ACT Driver Licence Guide
An ACT driver’s licence grants you permission to drive a motor vehicle on the road, with specific licences for trucks, cars, and motorcycles. There are three main stages of ACT driver’s licence in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) for learner and provisional drivers. The stages are Learner (restricted), Provisional P1 and P2 (restricted) and Full licence (unrestricted).
To acquire a full or unrestricted licence, you must hold a provisional licence for 3 years and then attend an Access Canberra Service Centre. In order to get a provisional licence, you need to have an ACT learner licence and meet the requirements set by the ACT Government, including the following.
- Age requirements – The ACT Government requires you to be at least 17 years old to take the ACT driving test.
- Previous driving experience – You must hold an active ACT learner driver (restricted) licence for a minimum of 12 months (6 months if aged 25 or older at the time of getting your ACT learner licence) and have driving experience to take the ACT provisional driver’s licence test.
- Health and vision requirements – Your overall health, including your vision, must be good to be allowed to take the ACT driver’s licence test.
ACT Learner Driver Licence
Obtaining Your Provisional Driver Licence
P1 Stage
If you already have an ACT learner licence, you can acquire a provisional P1 licence through:
- Scheduling a driving practical test with an examiner licensed by the government.
- Completing the Competency-Based Training and Assessment with an ACT-approved Driving Instructor who will train and assess your skills.
ACT Provisional Driver Licence
ACT Learner Licences Acquired Earlier than 1 January 2020
All ACT Learners Licences acquired earlier than the 1st of January 2020 must fulfil the following requirements to obtain a provisional licence:
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Complete a driving assessment with a Government Examiner or the Competency Based Training and Evaluation by an Accredited Driving Trainer.
- Hold an ACT Learner licence for at least 6 months.
ACT Learner Licences Acquired Later than 1 January 2020
Drivers whose licences were renewed or issued later than 1 January 2020 are subject to the new Graduated Licencing Scheme (GLS). This scheme has requirements that were not present in the previous licensing scheme, and they include:
- Drivers aged 25 years and below must complete a minimum of 100 supervised driving hours, plus 10 hours at night.
- Drivers over 25 years need to complete at least 50 supervised driving hours, plus 5 hours at night.
- These provisions have been added to ensure that learner drivers gain the experience needed for enhanced safety during the day and night time. The new scheme also introduces a new compulsory Hazard Perception Test to improve road safety.
P2 Stage
The two-stage graduated licensing program allows you to acquire your Ps and obtain red P plates entering the P1 licensing scheme. After 12 months, you’ll receive your green P plates and proceed to the P2 licence. Then after another 24 months, you will have been on Ps for 3 years, after which you can obtain a full driver licence where restrictions will be removed.
ACT Full Driver Licence
Need Help Obtaining Your ACT Driver’s Licence? Contact LTrent Driving School
LTrent Driving School in Canberra will make it easy and convenient to obtain your ACT driver’s licence. Contact us online if you have questions and learn how we can prepare you for the ACT driver’s test.