Driver's licences in Australia refer to the official permit required for a person to legally drive a motor vehicle in Australia. The issue of driver's licences, alongside the regulation and enforcement of road use, are all managed by state and territory governments.
As no Australia-wide licensing scheme exists, rules for the issue of licences vary by jurisdiction. Nevertheless, licences are generally recognised and valid in other states and territories. Since 1997, nationwide uniform arrangements have been in place for the regulation of full driver's licences for motor vehicles, as well as their renewal.National Driver Licensing Scheme policy
Australia's lack of identity cards has led to driving licences becoming the de facto photo ID used in everyday situations. In 2017, the federal government proposed creation of a national drivers licence database that would involve state or territory governments handing over the identities of drivers in a stated bid to toughen national security laws. The national ID database would be used to monitor public events, but could be transferred to a national drivers licence system with agreement from the states.
Classes of licences All states and territories in Australia have a uniform driver licence system.
Class Type Description C Car licence Covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) and tow a single trailer up to 9 tonnes GVM or to the manufacturer's specifications (whichever is less). 13.5 tonnes max GCM. The licence allows the holder to drive cars, utilities, vans, some light trucks, car-based motor tricycles, tractors and implements such as graders, vehicles that seat up to 12 adults, including the driver. R Rider licence Applies to motorcycle riders with any registrable motorcycle. RE Restricted Rider licence Covers motorcycles matching the LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) list of motorcycles of each state. Generally this means abiding by a power-to-weight ratio and a total engine size limit. Riders must hold this licence for 12 months before being permitted to upgrade to a R class motorcycle licence. LR Light Rigid licence Covers a rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes up to 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. This class also includes vehicles with a GVM up to 8 tonnes which carry more than 12 adults including the driver. A holder of a LR licence is also permitted to drive vehicles in class C. MR Medium Rigid licence Covers a rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM of more than 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. A holder of a MR licence is also permitted to drive vehicles in class LR and lower. HR Heavy Rigid licence Covers a rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles and a GVM of more than 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. This class also includes articulated buses. A holder of an HR licence is also permitted to drive vehicles in class MR and lower. HC Heavy Combination licence Covers heavy combination vehicles like a prime mover towing a semi-trailer, or rigid vehicles towing a trailer with a GVM of more than 9 tonnes. A holder of an HC licence is also permitted to drive vehicles in class HR and lower. MC Multi-Combination licence Covers multi-combination vehicles like road trains and B-double vehicles. A holder of an MC licence is also permitted to drive vehicles in class HC and lower.
The medical standards for drivers of commercial vehicles are set by the National Transport Commission and Austroads. The driver of a vehicle carrying paying passengers (such as a school bus or tourist coach) is required to hold a driver licence depending on the size of the vehicle as well as a "Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Authority" which is issued by the state or territory issuing authority.
States and territories can issue solo car licences for automatic transmissions only. Drivers with an 'A' condition are not able to drive manual vehicles without supervision, whereas non-condition holders can operate both. In South Australia, there is no 'A' condition and licence holders can drive manual vehicles if they passed a driving test in an automatic vehicle. In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and the Northern Territory, 'A' condition holders can drive manual vehicles after holding Ps for 12 months or passing a manual vehicle driving test. In Tasmania and Victoria, 'A' condition holders can drive manual vehicles after they have their unrestricted licence or passing a driving test in a manual vehicle. In Queensland and Western Australia, 'A' condition holders – including those with unrestricted licences – must take a manual vehicle driving test to remove the restriction. In all states and territories, the condition will not be applied to moving interstate and overseas drivers who don't have an equivalent licence restriction.
