Photo: Kat Smith, Pexels
Until 1 December 2020, Tasmanian learners went through two stages, L1 and L2, with a separate L2 assessment between them. On that date the two stages were merged into one learner licence, and the changes brought new rules for hours, phones, speed, passengers and plates. This page explains what changed and which rules apply if you held an L1, L2, P1 or P2 licence on that date.
What changed on 1 December 2020?
- One learner period replaced L1 and L2.
- 80 compulsory logbook hours, including 15 at night.
- No hands-free phone use during the learner and P1 stages.
- New maximum speeds: 90 km/h for learners and 100 km/h for P1.
- A Hazard Perception Test before P1. It started on 7 March 2022.
- Peer passenger restrictions for P1 drivers under 25.
- Green P plates in the P2 stage.
- A single licence card covering P1 and P2, and the safer driver reward for offence-free Ps.
Why were L1 and L2 combined? The government dropped the L2 assessment in response to COVID-19 and then merged the two periods. Learners now buy one learner licence instead of two and make fewer visits to Service Tasmania. The minimum time on a learner licence did not change.
Which rules apply to you?
| Licence held on 1 December 2020 | Logbook hours | Minimum learner time | Hazard Perception Test | Other new rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None (started after the change) | 80, including 15 at night | 12 continuous months | Yes | All current rules |
| L1 | 80, including 15 at night | 12 continuous months | Yes | All current learner and P rules |
| L2 | 50 (unchanged) | 9 continuous months (unchanged) | No | Phone ban, 90 and 100 km/h caps, no towing as a learner, P1 peer passenger limit, green P2 plates |
| P1 | Not applicable | Not applicable | No | Total phone ban on P1, 100 km/h cap, green P2 plates, separate P2 card at a reduced fee |
| P2 | Not applicable | Not applicable | No | None: no green plates required, posted limit, hands-free phone still allowed |
In every group, zero blood or breath alcohol still applies through the learner and provisional stages. Everyone who completes P1 and P2 without an offence may be eligible for the safer driver reward.
If you held an L1 licence
- Hours logged in either the L1 or L2 logbook are accepted.
- You can sit the P1 assessment after holding the licence for 12 continuous months. To find your date, add nine months to the “earliest L2 test date” on your L1 card.
- You must pass the HPT before booking the P1 assessment, unless you had an active booking made before 7 March 2022.
- RYDA credit hours (5 hours) apply to L1 holders who did a course from 2020 onwards.
If you held an L2 licence
- You need 50 logbook hours and nine continuous months on the L2. Your supervisor signs the Supervisory Driver table in the middle of the L2 logbook.
- You don’t sit the HPT.
- Your P1 eligibility exemption threshold is 6 months, not 9, if you meet the exceptional circumstances criteria.
- Once on P1 you follow the current P1 rules, including the peer passenger limit if you are under 25.
Common questions
Does Tasmania still have an L2 test?
No. The L2 assessment was removed, and new learners hold a single learner licence.
What happened to L1 and L2 in Tasmania?
They were replaced by one novice learner licence on 1 December 2020. Existing holders kept a transition pathway, shown in the table above.
I’m a former L2 holder. Do I need 80 hours?
No. If you held an L2 on 1 December 2020, you need 50 hours and nine months.
Does the handbook still mention L1 and L2?
Yes. The 2022 Tasmanian Road Rules handbook says learners “(including L1 and L2 licences)” must not exceed 90 km/h, and its towing section refers to L1 and L2. Today the same rules apply to all learners. See the handbook study guide.
Can former L1 or L2 holders use the logbook app?
Yes. The Plates Plus logbook app is open to anyone with an active novice learner licence, including L1 and L2 licences held before the change.
Back to learning to drive in Tasmania. Related: learner rules and logbook hours, the Hazard Perception Test and P1 and P2 rules.
Sources
- Department of State Growth, “How am I affected?” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “December 2020 licensing changes” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “General frequently asked questions” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Getting your P1s” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “P1 eligibility exemption” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Hazard Perception Test” and “Hazard perception test FAQs” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Plates Plus logbook app” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, Version 2.1 (transport.tas.gov.au)