ACT L and P Plate Restrictions: Learner, P1 and P2 Rules

By EzLicence · Last updated 15 Oct 2026

Got your Ls in Canberra, or about to swap them for red Ps? Nice work! Every stage of the ACT's licensing system comes with its own set of rules, and knowing them upfront means fewer surprises and more time enjoying the drive.

In the ACT, you'll start on your learner licence (Ls), then move to a 3-year provisional licence split into two stages: P1 (red plates) for the first 12 months and P2 (green plates) for the last 2 years. All learner and P plate drivers have a zero alcohol limit, can't use a phone at all while driving, and risk suspension at just 4 demerit points.

Here's what applies at each stage, so you know where you stand.

ACT L and P plate restrictions at a glance

Learner (L plates)

Maximum speed: Posted speed limit
Blood alcohol concentration: 0.00
Mobile phone use: Not permitted, including hands-free
Supervising driver: Required
Passengers: No restriction
Towing a trailer: Not over 750 kg

P1 (red P plates)

Maximum speed: Posted speed limit
Blood alcohol concentration: 0.00
Mobile phone use: Not permitted, including hands-free
Passengers: Only one passenger aged 16 to 22 between 11pm and 5am
Towing a trailer: Not over 750 kg

P2 (green P plates)

Maximum speed: Posted speed limit
Blood alcohol concentration: 0.00
Mobile phone use: Not permitted, including hands-free
Passengers: No restriction
Towing a trailer: No P plate restriction

ACT learner licence (L plate) restrictions

You can get your ACT learner licence from 15 years and 9 months, once you've finished the Pre-Learner Licence Course and passed the Road Rules Knowledge Test. From there, you'll practise under supervision until you're ready for your Ps.

While you're on your Ls in the ACT, you must:

Always have a supervising driver in the front passenger seat. They need a full Australian driver licence and a zero blood alcohol reading, with no drugs in their system.
Display L plates on the front and rear of the car, clearly visible.
Leave your phone alone. No mobile phone use at all while driving, including hands-free, loudspeaker or while stopped in traffic.
Have zero alcohol or drugs in your system.
Not tow a trailer over 750 kg.
Stay under 4 demerit points. Reach 4 points within 3 years and your licence can be suspended.

The good news? There are no passenger restrictions for ACT learners, and no special L plate speed limit, so you'll follow the posted limits like everyone else.

Logbook hours and lesson credits

To move up to your Ps, you'll need 100 supervised driving hours, including 10 at night (or 50 hours, including 5 at night, if you were 25 or older when your Ls were issued). You'll also need to hold your Ls for at least 12 months (6 months if you're 25+) and pass the online Hazard Perception Test.

Here's a handy tip: every hour with an ACT accredited driving instructor counts as 3 hours in your logbook, for up to 10 hours of lessons. That's 30 logbook hours from just 10 lessons, making professional lessons one of the quickest ways to build your hours and your confidence.

Find driving lessons in Canberra

ACT provisional licence (P plate) restrictions

Once you're 17 and you've ticked off your learner requirements, you can go for your Ps by either a one-off practical driving assessment with Access Canberra or the logbook (competency-based) method with an ACT accredited instructor. Your provisional licence lasts 3 years, and the rules ease as you progress.

Rules for all ACT P platers (P1 and P2)

Display the right P plates (red for P1, green for P2) on the front and rear of the car, the right way up.
No phone use at all while driving or stopped in traffic, including hands-free and loudspeaker.
Zero alcohol or drugs in your system.
Stay under 4 demerit points. Hit 4 points within the 3-year period and your licence can be suspended.

P1 (red P plates): the first 12 months

On top of the rules above, P1 drivers must:

Carry only one peer-aged passenger (16 to 22 years old) between 11pm and 5am. Exemptions apply for immediate family, work and school.
Not tow a trailer over 750 kg.

After 12 months, you'll move to P2 automatically. Access Canberra will send you a letter letting you know it's time to switch to green plates.

