Category: All Australian states and territories

Photo: The Q915, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

People with a disability can learn to drive and hold a licence in every Australian state. The usual route is to declare your condition, get a medical report and an occupational therapist (OT) driving assessment, learn in a car with any modifications you need, and then pass the test in that car. Your licence may carry conditions, such as driving only a modified car. This guide explains each step, what NSW and Victoria require, and the support available if you find reading or the knowledge test hard.

Key facts

• You must declare any medical condition or disability that could affect your driving when you apply. The NSW, Victorian, WA, SA, ACT and NT handbooks all say so.
• An OT driver assessment can recommend vehicle modifications, training and licence conditions.
• In NSW you cannot book a disability driving test online. Book in person at a service centre or on 13 22 13.
• In Victoria the OT assessment is not covered by Medicare or VicRoads. The NDIS, WorkCover or the TAC may help with costs in some cases.
• A medical condition does not mean you cannot be licensed. Many drivers get a licence with conditions (NT handbook).

Step by step: the usual route

1. Declare the condition on your learner licence application.
2. Get a medical report from your doctor about your fitness to drive. In Victoria, the report goes to the medical review team before you learn to drive or sit the licence test.
3. Have an OT driver assessment if your doctor or the licensing authority asks for one. It usually has an off-road part and an on-road part.
4. Check what approval your modifications need before they are fitted. In Victoria this can include a VASS approval certificate.
5. Take lessons in a car with the modifications, ideally with an instructor experienced in modified cars.
6. Pass the driving test in a car that has the fittings you need.
7. Receive your licence, with any conditions printed on it.

NSW: disability driving test rules

To book a disability driving test in NSW you must:

• be 16 or over and have a completed licence application
• have passed the OT assessment, an eyesight test and the Driver Knowledge Test
• have a vehicle with the right modifications fitted
• pay the test fee.

Book in person at a service centre or by calling 13 22 13. If you need special fittings to drive, you must pass the test in a vehicle that has them. Transport for NSW decides whether a disability has a serious effect on your driving. If it does, the test checks your ability and whether you need aids or modifications. People with a minor disability may be told to sit the standard test instead. Find an OT through Occupational Therapy Australia.

Victoria: medical review, OT and modifications

• A medical report must go to Transport Victoria’s medical review team before you learn to drive or sit the licence test.
• An OT qualified in driver assessment assesses how your abilities affect driving and can recommend modifications or training. VicRoads keeps a list of assessors, but it does not endorse any of them.
• Modifications are listed as a condition on your learner permit or licence. You may only drive a vehicle with them fitted.
• Before modifying a car, get OT advice and check whether you need a VASS approval certificate.
• Normal learner rules still apply, including your supervisor and logbook. See Victorian learner permit rules.
• A medical review usually leads to a conditional licence rather than a cancellation. Examples are modifications or daylight-only driving. VicRoads makes the final decision.

Other states and territories

State	What the official handbook says
QLD	Check with TMR how to declare a condition and whether you need an assessment
WA	You must declare medical conditions and medication on the application. Doctors may recommend a driving assessment
SA	Declare any illness, disease or disability truthfully on applications. If it develops later, tell the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in writing as soon as possible
TAS	Check with Transport Tasmania
ACT	Report any medical condition that may affect your driving to the ACT Road Transport Authority
NT	Notify the Registrar if a condition, including disability, mental illness or eyesight, could affect your driving. Some conditions need an on-road OT assessment. Health professionals must also notify the Registrar if they believe a patient’s condition could affect driving

Help with the knowledge test

State	Support
NSW	Book the in-person DKT for an assistant reader, interpreter or Auslan. For the HPT, staff can read and explain questions if you arrange it before booking
VIC	Auslan or sign language interpreter for the in-person test; tell VicRoads when you book
WA	Oral test for people who have trouble reading or using computers
NT	Verbal test at some MVR offices. If you have a physical or mental impairment, talk to the MVR before booking
QLD, SA, TAS, ACT	Ask when you book. Queensland can arrange a staff member to help with the written test if you cannot complete PrepL online

Language support is covered in learner tests in other languages.

Paying for assessments and modifications

• In Victoria, OT assessments are not covered by Medicare or VicRoads.
• Transport Victoria says the NDIS, WorkCover or the TAC may help with costs, depending on your situation.
• In other states, ask your OT about funding before you commit to modifications.

Common questions

Can I get my Ls if I have a disability?

Yes, in every state. You declare the condition, and the licensing authority decides whether you need a medical report or assessment first.

Do I have to use my own modified car for the test?

In NSW you must pass the test in a vehicle with the fittings you need. Check with your state who can supply the car.

What does an OT driving assessment involve?

NSW describes it as an on-road and off-road assessment. The OT judges how your abilities affect driving and can recommend modifications, training or licence conditions.

Will my licence have conditions?

Possibly. Common examples are driving only a vehicle with specified modifications, or daylight-only driving.

I have dyslexia. Can I get help with the theory test?

Yes in several states: an assistant reader in NSW, an oral test in WA and a verbal test in the NT. Elsewhere, ask when you book.

What if my condition starts after I get my licence?

You must tell your licensing authority. NSW, Victoria, SA and the NT say this directly.

Related guides

• Medical conditions and driving in Australia
• Learner licence rules in every Australian state compared
• Automatic licence conditions in each state
• Practical driving tests in every state compared
• NSW Driver Knowledge Test

Sources

• NSW Government, “Driving assessments” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Medical conditions and disability (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Driver Knowledge Test” and “Hazard Perception Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Licences and medical conditions” and “Vehicle modifications for drivers with a disability” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Occupational therapy and driving” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook” and “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)

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

Turning and indicating rules are almost the same across Australia because every state uses the Australian Road Rules: indicate long enough to warn others, and for at least 5 seconds when pulling out from the kerb. Turn left from the left, turn right from near the centre, and give way to pedestrians in the road you enter. The big exception is U-turns at traffic lights, which only Victoria allows without a sign. This guide pulls the turning, indicating, U-turn and three-point-turn rules from all eight state and territory handbooks.

Key facts

• Indicate before every turn, lane change, merge, U-turn, and every time you pull out from or into the kerb.
• From a parked position, indicate for at least 5 seconds before moving off.
• Turn the indicator off as soon as you finish.
• U-turns at traffic lights: banned unless there is a U-turn Permitted sign in NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, the ACT and the NT. In Victoria they are allowed unless there is a No U-turn sign.
• While waiting to turn right, keep your front wheels pointing straight ahead.

When must you indicate?

The NSW Road User Handbook’s list matches the other handbooks. You must indicate before you:

• turn left or right, including from a lane with a turn arrow (Tasmania stresses this)
• change lanes, merge, or move left or right
• overtake
• make a U-turn or three-point turn
• pull out from the side of the road, or pull over to stop or park
• turn at a roundabout, and when leaving one if practical
• go straight ahead at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves.

How long should you indicate?

• Long enough to give sufficient warning to other drivers and pedestrians. That is the legal test in every state.
• At least 5 seconds when you move off from the side of the road or a median strip parking area. This is stated in the NSW, WA and Tasmanian handbooks and in the Victorian road rules.
• On fast roads, start well ahead. WA’s Drive Safe says that on high-speed roads, sufficient warning may mean indicating for several hundred metres.

An indicator does not give you right of way. The NT handbook says so plainly: other road users do not have to give way just because you signalled. Do not leave an indicator on after a turn, because it can mislead others.

Hand signals

You only need hand signals if your indicators or brake lights are not working or not fitted.

