Rules and laws in the Australian Capital Territory (2026)
Last reviewed: 15 October 2026
Every rule we have verified for Australian Capital Territory, by topic. The last column shows how each rule compares with the other states and territories.
No driver licence is needed to ride a personal mobility device: a licence is required only to drive a motor vehicle on a road or road related area, and a personal mobility device is not a motor vehicle. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
No registration is needed: only motor vehicles and trailers are registrable vehicles, and a personal mobility device is not a motor vehicle. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
Footpaths (15 km/h), shared paths, bicycle paths and the bicycle side of separated paths (25 km/h), and nature strips. On roads only if there is no footpath, shared path or nature strip next to the road, or it is not practical or safe to use them. 10 km/h at crossings. (source: Transport Canberra and City Services, ACT Government)
Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult
It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road or road related area, or to be a driver trainer in one, with a prescribed drug in the oral fluid or blood. The Act refers expressly to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in section 20(4). Maximum penalty for a first offence: 25 penalty units. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel (ACT Legislation Register))
50 km/h is the default speed limit in the ACT. Exceptions are major roads signposted at 60 km/h and school zones and town centres signposted at 40 km/h. (source: ACT Government (City Services))
School zonesPassenger car on public roads
40 km/h on certain streets in school zones, for the times and days marked on the school zone signs (source: ACT Government (City Services))
Beverage containers of 150 mL up to 3 L, Not containers: any beverage container under 150 mL or over 3 L; juice that is at least 90% fruit or vegetable juice and flavoured milk of 1 L or more; plastic or foil wine sachets of 250 mL or more; wine or spirit containers made of glass, any size, Not beverages: concentrated juice to be diluted, cordial, milk other than flavoured milk, registered health tonics (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel (ACT legislation register))
A person must not supply a prohibited product, which includes a single-use plastic shopping bag, to another person. The maximum penalty is 50 penalty units. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel (ACT legislation register))
Bag thickness rulePlastic carrier bags
A single-use plastic shopping bag is a bag made wholly or partly of polyethylene with a thickness of less than 35 microns, or a plastic retail carry bag. Barrier bags, compostable plastic bags, unsealed packaging bags for perishable food and certain fabric carry bags are not included. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel (ACT legislation register))
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence
A learner licence is available from 15 years and 9 months after the pre-learner course and the Road Rules test. A provisional licence needs age 17 or older, the learner licence held for 12 months (6 months if 25 or older when issued), the online Hazard Perception Test, a minimum of 100 driving hours including 10 at night (50 and 5 if 25 or older when issued) and a driving assessment. The provisional licence lasts 3 years: P1 for one year, then P2 for two years. (source: City Services (ACT Government))
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence
A visitor with a full overseas licence who is not living in the ACT does not need an ACT licence while the overseas licence stays valid and the holder is still a visitor. The holder must follow the ACT road rules and the limits on the licence, drive only the vehicle types it allows, and carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit if the licence is not in English. The page states no age condition. (source: Access Canberra (ACT Government))
Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence
Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence
A licence issued before turning 25: 100 supervised hours, including 10 at night. Issued at 25 or older: 50 supervised hours, including 5 at night. Hours supervised by an accredited driving instructor earn 3 hours credit per hour, up to a maximum of 10 hours. (source: Access Canberra)
Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence
A P1 driver may carry only one passenger aged 16 to 22 between 11pm and 5am (exemptions for work, school and family apply). A learner car licence holder has no passenger restrictions. (source: City Services (ACT Government))
Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licence
Learner licence: the pre-learner licence course and the Road Rules knowledge test. Provisional licence: the online Hazard Perception Test and a driving assessment (a one-off practical assessment by a licence examiner, or competency based training and assessment). (source: City Services (ACT Government))
How long the licence is validCar (category B) driving licence
A learner licence issued after 1 January 2020 is valid for 5 years. (source: Access Canberra)
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a prescribed drug; having it in oral fluid or blood within the relevant period is an offence and no numeric limit is set. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
First offender: maximum 25 penalty units. Repeat offender: maximum 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
