Category: All Australian states and territories

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

If you start learning to drive at 25 or older in Australia, most states shorten or drop the rules built for teenagers: fewer or no logbook hours, a shorter minimum time on your Ls, and in some states no red P stage. This guide compares the 25-plus rules in every state and territory as of November 2026. It also covers how adult learners can plan lessons around work.

Key facts

• No logbook at 25+: NSW, Queensland and WA. Victoria drops it from 21.
• Reduced logbook: the ACT (50 hours instead of 100).
• Logbook at any age: SA keeps its 75 hours. Tasmania lists 80 hours; check with Transport Tasmania whether any age-based reduction applies.
• Shorter time on Ls: no minimum in NSW, 3 months in Victoria and 6 months in the ACT and SA.
• Skip red Ps: Queensland, Victoria (from 21) and the ACT start you on green P2.
• You still pass every test in every state: knowledge test, HPT where it exists, and the practical test.

25-plus rules by state

State	Minimum time on Ls	Logbook hours	First P stage	Minimum P period
NSW	None	None	P1	P1 12 months, then P2 24 months
VIC	3 months (6 months at 21 to 24)	None from 21	P2	3 years on P2
QLD	1 year	None	P2	1 year on P2
WA	6 months before the PDA	None (logging strongly recommended)	Red P	Check with DTMI
SA	6 months	75, including 15 at night	P1	P1 1 year, then P2
TAS	12 continuous months	80, including 15 at night	P1	P1 12 months, then P2 12 months
ACT	6 months	50, including 5 at night	P2	3 years on P2
NT	6 months	Not compulsory	P	1 year (2 years if under 25)

Your age band is usually set when your learner licence is issued (ACT) or when you apply for your Ps (Victoria and Queensland). If you are close to a birthday, check which date your state uses before you apply.

Fastest route to a full licence at 25+

State	Earliest full licence after getting your Ls
NT	About 18 months (6 months on Ls, 1 year on Ps)
QLD	About 2 years (1 year on Ls, 1 year on P2)
TAS	About 3 years (12 months on Ls, 12 on P1, 12 on P2)
NSW	About 3 years (no learner minimum, 12 months P1, 24 months P2)
VIC	About 3 years 3 months (3 months on Ls, 3 years on P2)
ACT	About 3 years 6 months (6 months on Ls, 3 years on P2)

These are minimums, worked out from the official periods. Any suspension or failed test pushes them back. WA and SA are left out. If you are 25 or older, check your P period with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (WA) or Service SA.

Rules that still apply at any age

• Zero alcohol on L and P plates in every state.
• A supervisor beside you whenever you drive on Ls.
• Speed caps for learners where your state has them, such as 90 km/h in NSW, 100 km/h in WA and SA, and 80 km/h in the NT.
• Phone rules on Ls: NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT ban learners from phone use whatever their age. Queensland’s total ban covers learners under 25 only. See phone rules for L and P platers.
• Night and passenger limits: most P plate peer-passenger and curfew rules apply to under-25s only. WA’s red P limits apply to all new drivers.

Why there are no crash courses in Australia

Minimum learner periods mean you cannot go from no licence to Ps in a week, as some UK intensive courses promise. Even with no logbook, Queensland makes you hold your Ls for a year and the ACT and SA for 6 months. NSW is the exception for over-25s: no minimum time on Ls. You still have to pass the DKT, the HPT and the Driving Test.

Planning lessons as an adult learner

1. Get your Ls first and start the clock. The minimum period runs while you book lessons and practise.
2. Book a block of early lessons with an instructor. Adults without a family supervisor often learn faster with professional basics first, then practice with a friend who holds a full licence.
3. Log hours even when you do not have to. WA strongly recommends it for 25+ learners, and a log shows you where your gaps are, such as night or wet driving.
4. Practise the test manoeuvres early. Reverse parallel parking and three-point turns appear in most tests. See practical driving tests compared.
5. Treat nerves as a skill gap. Drive the same routes until they feel routine, then add busier roads, night and rain one at a time.
6. Choose an instructor carefully. Ask how they structure lessons for adults and whether they know your local test routes.

Common questions

Do I need logbook hours if I am over 25?

Not in NSW, Queensland or WA. Victoria drops them from age 21. The ACT needs 50 hours (5 at night). SA needs 75 hours at any age, and Tasmania lists 80 hours.

Can I skip my red Ps if I am over 25?

Yes in Queensland and the ACT, where you start on P2. Victoria starts you on P2 from age 21. NSW, SA and Tasmania still start you on P1.

Can I do the NSW hazard perception test straight away at 25?

Yes. The 10-month wait only applies if you are under 25. At 25 or older you can sit the HPT as soon as you have your Ls.

Is it harder to learn to drive as an adult?

Not officially. Adults often have less time to practise and less access to a supervisor, which is why fewer required hours do not mean you should do fewer. Book the practical test only when you can drive safely without help.

I have an overseas licence. Do I count as a new learner?

Usually not. You may be able to convert it, with or without tests. See driving in Australia on an overseas licence.

Does being over 25 make my licence cheaper?

Sometimes. Skipping a stage can mean one fewer licence fee: in the NT the provisional licence is $40 for 1 year at 25+, instead of $61 for 2 years. See the cost of getting a licence.

State guides: NSW log book, learning to drive in Victoria, Queensland logbook, WA learner rules, SA 75 hour logbook, Tasmanian learner rules, ACT logbook hours and NT learner rules. All states side by side: learner licence rules compared.

Sources

• NSW Government, “Using your Learner Driver Log Book” and “Hazard Perception Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “How to get your Ps” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Learner logbook” (qld.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Learn to drive and log hours” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Summary of novice car licensing pathway” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Get your provisional driver licence” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” and “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Ric Taylor, Pexels

You can drive in Australia on a current overseas licence, but how long it stays valid depends on your visa and which state you live in. Permanent residents usually have 3 months to switch to a local licence. Temporary visa holders face rules that range from 6 months in NSW and Victoria to “while your licence stays valid” in WA and Tasmania. This guide compares the rules for visitors, international students, workers and new residents in all eight jurisdictions as of November 2026.

Key facts

• Carry your overseas licence whenever you drive. If it is not in English, carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit too.
• Permanent residents and returning citizens: 3 months in NSW, QLD, WA (from the visa grant), SA and the NT.
• Temporary visa holders: 6 months in NSW (if you arrived on or after 1 July 2023). Victoria requires anyone living there more than 6 months to convert.
• Licences from recognised countries can be converted to a car licence without the knowledge and driving tests. Others must pass them.
• Overseas learner permits are not recognised in WA and cannot be converted in SA.
• Once you hold an Australian licence, you can no longer drive in Australia on your overseas one.

How long you can drive on an overseas licence

State	Visitors and temporary visa holders	Permanent residents and citizens
NSW	Temporary visa, arrived on or after 1 July 2023: up to 6 months. Tourists and short-term visitors: up to 6 months while a temporary visitor	Up to 3 months from arrival
VIC	Fine for short stays. Living in Victoria more than 6 months: convert, counted from the day you begin living there	Same 6-month rule
QLD	The 3-month clock starts only once you live in Queensland on a permanent or special category visa; check your situation with TMR	3 months after taking up residence with a permanent visa, or from the visa grant if later
WA	As long as the licence remains valid	3 months of usual residence after the permanent visa is granted
SA	Not stated in the handbook; check with Service SA	Within 3 months of becoming an SA resident
TAS	Visitors and temporary visa holders can drive while the licence is current	Must get a Tasmanian licence. Official pages give both 3 and 6 months; confirm with Service Tasmania
ACT	Check with Access Canberra	Check with Access Canberra
NT	In the NT more than 3 months and want to keep driving: apply for an NT licence	Same 3-month guidance

Rules for temporary visa holders have changed in several states since 2019. Check your state page before relying on any time limit, especially if you plan to stay longer than 3 months.

What you must carry

• Your current overseas licence, for the vehicle class you are driving.
• An English translation or International Driving Permit if the licence is not in English. NSW, Victoria and the NT state this directly. WA needs an approved translation.
• WA accepts translations from NAATI-certified translators, tertiary-qualified translators and the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service. Queensland asks for a NAATI-accredited translation when you convert.

Follow the local road rules and any conditions on your licence. An expired or disqualified overseas licence gives you no right to drive.

