Category: Australia

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

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

Key facts

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

The checklist every state shares

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

State by state: documents, logbook and timing

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

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

Car rules by state

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

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

Five-minute car check the night before

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

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

What happens if your car is refused?

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

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

On the day: timeline

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

Common questions

Can I use my instructor’s car?

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

Can I use a car with an electronic park brake?

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

Do I need my supervisor at the test?

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

My logbook app has not synced. What now?

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

Can I bring a reversing camera?

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

What if I am sick on test day?

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

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

Sources

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

Photo: Melike B, Pexels

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

Key facts

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

Automatic licence conditions compared

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

NSW: P1 only

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

Victoria: the A condition for your whole P period

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

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

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

Queensland: condition code A

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

Western Australia: C or C-A class

WA issues two car classes:

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

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

South Australia: no automatic restriction

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

Tasmania: the 3-year rule

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

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

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

ACT: the A condition

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

Northern Territory: the first 12 months

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

Should you test in an automatic or a manual?

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

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

Worked examples

A Victorian who passes in an automatic at 18

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

A NSW driver who passes in an automatic

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

A Tasmanian who passes in an automatic

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

Common questions

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

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

What happens if I drive a manual while restricted?

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

Does the restriction apply when I drive interstate?

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

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

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

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

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

Do I pay to remove the condition?

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

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

Sources

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

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

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

Key facts

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

Documents for a learner licence, state by state

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

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

NSW: List 1 and List 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Victoria: one category A and one category B

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

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

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

Queensland: three originals

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

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

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

Western Australia: five documents in set combinations

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

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

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

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

South Australia: primary and secondary evidence

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

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

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

Tasmania: three documents

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

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

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

ACT: proof of identity and residency

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

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

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

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

Northern Territory: become an MVR customer first

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No birth certificate or not enough documents?

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

Before you go: checklist

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

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

Common questions

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

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

Is a birth certificate extract good enough?

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

Does my school ID count?

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

I have an overseas passport. Is that enough?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources

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

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)