Motor-assisted pedal cycles with up to 200 W combined maximum power, and pedalecs with up to 250 W continuous rated power. The bike must be designed to be primarily propelled by human power. (source: Transport Canberra and City Services, ACT Government)
LicenceRiding on public roads
A person driving a bicycle on a road or road-related area is exempt from holding a driver licence (Driver Licensing Regulation 2000, s 99(2)(b)). The ACT definition of bicycle includes a power-assisted pedal cycle but excludes a vehicle with an electric motor over 200 W (other than such a cycle) and any vehicle with an internal combustion engine. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
A bicycle rider on a footpath or shared path must keep to the left where practicable and give way to pedestrians (rule 250). Riding is prohibited on a length of road or footpath where a 'no bicycles' sign or road marking applies (rule 252). The ACT definition of bicycle includes a power-assisted pedal cycle. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
When they may be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2)
Fireworks that are controlled dangerous substances can only be brought into the ACT or used, handled or stored within the ACT by a person authorised under an explosives licence or permit. Certain types of fireworks are prohibited dangerous substances that no person may bring in, use, handle or store. (source: WorkSafe ACT)
Fireworks consumers may useConsumer fireworks (category F2)
Fireworks may be used in the ACT only in a fireworks display, and only if the products are authorised as explosive articles under the Dangerous Substances (Explosives) Regulation 2004. Products authorised in class 1.1G or 1.3G are usually restricted to licensed display operators (pyrotechnicians). (source: WorkSafe ACT)
Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age
Parents apply to register the child for home education within 10 school term days after the start of the school year or after the child begins living in the ACT. A child can be registered if aged between 6 and 17, lives or usually lives in the ACT and the applicant has parental responsibility. Registration is for up to 2 years and renewal is applied for at least 3 months before it ends. (source: ACT Education Directorate)
Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age
A child is of compulsory education age if at least 6 years old and under the age at which the first of these happens: the child is 17 years old, or the child completes year 12. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel (ACT legislation register))
A person must not, without reasonable excuse, have a knife in their possession in a public place or school (maximum 10 penalty units, 6 months' imprisonment, or both). (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places
A flick knife (blade folded or recessed into the handle that opens automatically by gravity, centrifugal force or pressure on a button, spring or device) and a butterfly knife or balisong are prohibited weapons. Possessing or using one without a permit or other authorisation is an offence (maximum 500 penalty units, 5 years' imprisonment, or both). (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places
A fixed blade knife is covered by the offence of having a knife in a public place or school without reasonable excuse. Some bladed articles are prohibited weapons needing a permit, for example daggers that can be concealed with a double-edged flat blade or needle-like blade, and blades, knives or axes made or modified to be thrown. (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Pepper sprayCarrying in public places
A thing made or intended as a defence or antipersonnel spray that can discharge an irritant in liquid, powder, gas or chemical form, including oleoresin capsicum (OC), is a prohibited weapon. Possessing or using one without a permit or other authorisation is an offence (maximum 500 penalty units, 5 years' imprisonment, or both). (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places
Reasonable excuses include possession necessary or reasonable for the lawful pursuit of occupation, preparing or consuming food, taking part in lawful entertainment, recreation or sport, exhibiting knives for trade, organised exhibitions by knife collectors, wearing an official uniform and religious purposes. Self-defence or defence of another person alone is not a reasonable excuse. (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places
A flick knife or similar device with a blade folded or recessed into the handle that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle is a prohibited weapon. (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Blade length limitsCarrying in public places
Section 382 sets no blade-length threshold for the offence of having a knife in a public place or school without reasonable excuse. (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places
The Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 sets no container-size threshold: any defence or antipersonnel spray that can discharge an irritant, including oleoresin capsicum (OC), is a prohibited weapon. The registrar may issue a permit authorising possession or use, subject to conditions. (source: ACT Government (ACT Parliamentary Counsel))
Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee
Full-time and part-time employees get 4 weeks of paid annual leave a year, based on their ordinary hours of work. Shiftworkers get more than 4 weeks if their award or enterprise agreement provides the extra week under the National Employment Standards. Casual employees do not get paid annual leave. (source: Fair Work Ombudsman)