Converting to an Australian licence

Recognised countries

Each state keeps a list of countries with similar licensing standards. Queensland uses the Austroads list, which includes the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. A current car licence from a recognised country can be converted without the knowledge test or practical test. In Queensland it must have been held within the last 5 years. In Victoria, at least 18 years old is a general requirement.

Non-recognised countries

• NSW: pass the DKT and the Driving Test. China and, from 1 February 2026, Hong Kong are non-recognised.
• Queensland: pass the road rules test and the practical test. The old experienced-driver category has been removed.
• SA: pass a theory test, Hazard Perception Test and practical driving test.
• Tasmania: a practical driving assessment. Licence holders from non-recognised countries, and under-25s from experienced-driver countries, also sit the HPT.
• Victoria: depending on your age, experience and country, you may need the learner permit test, HPT and drive test. Use the VicRoads conversion checker.

Steps that apply almost everywhere

1. Check whether your country is recognised in your state.
2. Gather proof of identity, proof of your local address, your visa details and your original overseas licence.
3. Get an approved English translation if your licence is not in English.
4. Book or visit the licensing centre, pass an eyesight check and pay the fee.
5. Sit any tests required, then drive on the local licence only.

State-by-state notes

• NSW: your right to drive on an overseas licence is withdrawn once you have lived in NSW for 6 months without transferring. See moving to NSW.
• Victoria: the 6-month period does not restart if you leave and come back. See moving to Victoria.
• Queensland: you can sit the practical test on your overseas licence. If you fail, your authority to drive on it is withdrawn. See moving to Queensland.
• WA: an overseas learner permit is not recognised, so you cannot drive on it in WA. See moving to WA.
• SA: conversion is mostly limited to car and motorbike classes, and learner permits cannot be converted. A recognised-country licence holder can act as a qualified supervising driver if they meet the criteria.
• Tasmania: extensions to the conversion period are at the Registrar’s discretion. Apply before the period runs out.
• NT: if you live in the NT and have not transferred your licence, the handbook warns you may be excluded from insurance or have benefits reduced.

Learning to drive on an overseas learner permit

Generally you cannot. WA does not recognise overseas learner permits, and SA will not convert them. In NSW you must pass the DKT to get a NSW learner licence. Until you do, any learning on an overseas permit must follow NSW learner conditions: a supervisor with a full Australian licence, zero alcohol, L plates, and no phone use. The simplest route is to sit your state’s learner test. See learner knowledge tests compared.

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Australia?

Only if your licence is not in English. Then carry an IDP or an approved English translation with your licence.

I am an international student. Do I need an Australian licence?

It depends on your state. In WA and Tasmania you can keep driving on a valid overseas licence as a temporary visa holder. In NSW the limit is 6 months for students who arrived from 1 July 2023. In Victoria you must convert if you live there more than 6 months.

Can I drive on my overseas licence if I move between states?

Each state applies its own rule from when you take up residence there. Check the rule in your new state when you move.

Is my UK licence recognised?

Yes. The UK is a recognised country in NSW and Queensland, so a current UK car licence usually converts without tests. Confirm with your state.

Do I need to do the hazard perception test?

Only in some cases: for example, licences from non-recognised countries in SA and Tasmania, and some Victorian conversions.

What happens if I drive after my time limit?

You are treated as driving unlicensed, which can bring penalties and affect insurance. Convert before the deadline.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Moving your overseas licence” and “Visiting from overseas or interstate” (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Driving with your overseas licence” and “Convert overseas licence” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Enrol in PrepL” (service.transport.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, Appendix 2 (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “Driving in Tasmania on an interstate or overseas licence” and “Converting an overseas licence” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Hazard Perception Test” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition (nt.gov.au)
• Access Canberra (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)

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

Getting your licence in Australia costs anywhere from about $75 in official fees in Victoria to more than $400 in NSW, before lessons. This guide lists the official test and licence fees in every state and territory as of November 2026. It adds up the minimum for a learner under 25 who passes each test first time, and shows the free schemes and credits that cut the bill.

Key facts

• Victoria is the cheapest in official fees. Under the Motorist Package your learner permit, P1 and P2 are free to issue, and the first online Learner Permit Test and HPT attempts are free.
• Tasmania’s Plates Plus course, knowledge test and HPT are all free. An offence-free P period earns a free 3-year full licence.
• In the NT, the $110 DriveSafe NT enrolment covers your theory test, licence and test fees, plus $500 in lesson vouchers.
• Retakes are where costs climb: every failed practical test means paying the fee again.
• Lessons are the biggest variable cost. Instructors set their own prices, so compare a few schools.

Official fees by state (as of November 2026)

NSW (from 1 July 2026)

Item	Fee
Driver Knowledge Test	$58 (online, unlimited attempts; or per in-person attempt)
Learner licence	$32
Hazard Perception Test	$58 each attempt
Driving Test	$72 each attempt
P1 licence	$74
P2 licence	$115

Minimum for an under-25 who passes first time: $409 (DKT, Ls, HPT, Driving Test, P1 and P2). The Safer Drivers Course costs $140 and gives 20 bonus log book hours. Details: NSW licence and test fees 2026.

Victoria

Item	Fee
Learner Permit Test online, first attempt	Free
Learner Permit Test in person	$28.70 plus $22.10 appointment fee
Learner permit, P1 and P2 issue	Free
Hazard Perception Test online, first attempt	Free (further attempts charged)
Drive test	$53.20 plus $22.10 appointment fee ($75.30)

Minimum if you pass everything online first time: $75.30. Details: VicRoads Ls and Ps fees 2026.

Queensland (from 1 July 2026)

Item	Fee
PrepL or written road rules test	$29.70
Learner licence (3 years)	$80.15
Hazard perception test	$42.70
Practical driving test	$69.40 each attempt
Provisional licence, 1 / 3 / 5 years	$94.65 / $163.25 / $212.00

Minimum with a 1-year provisional licence: $316.60. Details: Queensland licence test fees.

Western Australia

Item	Fee
Computerised Theory Test	$22.40 (resit $19.20)
Learner’s permit application, including your first PDA	$150.80
Hazard Perception Test	$29.90 (resit $24.10)
PDA resit	$120.50
Printed logbook (optional; Learn&Log app is free)	$10.70

Tests and permit if you pass first time: $203.10, plus the provisional licence fee you pay after the PDA. Check that figure with DTMI. Details: WA licence test fees.

South Australia

Item	Fee
myLs course and theory test (once only)	$44
Learner’s permit (2 years)	$78
Hazard Perception Test	Listed at $37 (online: one fee, repeat attempts free)
VORT	Set by the VORT instructor
P1 provisional licence	Check the current fee on sa.gov.au

The SA fee schedule page had not been updated recently when checked. Confirm every SA figure on the sa.gov.au driver’s licence and permit fees page before you pay.

Tasmania

Item	Fee
Plates Plus course and knowledge test	Free
Learner licence	$40.68
Hazard Perception Test	Free
P1 driving assessment (government assessor)	$108.93 including GST
Provisional licence (P1 and P2 issue)	$68.12
Full licence after offence-free Ps (3 years)	$0.00 under the safer driver reward

Minimum: $217.73. Details: learning to drive in Tasmania.

ACT (as at 1 July 2026)

Item	Fee
Pre-Learner Licence Course	Set by the provider; several community providers charge no fee
Learner licence	$65.50
Hazard Perception Test	First attempt free; $30.00 after (from 1 July 2026)
One-off practical driving assessment	$133.90 (or CBT&A lesson fees)
Provisional licence (3 years)	$165.90

Minimum with a free course and the one-off assessment: $365.30. Details: learning to drive in the ACT.

Northern Territory

Item	Fee
Theory test	$20 each attempt
Learner licence (2 years)	$29
Practical test	Set by each authorised examiner
Provisional licence, under 25 (2 years) / 25 and over (1 year)	$61 / $40
DriveSafe NT enrolment (covers the above)	$110

Without DriveSafe: $110 plus the examiner’s fee for an under-25. Details: DriveSafe NT.

Minimum official cost compared

State	Minimum official fees, pass first time (under 25)
VIC	$75.30
NT	$110 via DriveSafe NT (covers tests and licences), or $110 plus examiner fee without it
WA	$203.10 plus provisional licence fee
TAS	$217.73
QLD	$316.60
ACT	$365.30 (free course, one-off assessment)
NSW	$409
SA	$122 for myLs and permit, plus HPT, VORT and P1 fees (check sa.gov.au)

These totals are official fees only. They leave out lessons, fuel, the car and insurance. See car insurance for learners and P platers.

