreements are refused), an ATO assessment, or myGov correspondence from the last 6 months.

Between them, your documents must show your full name, a signature and your date of birth. The handbook asks for three identity documents in total and says the rules change, so confirm the current list with Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Under 18 with no mail in your name? Access Canberra says a parent or legal guardian can come to the service centre with you and complete a written declaration that you live with them. See the ACT pre-learner course.

Northern Territory: become an MVR customer first

In the NT you must become a Motor Vehicle Registry customer before you can sit the theory test. Go to an MVR office with at least three original documents: one category A and two category B, or two category A and one category B.

• Category A examples: Australian birth certificate, Australian passport or citizenship papers. Your date of birth must appear on a category A document.
• Category B examples: utility bills, council rates notices and bank statements, within set date limits.
• At least one document must show your NT residential address and one your signature, and your name must match across all of them.

Photocopies, certified extracts and digital copies, including digital driver licences, are refused. If you are missing documents, call MVR on 1300 654 628. Remote residents can get help with evidence of identity and residency through the DriveSafe NT remote program. See getting a licence in remote NT communities.

Under 18: do you need a parent’s consent?

Check the application and identity requirements for your state and age. A signed consent form can apply in special cases: Western Australia, for example, has a parent or guardian consent form (E20) for applicants seeking an exemption from the minimum age. A parent or guardian is still useful, and sometimes needed, for identity:

• WA: a parent or guardian attends with their own ID and completes Form E41 so it counts as your category B document.
• ACT: a parent or guardian can declare in writing that you live with them if you have no address documents.
• NSW: a parent or guardian can write the witness letter if none of your documents shows your signature.
• Victoria: a referee who has known you for at least 12 months and holds a current Victorian licence, such as a parent, can complete the residence declaration.

Rules for teenagers can change, so ask your licensing agency before you go if you have few documents in your own name.

No birth certificate or not enough documents?

1. Order a full birth certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state where you were born. In SA, a document you could replace does not count as unobtainable, so most agencies expect you to do this first.
2. Use school documents. Student IDs, school reports and school letters with your address count in several states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, TAS and the ACT).
3. Ask about the non-standard routes: SA’s non-standard verification form, the Tasmanian non-standard option, or a call to NT MVR about your circumstances.
4. Get free help. NSW’s Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP) supports Aboriginal communities, refugee and resettlement communities, vulnerable young people and others facing hardship, including help getting identification documents. Find a local provider through Transport for NSW. In the NT, DriveSafe NT staff advise on evidence of identity.

Before you go: checklist

• Originals only, in physical form. No photocopies, scans or phone photos.
• Names identical across documents, or a marriage or change of name certificate linking them.
• At least one document with your signature and one with your current address.
• Translations for any document not in English, from a translator your state accepts.
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them for the eyesight test.
• Your knowledge test pass or certificate, where your state asks for it.

Next, compare the learner tests themselves: learner knowledge tests in every state and learner licence rules compared.

Common questions

Can I use my digital licence or a phone photo of my ID?

No. Every state asks for originals. The NT says digital copies, including digital driver licences, are refused, and WA accepts only physical records. NSW will accept an interstate digital licence only with the plastic card. See digital driver licences in Australia.

Is a birth certificate extract good enough?

No. Victoria, WA, SA, Tasmania and the ACT refuse extracts and commemorative certificates, and Queensland also refuses them for learner licences. Order a full certificate showing parental details.

Does my school ID count?

In most states, yes, as a secondary document: NSW List 2, Victorian category B, Queensland and Tasmanian category B, WA category C, SA secondary and ACT category B. It usually needs a photo, and some states set an age limit on it.

I have an overseas passport. Is that enough?

It counts as one document. It is List 1 in NSW and category A in Queensland and the ACT. In WA it is category B, and you also need a category A document such as your Australian visa. You will still need the other documents on your state’s list.

My name on my bank card is different from my birth certificate.

Bring a change of name or marriage certificate that links them. Without it, most agencies will refuse the mismatched document.

I am moving states. Do I need to prove my identity again?

Usually yes, because each state checks identity when you first apply there. See moving to Victoria, moving to WA, moving to NSW and moving to Queensland.

Pillar guides by state: South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Victoria.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Proving your identity” and “Learner driver licence” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP)” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Evidence of identity (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Evidence of identity” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Get my learner licence” (service.transport.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Identity requirements” and “Apply for your learner’s permit” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, Appendix 3 (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, Form E20, consent letter for an exemption from the minimum age for a learner’s permit or driver’s licence (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (MR200, February 2026), Identification documents (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “Proving your identity” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Getting your learner licence” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Get your learner driver licence” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• ACT Government, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, Proof of identity and residency (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Evidence of identity and residency: licence and registration”, “Get your driver licence” and “Driver licences for remote residents” (nt.gov.au)