Car licences – rules by jurisdiction Graduated Licensing System comparison between states and territories JurisdictionLicensing authorityLearner permit minimum ageLs minimum holding periodLs minimum supervised hoursP1 licence minimum ageP2 licence minimum ageUnrestricted licence minimum ageUnrestricted licence validityAustralian Capital TerritoryAccess Canberra(Road Transport Authority)15 years,9 months12 months(aged under 25)6 months(aged 25+)100 hours(aged under 25)50 hours(aged 25+)17 years18 years20 years10 years or 5 yearsNew South WalesTransport for NSW16 years12 months(aged under 25)120 hours(aged under 25)17 years18 years20 years10 years, 5 years, 3 years, or 1 yearNorthern TerritoryDepartment of Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics(Motor Vehicle Registry)16 years6 monthsNone16 years,6 monthsN/A18 years,6 months10 years, 5 years, 2 years, or 1 yearQueenslandDepartment of Transport & Main Roads16 years12 months100 hours(aged under 25)17 years18 years20 years5 years to 1 yearSouth AustraliaDepartment for Infrastructure & Transport16 years12 months(aged under 25)6 months(aged 25+)75 hours17 years18 years20 years10 years to 1 yearTasmaniaDepartment of State Growth(Motor Vehicle Registry)16 years12 months80 hours17 years18 years20 years5 years to 1 yearVictoriaVicRoads16 years12 months(aged under 21)6 months(aged 21–24)3 months(aged 25+)120 hours(aged under 21)18 years19 years22 years10 years or 3 yearsWestern AustraliaDepartment of Transport & Major Infrastructure16 years6 months50 hours(aged under 25)17 years17 years,6 months19 years5 years or 1 year
P plate rules comparison between states and territories JurisdictionPlate styleMinimum ageMinimum periodSpeed restrictionsPassenger/driving time restrictionsDemerit pointsMobile phone and device restrictionsVehicle restrictionsTrailer restrictionsAustralian Capital Territory17 years1 yearPosted speed limitOne passenger between 11 pm and 5 am who is aged between 16 and 22 years except family members4 within 3 yearsOnly navigation and playing audio, if mounted or inbuiltNo restrictionsTrailer must not exceed 750 kg GVM18 years2 yearsNo restrictionsNo restrictionsNew South Wales17 years1 yearOne passenger under 21 between 11 pm and 5 am unless exempted4 within 12 monthsOnly allowed to show digital licence when instructed by a police officer or use wallet/access functionsPower-to-weight ratio must not exceed 130 kW per tonne, no significant engine modifications, or other specifications or data suggesting that it is a high risk for novice driversTrailer must not exceed 250 kg when unloaded18 years2 yearsNo restrictions7 within 3 yearsNo restrictionsNorthern Territory16 years,6 months2 yearsNo restrictions5 within 12 months or 12 within 3 yearsNot allowed at allNo restrictionsNo restrictionsQueensland17 years1 yearPosted speed limitOne passenger under 21 between 11 pm and 5 am except immediate family members4 within 12 monthsNot allowed at allPower-to-weight ratio must not exceed 130 kW per tonne, or engine has not been significantly modified to increase performanceNo restrictions18 years2 yearsNo restrictionsHands-free use of mobile phones/devices allowedSouth Australia17 years1 yearDriving banned between 12 am and 5 am; cannot carry more than one passenger aged 16 to 20 years except immediate family members4 within 3 yearsNot allowed at allPower-to-weight ratio must not exceed 130 kW per tonne, or no engine modifications after manufacture to increase performanceNo restrictionsN/A18 years2 yearsNo restrictionsHands-free use of mobile phones/devices allowedTasmania17 years1 yearMust not carry more than one peer passenger aged 16 to less than 22 excluding spouses/domestic partners or immediate family4 within 12 monthsNot allowed at allNo restrictionsNo restrictions18 years2 yearsPosted speed limitNo restrictionsHands-free use of mobile phones/devices allowedVictoria18 years1 yearPosted speed limitMust not carry more than one peer passenger aged 16 to less than 22 excluding spouses/domestic partners and siblings/step-siblings5 within 12 months or 12 within 3 yearsOnly navigation and playing audio, if mounted or inbuiltPower-to-weight ratio must not exceed 130 kW per tonne, or no engine modifications after manufacture to increase performanceNot allowed19 years3 yearsNo restrictionsNo restrictionsWestern Australia17 years6 monthsPosted speed limitDriving banned between 12 am and 5 am; cannot carry more than one passenger except immediate family members4 (start of Ls to 12 months on Ps)8 (start of Ls to end of Ps)Hands-free only to make or receive a phone call, listen to music/audio, or navigateNo restrictionsNo restrictions17 years,6 months1 year,6 monthsNo restrictions
Australian Capital Territory The driving age in the Australian Capital Territory is 17 years, but after obtaining a licence, a driver is subject to restrictions during a three-year probationary period.
New South Wales The minimum driving age in New South Wales is 16 years. The government introduced the Graduated Licensing Scheme in 2000 and therefore learners progress from a learner licence, to a provisional P1 licence, to a provisional P2 licence and finally to a full licence over an extended period of time. After obtaining a licence, a driver continues to be subject to restrictions during a three-year probationary period.
As of 20 November 2017, the Hazard Perception Test, became a requirement for learner drivers to progress to P1 Provisional licence.
P1 and P2 drivers are also prohibited from driving a vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio of or greater than 130 kilowatts per tonne as of 1 August 2014, replacing the previous law of being prohibited from driving vehicles with 8 or more cylinders and being turbocharged or supercharged (diesel vehicles exempt) If a P1 or P2 licence holder is disqualified by a court for a serious driving offence, they will have a one-passenger condition imposed on them at all times while on their P1 or P2 licence. It is also worth noting that any time a P1 or P2 licence is suspended or disqualified will NOT count towards the 12 months/24 months needed for the holder to progress to a P2/full licence.
A provisional P2 licence (commonly known as Ps and Greens) is gained after one year on P1 licence. The driver is restricted to a speed limit of 100 km/h, a zero alcohol limit and a maximum of seven demerit points; however, they are eligible to upgrade the class of their licence to those for heavier vehicles, to a maximum of a Heavy Combination (HC). P2 drivers must conspicuously display a green-on-white "P-plate" on the exterior of the vehicle at all times. P2 drivers must hold the licence for two years before progressing to the next stage. From 1 December 2016, P2 licence holders will no longer be permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding.Know the Rules, Mobile phone road rules.
These are ID cards issued for non-drivers by the Roads and Maritime Services.
Northern Territory