Lessons: the cost you control

Lesson prices are not set by government, so no official figure exists. How to keep them down:

• Use supervised practice for the volume, and lessons for the gaps. Book lessons for things a parent finds hard to teach, such as reverse parallel parking or test-route roads.
• Claim lesson credits. NSW counts 1 hour with an instructor as 3 log book hours, up to 20 bonus hours. The ACT counts instructor lessons 3 for 1, up to 10 hours. Tasmania also credits instructor time.
• Take the official safer-driver courses. NSW’s Safer Drivers Course gives 20 hours ($140, with 1,000 free places a year for eligible learners). The ACT Safer Driver Course gives 20 hours.
• Pick CBT&A only if you want structured lessons. In SA and the ACT it replaces one test with a course of paid lessons (at least 7 in the ACT).

Ways to cut the official bill

• Do the knowledge test online where one fee covers unlimited attempts: NSW DKT online, SA myLs, Queensland PrepL within 12 months, and Tasmania (free).
• Do the HPT online in SA (one fee, repeated attempts), Victoria (first attempt free) and the ACT (first attempt free).
• Skip the WA theory test fee with a Keys4Life certificate from the last 2 years.
• Do not rush the practical test. One fail adds $72 in NSW, $75.30 in VIC, $69.40 in QLD, $120.50 in WA or $133.90 in the ACT.
• Change bookings early. Late changes or no-shows lose the fee. Give 24 hours’ notice in VIC, 48 hours in NSW, WA and the ACT, and 2 working days in QLD.
• Stay offence-free on your Ps. Tasmania gives a free 3-year full licence. WA gives a free 1-year renewal. Victoria’s Free Licence Scheme may give a free 3-year licence.
• Ask about concessions and support programs: NSW’s Driver Licensing Access Program, ACT community course providers and DriveSafe NT.

Common questions

What is the cheapest state to get a licence in?

By official fees, Victoria: $75.30 if you pass everything online first time. The NT’s DriveSafe program is also very cheap and includes lesson vouchers.

Why is NSW so much more expensive?

NSW charges for every stage separately, including the HPT ($58) and two provisional licences ($74 and $115).

Do I pay again if I fail?

Yes. Every practical test retake costs the full test fee, and most states charge for HPT and knowledge test retakes taken in person.

Is the logbook free?

Mostly. The NSW, WA and Tasmanian logbook apps are free. Printed books cost extra, for example $10.70 in WA and $7.60 in Tasmania.

Are fees the same for over-25s?

Mostly, but over-25s often skip stages. In the NT the provisional licence is $40 for 1 year instead of $61 for 2. See learning to drive over 25.

When do fees go up?

Most states index fees on 1 July. The NSW, Queensland and ACT figures here took effect on 1 July 2026.

Sources

• NSW Government, “Licence and test fees” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Using your Learner Driver Log Book” and “Safer Drivers Course” (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Licence fees” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Take the Computerised Theory Test (CTT)”, “Hazard Perception Test (HPT)” and “Pass your PDA” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• SA.GOV.AU, “Complete the myLs course online” and “Find driver’s licence and permit fees” (sa.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “Licensing and assessment fees” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Getting your learner licence” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Driver licence fees” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• City Services, “Learner and provisional driver safety” (cityservices.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)
• DriveSafe NT, “Everything you need to know about DriveSafe” (drivesafe.nt.gov.au)
• ACT Government, “Road Transport (General) (Driver Licence and Related Fees) Determination 2026 (No 1)”, DI2026-44, Schedule 1 item 18 (legislation.act.gov.au)

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

Failed your driving test in Australia? You can rebook in every state and territory. How long you wait, what you pay again and whether your hazard perception pass is still valid all depend on where you live. This guide gives the official waiting periods for all eight jurisdictions as of November 2026, then a plan for using the gap well.

Key facts

• Shortest wait: the next day in Queensland (first fail) and the NT. Two days (48 hours) in the ACT for the one-off assessment.
• Seven days in NSW and WA. At least 13 clear days for SA’s VORT.
• You pay the test fee again in every state.
• No extra logbook hours are needed after a fail in NSW or Tasmania.
• On an interstate or overseas licence in Queensland, a fail withdraws your right to drive on that licence.

Retest waiting periods by state

State	Earliest retest	Fee again (Nov 2026)
NSW	At least 7 days after the failed test	$72
VIC	Check with VicRoads when you rebook	$53.20 test plus $22.10 appointment fee
QLD	1st fail: next day. 2nd fail: 8th day. 3rd and later: 29th day	$69.40
WA	At least 7 days before booking another PDA	$120.50
SA (VORT)	At least 13 clear days (an older page says 14), or switch to CBT&A	Set by the VORT instructor
TAS	Check with Transport Tasmania when you rebook	$108.93 (government assessor)
ACT (one-off)	48 hours	$133.90
NT	The next day	Set by the examiner

Is my hazard perception pass still valid?

State	HPT validity	What it means for a retest
NSW	15 months	Pass the Driving Test inside 15 months or resit the HPT
QLD	Pass once	No resit needed
WA	5 years	No resit needed for most learners
TAS	12 months	Pass the P1 assessment inside 12 months or resit the HPT
ACT	Does not expire	No resit needed
VIC	12 months	Pass the drive test inside 12 months of the HPT pass or resit the HPT
SA	Check with Service SA	Ask before you rebook

More on each state’s HPT: hazard perception tests compared.

State notes

NSW

You get general comments, not a lesson. Rebook at the counter or online. You do not need more log book hours. If you think the test was unfair, contact the test centre manager. Guide: NSW Driving Test.

Victoria

Test and appointment fees apply to each booking. One trap: if you turn up under 21 without proof of 120 hours (20 at night), you cannot sit the test, your fees are forfeited and you must wait at least six weeks. Guide: VicRoads drive test fails.

Queensland

The cooling-off period grows with each fail, so a third fail pushes you about four weeks out. Interstate and overseas licence holders who fail lose their authority to drive on that licence and need a supervisor. Guide: Q-Safe re-sit rules.

Western Australia

The assessor explains where you fell short. Keep logging trips in Learn&Log until you get your licence. Guide: WA Practical Driving Assessment.

South Australia

After a failed VORT you can retest after the waiting period, or move to CBT&A and have each task signed off by an instructor. Guide: VORT or CBT&A.

Tasmania

The assessor explains what to work on, and you may get a feedback form and a copy of your assessment sheet. Keep the logbook app so you can show the declaration next time. Guide: Tasmanian P1 driving assessment.

ACT

The examiner emails a report showing where you were “not yet competent”. Access Canberra warns that more than 50 per cent of people fail their driving test. Guide: CBT&A or the one-off assessment.

Northern Territory

You get a test sheet showing where to improve. The official guide suggests waiting a few days to practise, even though you can retest the next day. Guide: NT practical driving test.

What to fix before you rebook

1. Read your feedback sheet the same day. Write down every item marked against you while you remember the moment.
2. Sort errors into two groups. Fail items (speeding, failing to give way, crossing a stop line, an examiner stepping in) need to disappear completely. Score items (late signals, missed head checks) need consistency.
3. Practise the exact situations. If you missed head checks on lane changes, do 20 lane changes on your next drive with your supervisor watching only for that.
4. Book one lesson focused on the errors. An instructor who knows the local test routes can drive you through similar roads.
5. Do a mock test. Your supervisor stays silent except for directions, as the examiner would.
6. Do not rebook for the earliest possible slot unless the error was a one-off. A rushed retest costs another fee.

The mistakes that most often end tests

• Speed: missing a speed change, a school zone or roadworks. This is the ACT’s top listed mistake and a fail item in NSW, WA and the NT.
• Blind spots: no head check before changing lanes or merging. In the NT, 3 or more missed observation checks is a fail.
• Stop and give way lines: rolling over the line, or not stopping completely.
• Hesitation: refusing a clearly safe gap can fail you in NSW and the NT.
• Manoeuvres: touching or mounting the kerb, or going outside the tolerance (for example, more than 1 metre from the kerb in the NT).

See also practical driving tests in every state compared and the driving test day checklist.

Common questions

Do I have to pay again after failing?

