Car Licensing: Your Guide to Driving in Australia

Accelerate to freedom 

One of the biggest keys to individual freedom in Australia, is owning a driver’s licence. It’s the best way to say goodbye to the days of relying on your friends and family, spending way too much money on rideshare services and brushing shoulders with strangers on public transport. It’s clear securing a driver’s licence is invaluable. 

However, individual freedom is just one of the many benefits, with a C class licence also being the gateway to securing other licences for future work purposes that may require upgraded vehicle qualifications. 

With that said, there are a number of important steps to take before you can own a C class licence. The requirements for obtaining a C class licence in Australia differ between states. 

To know exactly what you need to do in your state, keep reading.

New South Wales (NSW) 

Across Australia, a C class licence is the most common. It enables you to drive not only yourself, but also vehicles that seat up to 12 adults including vans, utes, and some light trucks. There are a number of requirements you must meet to be eligible for a C class licence, as well as a number of tests you must pass. 

For the full list of requirements in NSW, read Getting a NSW Driver Licence.

Queensland (QLD) 

In Queensland, once you are 16 years old you can apply for your learner licence. This licence, which is the first tier, allows you to drive a car under the supervision of someone who has a current open licence and has held that licence for at least one year. 

To learn more about starting your QLD car licensing journey, head to Applying for a Licence

Victoria (VIC) 

If you’re at least 16 years old and eager to hit the roads in Victoria, you will need to apply for a learner permit, complete a Learner Permit Test online or in-person, and log supervised driving hours. When you think you’re ready to progress to your Provisional licence, it’s time to book a Hazard Perception Test and Driving Test. If you pass these important tests, you are well and truly on your way to freedom. It’s important to note a fee applies each time you take the Driving Test, so ensure you are prepared. 

Know everything you need to know about C class licensing in Victoria online at Your Ls

Western Australia (WA)

While supervised driving hours in some other Australian states exceed more than 100 hours, in Western Australia this requirement is much less with only 50 supervised driving hours necessary prior to taking your first driving test. And, if you are 25 years or older you are exempt from this condition. For legal reasons, ensuring that you display the appropriate plates on your car for the tier level you are driving at (L, red P, or green P) is extremely important. 

For all the information on getting your C class licence in WA visit Get a Licence to Drive a Car

South Australia (SA) 

South Australia’s process to a C class licence is just as simple as the other states. If you’re between 17 and 24 years old, you must have held a learner’s permit for at least 12 months and completed 75 hours of supervised driving before you can take your driving test and potentially progress to a provisional licence. If you are 25 years old or older, the time period for holding a learner’s permit is reduced to just 6 months. 

To start the necessary stages to qualify for a full licence in SA, read the Steps to getting a Driver’s Licence

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) 

To become a safe and confident driver in the ACT, you can begin to hone your driving skills by first completing a pre-learner licence course. After completing this test you can apply for a learner licence, and start practicing under the supervision of a current open-licence owner. 

For all the information on each step you need to take to start driving, visit Get Your Learner Driver Licence

Tasmania (TAS) 

Like the other Australian states, getting your Tasmania driving licence starts before securing your learner licence. Only after completing learner licence tests will you be able to start driving under the supervision of someone who holds a full licence. For this phase, like other states, you will need to have your learner licence in Tasmania for a minimum of 12 months. 

Check the eligibility criteria for securing your learner licence at Getting Your Car Licence.

Northern Territory (NT)

Regardless of whether you are on your Ls, red Ps, or green Ps, you must have the relevant plates visible on your car each time you drive. Only when you progress to a full licence will you be able to legally drive without plates fixed to your car. 

To start driving, follow the step-by-step guide at Get Your Driver Licence.

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