Texting while drivingUsing a mobile phone while driving a car
A driver with a full licence may not enter anything into a device other than by voice, or send or look at anything on it, while driving. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
Learner and newly qualified driversUsing a mobile phone while driving a car
A learner or provisional licence holder may use a device only as a mounted driver's aid or to play audio without holding it, and without pressing, manipulating or using voice; operating any function by voice or looking at anything on the device counts as use. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
Children under 7 must use an approved and suitable child restraint. Children 7 and over should continue to use a restraint suitable for their size. The suggested minimum height for an adult seatbelt is 145 cm. (source: ACT Government (City Services))
Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars
A driver who does not wear a seatbelt properly, or does not ensure a passenger is properly restrained, faces a maximum of 20 penalty units (AUD 574 infringement notice amount) and 3 demerit points (source: ACT Government (City Services))
On or near the ceiling in bedrooms or in the corridor that leads to bedrooms, installed as per the manufacturer's instructions and the National Construction Code. A multi-level home needs smoke alarms on each level, interconnected. (source: ACT Emergency Services Agency)
E-cigarettes in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine products
Yes. Under the Smoke-Free Public Places Act 2003, smoke includes vapour from an activated personal vaporiser or vaping good, so vaping is banned in enclosed public places like smoking. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel (ACT Legislation Register))
Smoking in cars with childrenTobacco and nicotine products
A person aged 16 or over must not smoke in a vehicle on a road or road related area while a child under 16 is in the vehicle. Smoking includes using a personal vaporiser or vaping good. Maximum penalty 50 penalty units. (source: ACT Legislation Register)
Flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products
Yes. Commonwealth law, which applies in the Australian Capital Territory, bans tobacco products that contain flavouring additives, menthol or menthol derivatives, fruit, spices, sugars or sweeteners, synthetic cooling agents, or a device such as a card, capsule or bead that alters flavour. (source: Federal Register of Legislation (Commonwealth))
Heavier trailer with a category B licenceCar with a trailer or caravan
A class C (car) licence covers a vehicle up to 4.5 tonnes GVM that seats no more than 12 adults including the driver, towing a single trailer with a GVM of 9 tonnes or less. (source: Access Canberra (ACT Government))
Higher categories for trailers (B96, BE)Car with a trailer or caravan
Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR) and Heavy Rigid (HR) licences allow towing a single trailer with a GVM not over 9 tonnes; a trailer over 9 tonnes GVM needs a Heavy Combination (HC) licence. (source: Access Canberra (ACT Government))
Extra mirrors when towingCar with a trailer or caravan
If the driver cannot see down the length of the caravan from the driver's seat, extended mirrors are required. (source: City Services (ACT Government))
Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcohol
At a private place, a parent or guardian of a child or young person, or someone they authorise, may supply liquor, but commits an offence if the supply is not consistent with responsible supervision. Anyone else supplying liquor to a child or young person at a private place commits an offence. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcohol
It is an offence to consume liquor at a bus interchange, bus station, light rail stop, within 50 m of those, shops, licensed or permitted premises, or in a permanent or temporary alcohol-free place. The ban does not apply at licensed premises, at premises selling food for consumption there, or when using furniture provided by such premises within 50 m of them. Maximum penalty 5 penalty units. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcohol
Supplying liquor to a child or young person is an offence for a licensee (50 penalty units), an employee (10) and anyone else at licensed, catered or permitted premises (20), and for anyone in a public place (20). A defence applies if a young person aged at least 16 showed an identification document identifying them as an adult. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol
0.00%: a learner, provisional, probationary or restricted licence holder is a special driver, for whom any alcohol (more than 0 g) is the prescribed concentration. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol
0.00%: drivers of vehicles with a GVM or GCM over 15 tonnes, of vehicles displaying dangerous goods placards and of public passenger vehicles are special drivers. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcohol
First offender: up to 25 penalty units (AUD 4,000) at levels 1 and 2 (under 0.08); up to 50 penalty units (AUD 8,000), 6 months in prison or both at 0.08 to under 0.15; up to 75 penalty units (AUD 12,000), 9 months or both at 0.15 or more. Repeat offender: up to twice the fine and up to 6, 12 or 18 months. Licence disqualification is not covered here. (source: ACT Parliamentary Counsel)
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.