Yes, in every state. NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, TAS and the ACT charge the published test fee each time. In SA and the NT you pay the instructor or examiner again.

Is there a limit on how many times I can fail?

Queensland makes you wait longer after each repeated fail. For any limit in your state, check with your licensing agency.

Do I need more logbook hours after failing?

Not in NSW or Tasmania, which say so directly. Elsewhere your logged hours still count. Keep logging anyway: it builds the skills you were marked down on.

Can I drive myself home after failing?

No. You are still a learner and need a supervisor. NSW says the person who comes with you must drive the car away if you fail.

Can I appeal a fail?

NSW says to contact the manager of the test centre if you think the test was unfair. Other states handle complaints through the transport department. A complaint does not usually change the result, so rebook as well.

What if my learner licence expires while I am rebooking?

Renew it before you retest. In the NT, a test taken while your licence is expired is not valid. In Queensland, the HPT also needs a current licence.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Guide to the Driving Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Hazard Perception Test” and “Licence and test fees” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Drive test for a Victorian driver’s licence” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Practical driving tests” and “Licence fees” (qld.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Pass your PDA” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “About your driving assessment” and “Licensing and assessment fees” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Hazard perception test FAQs” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “One off practical driving assessment” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Safe Plates Testing, “Hazard Perception Test” (safeplatestesting.act.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Hazard Perception Test” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)

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

The practical driving test is the last hurdle before your Ps in every Australian state and territory. Its length, manoeuvres, scoring and car rules all differ. This checklist compares the on-road test in all eight jurisdictions as of November 2026, so you can prepare for the test you will actually sit and pick a car that will be accepted on the day.

Key facts

• A 90 per cent score with no fail items is the pass standard in NSW and the NT, and for SA’s VORT.
• SA and the ACT let you choose between a one-off test and competency-based training and assessment (CBT&A) with an instructor.
• Victoria, WA and Tasmania need a car with a centrally mounted handbrake the examiner can reach. Victoria bans electronic and foot park brakes for solo tests. The ACT accepts an electric park brake if it is centre-mounted and reachable.
• In NSW, AEB and traction control must stay on. In the NT, cruise control, lane centring and other listed driver aids are banned during the test.
• Minimum age is 17 in NSW, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania and the ACT, and 18 in Victoria.

Practical driving tests at a glance

State	Test	Length	How you pass	Fee (Nov 2026)
NSW	Driving Test with a Service NSW testing officer	Set course of 25 zones	At least 90 per cent, no fail items	$72
VIC	Drive test: pre-drive check plus two stages	About 30 minutes of driving (10 then 20)	Pass stage one to reach stage two; no critical or termination errors	$53.20 plus $22.10 appointment fee
QLD	Q-Safe practical driving test	No more than 35 minutes of driving	Examiner assessment, including two manoeuvres	$69.40
WA	Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)	35 to 50 minutes	Seven assessment items; any automatic fail item ends it	First PDA included in the $150.80 permit fee; resit $120.50
SA	VORT (one test) or CBT&A (30 tasks)	Check with Service SA	VORT: 90 per cent combined, no road law breach	Set by the instructor
TAS	P1 driving assessment	About 30 minutes on the road	Marked on seven criteria across six sections	$108.93 (government assessor)
ACT	CBT&A (23 competencies) or one-off assessment	One drive (one-off)	Competent in every area	One-off: $133.90 booking fee
NT	Practical test with an authorised examiner	About 40 minutes, recorded	At least 90 per cent, no fail items	Set by each examiner

Eligibility before you can book

State	Minimum age	Time on Ls (under 25)	Also needed
NSW	17	12 months	120 logged hours (20 at night) if under 25; HPT pass within 15 months
VIC	18	12 months if under 21	120 hours (20 at night) if under 21; HPT pass
QLD	17	1 year	HPT pass; TMR-approved logbook (100 hours) if under 25
WA	17	6 months	HPT pass; 50 logged hours (5 at night) if under 25
SA	17 for P1	12 months (6 if 25 or over)	75 logged hours (15 at night); HPT pass needed before P1 issue, but it can be taken after the practical
TAS	17	12 continuous months	80 logged hours (15 at night); HPT pass in the last 12 months
ACT	17	12 months (6 if 25 or over)	100 logged hours (10 at night) if under 25 at L issue; HPT pass
NT	16 years 6 months (16 plus 6 months on Ls)	6 months continuous	Test at the location nearest where you live

Manoeuvres by state

State	What you may be asked to do
NSW	Some of: kerbside stop, hill start, 3-point turn, parking manoeuvre
VIC	A low-speed manoeuvre in stage one, such as a reverse parallel park or a three-point turn
QLD	Two set manoeuvres, at least one with reversing. Reverse parking must finish within 45 cm of the kerb using no more than 2 reverse movements and 1 forward movement
WA	Two exercises, each with two low-speed manoeuvres drawn from a set of ten (including driveway turnarounds, U-turns, reverse parallel parking and angle parking)
SA (VORT)	Five slow-speed manoeuvres: parallel park, angle park, moving off, U-turn and 3-point turn, worth 2 marks each
TAS	“Left something behind” (turn around twice and park where you started) and “visit a friend” (turn around and reverse parallel park), plus a merge or lane change on an 80 km/h+ road
ACT	Competencies include hill starts, reversing, right angle parking, reverse parallel parking, U-turns and 3-point turns
NT	Three compulsory: reverse parallel park, three-point turn, and a kerbside stop or hill start

Car rules that can stop your test

In every state you bring a registered, roadworthy car, and the examiner checks it first. A failed car check usually costs you the fee. State-specific points:

• NSW: no dashcam or device that can record the test. Park assist off for reversing. AEB and traction control stay on.
• VIC: for a solo test the car needs a centrally mounted handbrake the officer can reach, and a speed display they can see. An instructor’s dual-control car is the exception.
• QLD: you need the registered operator’s permission to use the car. You may use a reversing camera, but you must still look around.
• WA: a centrally mounted park brake that holds on a slope. At least 1.5 mm tyre tread. No dash warning lights, including low fuel. No cars under recall or with Takata airbags. Remove the L plates.
• TAS: a handbrake between the front seats, at least 1.5 mm tread, and no brake, ABS, SRS or red stability warning lights.
• ACT: a centre-mounted park brake (electric or manual) within the examiner’s reach, at least a quarter tank of fuel, and L plates front and back.
• NT: lane centring, adaptive speed assistance, cruise control, active parking assistance and “autopilot” features must not be used.

Pass in an automatic and your licence is restricted to automatics in NSW (on P1), Victoria (during your P period), Queensland, WA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT (first 12 months of Ps). See automatic licence conditions in each state.

What examiners look for everywhere

The score sheets use different names, but they check the same skills:

• Observation: mirrors and head checks before every lane change, merge, turn, and move off or back to the kerb.
• Gaps and following distance: 3 seconds in NSW and the NT; at least 2 seconds in Queensland’s Q-Safe.
• Speed: speeding is a fail item in NSW, WA and the NT, and a road law breach ends SA’s VORT.
• Stop lines: stop fully, within 1 metre of the line and not over it (NSW and NT). Rolling over the line is one of the ACT’s most common mistakes.
• Signals: at least 5 seconds before leaving the kerb (NSW, NT and Tasmania).
• Not hesitating: turning down a clearly safe gap can fail you in NSW and the NT.

Detailed guides by state

• NSW: NSW Driving Test and manoeuvres and fail items
• VIC: VicRoads drive test, drive test fails and which cars you can use
• QLD: Q-Safe practical driving test and Q-Safe manoeuvres
• WA: WA Practical Driving Assessment and the PDA practice exercises
• SA: VORT or CBT&A
• TAS: Tasmanian P1 driving assessment
• ACT: CBT&A or the one-off assessment
• NT: NT practical driving test

Before the test, check the driving test day checklist. If it goes wrong, see failed your driving test: rebooking by state.

Common questions

Which state has the longest driving test?

WA’s PDA, at 35 to 50 minutes. The NT test runs about 40 minutes, and Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania are about 30 to 35 minutes of driving.

Can my parent sit in the car during the test?

Generally no. Victoria allows only an instructor with a dual-control car. In the NT, only you, the examiner and sometimes a compliance officer are in the car. In NSW it is you and the officer, and sometimes a monitoring officer.

Can I use a car with a reversing camera?

