Understanding L & P Plate Driver Restrictions In NSW
It’s not always clear what the rules are for learner drivers in New South Wales. This is because they differ between states and territories. Whether you have just acquired your L plates or have a P1 or P2 provisional licence, you may wonder whether there are restrictions. In this post, we will focus on the restrictions applying to learner drivers in NSW.
Everything You Need to Know About L & P Driver Restrictions In NSW
NSW L Plate Driver Restrictions
If you have a learner licence in NSW, some of the restrictions to abide by include the following:
- You must be under the supervision of a driver with a full Australian licence.
- You should display your L plate on the front or back or place the L sign on the roof of your vehicle.
- You must maintain the maximum speed limit and not exceed 90 km/h.
- You cannot use your mobile phone unless the vehicle is parked.
- You cannot haul a trailer or any other vehicle.
- When driving, your blood alcohol content level should not exceed 0.00.
- You are not allowed to supervise other learner drivers.
- You may be prohibited from driving in Centennial Park and Parramatta Park in Sydney.
- You may be fined or have points deducted if you violate these restrictions. Your licence will be frozen if you earn over 4 demerit points in three years.
Restrictions For P1 Plate Drivers in New South Wales
You can obtain a P1 provisional licence when:
- You pass the Driving Test and Hazard Perception Tests
- You have a total of 120 driving hours. This includes 20 hours at night
- Your licence is at least one year old
Despite being allowed to drive alone, NSW Transport Roads & Maritime Services still has set several rules to follow. They include:
- You should clearly show your P1 plates
- You are only allowed to drive cars that are not classified as high-performance
- Exceeding 90 km/h is prohibited
- You may haul a trailer if it weighs more than 250 kg unloaded. However, you must clearly display your P plate on the back of the trailer.
- Alcohol should not be present in your system
- All occupants in your vehicle must be properly restrained
- You cannot supervise another learner driver
- You are not allowed to use your phone while driving. This includes when you have stopped the car without parking it.
- If you took the driving test and driver’s course in an automatic transmission vehicle, you can only drive automatic transmission vehicles.
NSW P2 Restrictions
If you hold your P1 licence for one year, you can qualify for a P2 licence. The restrictions for P2 plates include the following:
- You must clearly show your P2 plates
- You are not allowed to operate high-performance vehicles
- You should maintain the speed limits and not exceed 100 km/h
- You must not have a detectable amount of alcohol in your system while driving
- You are prohibited from supervising another driver
- All passengers in the vehicle, including you, must buckle up
- You cannot use a mobile phone unless the car is parked
Following these rules and holding the P2 licence for 2 years is a critical step towards acquiring a full driving licence.
Restriction Comparison for L & P Platers
| Restriction | L Plate | P1 Plate | P2 Plate |
| Supervision Required | Full licence holder required | No supervision required | No supervision required |
| Plate Display | L plates visible on vehicle | P1 plates clearly displayed | P2 plates clearly displayed |
| Speed Limit | 90 km/h maximum | 90 km/h maximum | 100 km/h maximum |
| Trailer Towing | Not allowed | Allowed if trailer over 250 kg (P plate display required) | Allowed |
| Alcohol Restriction | 0.00 blood alcohol content | 0.00 blood alcohol content | 0.00 blood alcohol content |
| Mobile Phone Use | Only when legally parked; no use while driving or stopped in traffic | Only when legally parked; no use while driving or stopped in traffic | Only when legally parked; no use while driving or stopped in traffic |
| Supervising Other Learners | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Vehicle Type | No specific restriction | No high-performance vehicles | No high-performance vehicles |
| Transmission Type | No specific restriction | Automatic only if tested in one | No specific restriction |
| Seat Belt Requirement | All occupants must be restrained | All occupants must be restrained | All occupants must be restrained |
| Special Location Restrictions | Restricted in certain parks | None specified | None specified |
| Time Progression to Next Licence Stage | Under 25, 12 months minimum Over 25, no restriction | One year minimum, then eligible for P2 | Two years minimum, then eligible for full licence |
| Test Completion to Next Licence Stage | Driving Test and Hazard Perception Test | No test required, just apply for your new license | No test required, just apply for your new license |
Enrol for a Driving Course and Discover About The Various Licence Types
LTrent Driving School is committed to providing new drivers with all the information needed to obtain a full driving licence. Book some time with one of our driving instructors and check out our lesson types. Learn more about the NSW Safer Drivers Course.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can drive with passengers, as long as you are accompanied by a fully licensed driver. Passengers must have their child restraints or seat belts on.
You can carry as many passengers as your vehicle can accommodate. However, if you’re under 25, you can only carry one under 21 passenger between 11 pm and 5 am.
If you are a learner, you may only be allowed to drive cars (vehicles with less than 4.5 tonnes of gross vehicle weight).
Learners can drive a V8 vehicle with their instructor, as long as it’s a vehicle categorised as a car (less than 4.5 tonnes of gross vehicle weight).
Learners can drive a turbocharged vehicle with their instructor, as long as it’s a vehicle categorised as a car (less than 4.5 tonnes of gross vehicle weight).
It is only legal for you to have as many passengers as fit in your vehicle’s seats with appropriate restraints (such as seat belts or child restraints).