What the ACT learner's permit requires

In the Australian Capital Territory, a learner's permit (L-plate) is a supervised driving stage that comes before you can sit for your driving test. You must hold an ACT learner's permit for a minimum of 12 months and accumulate at least 75 hours of supervised driving — 20 of those hours must be at night — before you can take the practical driving test for a provisional licence.

The ACT Road Transport Authority (RTA) sets these rules. You cannot skip the learner stage or reduce the 12-month waiting period, even if you have held a learner's permit in another state or country. The hours and time requirement are fixed.

To hold an ACT learner's permit, you must be at least 16 years old, hold a valid ACT learner's knowledge certificate (the written test), and have a supervising driver present at all times while you drive. Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old, hold a current full licence, and sit in the front passenger seat.

Key Takeaways

  • You must hold an ACT learner's permit for a full 12 months and log at least 75 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours at night, before you can take your driving test.
  • Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old, hold a current full licence, and sit in the front passenger seat at all times.
  • You need to pass the ACT learner's knowledge test before the RTA will issue your permit; this is a written test covering road rules and road signs.
  • Certain restrictions explore while you hold an L-plate: you cannot drive on motorways, cannot tow a trailer, and must display red L-plates on the front and back of the vehicle.
  • If you hold a learner's permit from another state or country, you can transfer it to an ACT permit, but the 12-month holding period and 75-hour requirement still explore from the date of transfer.

Getting your ACT learner's permit: the steps and documents you need

Before you can hold an ACT learner's permit, you must pass the learner's knowledge test. This is a written test run by the RTA that covers ACT road rules, road signs, and safe driving practices. You book the test through the RTA website or by phone. The test costs a fee (fees vary and are set by the RTA each year). You can sit the test at an RTA office or at an approved testing centre.

Once you pass the knowledge test, you explore for your learner's permit. You will need to provide proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of your ACT residency (such as a utility bill or lease agreement), and your learner's knowledge certificate. You submit these documents to the RTA in person, by post, or through the RTA online portal.

The RTA will issue your learner's permit once your process is processed. Your permit is valid for three years. You must carry your permit with you whenever you drive, along with your supervising driver's licence and proof of insurance.

Driving restrictions while you hold an L-plate

As an ACT learner, you cannot drive on the Canberra Monaro Highway, the Barton Highway, or any other motorway. You cannot tow a trailer or caravan. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless your supervising driver is a professional driving instructor or a parent or guardian.

You must display red L-plates (at least 17 centimetres by 17 centimetres) on the front and back of the vehicle. The L must be clearly visible and not obscured. If you do not display L-plates or breach any of these restrictions, you can be fined and your learner's permit can be suspended or cancelled.

Speed limits for learner drivers are the same as for other drivers on that road, but many learner drivers choose to drive more slowly while they build experience. There is no legal requirement to drive below the posted speed limit.

The 75-hour driving requirement and how to log your hours

You must complete at least 75 hours of supervised driving before you can take your practical driving test. Of these 75 hours, at least 20 must be completed between sunset and sunrise (night driving). The RTA does not require you to log your hours in any official document, but it is your responsibility to keep a record so you can prove you have met the requirement when you book your test.

Many learner drivers use a logbook or a straightforward spreadsheet to track their hours. You should record the date, the time of day, the distance or duration, and the road conditions (for example, "wet weather" or "heavy traffic"). This record is for your own reference; you do not submit it to the RTA, but you may be asked to declare that you have met the hours requirement when you book your driving test.

Night driving hours must be completed between sunset and sunrise. The RTA publishes sunset and sunrise times for Canberra, and you can check these times before you drive. Hours completed outside this window do not count toward your 20-hour night requirement, even if you drive in low-light conditions.

When you can take your driving test

You can book your practical driving test only after you have held your learner's permit for 12 months and completed at least 75 hours of supervised driving (including 20 hours at night). The RTA will not accept a test booking if you do not meet both conditions.

To book your test, contact the RTA by phone or through the online portal. You will need to provide your learner's permit number and declare that you have met the hours requirement. The RTA may ask you to sign a statutory declaration confirming your hours. The test itself costs a fee set by the RTA.

Your test will be conducted by an RTA examiner and will take approximately 45 minutes. The test covers vehicle safety checks, basic driving manoeuvres, and driving in real traffic. If you pass, you will be issued a provisional licence. If you do not pass, you can rebook and try again.

Transferring a learner's permit from another state or country

If you hold a learner's permit from another Australian state (such as New South Wales or Victoria) or from another country, you can transfer it to an ACT learner's permit. However, the ACT 12-month holding period and 75-hour requirement still explore from the date you transfer, even if you have already held a learner's permit elsewhere.

To transfer, you must provide your current learner's permit from the other state or country, proof of identity, and proof of ACT residency. You submit these to the RTA in person or by post. The RTA will cancel your previous permit and issue an ACT learner's permit. The transfer fee is set by the RTA.

Hours you completed in another state or country do not count toward your ACT 75-hour requirement. You must start your 75-hour log from the date your ACT permit is issued. This means if you held a learner's permit in New South Wales for 12 months and completed 75 hours there, you must still complete another 75 hours in the ACT before you can take your ACT driving test.

What happens if you breach learner permit rules

If you drive without your learner's permit, without a supervising driver, or without displaying L-plates, you can be fined. The amount varies depending on the breach. Driving on a motorway as a learner, driving between midnight and 5 a.m. without an approved supervising driver, or towing a trailer are all offences that can result in fines and demerit points.

If you accumulate too many breaches or are caught driving in a way that endangers others, your learner's permit can be suspended or cancelled. If your permit is cancelled, you must reapply and start the 12-month period again from the beginning.

If your supervising driver is found to be unlicenced, disqualified, or not holding a full licence, both you and the supervising driver can be fined. The supervising driver is responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements, but you are also responsible for checking their licence before you drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive alone once I have held my learner's permit for 12 months?

No. You must hold your learner's permit for 12 months and complete 75 hours of supervised driving before you can take your driving test. Only after you pass the test and receive your provisional licence can you drive alone. Until then, a supervising driver must always be present.

Do hours I completed on a learner's permit in New South Wales count toward my ACT 75-hour requirement?

No. When you transfer to an ACT learner's permit, your hours reset. You must complete 75 new hours in the ACT, starting from the date your ACT permit is issued. Hours from other states or countries do not transfer.

What if my supervising driver has a suspended licence?

You cannot drive. Your supervising driver must hold a current, valid full licence. If their licence is suspended, disqualified, or expired, they cannot supervise you. Both you and the supervising driver can be fined if you drive in this situation.

Can I count driving hours completed in a driving school car toward my 75 hours?

Yes. Hours completed with a professional driving instructor count toward your 75-hour requirement. The instructor must be a supervising driver who meets the ACT rules (at least 21 years old and holding a current full licence). Keep a record of these hours just as you would for hours with a family member or friend.

What if I do not complete 75 hours within the 12-month period?

You can continue to hold your learner's permit and complete your hours. There is no penalty for taking longer than 12 months to reach 75 hours. However, you cannot take your driving test until you have both held the permit for 12 months and completed the 75 hours.