State	When a hand signal is required
NSW, NT	Turning right or stopping, when indicators are not working, not clearly visible or not fitted
WA	Must signal slowing down, stopping and turning left by hand if the car has no stop lights or indicators; should signal by hand when turning right or overtaking
Others	Same principle: an arm signal replaces faulty indicators. In Tasmania, a car with faulty indicators or brake lights is unroadworthy

Right turn: extend your right arm straight out. Stopping: extend your right arm and bend it up at the elbow (NSW and NT handbooks).

How to turn left

1. Indicate left and move close to the left side of the road.
2. On a multi-lane road, turn from the left lane, or from any lane with a left arrow.
3. Use the slip lane if there is one.
4. Give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into. WA also says to give way to bicycle riders if you cross a bicycle lane or the road shoulder.
5. Keep to the left side of the new road.

How to turn right

1. Indicate right.
2. Two-way road: move as close as you can to the dividing line, or just left of the centre if there is no line. One-way road: turn from the right side.
3. On a multi-lane road, turn from the right lane, or from any lane with a right arrow.
4. Wait with your wheels straight. If you are hit from behind, you will not be pushed into oncoming traffic (NSW and WA).
5. Give way to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the road you are entering.
6. Do not cut the corner. Turn to the right of the centre of the intersection.

In Melbourne’s CBD some intersections need a hook turn instead: see how to do a hook turn in Melbourne.

Multi-lane turns and turn lines

• Move into the correct lane early. Do not change lanes at the last moment or partway through the turn.
• If there are turn lines painted through the intersection, follow them.
• If there are no lines, stay in the same lane as you turn (NSW). Tasmania says you may choose the lane you turn into if it is safe.
• If your lane has an arrow, you must go in that direction.
• Large vehicles can block your view. Turn only when you can see clearly, and never put your car in the path of a long vehicle that is turning.

U-turn rules by state

State	U-turn at traffic lights
VIC	Allowed unless a No U-turn sign is shown. A U-turn Permitted sign is needed at children’s, pedestrian and level crossings
NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT	Banned unless a U-turn Permitted sign is shown

The other U-turn rules are shared everywhere:

• No U-turn where a No U-turn sign applies.
• No U-turn across a single continuous dividing line, double continuous lines, or a continuous line on your side of a broken line.
• A No Right Turn sign also bans U-turns, unless a U-turn Permitted sign is shown (NSW and VIC handbooks).
• No U-turn on a freeway (NSW and WA handbooks) or on a one-way road (SA).
• Only begin the turn if you have a clear view of approaching traffic and will not obstruct it.
• Give way to all vehicles and pedestrians. Drivers coming out of a car park or driveway must give way to you (SA handbook, VIC rules).
• Start from the lane nearest the dividing line or median, or left of centre if there are no lane markings.

The Victorian details are in U-turns in Victoria.

Three-point turns

Use a three-point turn when the road is too narrow for a U-turn. The steps in the Victorian handbook:

1. Signal left and stop at the kerb.
2. Signal right, then look both ways before you start.
3. Drive across to the opposite kerb.
4. Look both ways again, then reverse while looking in the direction you are moving.
5. Drive forward on the correct side of the road once it is clear.

The same U-turn bans apply. The NSW and NT handbooks note that on a busy road it is often safer to drive around the block.

Common questions

How long do you have to indicate before turning in Australia?

Long enough to warn others, with no fixed number of seconds for a turn. The fixed minimum is 5 seconds, and it applies when you pull out from the kerb or a parked position.

Do I indicate if my lane only turns one way?

Yes. Tasmania and the NT say you must signal even in a turn-only lane.

Can I U-turn at traffic lights?

In Victoria, yes, unless a sign says no. Everywhere else, only where a U-turn Permitted sign is shown.

Why keep my wheels straight while waiting to turn right?

If a car hits you from behind, straight wheels stop you being pushed into oncoming traffic.

Can I cross a double white line to turn right into a driveway?

Yes. You may cross any dividing line to enter or leave a road, for example into a driveway or car park (NSW handbook). You may not cross it to make a U-turn.

Do I indicate when leaving a roundabout?

Yes, indicate left when leaving if it is practical. See roundabout rules in Australia.

Related guides

• Australian road rules explained
• Giving way in Australia
• Traffic lights and arrows in Australia
• Overtaking, merging and changing lanes in Australia
• Australian road markings and lane lines

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Turning left and right, U-turns and three-point turns, Indicating (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Making turns (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Victorian Government, “Road Safety Road Rules 2017, rules 37 to 48” (legislation.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management, Road Rules) Regulation 2009” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, 3.11 Indicators and hand signals, 3.14 Turning (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook”, U-turns (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, 8 Making turns, 9 Indicators (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, U-turns (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Signalling, Turning, U-turns (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Nick-D, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

E-scooters, e-bikes and other personal mobility devices (PMDs) now share Australian roads, paths and crossings with cars, and the rules differ by state. Queensland changed its law in 2026. Since 31 August 2026, e-scooter and e-bike riders there must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence. This explainer covers what drivers must do around riders, the new Queensland rules, and where to watch for them.

Key facts

• When passing a bicycle or PMD rider in Queensland, leave at least 1 metre where the limit is 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres above 60 km/h. Other states’ passing rules are in minimum passing distance for cyclists.
• Queensland PMD speed limits: 12 km/h on a footpath without a speed sign and when crossing a road at a crossing; otherwise 25 km/h, or lower if a path sign says so.
• Queensland PMDs must not ride on roads with a speed limit over 60 km/h, except in a PMD-permitted bicycle lane.
• From 31 August 2026, if your Queensland licence is suspended or disqualified, you cannot ride an e-scooter or e-bike either.

What changed in Queensland in 2026

Date	Change
1 July 2026	Police can seize and destroy illegal devices and breath test riders in public places. Devices that can go faster than 25 km/h unassisted are banned. A 12 km/h limit applies near pedestrians. Higher penalties apply for speeding, not wearing a helmet, careless riding, carrying passengers illegally and riding on prohibited roads
31 August 2026	Riders must be at least 16 and hold at least a learner licence. Interstate and international licences are accepted. Riders with a suspended or disqualified licence cannot ride. Parents can be fined if children under 16 ride illegally

Supervision and exemptions

• Children aged 12 to 15, and 16 and 17 year olds without a licence, may ride if a parent, grandparent, guardian or carer supervises them. This applies outside designated recreational areas.
• Designated recreational areas, such as rail trails and mountain bike trails, are exempt from the age and licence rules.
• People aged 16 or over who cannot hold a licence because of a medical condition or disability may get a medical exemption. Certificates are valid for five years, with a grace period to 30 November 2026.

For a Queensland learner, this means your learner licence is now also your e-scooter licence. Losing it to demerit points stops you riding as well as driving. See Queensland learner rules.

Other states and territories

• ACT: the handbook treats a Segway-type personal mobility device user as a pedestrian with extra duties: a helmet, a bell or horn, lights at night, keeping left on paths. They may ride on the road only where there is no usable footpath, shared path or nature strip. Drivers must give way to them on pedestrian, children’s and signalised marked foot crossings. Riders must slow to 10 km/h approaching a crossing. The ACT handbook dates from 2019, so check current e-scooter rules with Access Canberra.
• Victoria: people using motorised mobility devices, such as mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, follow pedestrian rules.
• NSW, WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT: e-scooter and e-bike rules differ and have been changing. Check your transport department’s current page before you ride or buy one.

