There is no shame in learning to drive or becoming a provisional license holder, yet there are still hundreds, if not thousands of road users on their L or P plates who insist on hiding their license status.
- The requirements for placing your L plate or P plate vary
- Be sure to read your relevant state or territory regulations
- If you do something wrong, you can be fined!
It’s easy to see why you could. In some states, L-plates have a maximum speed limit of 90km/h, regardless of whether the sign allows up to 110km/h or not. But hiding your yellow L behind your license plate hoping the police officer won’t ticket you for speeding is a very stupid thing to do.
If you don’t display your L or P plates correctly, you can face fines and demerit points, the latter of which is even more valuable when you’re a learner or temporary driver.
So what are the rules in each Australian state and territory around plate positioning? Here’s what you need to know:
New South Wales
“While driving, students must display the L plate clearly at the front and back of the car. The plate must be outside, or there must be an L mark on the roof. The letter L on the plate cannot be hidden. So your plate doesn’t fall, secure it with a clip or holder.”
The important part there is “outside” and that means you can’t display an L or P plate in your car window.
There is a $272 fine and two demerit points if you “fail to display the ‘L’ plate on the car as required”, or have “no P plate as required” for P1 and P2 drivers.
Victoria
Road rules state that “your P-plate must be clearly visible”, and that “you must not drive a motor vehicle (other than a tractor) unless the appropriate P-plate is displayed facing outwards from the front and rear of the vehicle so that the letter P and the color of the plate are clearly visible from a distance 20 meters behind and in front of the vehicle.”
And what could be a plate that is not clearly visible? If it’s on a car window, but the window is tinted, that can be a problem: “If you have tinted windows, VicRoads recommends that you consider using exterior plates. Depending on how dark the color is, the inner plate may be difficult to see and you could be fined and receive demerit points for not being clearly visible.”
If you “fail to display an ‘L’ plate when and as required” in Victoria, you can be subject to one (1) demerit point penalty and a $165 fine. The state puts more responsibility on P-platers as well, with the penalty increasing to three demerit points (still a $165 fine) for “failing to display a ‘P’ plate when and as required”.
It is also worth noting that Vic insists on the coloring of the plates – the situation has a little difference, because the color is on the background of the plate P and the letters are white. But don’t think that colored in squares in your favorite green or red connecting pen will do the job – there are specific colors that can be used. The same goes for the L plate.
Another interesting thing about P plates in Victoria – there are some exemptions that allow drivers not to display a P plate if they work in certain occupations. No Ps are required to be displayed if you are: a member of the police force who drives a vehicle for work; members of the National Fire Authority (CFA) driving vehicles for firefighting operations; drive an ambulance service or Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) vehicle to work.
South Australia
SA government regulations regarding the display of L and P plates are similar to most other jurisdictions. For example, “P-plates must be clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles).”
For Learner’s permit or P1 license holders who drive where only one of the two plates is affixed, the fine is $230, while if you have no plates at all, the fine increases to $397 and two demerit points.
Temporary P2 license holders do not need to display P plates.
ACT
According to the Driver Licensing Regulations (2000) in the ACT, the offense of “learner driver not displaying L plate as required” can be fined $208. However, there is no shortage.
What does “as desired” mean in this case? According to ACT Policing: “P and L plates must be clearly displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle in a way that is easily visible to other drivers. The plate must be the correct color and size (155mm by 155mm) and full lettering must always be visible. Plates specifically designed to be displayed on the windshield or rear view mirror may be used. However, a tilted windshield is not ideal for displaying plates because the plates will face up, towards the sky, and will not be easily seen by other drivers. Other options, such as magnetic plates, plate display brackets and plate clips are also available.”
Further, the ACT Road Rules Handbook states that P plates are: “intended to be easily seen by other drivers, for your safety and theirs. The plate must be placed on the front and rear of the vehicle in an easily visible position so that it is clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle. The ‘P’ plate is not clearly visible if it is placed, for example, behind the wiper arm, behind the rear louvre or inside a tinted window.”
- Queensland: If you are a learner’s license holder and you fail to display a “clearly legible L plate on the front and rear of the vehicle”, you can be fined $230 and receive two demerit points. The same penalty applies to vehicles with P1 drivers (red Ps) and P2 drivers (green Ps).
- Western Australia: The Road Safety Commission states that: “Appropriate L or P plates must be displayed at all times. Plates can be purchased or printed at home.” Seems a bit vague right?
The Department of Transport clarified matters, stating: “You must display ‘L’ plates at the front and rear of the vehicle when you drive (penalties apply).” We cannot determine what the penalty is.
- Northern Territory: The responsibility is on the licensed driver with the L plater in NT, with the rules stating: “The license holder occupying the front seat of the vehicle cannot allow the vehicle to be driven by a student unless there is an L-plate clearly displayed so that it is clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle.
“Students may not drive a vehicle unless there is an L plate clearly displayed so that it can be clearly seen from both the front and rear of the vehicle.”
The Province’s list of traffic violations states the penalty for “Driving without an L or P plate when required” is a $100 fine.
- Tasmania: The rules around the placement of L and P plates are put simply – regardless of license type, the plate must be displayed so that it is “clearly visible from the front and rear of the car being driven”.
If you are a novice driver or rider on Ls and “fail to display a clearly visible L plate as required” you can be given two demerits and a $90 fine. The same penalty applies for P-plates. P1 drivers must “display red on white P plates and ensure your P plate is visible from the front and rear of your car”, while P2 drivers must “display green on white P plates and ensure your P plates are visible from the front and rear of your car ”.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authorities in your state or territory.