L plates

An L plate is a sign that measures at least 146mm x 146mm and shows a black uppercase letter ‘L’ on a yellow background.

• When you are learning to drive a car or heavy vehicle, you must clearly display L plates at the front and back of the vehicle. When you are learning to ride a motorcycle, an L plate must be clearly displayed at the back of the
motorcycle or back of a vest worn while riding.

• You risk a fine if the letter L cannot be clearly seen at the front and rear of the car (rear only for motorcycles) from 20m away.

• You can buy L plates from service stations, major retailers and automotive outlets. Check with your local supplier for the cost.

A person driving or riding a vehicle, other than as a learner driver or rider, must not display L plates on the vehicle.

The Log Book

• International research shows there is a significant link between the amount of supervised on-road driving experience that new drivers gain and improvements in road safety.

• All learner drivers under 25 must gain 100 hours of supervised on-road driving experience in a car (including at least 10 hours night driving) and record it in a learner logbook. If you are a learner driver 25 or older, it is not a requirement but highly recommended that you also gain 100 hours of on-road driving experience.

•When you are issued with your learner licence, you will receive a learner logbook. The logbook has lots of important information about learning to drive, supervisors and your driving test.

If you need to replace your logbook for any reason (for example, your logbook is lost, stolen or destroyed), you will need to:

• obtain another logbook (fee will apply).

• re-enter the previously completed driving experience in the new logbook.

• get your supervisor to re-sign your prior driving entries.

• Depending on the State which you reside in there are Apps and websites where you can log you hours electronically.

• You cannot take your practical driving test until you lodge your completed logbook and it has been assessed and passed.

• Every time you gain on-road driving experience it should be recorded accurately as an entry in your logbook..

• Your supervisor can be a family member, a friend or an accredited driver trainer, or a combination of all three of these. An accredited driver trainer is a professional driving instructor with a driving school.

• Driving experience (day or night) with an accredited driver trainer counts as triple the amount of actual time you spend driving up to a maximum of 10 hours. For example 10 hours tripled (x 3) = 30 hours which is 1800 minutes that may be recorded in your logbook.

• When you have completed 100 hours, you will need to agree to a declaration that the logbook entries are true and correct. Penalties apply to you and your supervisor if you record false or misleading information in your logbook.