Mobility scooters for people who have trouble walking are different from e-scooters. Treat their users as pedestrians and give them extra time.

Where drivers meet e-scooters and e-bikes

Place	What to do
Turning left across a bike lane or path	Check your left mirror and blind spot, then give way to riders before you cross the lane
Driveways crossing a footpath	When you enter the road from a driveway you must give way to vehicles and pedestrians. Riders on footpaths can arrive faster than walkers, so edge out slowly and look both ways along the path
Pedestrian and shared-path crossings	Give way to riders crossing, as you would to pedestrians
Passing on the road	Leave the legal gap (1 m at 60 km/h or less, 1.5 m above, in Queensland) and only pass when you can see the road ahead is clear
Opening your door	Check behind for riders before you open it

These are hazards to look for on your hazard perception test and drive test. See hazard perception tests in every state.

Common questions

Do you need a licence to ride an e-scooter in Queensland?

Yes, from 31 August 2026: at least a learner licence and at least 16, unless you are supervised, in a designated recreational area or medically exempt.

Can I ride an e-scooter on L plates in Queensland?

Yes. A learner licence meets the minimum licence rule. Interstate and international licences are also accepted.

How fast can e-scooters go in Queensland?

25 km/h at most, 12 km/h on footpaths without a speed sign and when crossing a road, and lower where a path sign says so.

Can e-scooters use the road in Queensland?

Not on roads with a speed limit over 60 km/h, unless they are in a PMD-permitted bicycle lane.

If I lose my licence, can I still ride an e-bike in Queensland?

No. From 31 August 2026 you cannot ride with a suspended or disqualified licence.

Do drivers have to give way to e-scooters at pedestrian crossings?

Yes. Give way to anyone on or entering a crossing. The ACT handbook says this directly for personal mobility devices.

Related guides

• Australian road rules explained
• Pedestrian, school and wombat crossings in Australia
• Motorcyclists and lane filtering in Australia
• Your keys to driving in Queensland study guide
• ACT road rules handbook study guide

Sources

• Queensland Government, “New e-bike and e-scooter laws start as enforcement ramps up” (statements.qld.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Rules for personal mobility devices” and “E-bike rules in Queensland” (qld.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management, Road Rules) Regulation 2009”, sections 24C, 144A and 252B (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, Personal mobility device users in the ACT (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Pedestrians and giving way (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, Turning and cyclists (transport.wa.gov.au)

Photo: Calvin Avancena, Pexels

In every Australian state it is an offence to drive with cannabis, methamphetamine or MDMA in your system, and police can test any driver at the roadside with a saliva test. A prescription for medicinal cannabis does not protect learners or P platers anywhere. Tasmania has a defence for lawfully prescribed and administered drugs. NSW passed a scheme in September 2026 for registered patients, but it only covers unrestricted licence holders. This explainer covers drug testing, medicines and the medicinal cannabis rules in each state as of November 2026.

Key facts

• There are two kinds of offence: driving with a drug present, which needs no proof of impairment, and driving under the influence of any drug, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
• Roadside saliva tests look for cannabis (THC), methamphetamine (speed, ice), MDMA (ecstasy) and, in NSW, Queensland and SA, cocaine.
• Refusing a drug test is an offence. The NSW, Victorian, WA and SA handbooks all say so.
• NSW police can also drug test a learner’s supervisor.

How roadside drug testing works

1. Police can stop any driver at random and take a saliva (oral fluid) sample. In NSW you wipe a test stick down your tongue.
2. If you show signs of being affected by any drug, including a prescription drug, police can do a sobriety assessment and take you to hospital for blood and urine tests (NSW, NT). These cover a wide range of drugs and medicines.
3. In WA, a positive roadside drug test, or refusing one, brings a prohibition notice banning you from driving for 24 hours.

State	Drugs named in the official handbook
NSW	Ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine
SA	THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine
ACT	Cannabis, methamphetamine, ecstasy (2019 handbook; check the current list)
VIC	Driving with drugs in your blood or saliva is an offence
WA	Prescribed illicit drugs
NT	Roadside saliva test, then blood and urine tests that can detect any substance, including some prescription drugs
QLD	THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine
TAS	Ask Transport Services for the current list

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines

Many prescription and some over-the-counter medicines can make you unfit to drive. It is an offence in every state to drive under the influence of any drug that stops you controlling the car. Before you drive on a new medicine:

• Read the label and the warnings. The NT handbook also says to check for alcohol (ethanol) in the product, which matters if you are on a zero alcohol limit.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it affects driving.
• Never mix medicines with alcohol.

Medicinal cannabis and driving: state by state

State	Position as of November 2026	L and P drivers
NSW	The Road Transport Amendment (Medical Cannabis and Driving Offences) Bill 2026 passed Parliament in September 2026. Registered patients would not be penalised only because THC is detected, as long as they are not impaired. To register, patients give Transport for NSW evidence of a valid prescription and complete an online education program. Check the start date with Transport for NSW	Excluded: learner, provisional and interlock licence holders cannot use the scheme
VIC	A prescription is not a defence to testing positive for THC. Since 1 March 2025, magistrates can decide whether to cancel the licence of a driver who tests positive while using prescribed medicinal cannabis	The presence offence still applies; check with Transport Victoria how the discretion applies to you
TAS	Driving with a prescribed illicit drug present is not an offence if the drug was obtained and administered under the Poisons Act 1971. Driving while impaired is still an offence	No L or P exclusion stated, but zero alcohol rules still apply. Check with Transport Tasmania
QLD	No medicinal cannabis exception. TMR says there is zero tolerance: any trace of a relevant drug, including THC, can be penalised	Same rule
WA	No prescription defence to the THC presence offence. Section 64AC of the Road Traffic Act 1974 makes it an offence to drive with a prescribed illicit drug in your oral fluid or blood, and it contains no defence for prescribed use. A prescription defence exists only for the separate offence of driving while impaired by drugs (section 64AB)	Same rule
SA	No prescription defence. Under section 47BA of the Road Traffic Act 1961, the only defence to driving with a prescribed drug present is proving you did not knowingly consume it	Same rule
ACT	No prescription defence. Driving with a prescribed drug in your oral fluid or blood is a strict liability offence under section 20 of the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977. A bill to add a defence for prescribed medicinal cannabis was introduced in June 2026 and is still before the Legislative Assembly. Check with Access Canberra for any change	Same rule
NT	No prescription defence for THC. The Traffic Act 1987 (section 29) gives a medical treatment defence only for some drugs, such as morphine and methadone. THC is listed among the drugs to which that defence does not apply	Same rule

If you are prescribed medicinal cannabis, talk to your doctor about driving before you get your Ls. You may also need to declare a medical condition. See medical conditions and driving in Australia.

Penalties for learners and P platers

• SA: any drug driving offence disqualifies an L or P driver. Failing to comply with a drug test can mean immediate loss of licence at the roadside.
• WA: a positive roadside test means a 24-hour driving ban, then the offence itself.
• NSW: drug presence brings a fine and loss of licence. Driving under the influence is punished more heavily and can mean prison.
• QLD: a positive roadside test means a 24-hour licence suspension, then a court decides the penalty. From 1 December 2026, new laws double drug driving penalties, with higher fines and longer disqualifications.
• Elsewhere: fines, licence suspension or disqualification. A suspension on Ls or Ps usually extends your time on that stage. See demerit limits for L and P platers.

Common questions

How long does cannabis stay detectable for a roadside test?

No official page gives a safe waiting time, and it varies between people. If you have used cannabis, do not drive.

