There are no Australia-wide regulations for towing when you are a learner driver’s license holder.
- The rules vary depending on where you keep your license
- Towing can be dangerous and inexperienced drivers may lack the skills to prevent accidents
- Always make sure you know the rules about what you can and can’t pull
However, towing a trailer, caravan, camper trailer, horse-drawn cart, wood chipper, tarp or anything else is an act that should not be taken lightly.
Towing can end in tragedy if done by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Just search for “towing failure” on YouTube and you’ll see some head-to-head footage of drivers who seem to have all the gear and don’t know when to tow.
There are two arguments about when you should start learning how to drive while towing something.
The first is that you should learn when learning to drive from the beginning. The logic is that if you learn that kind of skill right away, it can be handy if you need that talent later.
Another view is that L drivers should learn to drive and understand the road before they can deal with the additional burden of towing something in a ‘live’ situation.
That’s basically how a number of different jurisdictions across the country see it – different rules, depending on where your L license plate is issued. Here is a summary of the different rules for Australian L-plate drivers when towing.
Jurisdictions where L Platers NOT ALLOWED to pull:
New South Wales
According to the state government transportation agency, learner drivers and P1 drivers temporarily have towing restrictions. “Learning to drive, learning to ride a motorbike and people temporarily not allowed to tow.”
It’s also worth considering if you live near any borders with neighboring countries or territories that allow L-plates to be towed, the NSW Road Safety Center states: “Learners, riders P1 and P2 vehicles and NSW drivers are subject to the same license conditions and restrictions that apply to them in NSW when they drive or ride in other states or territories in Australia.”
Victoria: According to the Vicroads website on learner restrictions, drivers with their L plates “must not tow a trailer, caravan or other vehicle”.
Tasmania: The island nation does not allow towing L Platers. The state’s PlatesPlus website states that drivers at the learning stage must “never tow another vehicle, including a trailer”.
Jurisdictions where seafarers L are ALLOWED to tow:
Queensland: Drivers of L-plates are allowed to tow as long as they “have an L-plate in the back of the caravan or are visible on the trailer”.
However, Queensland Police states that towing is not a task to be taken lightly – and ideally should not be done for the first time on a public road with other traffic around: “The Towing a trailer or caravan requires greater concentration and skill. You should gain experience before attempting to tow at high speeds or in tight spaces.”
ACT: The ACT Road Rules Handbook states: “Towing is restricted to small trailers not exceeding 750 kilograms GVM (gross vehicle mass). Motorcycle license holders are NOT allowed to tow.”
South Australia: MyLicence SA states: “If your license or driver’s license is issued in South Australia, you can drive a vehicle no larger than 4.5 tonnes and tow a trailer, caravan, boat or pontoon as SA does not restrict learner permits or temporary licenses to drivers. towing such cars. In most cases, your permit/license conditions will go with you if you’re driving interstate, however, be aware that some rules may differ.”
Western Australia: Learners are allowed to tow in Western Australia. “Driver L is not restricted to towing a trailer as long as the learner driver is driving within the conditions of their study permit – and this includes having a supervising driver by their side in the car”.
Northern Territory: The NT learner’s guide states: “Towing – You are allowed to tow a trailer”. Furthermore, the Territory stipulates that “L number plates must be clearly displayed on the front and back of the vehicle. If towing a trailer, the rear of the trailer must have the license plate L.”
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
