There is nothing shameful about learning to drive or being a temporary licensee, and yet there are hundreds, if not thousands, of road users with L or P plates who insist on trying to cover up. hide the status of your driver’s license.
- The requirements for positioning your L-plates or P-plates vary
- Make sure you read the rules regarding your state or territory
- If you do it wrong, you can be fined!
It’s easy to see why you might do it. In some states, the L-sign has a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h, regardless of whether the sign allows a maximum speed of 110 km/h. But hiding a yellow L behind your license plate in the hope that the police won’t fine you for speeding is really, really silly.
If you do not present your L or P plate correctly, you may be fined and deducted points, and the following points are even more valuable when you are a learner or temporary driver .
So what are the rules in each Australian state and territory around number plate locating? Here’s what you need to know:
New South Wales
“When learning to drive, the learner must clearly display the L license plate in front and behind the car. The panels must be on the outside, or there must be an L symbol on the roof. The letter L on the number plate must not be hidden. To keep your discs from falling off, secure them with clamps or brackets.”
The important part is “on the outside” and that means you can’t display an L or P license plate on your car’s windows.
You will be fined $272 and deduct two points for your license if you “do not display the required ‘L’ license plate on the vehicle” or “do not have the required P license plate” for drivers P1 and P2.
Victoria
Traffic laws state that “your P plates must be clearly visible” and that “you may not drive a motor vehicle (not a tractor) unless the appropriate P plates are affixed outward from the front and rear of the vehicle so that the letter P and the color of the license plate are clearly visible from behind and in front of the vehicle about 20 meters.”
And what can form a plate that is not clearly seen? If it’s in the car window, but the windows are stained, that could be a problem: “If you have stained windows, VicRoads recommends that you consider using the side plates. outside. Depending on the intensity of the color, the number plates inside can be difficult to see and you could be fined and deducted points for not seeing them clearly.”
If you “fail to display your license plate ‘L’ when and as required” in Victoria, you may be subject to a one (1) license point penalty and a $165 fine. The state also places more responsibility on P license plate holders, with that penalty increased to three demerit points (still a $165 penalty) for “failing to display ‘P’ plates when and upon request.” .
It’s also worth noting that Vic is very strict about the colors of the plates – that status is a little different, where the color on the P plate background and the lettering are white. But don’t think a square colored green or red in your favorite marker will do the job – there are specific colors that apply. So is the L plate.
Another interesting point for Victorian P-plate drivers – there are some exemptions that allow drivers to not display P plates if they do specific jobs. Ps is not required if you are: a member of the police force driving to work; a member of the National Fire Agency (CFA) driving for fire operations; drive an ambulance or Victorian Emergency Service (SES) vehicle to work.
South Australia
SA government regulations regarding the display of L and P license plates are similar to most other jurisdictions. For example: “The number plate P must be clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles).”
For Learners or P1 license holders driving where only one of the plates is attached, the fine is $230, while if you don’t have one, the fine increases to $397 and deducts two license points. drive.
Temporary P2 license holders do not need to present a P number plate.
ACT
Under the Driver Licensing Regulations (2000) in the ACT, the offense of “learning to drive without displaying the required L license plate” can result in a $208 fine. There are no downsides, however.
What does “on demand” mean in this case? According to ACT Policy: “P and L plates must be clearly displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle in such a way that they can be easily seen by other drivers. The plates must be the correct color and size (155mm x 155mm) and the full lettering must be visible at all times. Specially designed number plates for display on the front or rear windshield can be used. However, the tilted windshield is not suitable for displaying the license plate because the number plate will face up and will not be easily seen by other drivers. Other options, such as magnetic plates, plate display frames and plate clamps are also available.
In addition, the ACT’s Road Rules Handbook states that the number plate P is: “meaning that other drivers can easily see it, for your safety and theirs. License plates must be placed at the front and rear of the vehicle in a conspicuous position so that people sitting in front and behind the vehicle can see them clearly. ‘P’ number plates are not clearly visible if they are placed, such as behind the windshield wipers, behind the rear windshield or inside tinted windows.
- Queensland: If you are a learner permit holder and you do not display “clear L plates on the front and back of the vehicle”, you could be fined $230 and deduct two points for your license. Vehicles with P1 (red Ps) and P2 (green Ps) licenses are also subject to the same fine.
- Western Australia: The Road Safety Commission states that: “The appropriate L or P plate should always be displayed. Plates can be purchased or printed at home. That seems a bit vague, doesn’t it?
The Department of Transport clarified the matter, asserting: “You must hang the license plate ‘L’ in front and behind the vehicle when you are driving (penalties apply)”. We cannot establish what those penalties are.
- Northern Territory: The responsibility lies with the licensed driver along with the L license plate holder in the NT, with the rules stating: “The driver’s license holder sitting in the front seat of a vehicle is not authorized to permit the learner to drive. the vehicle unless it has an L license – the license plate is displayed conspicuously so that it can be clearly seen from both the front and rear of the vehicle.
“Learners must not drive unless there is an L plate in a conspicuous place so that it can be clearly seen from both the front and rear of the vehicle.”
The Territory’s Traffic Violations List states that the penalty for “Driving without an L or P license plate when required” is a $100 fine.
- tasmania: The rules around the placement of L and P license plates are simple – regardless of the license type, the license plate must be displayed so that it is “clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle they are driving. “.
If you are a new driver or Ls driver and “fail to display the L plate clearly as required”, you may be subject to a two-point penalty and a $90 fine. The same penalty applies to P-plates. Driver P1 must “show red on a white P plate and make sure your P number plate is visible from the front and back of your vehicle”, while driver P2 must “show P plate green on the white P license plate and make sure your P plate can be seen from the front and back of your vehicle.”
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
