Licence & State Rules · Tasmania

Tasmania licence stages and restrictions

Pre-learner: Plates Plus course + driver knowledge test

Minimum time: Enrol from 15 yrs 11 months; pass is valid 12 months

  • No driving. Learner licence issued only at 16.
  • Course about 4-6 hours; test 30 questions, 27 to pass.

Learner licence (single novice learner stage; the old L1 and L2 were combined on 1 Dec 2020)

Minimum time: 12 continuous months, 80 logbook hours incl. 15 at night; P1 assessment from 17

  • Must be accompanied by a supervisory driver: full Australian car licence (not restricted), held continuously for the previous 12 months, giving instruction.
  • L plates visible from front and back.
  • Maximum 90 km/h even where the posted limit is higher.
  • Blood alcohol 0.00.
  • Total mobile phone ban (hands-free and voice-activated included; music/GPS must be set up before you start driving).
  • No towing of any vehicle or trailer.
  • Carry licence at all times.
  • Logbook (paper or Plates Plus app): 80 hours incl. 15 night; instructor lessons count double (cap 20 hours); RYDA course = 5 hours.
  • Renew within 28 days of expiry or the minimum learner period restarts.
  • Non-novice learners (e.g. overseas licence conversions, licences lapsed over 5 years) need no logbook but must take a practical test.
  • Hazard Perception Test must be passed (up to 3 months before earliest P1 date) before the P1 practical assessment can be booked.

P1 provisional (first year of the provisional licence)

Minimum time: 12 continuous months with no disqualification, suspension or P1 restart

  • Red on white P plates, front and back.
  • Maximum 100 km/h.
  • Blood alcohol 0.00.
  • Total mobile phone ban (including hands-free).
  • Peer passenger rule if under 25: only ONE passenger aged 16-21 at any time of day, excluding immediate family, a spouse, or a partner you live with; exemptions for work, education/training, medical, undue hardship, carrying a full-licence holder who will instruct, emergency services.
  • Towing is allowed but P plates must stay visible (put one on the rear of the trailer if needed).
  • One provisional licence card covers both P1 and P2 (min age 17 to apply).

P2 provisional

Minimum time: Under 23 when P2 starts: 2 years. Aged 23-24: 12 months or until turning 25, whichever is longer. 25+: 12 months. (The Service Tasmania page words this more simply as '2 years if under 25, 1 year if over 25'; Plates Plus gives the finer breakdown, which is used here.)

  • Green on white P plates, front and back.
  • May drive to the posted limit.
  • Blood alcohol 0.00.
  • Hands-free or speaker phone use allowed; hand-held use banned.
  • Carry licence; may tow with P plates visible.

Full licence

Minimum time: Safer Driver Reward (a three-year full licence) if no demerit points or licence sanctions through P1 and P2

  • Blood alcohol under 0.05 (0.00 for heavy vehicles over 4.5 t GVM, vehicles for 13+ adults, and public passenger vehicles).

Rules and conditions are changed from time to time — check the platesplus.tas.gov.au for the current requirements.