Can P platers drive on medicinal cannabis in NSW?

No. The NSW scheme only covers unrestricted licence holders. Learner, provisional and interlock licence holders are excluded.

Is there a medical defence in Victoria?

Not to the THC presence offence. Since March 2025, a magistrate can choose not to cancel the licence of a prescribed patient.

Can my supervisor be drug tested?

In NSW, yes. Police can test any driver or supervisor, and can test a supervisor who shows signs of being affected by drugs, including prescription drugs.

Can I refuse a roadside drug test?

No. It is an offence, and in WA it brings the same 24-hour ban as a positive result. In SA it can mean losing your licence at the roadside.

Can cold and flu tablets affect my driving?

Some can. Read the label, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Related guides

• Zero alcohol for learners and P platers
• Australian road rules explained
• Losing your licence in SA
• Driver fatigue on Australian roads
• Managing risk as a new Victorian driver

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Drugs and driving (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Minns Labor Government’s medicinal cannabis driving reforms pass NSW Parliament” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Medical cannabis” (transport.nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Medicinal cannabis and driving laws in Victoria” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Alcohol and drugs (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Tasmanian Government, “Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970, section 6A” (legislation.tas.gov.au)
• Department of Health Tasmania, “Medicinal cannabis information for patients and the general public” (health.tas.gov.au)
• Western Australian Legislation, “Road Traffic Act 1974”, sections 64AB and 64AC, compilation 14-u0-00 in force from 28 October 2026 (legislation.wa.gov.au)
• South Australian Legislation, “Road Traffic Act 1961”, section 47BA, version 1 January 2026 (legislation.sa.gov.au)
• ACT Legislation Register, “Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977”, section 20, republication 53, effective 26 November 2025 (legislation.act.gov.au)
• ACT Legislation Register, “Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Amendment Bill 2026”, presented 12 June 2026, status before the Assembly (legislation.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Legislation, “Traffic Act 1987”, sections 19A, 28 and 29, as in force at 10 February 2026, and “Traffic Regulations 1999”, regulation 55A and Schedule 1A, as in force at 28 May 2026 (legislation.nt.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, Random roadside drug and alcohol testing (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)”, Alcohol and drugs (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, Random breath testing and drug testing (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Alcohol, drugs and medicines (nt.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Drugs and driving”, Department of Transport and Main Roads, last updated 31 August 2026 (qld.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “New laws passed to crack down on dangerous driving”, joint ministerial statement, 17 September 2026 (statements.qld.gov.au)

Photo: A. Tsirekas, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Most Australian learners and P platers lose their licence at 4 demerit points. Victoria and the NT allow 5 points in 12 months, NSW P2 drivers get 7, and WA drivers in their second year on Ps get 8. Full licence holders get 12 or 13. What happens next differs: some states suspend you, SA disqualifies you for 6 months, and Queensland and Victoria let you choose a good behaviour period. This checklist compares the limits and the consequences across all eight states and territories as of November 2026.

Key facts

• One offence can be enough. A single speeding offence on NSW Ls or P1, or a phone offence in most states, can reach the limit.
• Points from offences anywhere in Australia count against your licence at home, under the national demerit points exchange.
• Double demerit periods in NSW, the ACT and WA at holiday times, and Queensland’s doubling for repeat offences, can put a novice over the limit with one offence.
• A suspension usually stretches your time on Ls or Ps. In some states a cancellation restarts it.

Demerit point limits by state

State	Learner	P1	P2	Full licence
NSW	4	4	7	13
VIC	5 or more in any 12 months, or 12 or more in any 3 years			12 in 3 years
QLD	4 or more in any 1 year			12 in 3 years
WA	4 in total	4 in total (first year on Ps)	8 in total by the end of year 2	12 in 3 years
SA	4 or more			12 in 3 years
TAS	4 or more in 12 months			12 in 3 years
ACT	4 or more in 3 years			12 in 3 years (check with Access Canberra)
NT	5 or more in 12 months, or 12 in 3 years	5 or more in 12 months, or 12 in 3 years (one P stage)		Check with MVR

WA limits are running totals. Points from your Ls still count in your first year on Ps, and the 8-point limit in year 2 includes everything before it.

What happens when you reach the limit

State	Outcome for L and P drivers
NSW	3-month suspension. P1 time is extended by the suspension; P2 time by the suspension plus 6 months
VIC	Choose: suspension of 3 months plus 1 month for every 4 points over, or a 12-month extended demerit point period. Any new points offence in that period doubles the suspension
QLD	Learners: automatic 3-month suspension. P1 and P2: choose a 3-month suspension or a 1-year good driving behaviour period, where 2 more points means double the suspension
WA	Disqualification for at least 3 months. P plate licences are cancelled and you must reapply, which may mean a new theory test and PDA. No good behaviour option for novices
SA	Disqualification, normally 6 months. Learners must sit it out. P drivers may be able to choose a Safer Driver Agreement or appeal
TAS	Suspension of 3 months (4 to 15 points), 4 months (16 to 19) or 5 months (20 or more). No good behaviour option for L and P drivers
ACT	3-month suspension
NT	Licence suspended

Offences that can take you straight to the limit

• NSW: any speeding offence on Ls or P1 (at least 4 points). An illegal phone offence is 5 points, 10 in a double demerit period.
• QLD: speeding more than 20 km/h over (4 points), a phone offence by a learner or P1 driver under 25 (4), learner driving unsupervised (4), a seatbelt offence (4).
• VIC: a phone offence is 4 points, so one more 1-point offence in 12 months reaches 5.
• ACT: a phone offence involving messaging, social media or apps is 4 points.
• WA: in a double demerit period, any offence worth 2 or more points reaches the first-year limit of 4.

Some L and P rules cost you your licence without any points at all. In SA, breaking a P condition, such as any alcohol or speeding by 10 km/h or more, means disqualification. In Tasmania, some P1 offences restart your 12-month P1 period. See losing your licence in SA and Tasmanian demerit points.

Worked example: a phone offence, then a small speeding offence

A P plater is caught touching a phone, and later in the same year drives a few km/h over the limit.

State	Result
VIC	Phone 4 points plus a 1-point speeding offence: 5 points in 12 months. Choose a suspension or a 12-month extended period
NSW P1	The phone offence alone (5 points) is over the limit of 4: suspended
NSW P2	Phone 5 points plus at least 4 for any speeding offence: over the limit of 7, suspended

Points per offence differ by state. Check your state’s figures.

Checking your points

• Queensland: the free “Check my demerit points” service on qld.gov.au.
• Tasmania: call Service Tasmania on 1300 13 55 13. The total only shows recorded points, not unpaid fines or matters still in court.
• Other states: check through your transport department’s online account or phone line.

Common questions

How many demerit points can P platers have?

4 in most states. Victoria and the NT allow 5 in 12 months, NSW P2 drivers 7, and WA drivers in their second year on Ps 8 in total.

Do learner points carry over to my Ps?

In WA, yes: the limits are running totals from your learner’s permit. Elsewhere, points count over the state’s period (for example 12 months, 1 year or 3 years), whatever stage you were on when you got them.

Do interstate offences count?

Yes. Under the national demerit points exchange, points incurred interstate accumulate against your licence in your home state or territory.

Can P platers choose a good behaviour period?

In Queensland and Victoria, yes. In NSW, WA and Tasmania, novices serve the suspension. In SA, P drivers may be offered a Safer Driver Agreement.

What happens to my P period if I am suspended?

