ACT learner's permit rules at a glance

In the Australian Capital Territory, a learner's permit (called an ACT learner licence) comes with specific restrictions on when you can drive, who must be in the car with you, and what roads you can use. You cannot drive alone, you must display L-plates, and you are banned from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work or a medical appointment. The supervising driver must hold a full licence, sit in the front passenger seat, and be sober.

These rules exist because learner drivers have not yet passed their driving test. The restrictions are designed to build your experience gradually under supervision before you move to a provisional licence.

Key Takeaways

  • You must display red L-plates on the front and back of the vehicle at all times while driving on a learner licence.
  • A supervising driver with a full ACT licence must sit in the front passenger seat whenever you are behind the wheel.
  • You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. except to or from work, medical appointments, or other essential services.
  • You are not allowed to drive on certain roads, including some motorways and high-speed roads, depending on your learner stage.
  • Breaching these conditions can result in fines, demerit points, and suspension of your learner licence.

Who can supervise you and where they must sit

Your supervising driver must hold a current full ACT driver's licence (or an equivalent licence from another Australian state or territory). They cannot be a learner driver themselves, and they cannot hold a provisional licence. The supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and must sit in the front passenger seat next to you at all times — not in the back seat or anywhere else in the vehicle.

The supervising driver must be sober and capable of giving you directions and feedback. If they are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, they cannot supervise you, and you should not drive. If you are stopped by police and your supervising driver is found to be over the legal alcohol limit, both you and the supervising driver can face penalties.

L-plate requirements and visibility

You must display red L-plates on both the front and back of your vehicle whenever you are driving on a learner licence. The L-plates must be clearly visible and in good condition — faded, damaged, or obscured plates can result in a fine. The plates alert other road users that you are a learner driver and may be driving more cautiously or making wider turns.

If you are caught driving without L-plates, or with plates that are not clearly visible, you can be fined. This is one of the most common breaches of learner licence conditions, so check your plates before every drive.

Driving hours: the midnight to 5 a.m. restriction

You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, a medical appointment, or another essential service. This restriction applies every night, including weekends and public holidays. If you need to drive during these hours for work or a medical reason, you should carry evidence with you — a work roster, a medical appointment letter, or a prescription — in case you are stopped by police.

The rationale behind this rule is that fatigue and reduced visibility make night driving more dangerous for inexperienced drivers. Even if you feel alert, the restriction is in place to protect you and other road users. Driving outside these permitted hours without a valid reason can result in a fine and demerit points.

Roads you cannot drive on as a learner

Some roads in the ACT are off-limits to learner drivers, or are restricted depending on which stage of the learner programme you are in. Generally, learner drivers cannot drive on certain motorways or high-speed roads until they have held their learner licence for a minimum period and have completed additional training or assessment.

The specific roads that are restricted can change, so check the ACT Road Safety Camera Commissioner's website or the ACT Legislation Register for the current list. Your learner licence documentation should also outline which roads you can and cannot use. If you are unsure whether a particular road is open to learner drivers, do not drive on it — the penalty is not worth the risk.

Speed limits and other driving rules that explore to learners

As a learner driver, you must obey all standard road rules, including speed limits, traffic lights, and give-way signs. In addition, many ACT learner licences carry a condition that you must not exceed a certain speed — often 80 km/h or 90 km/h, depending on your learner stage and the road conditions. Check your licence card or your learner licence conditions to confirm your speed limit.

You must also follow all other road rules: wear a seatbelt, do not use a mobile phone while driving (except hands-free), and do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Breaching any of these rules can result in fines, demerit points, and suspension of your learner licence. If you accumulate too many demerit points, your licence can be cancelled.

What happens if you breach learner licence conditions

If you are caught breaching any of the conditions on your learner licence — such as driving without a supervising driver, driving without L-plates, or driving during prohibited hours — you can be fined by police. The amount of the fine varies depending on the breach, but fines for learner licence breaches typically range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars.

In addition to fines, you may receive demerit points on your licence. Accumulating too many demerit points can result in suspension or cancellation of your learner licence. If your licence is cancelled, you will have to reapply and may have to wait a set period before you can do so. Serious or repeated breaches can also result in prosecution in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my supervising driver sit in the back seat instead of the front?

No. ACT rules require the supervising driver to sit in the front passenger seat at all times. If they sit in the back, you are driving without proper supervision and can be fined. The front-seat requirement ensures the supervising driver can see the road ahead and give you when ready feedback or take control if needed.

What if I need to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. for work?

You can drive during these hours if you are driving to or from work. Carry evidence of your work schedule — a roster, a letter from your employer, or a payslip — in case you are stopped by police. The same applies if you are driving to or from a medical appointment or another essential service.

What is the speed limit for learner drivers in the ACT?

Your speed limit depends on your learner licence conditions and the road you are on. Many learner licences carry a condition limiting you to 80 km/h or 90 km/h, even on roads where the posted limit is higher. Check your licence card or your conditions document to confirm your limit.

Can I drive on the Canberra Bypass or other motorways?

Some motorways and high-speed roads are restricted for learner drivers, or are only open after you have held your learner licence for a certain period. Check the ACT Legislation Register or your learner licence conditions for the current list of restricted roads. If you are unsure, do not drive on the road.

What happens if I accumulate demerit points on my learner licence?

Accumulating too many demerit points can result in suspension or cancellation of your learner licence. If your licence is cancelled, you will have to reapply and may have to wait a set period before you can do so. The exact number of points that triggers suspension or cancellation varies, so check the ACT road rules for current thresholds.