What is the speed limit for learner drivers in NSW?

Learner drivers in NSW must never drive faster than 90 km/h, even on roads signed at 100 or 110 km/h. If the posted limit is lower than 90 km/h, they must keep to the posted limit.

Can a P plate driver supervise a learner in NSW?

No. A learner's supervisor must hold a full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence and sit next to the learner. P1, P2, learner and overseas licence holders cannot supervise.

How many log book hours do NSW learners need?

Learners under 25 must log at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours at night, and hold their learner licence for at least 12 months before the Driving Test. Learners aged 25 or over do not need to log hours.

Can learner drivers use Google Maps or a phone in NSW?

No. Learner, P1 and P2 drivers must not use a mobile phone at all while driving, including hands-free, music and maps, even when stopped in traffic. They may use it when parked out of the line of traffic.

Can learner drivers tow a trailer in NSW?

No. Learner drivers in NSW must not tow a trailer or any other vehicle.

NSW Learner Driver Rules: What You Can and Can't Do on Your L Plates

Passing the Driver Knowledge Test gets you your learner licence. It also comes with a set of conditions that you, and your supervisor, need to know before your first drive. Breaking them can mean fines, demerit points and losing your licence, which can set your progress back by months. Here’s everything that applies on your L plates in NSW, based on the current NSW Road User Handbook and nsw.gov.au.

Key Fact: Many of these rules are also tested in the DKT itself, especially the supervisor, speed, alcohol and phone rules. Learning them now does double duty.

Learner Rules at a Glance

Rule	What applies to learners
Supervisor	Must hold a full Australian licence and sit next to you
L plates	Displayed outside, front and back (or on the roof)
Maximum speed	90 km/h
Alcohol	Zero BAC
Mobile phone	No use at all while driving, not even hands-free
Towing	Not allowed
Restricted areas	Centennial Park, Moore Park, Parramatta Park
Demerit point limit	4
Passengers	As many as there are seatbelts or suitable child restraints
Minimum time on L (under 25)	12 months
Log book (under 25)	120 hours, including 20 at night
Licence valid for	5 years

Your Supervisor

You must always drive with a supervisor sitting next to you. Your supervisor must hold a full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence for the type of vehicle you’re driving.

These people cannot supervise:

learner drivers;
P1 or P2 drivers, however long they’ve held their Ps;
overseas licence holders, even with an English translation.

If your supervisor doesn’t have the right licence, you and the supervisor can both be fined.

Your supervisor must also:

keep their own BAC under 0.05;
have no illegal drugs in their system;
not be under the influence of any drug.

They can be breath tested, and the same severe penalties that apply to drivers apply to them.

L Plates

L plates must be shown on the outside of the vehicle, at the front and back, or on the roof. The whole letter L must be visible. A plate on the dashboard or behind a window doesn’t meet the rule, and the plates must not cover your number plates. Use a proper holder so they don’t blow off.

Speed: 90 km/h Maximum

Learners must never drive faster than 90 km/h. That applies even on a motorway signed at 100 or 110 km/h. Where the posted limit is lower, the posted limit applies.

Licence	Maximum speed
Learner	90 km/h
P1	90 km/h
P2	100 km/h

Learners may drive on motorways and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as long as they stay at or under 90 km/h. See our Speed Limits guide for school zones, shared zones and default limits.

Zero Alcohol

Learner, P1 and P2 drivers must have a blood alcohol concentration of zero. That means no alcohol in your system at all when you drive, not even one light beer. Remember that alcohol takes time to leave your body. After a big night, it can take more than 18 hours to get back to zero.

It’s also an offence to drive with any illegal drug in your system. Read more in our guide to NSW alcohol and drug limits for L and P drivers.

The Mobile Phone Ban

This rule catches out a lot of new drivers. Learners must not use a mobile phone at all while driving. The ban covers:

calls, including hands-free and Bluetooth;
texts and social media;
music and audio controlled through the phone;
maps and GPS on the phone;
a phone in a cradle or holder.

“Driving” includes being stopped at traffic lights or in a traffic jam.

You can use your phone:

when you’re parked out of the line of traffic (the engine can stay on);
to show your digital licence when police ask for it;
for wallet or payment functions while stopped in a car park, driveway or drive-through.

DKT Tip: A phone offence carries 5 demerit points, which is more than a learner’s 4-point limit. One offence means losing your licence, and cameras now detect illegal phone use.

No Towing

Learners must not tow a trailer, caravan or any other vehicle. Once you’re on your P1 licence, you can tow a light trailer up to 250 kg unloaded.

Where You Can’t Drive

Learners must not drive in:

Centennial Park;
Moore Park;
Parramatta Park.

There are no other location bans. You can practise on motorways, in the CBD and in the country, as long as you keep to 90 km/h.

Passengers and Cars

Passengers: you can carry as many passengers as there are seatbelts or suitable child restraints. The late-night passenger limit applies to P1 drivers under 25, not learners.
High-performance cars: you may learn in one, because a supervisor is with you. The high-performance ban applies to P1 and P2 drivers.
Manual or automatic: you can learn in either.

Demerit Points

Learners have a limit of 4 demerit points. Any speeding offence, however small, takes a learner over that limit and the licence is suspended.

Your Log Book

If you’re under 25, you must:

log at least 120 hours of supervised driving;
include at least 20 hours at night;
hold your learner licence for at least 12 months before taking the Driving Test.

Learners aged 25 or over don’t need to log hours.

You can use the paper log book or an approved log book app. There are two ways to earn extra credit:

Credit option	How it works
Safer Drivers Course	Completing it adds a 20-hour credit to your log book
Structured lessons with a licensed instructor (“3 for 1”)	Each 1-hour lesson can be logged as 3 hours

The night hours matter. Start night driving on streets you know well, and build up to busier roads and harder conditions.

The Next Steps on Your Ls

The learner stage leads to two more tests before your P1 licence:

Hazard Perception Test (HPT): if you’re under 25, you can take it after holding your learner licence for at least 10 months. A pass is valid for 15 months.
Driving Test: you must be at least 17. If you’re under 25, you also need your 12 months on your Ls and your completed log book.

Pass both and you move onto your red P plates. There’s no test between P1 and P2.

Key Fact: Your learner licence is valid for 5 years. If it expires before you get your Ps, you must pass the DKT again and pay the fees again.

Carry Your Licence

You must carry your licence every time you drive. A digital licence counts, as long as your phone is charged and the screen can be read.

Getting Ready for the DKT

If you haven’t passed the DKT yet, these rules are a great place to start studying. Work through our General Knowledge guide, then test yourself with the General Knowledge quiz and a full mock test. For the bigger picture, read the NSW Driver Knowledge Test explained.

The Learners Test app covers every DKT topic with explained answers and full mock tests. Download it here.

The Learners Test is an independent study app and isn’t affiliated with Transport for NSW or Service NSW. Rules are current as of October 2026; check nsw.gov.au for any changes.