Usually it is extended by the suspension. NSW P2 drivers also get an extra 6 months. Cancellation, as in WA, can mean reapplying and retesting.

How long do points last?

It varies: 12 months in Tasmania for novices, 1 year in Queensland, 3 years in NSW and the ACT. Victoria keeps points on record for four years.

State guides

• NSW demerit points for learners and P platers
• Victoria demerit points and penalties
• Queensland demerit points and licence sanctions
• WA novice demerit points
• ACT learner and P plate rules
• NT P plate rules
• Double demerit points in Australia
• P plate rules in every Australian state compared

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” and “Demerit points” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Demerit points” and VicRoads, “Rules for P drivers” (transport.vic.gov.au, vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Demerit points for learner and provisional licence holders” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Demerit points for novice drivers” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” and “Losing your licence” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Demerit points” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Demerit points and suspensions” and “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, learner and provisional licences (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Andrew Harvey, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The default speed limit in Australia is 50 km/h in a built-up area and 100 km/h outside one. WA and the NT are the exceptions: their rural default is 110 km/h, and the NT’s built-up default is 60 km/h unless the town sets a lower one. Learners and P platers in NSW, WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT also have a speed cap, which applies even when the sign shows more. This checklist sets out both, state by state, as of November 2026.

Key facts

• A default limit applies wherever there is no speed sign, or after an End speed limit sign.
• Lowest learner caps: 80 km/h in the NT, 90 km/h in NSW and Tasmania.
• No L or P speed cap in Victoria, Queensland or the ACT. You drive to the posted limit.
• In NSW, any speeding offence on Ls or red Ps means losing your licence for at least 3 months.

Default speed limits by state

State	Built-up area	Outside a built-up area
NSW	50 km/h	100 km/h
VIC	50 km/h	100 km/h (also on freeways unless signed)
QLD	50 km/h	100 km/h
WA	50 km/h	110 km/h
SA	50 km/h	100 km/h (some roads signed 110 km/h)
TAS	50 km/h	100 km/h on sealed roads, 80 km/h on unsealed roads
ACT	50 km/h	100 km/h
NT	60 km/h unless the town has gazetted a lower limit (many communities use 50 km/h or less)	110 km/h; 130 km/h where signed on sections of the Stuart, Barkly, Arnhem and Victoria highways

What counts as a built-up area?

A built-up area is a road with street lighting at intervals of no more than 100 metres for at least 500 metres, or with buildings next to the road at intervals of less than 100 metres for at least 500 metres (the Victorian and WA handbooks). In practice, if you see houses and street lights and no sign, assume 50 km/h. In the NT, check the sign on the way into each town.

L and P plate speed caps by state

State	Learner	P1 (red)	P2 (green)
NSW	90 km/h	90 km/h	100 km/h
VIC	Posted limit	Posted limit	Posted limit
QLD	Posted limit	Posted limit	Posted limit
WA	100 km/h	Posted limit	Posted limit
SA	100 km/h	100 km/h	100 km/h
TAS	90 km/h (L1 and L2)	100 km/h	Posted limit
ACT	Posted limit	Posted limit	Posted limit
NT	80 km/h	100 km/h (the NT has one P stage)

A cap is a maximum, not a target. If the posted limit is lower, the lower limit applies. The WA learner rules also say you must stay out of Kings Park.

Do caps apply when you drive interstate?

The NSW handbook says NSW L and P restrictions also apply when you drive in another state or territory. The rules on crossing borders are in driving interstate on L or P plates.

Worked example: a 110 km/h highway

Driver	Top legal speed on a 110 km/h road
NSW learner or P1	90 km/h
NSW P2, SA learner or P plater, WA learner, Tasmanian P1	100 km/h
NT learner	80 km/h
Tasmanian learner	90 km/h
Victorian, Queensland or ACT learner	110 km/h

Drive at a steady capped speed in the left lane and let faster traffic overtake. Learner freeway rules are in learners on motorways and freeways.

What happens if you break the cap?

• NSW: learners and P drivers get at least 4 demerit points for any speeding offence. L and P1 drivers are suspended for at least 3 months.
• SA: speeding by 10 km/h or more breaks an L or P condition and leads to disqualification, normally for 6 months.
• Tasmania: going over the 90 km/h learner cap brings demerit points and a fine. On P1, speeding by 10 km/h or more restarts your 12-month P1 period.
• Elsewhere: speeding fines and points count against your low novice limit. See demerit limits for L and P platers.

Speed and safety cameras

NSW uses four types of speed camera: mobile cameras that can be anywhere at any time, red-light speed cameras at high-risk intersections, fixed cameras in places such as tunnels, and average speed cameras over long distances. Camera types and locations differ in other states, so check your transport department. School-zone times also differ: see school zones in each state.

Common questions

What is the speed limit when there is no sign in Australia?

50 km/h in a built-up area and 100 km/h outside one in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA, Tasmania and the ACT. WA and the NT use 110 km/h outside built-up areas. The NT’s built-up default is 60 km/h unless the town sets a lower limit.

Can learners drive at 100 km/h?

In Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, WA and SA, yes, where the limit allows. NSW and Tasmanian learners are capped at 90 km/h and NT learners at 80 km/h.

Is there a speed limit for P platers in Victoria?

No separate cap. Victorian P platers drive to the posted limit.

Are there roads with no speed limit in the NT?

No. The NT default outside towns is 110 km/h, and 130 km/h is allowed only where signed on sections of four highways.

Do P plate caps apply on 110 km/h roads in WA?

The WA cap of 100 km/h is for learners. P platers drive to the posted limit.

Does the cap apply when the sign is lower?

No. The lower posted limit always applies.

Related guides

• Learner licence rules in every Australian state compared
• P plate rules in every Australian state compared
• NSW speed limits for learners and P platers
• NT speed limits explained
• Double demerit points in Australia

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, Speed limits and licence restrictions (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Speed limits (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Learner licence” and “Your keys to driving in Queensland” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, 3.1 Speed limits (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)”, Speed limits (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, Default speed limits and licence speed limits (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook”, ACT default speed limit (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Speed limits and learner and provisional conditions (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Luke Stewart, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Buying your first car in Australia means three checks: the car is registered, it has CTP injury insurance, and it has whatever safety certificate your state requires. Victoria needs a roadworthy certificate (RWC) and Queensland a safety certificate when a registered car is sold. NSW instead checks most older cars each year with a pink slip. In most states you have 14 days to transfer the registration. This explainer compares the rules and gives a checklist for a private sale.

Key facts

• Every car driven on a road must be registered and carry CTP (compulsory third party) insurance. CTP covers injuries to people, not damage to cars or property.
• In NSW you buy CTP (the green slip) separately from your registration. In the other states and territories it is paid with your registration.
• Transfer deadline after buying: 14 days in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and SA.
• Before you pay, check the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). It tells you whether money is owed on the car and whether it is recorded as stolen or written off.