Yes, in every state that addresses it. But you must still use your mirrors and look around. Relying on the camera alone counts against you.

Is CBT&A easier than a one-off test?

The skills are the same. CBT&A in SA and the ACT spreads assessment over lessons with an instructor, which suits nervous learners but costs more in lesson fees.

Do I need my supervisor on test day?

Yes. You are still a learner when you arrive. NSW says the person who comes with you must drive the car away if you fail, and Tasmania lists the supervisor among the things to bring.

What is the most common reason for failing?

States do not publish fail statistics by item. The ACT lists the commonest mistakes as speed, missing blind-spot checks and rolling over stop or give way lines.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Guide to the Driving Test” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Licence and test fees” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Drive test for a Victorian driver’s licence” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Practical driving tests” and “Licence fees” (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, “Pass your PDA” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• My Licence, “The Driving Companion: Vehicle On Road Test (VORT)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “About your driving assessment” and “Licensing and assessment fees” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “One off practical driving assessment” and “Driver licence fees” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “Applying for a provisional licence” (sa.gov.au)

Photo: RegionVisitor90, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seven of Australia’s eight states and territories make learners pass a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) on the way from L plates to P plates. The Northern Territory is the exception. In most of them you pass the HPT before the practical test, but South Australia lets you take it before or after the practical, as long as you pass it before your P1 licence is issued. When you can sit it, where, what it costs and how long a pass lasts all differ. This comparison sets out each state’s rules as of November 2026, for learners planning their timeline and parents booking tests.

Key facts

• You must pass the HPT before your practical driving test in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, TAS and the ACT. In SA you need it before P1 issue, and it can come before or after the practical.
• The NT licensing path has no HPT step.
• Online from home: Queensland (online, with an offline version during Indigenous Driver Licensing Unit community visits), Tasmania, the ACT, SA (optional) and Victoria (online first attempt). NSW and WA test at service centres.
• Free attempts: Tasmania (always), the ACT (first attempt) and Victoria (first online attempt).
• A pass is valid for 15 months in NSW, 12 months in Victoria and Tasmania, and 5 years in WA. In the ACT it does not expire.

Hazard perception tests at a glance

State	When you can sit it	Where	Format	Fee (Nov 2026)	Pass valid for
NSW	Under 25: after 10 months on Ls. 25 or older: any time on Ls	Service centre	2 practice clips, then 15 test clips	$58 per attempt	15 months
VIC	From 17 years 11 months, with a current Victorian learner permit	Online, or a Customer Service Centre	25 scenarios in up to 45 minutes	First online attempt free; $22.10 for each further online attempt	12 months: pass the drive test within 12 months or resit
QLD	After at least 6 months on a car learner licence	Online; offline version during Indigenous Driver Licensing Unit community visits	3D computer-generated clips	$42.70	You only need to pass once
WA	Age 16 years 6 months AND 6 months on your permit	Service centre or regional agent	Moving traffic scenes; click to act	$29.90; resit $24.10	5 years
SA	While you hold a current learner’s permit	Online (mySAGOV) or a Service SA centre	Video of real traffic	One online subscription covers 12 months of attempts; in centre you pay each time	Check with Service SA
TAS	From 3 months before your earliest P1 test date	Online	25 clips, 13 to pass, 45 minutes	Free	12 months
ACT	After 3 months on your Ls	Online	25 videos of about 15 seconds	First attempt free; $30.00 after (from 1 July 2026)	Does not expire
NT	No HPT	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

State-by-state details

NSW

• Touch the screen when you would slow down, turn, overtake or cross. If acting would be unsafe, do not touch.
• The test is built on the five crash types behind most NSW casualty crashes. It assesses safe following distance, gap selection and hazard spotting.
• Study the official Hazard Perception Handbook. Transport for NSW says third-party practice sites are not the same as the real test.
• Cheating means a 6-week wait before you can resit.

Guide: NSW Hazard Perception Test.

Victoria

• You must answer all 25 scenarios within 45 minutes, or the attempt counts as unsuccessful.
• Online, you get up to two attempts a day. Your access lasts 12 months from registration.
• Retake fee: $22.10 for each further online attempt on the VicRoads fees page. In person, the test and appointment fees total $44.00.

Guide: Victoria Hazard Perception Test.

Queensland

• Enrol through TMR’s online service. If you did PrepL, use the same login.
• You have up to 12 months to use the test once you have paid.
• The booking system will not let you book Q-Safe until you pass.

Guide: Queensland hazard perception test.

Western Australia

• You need both conditions. A DTMI news article says “or”, but the official HPT pages and the Drive Safe handbook require age 16 years 6 months and 6 months on your permit.
• Tests must start before 3.45pm, Monday to Friday. No appointment is needed at metro centres.
• Live more than 100 km from an HPT centre? You can apply for an exemption (Form E19).

Guide: WA Hazard Perception Test.

South Australia

• The test is built around the four most common crash types for SA provisional drivers: rear-end, right angle, right turn and run-off-road.
• Online is cheaper if you might need a second go. SA.GOV.AU listed the HPT at $37; check the current fee before you pay.

Guide: SA Hazard Perception Test.

Tasmania

• Required for most learners since 7 March 2022. L2 holders under the transition rules are exempt.
• Each clip involves one of four actions: overtake, move off, turn right or slow down. Taking no action can be the right answer.
• Failed attempts can be retried straight away. You get coaching statements at the end.

Guide: Tasmania Hazard Perception Test.

ACT

• Required for anyone whose learner licence was issued or renewed after 1 January 2020.
• Lockouts: a first fail locks you out for 24 hours and a second fail for 3 days. You pay for each attempt after the first.
• The test times out after 10 minutes of inactivity, and a time-out counts as a fail.

Guide: ACT Hazard Perception Test.

Worked example: earliest HPT date for a 16-year-old

Say you get your Ls on your 16th birthday, are under 25, and want the earliest legal HPT date.

State	Earliest HPT
NSW	16 years 10 months (10 months on Ls)
VIC	17 years 11 months
QLD	16 years 6 months (6 months on Ls)
WA	16 years 6 months (both conditions met together)
TAS	16 years 9 months (3 months before the earliest P1 date at 12 months on Ls)
ACT	16 years 3 months (3 months on Ls). ACT Ls are available from 15 years 9 months, so it can be earlier

SA is left out. Check with Service SA how long you must hold your learner’s permit before the HPT.

Sitting early only helps if your pass is still valid when you take the driving test. In NSW, Victoria and Tasmania a pass expires, so time it against your planned test date.

How to prepare in any state

• Do the official practice test for your state first. NSW, VIC, WA, SA and the ACT all offer one or an official handbook.
• Commentary drive: say out loud what you see and what might happen next on every logbook drive.
• Practise right turns across traffic and pulling out at busy intersections. Gap selection runs through every state’s test.
• Keep at least a 3-second following gap. NSW and SA both teach this.
• Use a computer and mouse if the test is online. Tasmania, the ACT and WA all say a larger screen helps.

Next step after the HPT: practical driving tests in every state compared. Earlier step: learner knowledge tests compared.

Common questions

Does the NT have a hazard perception test?

No. In the Northern Territory you go from the knowledge test and 6 months on your learner licence straight to the practical test. See the NT practical driving test.

Can I use an HPT pass from another state?

Tasmania accepts dated evidence of an HPT pass from another Australian state or territory in the last 12 months when you transfer. A booking confirmation is not enough. For other states, ask the transport department before you book.

What happens if my HPT pass expires before my driving test?

In NSW (after 15 months), Victoria and Tasmania (after 12 months) you must pass the HPT again before you can take the practical test.

Can someone help me during the HPT?

No. In WA an interpreter can help only during the introduction and practice. In Tasmania someone may explain the written situation text, but they cannot tell you when to act.

Is the HPT harder than the knowledge test?

It tests judgement rather than rule recall. Real driving experience is the best preparation, which is why most states only let you sit it after months on your Ls.

