It is a question that does get asked time to time. We at Driving Zone strongly suggest to all parents, partners and family or friends to take their son’s, daughters, partners or family / friends for further driving practice without our our instructors to compliment and increase the level of time on the road and the amount of on road experience for every learner driver. However, can you be fined in Victoria if you as a supervisor forget to take the L’ plates of the windscreen and go for a drive?
Well, in Victoria the answer is yes: If you are found to display L plates or P plates when not required you could be fined $165 and charged with 1 demerit point deduction.
The rest of Australia has the following laws:
Tasmania: You could be fined $90 if you are found to “Drive with L-plate displayed when not learner driver”.
ACT: Unauthorised use of L-plate/L-plates and Unauthorised use of P-plate/P-plates. $208 fine. No demerits.
SA: “It is an offence to drive a vehicle with P-plates displayed unless you are the holder of a provisional licence; or a probationary licence issued subject to alcohol interlock scheme conditions.
Queensland: In QLD, the Transport Operations (Road Use Management–Driver Licencing) Regulation 2021 document states that “other persons must not display L plates” and “other persons must not display P plates”. Only learner or provisional drivers can display those plates, unless the driver “holds a non-Queensland driver licence and is authorised to learn to drive the vehicle in the jurisdiction that issued the licence; or is a driver trainer”. The fine, if taken to court, could amount to $2875 (20 penalty units).,
New South Wales: It doesn’t appear that has a law around driving with plates on the car if you’re not a learner or provisional driver.
Northern Territory: There’s no apparent legislation around L or P plates being displayed on a car driven by a fully licenced driver in the NT.
Western Australia: We couldn’t track down any reference to a law or penalty associated with incorrectly displaying L or P plates in WA.
This information is not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.