Safety certificates by state

State	Certificate needed when buying a used registered car?	Other inspections
NSW	No certificate needed to transfer current registration	Pink slip (yearly safety check) to renew registration for most light vehicles over 5 years old, valid 6 months. Blue slip (AUVIS) if registration expired more than 3 months ago or the car is from interstate or overseas
VIC	Yes. The seller needs a roadworthy certificate, and the buyer needs it to transfer, unless the vehicle is exempt. It is usable for 30 days from issue	An RWC is also needed to re-register a car and to clear some defect notices
QLD	Yes. The seller must give the buyer a current safety certificate for a light vehicle. Valid 2 months or 2,000 km from a private seller, or 3 months or 1,000 km from a licensed dealer. One use only	Check qld.gov.au for exemptions
SA	Not required by the handbook for a private sale	Phone 13 10 84 to check whether the car is registered, stolen, written off or defected
NT	Not stated in the handbook	If your renewal notice says an inspection is needed, an Authorised Inspector must pass the car before you can renew
WA, TAS, ACT	Check with the agency	Check with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (WA), Transport Tasmania or Access Canberra before you buy

Transferring registration after you buy

State	Buyer	Seller
NSW	Transfer within 14 days to avoid a late surcharge. Online if the seller has lodged a Notice of Disposal, you hold a NSW licence and the car is NSW-registered. A transfer fee and stamp duty apply	Lodge a Notice of Disposal
VIC	Notify VicRoads within 14 days of buying	Report the sale within 14 days with a notice of disposal, easiest through myVicRoads
QLD	Transfer within 14 days	Transfer within 14 days. You stay liable for tolls and fines while the car is in your name
SA	Lodge the Application for Transfer of Registration within 14 days, or you may pay an extra fee. The previous owner must also sign	Lodge the Disposal Notice within 14 days
WA, TAS, ACT, NT	Check the deadline with your transport department. The NT handbook says you must tell MVR within 14 days when your licence or registration details change

Registered ownership does not prove legal ownership. Get a written receipt from the seller (SA handbook).

CTP: what it covers in each state

• NSW: buy a green slip from an insurer before each renewal. When you transfer the registration, the CTP transfers with it.
• NT: CTP is paid with registration and runs as a no-fault scheme. It compensates people injured in a crash in the NT wherever they live.
• Other states: CTP is included in, or bought with, your registration.
• Everywhere: CTP does not pay for damage to your car or anyone else’s. That needs private insurance. See car insurance for learners and P platers.

The PPSR check

The PPSR is an Australian Government register at ppsr.gov.au, where banks and finance companies record their financial interest in vehicles. A search uses the car’s VIN or chassis number and shows:

• whether a finance company has a security interest in the car
• whether the car is recorded as stolen or written off
• current registration details.

A search certificate costs a small fee.

Private sale checklist

1. Run your state’s free rego check with the plate number (Service NSW, VicRoads, or Service SA on 13 10 84).
2. Do a PPSR search with the VIN.
3. Check the VIN and number plates match the registration papers.
4. In Victoria and Queensland, ask to see the roadworthy or safety certificate and check its date.
5. In NSW, check when the next pink slip is due.
6. Check the car is legal for your licence. NSW P platers cannot drive high performance cars (see banned cars for NSW P platers), and Victoria has its own list (see which cars Victorian P platers can drive).
7. Get a receipt, then complete the transfer forms with the seller.
8. Lodge the transfer within the deadline and arrange insurance before you drive away.

Moving interstate with your car

• SA: re-register a car within 90 days of moving there.
• NSW: an interstate car needs a blue slip (AUVIS) inspection to be registered.
• Other states set their own deadlines. Check before you move. Licence transfers are covered in moving to NSW, moving to Victoria, moving to Queensland and moving to WA.

Common questions

What is a pink slip in NSW?

A yearly safety inspection report from an Authorised Inspection Scheme station. Most light vehicles over 5 years old need one before you can renew the registration. It is not needed for a transfer.

Who pays for the roadworthy certificate in Victoria?

The seller normally gets it, because they need it to sell. The buyer needs it to transfer the car, unless the vehicle is exempt.

How long is a Queensland safety certificate valid?

From a private seller, 2 months or 2,000 km, whichever comes first. From a licensed dealer, 3 months or 1,000 km. It can only be used for one transfer.

Can I drive a car home before the transfer?

If it is registered and has CTP, yes, but transfer it within the deadline and arrange your own insurance first. Never drive an unregistered car except as your state allows, for example to an inspection.

Do I need a licence to register a car?

Not in NSW. You must be at least 16 and have a Transport for NSW customer number. Check the rules in your state.

Is a PPSR check worth it?

Yes. For a small fee it shows whether a lender has a financial interest in the car and whether it is recorded as stolen or written off.

Related guides

• NSW car registration, pink slips and roadworthiness
• P plate rules in every Australian state compared
• Toll roads for new drivers in Australia
• High-powered vehicles

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” and registration pages (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Selling a vehicle” and “Buy and transfer a vehicle” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Roadworthy certificate” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Personal Property Securities Register (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Safety certificates” and “How to transfer a Queensland registered vehicle online” (qld.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)”, Registration (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Vehicle registration and compulsory third party insurance, Vehicle inspections, Purchasing vehicles (nt.gov.au)
• Australian Government, “Personal Property Securities Register” (ppsr.gov.au)

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

You can sit the learner knowledge test in a language other than English in most Australian states, but how depends on where you live. NSW offers the test in 9 languages online and 10 in person. Victoria offers 13 other languages in person. Queensland, Tasmania and the NT provide interpreters, and WA has an oral test with an accredited translator. This checklist sets out each state’s options as of November 2026, plus help for people who find reading hard.

Key facts

• Online learner courses are mostly English only. For another language you usually have to book the test in person.
• NSW and Victoria publish fixed language lists. In other states, ask for an interpreter or an oral test when you book.
• Interpreters are free in NSW, Victoria, Queensland (driving tests) and Tasmania (in-shop knowledge test). In the NT, non-residents may pay a fee to the interpreting service.
• If you need an interpreter, book it well ahead. Queensland asks for at least one week’s notice for driving tests.

Learner test languages by state

State	Test in other languages	Interpreter or oral test
NSW	DKT online: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Farsi. In person: English, Greek, Turkish, Croatian, Serbian, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese	Free interpreter or Auslan, in person only. Assistant reader available in person
VIC	Online test: English only. In person: Albanian, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese (Mandarin), Macedonian, Persian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese	Free interpreter if your language is not listed; Auslan on request
QLD	Ask TMR which languages the written test is offered in	If you cannot complete PrepL online, TMR can arrange an interpreter or staff member to help with the written road rules test at a licence office
WA	Ask the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure which languages are offered	Oral test for people who have trouble reading or using computers, which can be done in another language with a NAATI translator. One attempt a day; not every centre offers it
SA	Not stated in the handbook	Ask Service SA (13 10 84) when you book
TAS	Online Plates Plus course in English; learn-to-drive videos in English and four other languages	Online: someone may translate for you. In-shop test: a professional interpreter is free
ACT	Check with Access Canberra	Ask Access Canberra when you book
NT	Ask the MVR which languages are offered	Verbal (spoken) test or interpreter at some MVR offices, through the Interpreting and Translating Service NT. Non-residents may have to pay the interpreter fee

NSW: online or in person?

• The online DKT is in 9 languages, and you can enrol from 15 years and 11 months.
• You must book the in-person DKT if you need an interpreter, Auslan, an assistant reader, or a language only offered in person, such as Greek or Turkish. The in-person test is for people aged 16 or over.
• Fees differ. Online, you pay one test fee however many times you retake. In person, you pay each attempt.
• The Road User Handbook comes in English and 8 community languages: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

Full details: NSW Driver Knowledge Test.

Victoria: in person for other languages

The online Learner Permit Test course is English only. To sit it in another language, book the in-person test at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. If you fail in person, VicRoads says you can still get a free first attempt by then enrolling online. Translated editions of the Road to Solo Driving handbook are listed on the Transport Victoria handbooks page. See VicRoads learner permit test.