Sources

• NSW Government, “Hazard Perception Test” and “Licence and test fees” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Hazard Perception Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Hazard Perception Test” and “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Car hazard perception test” and “Licence fees” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Enrol in hazard perception test” (service.transport.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Hazard Perception Test (HPT)” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• SA.GOV.AU, “Find driver’s licence and permit fees” (sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Hazard Perception Test” and “Hazard perception test FAQs” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Safe Plates Testing, “Hazard Perception Test” (safeplatestesting.act.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Get your provisional driver licence” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• ACT Government, “Road Transport (General) (Driver Licence and Related Fees) Determination 2026 (No 1)”, DI2026-44, Schedule 1 item 18 (legislation.act.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Car hazard perception test” (qld.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Hazard Perception Test” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “Applying for a provisional licence” (sa.gov.au)

Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every Australian state and territory makes you pass a road rules knowledge test before you get your Ls, but the format, pass mark and fee change at each border. This checklist compares all eight learner tests side by side, as of November 2026, so you know what to expect wherever you live. Where a state does not publish its question count or pass mark, the table says so rather than guessing.

Key facts

• Published formats: Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory all use 30 questions. Pass marks are 27 (QLD PrepL and TAS), 24 (WA) and 26 (NT).
• For NSW and Victoria, check the question count and pass mark with Service NSW or VicRoads.
• Most states now run the test online as part of a learning course: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and TAS. WA and NT test in person. The ACT tests through approved course providers.
• In NSW, Queensland and Tasmania you can enrol from 15 years 11 months, and in SA (myLs) and the ACT from 15 years 9 months. Your Ls are still issued at 16 everywhere except the ACT, where the minimum age is 15 years 9 months.
• Victoria’s first online attempt and Tasmania’s course and test are free.

Learner tests in every state at a glance

State	Test	Questions	Pass mark	Fee (as of November 2026)
NSW	Driver Knowledge Test (DKT), online course or in person	Check with Service NSW	Check with Service NSW	$58 online (unlimited attempts) or $58 per in-person attempt
VIC	Learner Permit Test, online course or in person	Check with VicRoads	Check with VicRoads	First online attempt free; in person $28.70 plus $22.10 appointment fee
QLD	PrepL online course and assessment (written test in limited cases)	30	PrepL 27 of 30. Written test: 9 of 10 giving way and 18 of 20 road rules	$29.70
WA	Computerised Theory Test (CTT)	30	24 of 30	$22.40; resit $19.20
SA	myLs online course or in-office theory test	Handbook sample: 8 give way diagrams plus 42 questions	Sample: all 8 give way, then 32 of 42	$44 (myLs is a once-only fee)
TAS	Plates Plus course and online test, or standalone test at Service Tasmania	30	27 of 30	Free (you pay only the $40.68 learner licence fee)
ACT	Pre-Learner Licence Course plus ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test	2019 handbook: 35	2019 handbook: mandatory questions, plus up to 4 wrong on the rest	Set by the course provider; some providers are free
NT	Driver knowledge test (theory test)	30, from a pool of 300+	26 of 30	$20 per attempt; free with DriveSafe NT

Fees change, usually on 1 July. Check the current figure with your transport department before you pay.

State by state: what each test involves

NSW Driver Knowledge Test

• Online: a 4 to 6 hour course with the test built in. Enrol from 15 years 11 months. If you fail, review the modules and retake after 12 hours.
• In person: from 16 at a service centre, with interpreter, Auslan and assistant reader options.
• Questions come from the official Class C question bank (General Knowledge, Road Safety, Traffic Signs), which Transport for NSW publishes as a free PDF.
• The question count and pass mark are not on the official DKT page. Figures on unofficial sites are unconfirmed; check with Service NSW on 13 22 13.

More: NSW Driver Knowledge Test.

Victorian Learner Permit Test

• Online: an interactive 4 to 6 hour course from age 16, English only, 12 months to finish.
• In person: only if you need another language or have no computer or internet. Thirteen other languages are offered, plus free interpreters.
• Questions are based on the Road to Solo Driving handbook. VicRoads does not publish the count or pass mark.

More: VicRoads Learner Permit Test.

Queensland PrepL

• An online course and assessment with 30 multiple-choice questions. You need 27 correct.
• Enrol from 15 years 11 months. After a fail you wait 24 hours, with no extra fee during your 12 months of access.
• The older written test at a TMR centre has 10 giving way and 20 road rules questions. Ask TMR (13 23 80) whether it is open to you.

More: PrepL and the Queensland road rules test.

WA Computerised Theory Test

• 30 questions; 24 correct to pass. Sit it at a service centre or regional agent, usually when you apply for your permit.
• Metro centres need no appointment, but the test must start before 3.45pm, Monday to Friday.
• Completed Keys4Life at school in the last 2 years? You skip the test.
• Oral tests and tests with a translator are available.

More: WA Computerised Theory Test.

SA theory test

• myLs: start from 15 years 9 months. One fee buys a 12-month subscription with unlimited attempts.
• In-office test at Service SA: book ahead and pay for each attempt.
• The Driver’s Handbook prints a sample answer sheet with two parts. Part A is 8 give way diagrams, and all 8 must be right. Part B is 42 questions, and you need 32. It is an older form, so confirm the current format with Service SA (13 10 84).

More: myLs or the in-office theory test.

Tasmanian driver knowledge test

• The free Plates Plus course takes about 4 to 6 hours. You unlock the test by earning three keys.
• 30 questions; 27 to pass. Some questions have more than one correct answer. You must finish in one sitting.
• Fail online and you can retry after 12 hours. There is no practice version of the car test.

More: Tasmanian driver knowledge test and Plates Plus.

ACT pre-learner course and road rules test

• A 10-hour course in four modules, then a 35-question course assessment and the ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test. Both are run by approved providers, and many schools offer them.
• The test result is valid for 2 years.
• Practise on the official Licence Knowledge Trainer (377 questions).

More: ACT pre-learner course and road rules test.

NT driver knowledge test

• 30 questions picked at random from a pool of more than 300. You need 26 correct.
• Sit it at any MVR office from age 16. Verbal tests and interpreters are available at some offices.
• A pass is valid for 12 months. The Learner Drivers’ Guide says you cannot sit more than once a day.

More: NT driver knowledge test.

Retakes compared

State	If you fail
NSW	Online: retake after 12 hours, no extra fee. In person: pay again; same-day resit if a slot is free
VIC	Further online attempts are charged. Check the current fee on the VicRoads Ls and Ps fees page
QLD	PrepL: wait 24 hours, no extra fee within 12 months. Written test: pay each attempt
WA	Resit on another day for $19.20
SA	myLs: unlimited attempts within the subscription. In office: book and pay again
TAS	Online: retry after 12 hours. Standalone: next business day, or switch to online
ACT	Arranged through your course provider
NT	Pay $20 again; no more than once a day

How to prepare, whatever your state

1. Read your state handbook in full. Every test draws on it.
2. Use the official practice material. NSW and the NT publish their full question banks. WA has 11 free quizzes, Queensland has a practice road rules test, and the ACT has the Licence Knowledge Trainer.
3. Give giving way the most time. It is a set block in Queensland and SA, and SA’s sample needs 8 out of 8. See giving way in Australia.
4. Learn the learner rules you will drive under the next day: speed caps, zero alcohol and phone bans. See learner licence rules in every state compared.
5. Revise Australian road signs and roundabout rules.

Common questions

Which state has the hardest learner test?

No state publishes pass rates, so there is no official answer. By pass mark, Queensland PrepL and Tasmania are the strictest of those published (27 of 30). SA’s sample sheet allows no give way errors at all.

Can I sit the learner test before I turn 16?

In NSW, Queensland and Tasmania you can enrol in the online course from 15 years 11 months, and in SA’s myLs from 15 years 9 months. The permit is issued from 16. In the ACT you can get your learner licence from 15 years 9 months.

Does a learner test pass from one state count in another?

The test itself does not transfer. If you move with a current learner licence, ask the new state about converting it. See driving interstate on L or P plates.

Can I take the test in another language?

Mostly yes, but how varies. NSW offers set languages online and in person. VIC offers 13 languages in person, WA offers translators and oral tests, the NT offers interpreters, and Tasmania offers free professional interpreters for the standalone test. Ask your department when you book.

How long is a test pass valid?

It is 2 years in the ACT, 12 months in the NT and 5 years in WA. In Queensland a PrepL pass lasts 5 years. In Tasmania you have 12 months from passing online to collect your Ls.

Are there official practice tests?

NSW, Queensland, WA and the ACT offer official practice. NSW and the NT also publish their question banks. Tasmania has no practice version of the car test; its course works as practice.