P2 (green P plates): the final 2 years

The late-night passenger limit and the towing limit drop off at P2. You'll still follow the rules for all P platers above until your 3 years are up.

Getting your Ps at 25 or older

If your provisional licence is issued when you're 25 or over, you'll skip P1 and go straight to P2 (green plates) for the full 3 years.

No speed or vehicle limits for ACT P platers

Unlike some states, the ACT doesn't set lower speed limits for P platers or ban high-powered cars. You'll drive to the posted speed limit like everyone else. Just keep in mind these rules can change when you cross the border.

A clean record pays off

Keep a clean record during P1 (no demerit points, traffic fines or court-imposed traffic penalties) and you'll get 50% of your P2 licence fee back. Stay clean through P1 and P2 and you'll also get 30% off your full licence fee.

What happens if you break the rules?

Learners and P platers in the ACT have a much lower demerit point limit than fully licensed drivers. Reach 4 or more demerit points within the 3-year period and Access Canberra can suspend your licence, typically for 3 months.

That can add up fast. A single phone offence or speeding fine can put you close to the limit, and some offences carry enough points to reach it in one go. Losing your licence also means losing the clean-record discounts on your future licence fees.

The easiest way to stay on track? Know the rules for your stage, keep your phone out of reach, and give yourself plenty of time so you're never rushing. For more information, visit the Access Canberra website.

Driving interstate on your ACT Ls or Ps

Canberra's close to the NSW border, so a road trip across it is pretty likely. Your ACT licence is recognised Australia-wide, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Your ACT licence conditions come with you. For example, if you're on red Ps, the late-night passenger limit still applies in NSW.
You must follow the local road rules wherever you're driving, including posted speed limits.
Keep your plates on. Display your L or P plates as you would at home.
Check before you go. Each state handles visiting learners and P platers a little differently, so it's worth a quick look at the local transport authority's website before your trip.

If you're moving interstate rather than just visiting, you'll usually need to transfer to a local licence within 3 months.

Frequently asked questions

How many passengers can a P plater have in the ACT?

P1 (red P) drivers can carry only one passenger aged 16 to 22 between 11pm and 5am, unless they're immediate family or the trip is for work or school. Outside those hours, and on P2, there's no passenger limit beyond the number of seatbelts.

Is there a speed limit for P platers in the ACT?

No. ACT learners and P platers can drive at the posted speed limit. There's no separate L or P plate limit like in NSW or Tasmania.

Can ACT P platers use a phone on hands-free?

No. ACT learners and P platers can't use a mobile phone at all while driving, including hands-free, loudspeaker or when stopped in traffic.

How long are you on your Ps in the ACT?

Three years: 12 months on P1 (red plates) and 2 years on P2 (green plates). If you're 25 or older when your Ps are issued, you'll be on P2 for all 3 years.

Can ACT P platers drive any car?

Yes. The ACT doesn't have high-powered vehicle restrictions for P platers. P1 drivers can't tow a trailer over 750 kg.

How many demerit points can a P plater have in the ACT?

Your licence can be suspended if you reach 4 or more demerit points within the 3-year provisional period.

How many logbook hours can driving lessons count for in the ACT?

Each hour with an ACT accredited driving instructor counts as 3 logbook hours, for up to 10 hours of lessons. That's up to 30 hours towards your 100-hour requirement.

Build your confidence with driving lessons in Canberra

Whether you're working towards your Ps or getting comfortable behind the wheel, knowing the rules is an important part of becoming a safe, confident driver.

If you're still on your Ls, professional driving lessons can help you build your skills and make progress towards your logbook requirements. In the ACT, your first 10 hours with an accredited driving instructor can count as 30 hours towards your logbook.

Join 300,000+ learners who've booked with EzLicence. Compare driving instructors in Canberra, check prices, read real reviews and book lessons online, 24/7. You can even change instructors whenever you like.

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