Hazard perception tests in other languages

State	HPT language support
NSW	10 languages with audio. Free interpreter for others (call 13 22 13). Staff can read and explain questions if you arrange it before booking
VIC	The handbook says the HPT is available in some languages; check the list with VicRoads
Other states	No language list published; ask when you book
NT	No HPT in the NT licensing path

Compare formats in hazard perception tests in every state.

Interpreters for the driving test

• Queensland: interpreters are free through TMR but not at every location. Book at least one week before the test. If you bring your own, they must be NAATI accredited.
• Tasmania: you must book the P1 driving assessment in person if you need an interpreter.
• Other states: ask when you book. Allow extra time to arrange it.

If English is your second language: how to prepare

1. Read the official handbook in your language where one exists (NSW has 8 community-language editions; Victoria lists translated editions).
2. Also read the English edition, so you know terms like “give way”, “dividing line” and “demerit points”. Our Australian driving terms glossary explains them.
3. Learn the signs by shape and colour. They are the same whatever language you test in.
4. Book the in-person or interpreted test early, because places can be limited.
5. Bring identity documents in English, or with an approved translation. See proof of identity for a learner licence.

Help if you find reading difficult

• NSW: an assistant reader is available for the in-person DKT.
• WA: an oral test is available for people who have trouble reading or using computers.
• NT: a verbal test is available at some MVR offices. Talk to MVR before booking if you have a physical or mental impairment.

More support options are in learning to drive with a disability in Australia.

Common questions

Can I take the NSW DKT in Chinese?

Yes. Simplified and Traditional Chinese are offered online, and Simplified Chinese in person.

Is the VicRoads learner test available in Arabic?

Yes, in person. The online version is English only.

Can a friend or family member translate for me?

In Tasmania, someone can translate for you during the online course. For tests, most states use professional interpreters. Queensland requires a NAATI-accredited interpreter if you arrange your own for a driving test. Queensland also warns of serious penalties if someone else completes PrepL for you.

Do interpreters cost money?

Interpreters are free in NSW and Victoria, for Queensland driving tests and for the Tasmanian in-shop test. In the NT, non-residents may be charged by the interpreting service.

Is the hazard perception test in other languages?

In NSW it is in 10 languages with audio. Victoria offers some languages. Elsewhere, ask when you book.

I hold an overseas licence. Do I still need the knowledge test?

It depends on your country and state. See driving in Australia on an overseas licence.

Related guides

• Learner licence rules in every Australian state compared
• Learner knowledge tests in every state compared
• PrepL and the Queensland written road rules test
• WA computerised theory test
• SA myLs or the in-office theory test
• Tasmanian driver knowledge test
• ACT pre-learner course and road rules test
• NT driver knowledge test

Sources

• NSW Government, “Driver Knowledge Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Hazard Perception Test” and “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Learner permit test” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transferring to a Queensland licence” and “Practical driving tests” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Computerised theory test” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Driver knowledge test” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)

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

Mobile phone rules for L and P platers in Australia range from a total ban on L, P1 and P2 in NSW and the ACT to WA, where learners and P platers follow the same phone rules as every other driver. This checklist compares the learner, P1 and P2 phone rules in all eight states and territories as of November 2026. It covers maps, music, CarPlay and the passenger loudspeaker rule.

Key facts

• Total ban on L, P1 and P2: NSW, the ACT, the NT and Victoria. In Victoria, navigation and audio set up before you drive are allowed, but you must not touch the device or use voice commands.
• Total ban on L and P1, general rules on P2: SA and Tasmania.
• Queensland: a total ban for learners and P1 drivers under 25, and their passengers must not use a phone on loudspeaker.
• WA: no L or P-specific ban. The general rules apply: calls only with the phone in a fixed mount or touch-free, and no texting.
• No state lets any driver hold a phone to text, email or video message while driving.

Phone rules by state and licence stage

State	Learner	P1 (red)	P2 (green)
NSW	No use at all, even stopped	No use at all	No use at all
VIC	No touching, no voice commands; navigation or audio set up before driving only	Same	Same
QLD	Under 25: no use at all; passengers no loudspeaker. 25+: general rules	Under 25: same as learners. 25+: general rules	General rules
WA	General rules	General rules	General rules
SA	No function at all, including GPS	No function at all, including GPS	General rules
TAS	No use, including hands-free; music or GPS set up before driving only	Same as learners	Hands-free or commercial holder allowed
ACT	Full ban; no-touch audio and mounted GPS only	Same	Same
NT	No function at all, including maps, hands-free and loudspeaker	Same (one P stage)	Not applicable

Maps, music and CarPlay

State	Phone maps on L or P1	Music from the phone on L or P1
NSW	No. A separate GPS unit or the car’s built-in navigation is allowed	No, not even through Bluetooth
VIC	Yes, if set up before driving and not touched	Yes, if set up before driving
QLD (under 25)	No, even mounted and hands-free	No
WA	Yes, in a fixed mount, without touching the phone	General rules apply
SA	No, even mounted	No phone function at all
TAS	Yes, if set up before driving	Yes, if set up before driving
ACT	Mounted GPS only, with no interaction at all	Yes, if not held and no interaction, including by voice
NT	No	No

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto run off your phone, so the same limits apply. In NSW, SA, the NT and for Queensland under-25s, assume they are off limits on L and P1. Victoria allows navigation and audio set up before driving, with simple changes made through the car’s inbuilt screen, but no messaging or voice-command calls.

What “driving” includes

Phone rules apply while the car is moving and while it is stopped but not parked: at traffic lights, in a queue or in stop-start traffic. NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT say this directly. To use your phone, pull over and park legally. Do not stop in an emergency lane.

Narrow exceptions

• Showing a digital licence to police: allowed in NSW, Queensland and SA (SA when stopped in a road-related area).
• Paying at a drive-through or car park while stopped: allowed in Queensland and SA.
• A phone in a pocket or pouch that you cannot operate: allowed in Queensland.

Penalties

State	Penalty for an illegal phone offence (L or P)
NSW	Fine and 5 demerit points (10 in double demerit periods)
VIC	4 demerit points (VicRoads Rules for P drivers brochure); check the current fine
ACT	Messaging, social media or apps: 4 points and $632. Other use, such as a call: 3 points and $514
QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT	Fines and demerit points apply; check the current figures with your transport department

Novice demerit limits are low. In the ACT one messaging offence reaches the 4-point limit and suspends an L or P licence. In Victoria, a phone offence plus almost any other offence can cost you your licence. See demerit limits for L and P platers compared.

Detection cameras

Mobile phone detection cameras operate in NSW, where they check for illegal phone use anywhere and at any time, and in Victoria, which also runs seatbelt detection cameras. Other states may also use them, so check with your transport department. On L or P plates, a camera fine also brings demerit points.

On your driving test

Touching a phone or smart watch fails the NT practical test. Answering or using a phone is a fail item in the NSW Driving Test. Switch it off and put it out of reach before the examiner gets in.

Supervisors and passengers

• A supervisor sitting beside you is not driving. But in Queensland, passengers in a car driven by a learner or P1 driver under 25 must not use a phone on loudspeaker.
• Handing navigation to your supervisor is the official advice in Queensland and SA. In Victoria it is illegal to have a video display running where the driver can see it, even while stopped but not parked.

Practical setup before every drive

1. Phone on silent or Do Not Disturb (driving mode).
2. Out of reach: glovebox, bag or back seat.
3. Route and music set before you start, only where your state allows it.
4. Your supervisor or a passenger handles navigation changes.

Common questions

Can P platers use Bluetooth for calls?

