How Fast Can A Learner Driver Drive In The ACT
Wondering what ACT road rules say about speed limits for young drivers and provisional licence holders? In this guide, we’ll discuss what learner drivers and provisional drivers need to know about maximum speed limits in ACT. Let’s get started.
You Can Drive Up To The Posted Speed Limit As A Learner Or Provisional Driver
Unlike some other areas of Australia like NSW, learner and provisional drivers do not face any restrictions on how fast they can drive. When driving in NSW, learners can only drive up to 90 km/h, even on highways or in other areas where posted speed limits may be higher.
But under the ACT graduated licensing system, there are no such restrictions. Learner and provisional drivers alike can drive all the way up to the posted speed limit, whatever that may be – such as 100 km/h on national highways.
As long as you don’t exceed the speed limit, you can drive as fast as you want. However, we caution new drivers to be careful when driving at high speeds. Even if the speed limit is 100 km/h, it may be a good idea to drive 90 km/h to give yourself more time to react while on the road. The faster you go, the less time you have to react to unexpected situations while driving.
Exceeding The Posted Speed Limit Can Result In Suspension Of Your Driver’s Licence
If you have an L or P licence, you still must always obey the speed limit. You may receive anywhere from 1-6 demerit points when you are caught speeding in Australia, depending on how fast you were going.
In comparison, using your mobile phone (even hands-free) while driving in ACT will result in 3-4 demerit points, depending on what you were doing when caught using your phone while driving.
Learner drivers can get up to 12 demerit points in 3 years before their licenses are suspended. For a provisional driver, however, this threshold drops to only 4 points during a 3 year period.
However, if you have had a provisional licence for 6 months, you can get a “PC” condition on your licence to raise your demerit point threshold to 8. If you exceed this demerit threshold, your licence will be suspended for 3 months (L) or 6 months (P).
Note also that, for Ls and Ps, there is no option for the 12 months “Good Behaviour Period” available to fully-licenced drivers, which is an alternative to suspension.
Fully-licenced drivers can avoid suspension and reset their demerit points to 0 if they are able to drive for 12 months without accumulating more than 2 demerit points. This is not available for L and P platers in ACT, however.
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