Sources

• NSW Government, “Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)” (nsw.gov.au)
• NSW Government, “Licence and test fees” (nsw.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Driver Knowledge Test Questions Class C (Car) Licence” (nsw.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Learner Permit Test” and “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Driver tests: written and online” and “Licence fees” (qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Enrol in PrepL” (service.transport.qld.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Take the Computerised Theory Test (CTT)” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• SA.GOV.AU, “Complete the myLs course online” (sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth, “Getting your learner licence” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
• Transport Services Tasmania, “Licensing and assessment fees” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “Get your learner driver licence” and “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• City Services, “Learner and provisional driver safety” (cityservices.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” and “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide” (nt.gov.au)

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

In every Australian state and territory you must dip your high beam when an oncoming vehicle is within 200 metres, and when you are driving 200 metres or less behind another vehicle. This explainer covers that rule, when headlights must be on, hazard lights, and when you are allowed to use your horn. It is written for learners and P platers, and each rule is checked against the state handbooks.

The 200 metre high beam rule

Situation	Rule
Oncoming vehicle within 200 m	Dip to low beam
Driving 200 m or less behind another vehicle	Dip to low beam
Oncoming driver dips their lights first	Dip straight away (WA). The NT says whichever comes sooner: 200 m or the other driver dipping
About to overtake	You may briefly flash high beam just before you start (NSW, QLD, WA, SA, NT)

This rule appears in the NSW, Victorian, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmanian, ACT and NT material. You can use high beam on any road where these limits allow it, even with street lights (NSW, NT, ACT).

It is an offence to use your lights in a way that dazzles other road users (SA, TAS, ACT).

Dip early at crests, curves, cyclists and road trains

• Dip before a crest or curve, where an oncoming car may appear suddenly (NT).
• Dip when approaching or overtaking a cyclist or motorcyclist at night (NT).
• Dip when travelling behind a road train or heavy vehicle (NT).

When must your headlights be on?

• Between sunset and sunrise, in every state.
• Any other time you cannot see a person wearing dark clothing 100 metres away (NSW, NT).
• In hazardous weather that reduces visibility, such as rain, dust or fog (VIC, SA). SA says it is an offence to drive with only your parking lights on at these times.

Victoria’s tip: if the street lights are on, your lights should be too. Day running lights or low beam in daylight help others see you (NSW, NT). SA adds that headlights on country roads increase your safety, especially when overtaking.

If you are dazzled by high beam

1. Do not look directly at the oncoming headlights.
2. Look to the left side of the road and keep to the left of your lane.
3. Slow down. If you cannot see, stop or pull over until your eyes recover (NSW, VIC, WA, SA, ACT, NT).

If oncoming drivers keep flashing you while you are on low beam, have your headlights checked. Badly aimed lights can dazzle others (NT). Check the aim when the car is heavily loaded or towing.

Driving at night: speed and your headlights

Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance your headlights show to be clear (WA, SA, ACT). Keep the windscreen and lights clean inside and out, and do not wear tinted glasses at night unless an eye specialist advises it (WA).

Fog lights

Fog lights are only legal when fog, heavy rain, smoke or dust reduces visibility, and must be switched off when it clears. Full state-by-state rules: driving in rain, fog, smoke and floods.

When can you use hazard lights?

Only when your vehicle:

• is stopped and could obstruct traffic or pedestrians
• is moving slowly and could obstruct others
• is being towed (TAS)
• is stopped in an emergency stopping lane
• is in hazardous weather, such as fog or smoke
• uses them as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device (NT)

Hazard lights do not make illegal parking legal (TAS).

When are you allowed to use your horn?

Only to warn others. The handbooks list:

• warning other road users of your approach or position
• warning animals to get off the road (NSW, TAS, NT)
• as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device (NSW, TAS, NT)

Not allowed:

• using the horn to greet someone, or because you are annoyed with another driver (NT)
• using it to scare or intimidate cyclists, pedestrians or horse riders (NSW)
• unnecessary or offensive noise. SA also bans musical horns

Near horses, do not sound your horn (NSW, NT, SA). For animals on the road at night, SA and the ACT suggest braking and sounding the horn.

Common questions

How far away must I dip my high beam?

200 metres from an oncoming vehicle, and when you are 200 metres or less behind another vehicle.

Can I use high beam in the city?

Yes, if no vehicle is within 200 metres ahead or coming towards you. Street lights do not stop you using it.

Is flashing your headlights illegal?

You may briefly flash high beam to signal that you are about to overtake. Using lights to dazzle someone is an offence. Victoria says only flash your headlights or use the horn to warn other drivers about a situation that could be dangerous.

Do I need headlights on in the rain during the day?

Yes, when the rain reduces visibility (VIC, SA). NSW and the NT also say turn them on when it starts to rain.

Can I beep my horn to say goodbye?

No. The horn is only for warning others of danger or your position.

Related: the Australian Road Rules explained, kangaroos and wildlife at night and overtaking, merging and changing lanes.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Other common road rules” (qld.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, “The Driver’s Handbook”, February 2026 (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of State Growth Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules, Version 2.1” (transport.tas.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Mark Thomas, Pexels

A tyre blow-out, brake failure, skid or stuck accelerator gives you seconds to react. This guide gathers the step-by-step advice from the official Australian handbooks, mainly WA’s Drive Safe, the ACT Road Rules Handbook and the NT Road Users’ Handbook. Read it before you need it, and talk it through with your supervisor. It is general guidance only: every situation is different, and your car’s owner’s manual has advice for your model.

Quick reference

Emergency	First thing to do	Do not
Tyre blow-out	Grip the wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator	Brake suddenly or oversteer
Brake failure	Pump the brake pedal hard and fast, then change down a gear	Yank the park brake on hard
Stuck accelerator	Clutch in (manual) or select Neutral (automatic), then brake firmly	Turn the engine off while still moving fast
Skid	Ease off the brake or accelerator so the wheels grip again	Make sudden, harsh movements
Drift off the road edge	Keep the wheels straight and let the car slow	Jerk the wheel back onto the road
Car fire	Stop, ignition off, everyone out and away	Touch burning wires with bare hands

What to do if a tyre blows out

A front tyre blow-out pulls the car towards the side of the blown tyre. A rear one makes the back of the car sway from side to side (WA, NT, SA, ACT).

1. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
2. Do not brake suddenly, and do not over-correct with the steering.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator.
4. Once you have control, brake gently, keeping the car straight.
5. Pull over somewhere safe and switch on your hazard lights.

Keep tyres at the right pressure and with tread at least 1.5 mm deep. Worn or badly inflated tyres reduce grip (WA, NT).

What to do if your brakes fail

1. Pump the brake pedal hard and fast. This may build enough pressure to work the brakes for a while (WA, ACT, VIC, NT).
2. Change to a lower gear, in a manual or an automatic.
3. Apply the park brake gently, gradually increasing pressure. Sudden pressure can lock the rear wheels and cause a skid (NT, ACT).
4. Use your horn and flash your headlights to warn others.
5. Steer to avoid a serious collision and move to the side of the road (VIC, WA).
6. Stop with the park brake and switch on your hazard lights.

What about ABS brakes?

In an emergency stop with anti-lock brakes, do not pump the pedal. Keep it pressed down hard and steer away from danger (NT). Pumping is only for a pedal that has lost pressure.

What to do if the accelerator sticks

If you lift off the pedal and the car keeps going at the same speed or speeds up, the accelerator is stuck (WA, ACT).

1. Push the clutch in (manual) or select N for Neutral (automatic).
2. Brake firmly without locking the wheels.
3. Find a safe place to pull off the road and stop.
4. Once stopped, turn off the ignition and switch on your hazard lights.

How to control a skid

A skid is almost always caused by the driver: harsh braking, harsh acceleration, rough steering or too much speed (WA, NT). Wet roads, oil, gravel, sand, painted lines and bald tyres make skids more likely.

Prevention is the ABC: accelerate gently, brake gently, corner gently (WA, NT).

The ACT handbook explains the main types of skid:

Skid	Usual cause	What to do
Rear wheel skid	Too much braking entering a corner, or too much power leaving one in a rear-wheel-drive car	Ease off the accelerator or brake, and steer in the direction the rear is sliding. Once under control, steer where you want to go
Front wheel skid	Too much speed or harsh steering. Too much power when cornering in a front-wheel-drive car	Unwind the steering slightly and ease off the accelerator. If caused by braking, ease the brake so the front wheels roll and steering returns
Four wheel skid	Too much braking, often with speed or harsh steering into a bend	Release the brake pressure without taking your foot off, then reapply without locking the wheels

The best skid is no skid at all (ACT).