Not in NSW, Victoria, the ACT or the NT, on either P stage. Not on P1 in SA, in Tasmania, or in Queensland if you are under 25. Yes on P2 in SA, Tasmania and Queensland, and on all P plates in WA, under the general rules.

Can I use Google Maps on my Ls?

In Victoria and Tasmania, yes, if it is set up before you drive and you do not touch it. In WA, yes, in a fixed mount without touching it. Not in NSW, SA, the NT or, for under-25s, Queensland. In the ACT, a mounted GPS is allowed only with no interaction.

Can I touch my phone at a red light?

No, in every state. Stopped at lights still counts as driving.

Do the rules change when I move interstate on my Ps?

Yes. You follow the rules of the state you are driving in. See driving interstate on L or P plates.

Can I use my phone to log logbook hours?

Start the trip in the app before you move off, then put the phone away. Tasmania and WA both say to set the app running while parked.

Does a smart watch count?

Yes. Victoria bans touching wearable devices, the ACT ban covers wearables, and touching a smart watch fails the NT test.

State guides: NSW phone and screen rules, Victoria phone and device rules, Queensland P1 and P2 rules, SA P1 rules, Tasmanian P1 and P2 rules, ACT learner and P plate rules, NT P plate rules and WA red P plate rules. All P rules side by side: P plate rules compared.

Sources

• NSW Government, “Mobile phones, digital screens and GPS” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Learner and probationary driver road rules” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Rules for P drivers” brochure (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Road Rules) Regulation 2009” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Your keys to driving in Queensland” (publications.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, section 1.7 Mobile Phones (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Mobile phone ban” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• City Services, “Learner and provisional driver safety” and “Safe plates frequently asked questions” (cityservices.act.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)

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

Every registered car in Australia carries compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, but CTP only covers injuries to people. It does not pay for damage to cars or property. This guide explains how CTP works in each state and territory, the other types of car insurance, and what learners, P platers and their parents should check before a new driver gets behind the wheel. It covers general principles only, not any insurer’s products or prices.

Key facts

• CTP is compulsory everywhere and is tied to the car’s registration, not to the driver.
• In NSW you buy CTP (a Green Slip) separately before you register. In the other states and territories it is included in or paid with registration.
• CTP never covers damage to your car, another car or property. For that you need private insurance.
• Premiums depend on things like your age, driving record and where you live. New drivers usually pay more.
• A higher excess lowers the premium, but you must be able to pay it if you claim.

How CTP works in each state

State	How you get CTP	Scheme notes
NSW	Buy a Green Slip from one of the licensed CTP insurers before you register	Regulated by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). Injured people can claim regardless of fault, subject to exceptions
VIC	Through registration	Transport Accident Commission (TAC) no-fault scheme
QLD	Paid with registration to TMR; you choose from the licensed CTP insurers	Overseen by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC). Fault-based. A change of insurer applies from your next renewal
WA	Applies to all vehicles when licensed	Run by the Insurance Commission of WA. Covers injury and death caused to others, plus care and support for catastrophic injuries
SA	A component of the registration fee	CTP (Bodily) Insurance plus the Lifetime Support Scheme
TAS	Through registration	Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB). Claims can be made regardless of fault where a Tasmanian-registered vehicle is involved
ACT	Through registration	ACT Motor Accident Injuries Scheme, no-fault
NT	Paid at the same time as registration	No-fault scheme administered by the Motor Accidents Compensation Commission

What CTP will not do

• Pay for damage to your car, another car or property (all states).
• Protect you fully if you break the rules. In WA, the Insurance Commission can pursue a driver for compensation costs if they drove without the right licence, under the influence, or in an unsafe car. In the NT, benefits can be cut, for example by 25 per cent for not wearing a seatbelt, or to nothing for driving with an expired, cancelled or suspended licence.

The private insurance options

Type	Covers other people’s cars and property	Covers your car
Third party property damage	Yes	No
Third party property, fire and theft	Yes	Only if stolen or damaged by fire
Comprehensive	Yes	Yes, even if you caused the crash; also theft, fire and weather

For a new driver, third party property cover is the minimum worth having. One at-fault crash into a newer car can cost far more than a year’s premium. Comprehensive cover makes sense if you could not afford to repair or replace your own car.

Learners: whose insurance covers you?

A learner usually drives the family car or a supervisor’s car, so it is that car’s policy that matters. Before the first drive:

1. Read the policy wording for how it treats learner drivers and drivers under a set age.
2. Tell the insurer a learner will be driving. Ask whether they need to be listed and whether an extra excess applies.
3. Check the excess. Many policies charge an extra excess for young or inexperienced drivers. Know the total you would pay before you claim.
4. Use a registered car. Without registration there is no CTP, and that is a serious offence.

Driving lessons in an instructor’s car fall under the driving school’s arrangements. Ask the school if you are unsure.

P platers: your own car or a parent’s policy?

Driving a parent’s car

• Ask the insurer to list you as a driver, and give accurate details of who drives the car most.
• Expect the premium or the excess to change while a P plater is listed.
• Do not list a parent as the main driver of a car you mostly drive. Wrong details can put a claim at risk.

Your own car

• Register it in your state first. That is when CTP starts. See registration, CTP and roadworthy rules in each state.
• Check the car is legal for your P plates. Several states ban high-powered cars for P platers under 25. See P plate rules compared.
• Compare the total cost, not just the premium: excess, young driver excess and what is covered.

Legal ways to lower the premium

• Choose a safer, cheaper car. Insurers price on the car as well as the driver.
• Pick a higher excess you can genuinely afford.
• Cut add-ons you will not use.
• Build a clean record. Premiums depend on driving history, and offences on your Ps also cost demerit points. See demerit limits for L and P platers.
• Review the policy every year instead of letting it roll over.

After a crash

Stop, help anyone injured, exchange details and report where required. Injury crashes must be reported in every state, and in WA you report injury crashes through the online crash reporting facility. Then contact your insurer, and the CTP insurer or scheme if anyone was hurt. Full steps: what to do after a crash in Australia.

Common questions

Is CTP enough for a P plater?

It covers injuries to other people, which is the biggest risk. It does not cover cars or property, so a crash into another car could leave you paying for repairs yourself.

Do learners need their own insurance?

Usually not. The car’s owner holds the policy. Check that the policy covers a learner and what excess applies.

What is a young driver excess?

An extra amount some policies charge on top of the standard excess when the driver at the time of a claim is under a set age or inexperienced. The amount and age vary by policy.

Does my CTP cover me interstate?

CTP is attached to the car’s registration and is required for interstate-registered cars too. Claims after an interstate crash depend on the schemes involved, so contact the scheme in the state where the car is registered.

Can my parent put the car in their name and list me as an occasional driver?

Only if that is true. If you are the main driver, say so. Inaccurate details can lead to a refused claim.

Where can I compare policies fairly?

ASIC’s Moneysmart website explains the types of cover and what to check. Read each insurer’s product disclosure statement before you buy.

Sources

• ASIC Moneysmart, “Car insurance”, “Choosing car insurance” and “How to save money on car insurance” (moneysmart.gov.au)
• State Insurance Regulatory Authority, “How to buy a Green Slip” and “Interstate (non-NSW) crashes and CTP insurance claims” (sira.nsw.gov.au)
• Motor Accident Insurance Commission, “What is CTP insurance?” and “Buying CTP insurance” (maic.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe” handbook, section 4.1 Motor injury insurance (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition (nt.gov.au)
• Transport Accident Commission (tac.vic.gov.au)