If you drift off the edge of the road

Rollovers are a major cause of deaths in the NT, often when a driver drifts onto the gravel edge and over-corrects (NT).

1. Keep a firm grip and drive in a straight line.
2. Let the car slow down gradually. The NT handbook says do this without braking.
3. Check for traffic, then ease back onto the road (WA, ACT, NT).

Other emergencies

Shattered or cracked windscreen

Most windscreens are laminated and only crack. If yours shatters and you cannot see: slow down, look out through the side window, touch the brake to warn drivers behind, and stop as far left as is safe (NT, SA). The NT handbook adds what to do after you stop, including covering the air vents so glass does not get blown in.

Bonnet flies up

Slow down. Look through the gap under the bonnet hinge or out the side window, brake smoothly and pull off the road (WA).

Car fire

1. Slow down, stop and turn off the ignition.
2. Get everyone out and well away. Petrol may explode.
3. Use a fire extinguisher if you have one and it is safe.
4. Never touch burning wires or insulation with bare hands.
5. Call 000 (WA, ACT).

Possible head-on collision

Brake firmly without skidding, flash your lights and sound the horn. Give the other car as much room as possible and look for an escape route, including leaving the road if you must (WA, ACT).

Stalled on a railway crossing

If a train is coming, get everyone out immediately. See railway level crossings in Australia for WA’s full procedure.

Animal on the road

Do not swerve at speed. Brake in a straight line (NT). See kangaroos and wildlife on Australian roads.

Common questions

Should I brake hard if a tyre blows out?

No. Hold the wheel, lift off the accelerator, and brake gently only once you have control.

Can I turn the engine off if the accelerator sticks?

The handbooks say select Neutral or push in the clutch first, brake, and turn the ignition off once you have stopped. The ACT handbook notes that when the engine is not running, power assistance for the steering and brakes is lost.

Do I pump the brakes in an emergency?

Only if the pedal has lost pressure (brake failure). With working ABS brakes, press hard and hold.

Which way do I steer in a skid?

For a rear wheel skid, steer in the direction the back of the car is sliding, then towards where you want to go (ACT).

What do I do after the car is stopped?

Hazard lights on, get safely off the road and call for help. See what to do after a crash for breakdowns and crashes.

Related: the Australian Road Rules explained, driving in rain, fog, smoke and floods and WA driving techniques for safer drivers.

Sources

• Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users” (transport.wa.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)
• Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook”, February 2026 (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” (transport.vic.gov.au)

Photo: Mark Thomas, Pexels

Driver fatigue is one of the biggest killers on Australian roads. In NSW it accounts for around 20% of road deaths each year. This guide is for learners, P platers and anyone planning a long drive. It covers the warning signs, microsleeps, why coffee does not fix it, and how to plan rest breaks. The only cure for fatigue is sleep.

Key facts

• Being awake for about 17 hours affects your driving like a BAC of 0.05 (NSW, NT, SA, WA). After 24 hours it is like 0.10 (NT, SA).
• For learners and P platers on a zero alcohol limit, that means 17 hours awake is like driving well over your legal limit.
• A 4 second microsleep at 100 km/h means more than 110 metres with no one in control (NSW, ACT).
• The risk of a fatal fatigue crash is four times greater between 10 pm and 6 am (ACT, NT).
• Plan a break of about 15 minutes every two hours (ACT, NT, SA).

What are the warning signs of fatigue?

Pull over as soon as you notice any of these (NSW, ACT, NT, VIC):

• yawning
• sore, tired or heavy eyes, or blurry vision
• poor concentration or daydreaming
• restlessness, boredom or feeling irritable
• slow reactions
• making fewer and larger steering corrections
• drifting in your lane or across lane lines
• missing road signs
• your speed creeping up or down without meaning to
• not remembering the last few kilometres
• trouble keeping your head up

Do not try to push through. NSW warns: do not wait for a microsleep, because by then it is too late.

What is a microsleep?

A microsleep is a brief, unintended loss of consciousness. It happens when you try to stay awake during a boring task like driving. The NSW and ACT handbooks say it can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Signs include head snapping, nodding, or your eyes closing for more than a couple of seconds.

WA says microsleeps are the main cause of fatigue crashes where the car runs off the road. They are usually the most serious, because the driver does not brake before hitting a tree, another car or the gravel.

What causes driver fatigue?

Cause	What the handbooks say
Not enough sleep	The average person needs about 8 hours, and teenagers need more. Less than that builds a “sleep debt” that only sleep repays (NSW, NT, ACT)
Time of day	Your body clock switches you off between about midnight and 6 am (WA). SA also flags 1 pm to 5 pm as a tired time
Time awake	Risk rises sharply after 17 hours awake (ACT)
Driving straight after waking	“Sleep inertia” lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Wait before driving (NSW, NT)
Long stretches at the wheel	Driving more than 2 hours non-stop (VIC)
Lifestyle	Parties, late-night jobs, study and shift work (VIC, WA)
Medical and medicines	Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea (SA) and medicines that cause drowsiness (VIC, SA)

Does coffee or opening the window help?

No. The Victorian handbook says coffee and short breaks do not stop fatigue. SA says listening to the radio, drinking coffee and opening the windows are not enough on long trips. If you are tired, pull well off the road and sleep.

NSW recommends a nap of about 20 minutes.

How to plan a long drive

1. Sleep well the night before. SA says seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
2. Do not start a long drive after work or at the end of the day (SA, ACT).
3. Avoid driving between 10 pm and 6 am, or when you would normally be asleep (VIC, ACT).
4. Limit your day. SA says aim not to travel more than eight to ten hours a day. The NT says avoid more than 10 hours.
5. Schedule breaks of 15 to 20 minutes every two hours, even if you do not feel tired (SA, ACT, NT).
6. Share the driving and ask passengers to tell you if you look tired (SA).
7. Eat light and drink water. Avoid fatty food, too much coffee and sweet soft drinks. Dehydration causes fatigue (NSW, ACT).
8. No alcohol before or during the trip.

Where to stop: rest areas and Driver Reviver

• Rest areas are open 24 hours a day, every day, and are signposted (NSW, ACT). In the NT they are every 80 to 120 km on major roads.
• You must not camp in a NSW rest area. In the NT, unless signposted, you cannot stay longer than 24 hours.
• Truck parking bays are for heavy vehicles. Avoid them in a car (NT).
• Driver Reviver sites run during peak holiday periods such as Christmas, Easter and long weekends, offering a free cup of tea or coffee and a snack (NSW, ACT).
• Petrol stations, parks and country towns are good places to stop too.

Fatigue in the outback

Long distances in high temperatures cause fatigue (NT). Plan fuel, water and rest stops before you leave. See outback and remote driving and country driving in WA.

Fatigue and new drivers

NSW crash data shows P1 drivers are the most likely to crash, and SA says young drivers’ risk is highest late at night, especially on weekend nights and with more than one passenger. Several states limit P1 late-night driving or passengers. See P plate rules compared. WA warns that if you crash because you are not alert, you are likely to be held responsible.

Common questions

How long can you drive before taking a break?

The handbooks recommend a break every two hours. There is no legal limit for car drivers in these handbooks, but SA advises no more than eight to ten hours of driving a day.

Is driving tired as bad as drink driving?

It can be. Being awake for 17 hours affects driving like a BAC of 0.05, and 24 hours like 0.10.

Will an energy drink keep me awake?

The handbooks say caffeine does not fix fatigue and suggest avoiding sweet soft drinks and too much coffee. Only sleep works.

How long should a nap be?

About 20 minutes works best (NSW). Wait until you are fully awake before you drive off.

Can I sleep in my car at a rest area?

A short rest, yes. You cannot camp in NSW rest areas, and in the NT you cannot stay more than 24 hours unless signposted.

Who is to blame if I crash because I was tired?

You are. WA’s handbook says a driver who crashes because they were not alert is likely to be held responsible.

Related: the Australian Road Rules explained, kangaroos and wildlife on Australian roads and zero alcohol for learners and P platers.

Sources

• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” (transport.vic.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, “The Driver’s Handbook”, February 2026 (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
• Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)