Footpaths (15 km/h), shared paths and bicycle paths (25 km/h), and local roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less, no dividing line or median strip and no multiple lanes if one-way (25 km/h). Not on a footpath with a 'no personal mobility device' sign. (source: Department of State Growth (Transport Services), Tasmanian Government)
40 km/h in school zones during designated times. The 40 km/h limit also applies near school buses with flashing lights. (source: Road Safety Advisory Council (Tasmania))
Sealed beverage containers of 150 millilitres up to and including 3 litres are covered by the scheme; containers designed to hold less than 150 millilitres or more than 3 litres are exempt (Container Refund Scheme Regulations 2023, reg 4(b) and (c)), Other exempt classes include refillable glass containers; containers that held unflavoured milk or unflavoured plant-based milk, concentrated juice or concentrated cordial, or registered therapeutic tonics; containers of 1 litre or more that held flavoured milk or juice of at least 90% fruit or vegetable juice; cardboard containers of 1 litre or more that held wine or water; plastic or foil containers of 250 millilitres or more that held wine; glass containers of wine or spirits (reg 4) (source: Tasmanian Legislation Online)
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence
The driver knowledge test can be taken from 15 years and 11 months and the learner licence is issued from 16. The P1 driving assessment needs age 17 or older, the learner licence held for a minimum of 12 continuous months and 80 logbook hours including 15 at night. The P1 licence is then held for a minimum of 12 continuous months. (source: Plates Plus Tasmania)
Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence
Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence
80 logbook hours including 15 hours at night, verified by the supervisory driver (a different, lower figure applies to those who held an L2 licence before 1 December 2020). (source: Plates Plus Tasmania)
Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence
A P1 licence holder may not drive with more than one passenger aged 16 to 21 (under 22) in the vehicle. The limit does not apply once the holder is 25. Exemptions include passengers who are the holder's spouse, partner or immediate family, travel to or from work or recognised education or training, medical purposes, emergency-worker duties, undue family hardship, or a supervising full licence holder in the front seat who meets the licence-history conditions. (source: Tasmanian Government (Tasmanian Legislation Online))
Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licence
Learner licence: the driver knowledge test. P1 licence: the hazard perception test (for most learners, introduced 7 March 2022) and the P1 practical driving assessment. (source: Plates Plus Tasmania)
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a prescribed illicit drug; its presence in blood or oral fluid is an offence and no numeric limit is set. (source: Tasmanian Government (Tasmanian Legislation Online))
Either a bicycle with an auxiliary motor of not more than 200 W combined, or a 'power-assisted pedal cycle' as defined by the Australian Design Rule: maximum continuous output of 250 W, reducing progressively as speed increases and cutting off at 25 km/h or when the cyclist stops pedalling. (source: Department of State Growth (Transport Services), Tasmanian Government)
A driver licence is required to drive a motor vehicle on a public street (s 8), but the definition of motor vehicle excludes a pedal cycle with an electric auxiliary motor of not more than 200 W and a power-assisted pedal cycle within the meaning of the relevant ADR. (source: Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Tasmanian Government)
Plate and insuranceRiding on public roads
Registration is required for a motor vehicle used on a public street (s 27), but the definition of motor vehicle excludes a pedal cycle with an electric auxiliary motor of not more than 200 W and a power-assisted pedal cycle within the meaning of the relevant ADR. Insurance is not addressed in the Act. (source: Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Tasmanian Government)
Cycle pathsRiding on public roads
E-bikes within the definition of a bicycle follow the bicycle rules. A rider on a footpath or shared path must keep left where practicable and give way to pedestrians (rule 250); riders aged 12 or over must not use a footpath where another law prohibits it, and riding is prohibited where a 'no bicycles' sign or marking applies (rule 252). (source: Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Tasmanian Government)
When they may be sold to the publicConsumer fireworks (category F2)
Type 2 fireworks may be purchased only by the holder of a Cracker Night permit, from an authorised seller. Permits are issued only for Cracker Night, which falls on 24 May each year, or on the following Saturday if 24 May is not a Saturday (30 May 2026; 29 May 2027). (source: WorkSafe Tasmania)
When they may be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2)
Type 2 fireworks may be used on Cracker Night (24 May, or the following Saturday if 24 May is not a Saturday). Using them on any other day without a permit is illegal; all other displays must be conducted by a pyrotechnician for an approved purpose. (source: WorkSafe Tasmania)
Where they may not be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2)
A Cracker Night display cannot be held in winds above 39 km/h or if a total fire ban has been declared. The firing point must be on privately owned property with the owner's consent (beaches are not suitable), at least 50 m from neighbouring homes and nearby roads, and at least 500 m from privately owned horses or livestock unless the occupants consent. It must also be at least 3 km from wildlife park boundaries and 1 km from commercial livestock, boarding kennels or horse businesses unless the owner consents. (source: WorkSafe Tasmania)
Fireworks consumers may useConsumer fireworks (category F2)
Only Type 2 fireworks, also known as "shop good" fireworks, are permitted for Cracker Night, and they are available only from an authorised seller. (source: WorkSafe Tasmania)
Local restrictionsConsumer fireworks (category F2)
A Cracker Night permit requires notification at least 7 days before the display to the local council and all adjoining properties. Notice to Marine and Safety Tasmania is required if the property is close to the seashore, and to Parks and Wildlife or Sustainable Timber Tasmania if national parks, reserves or timber zones are nearby. (source: WorkSafe Tasmania)
Hours when they may be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2)
Cracker Night permits are approved for a 45 minute display, either from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm or from 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm. (source: WorkSafe Tasmania)
Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age
A parent applies for approval of a proposed home education programme for one year. A registration officer visits and reports, the Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council gives advice, and the Registrar approves or refuses the programme. The Registrar may approve only if the programme meets the standards set in the regulations. (source: Tasmanian Government (Tasmanian Legislation Online))
Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age
A child who is at least 5 years of age as at 1 January in a year must be enrolled at a school, or provided with home education by a registered home educator, until the child is issued with a transition statement unless exempted under Part 3 of the Act. (source: Tasmanian Government (Tasmanian Legislation Online))
A person, without lawful excuse (proof of which lies on the person), must not possess, carry or use a dangerous article, which includes a knife, in a public place. Maximum penalty is a fine of up to 100 penalty units or imprisonment for up to 3 years, or both. Tasmania Police states that pocketknives, multitools, scissors, shears and box cutters are covered. (source: Tasmanian Government (Office of Parliamentary Counsel))
Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places
Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places
A lawful excuse excludes self-defence but includes pursuing a lawful occupation, duty or activity using the article, taking part in lawful sport, recreation or entertainment using it, the lawful collection, display or exhibition of it, use for the lawful purpose for which it was intended, and religious observance. Police officers and persons excluded in writing by the Commissioner are exempt. (source: Tasmanian Government (Office of Parliamentary Counsel))
Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places
The Police Offences Act 1935 does not distinguish automatic (flick or switchblade) knives: any knife is a dangerous article and falls under the same public place offence, and a person needs a lawful excuse to possess, carry or use it. (source: Tasmanian Government (Office of Parliamentary Counsel))
Minimum paid leave as the law states itFull-time employee; Tasmanian private-sector employees (national system)
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)
Public holidays and annual leaveFull-time employee; Tasmanian private-sector employees (national system)
Texting while drivingUsing a mobile phone while driving a car
Apart from an audio call or use as a driver's aid, a mobile phone may not be used while the vehicle is moving or stationary but not parked; 'audio phone call' does not include email, text message, video call or video message. (source: Tasmanian Government (Tasmanian Legislation Online))
Learner and newly qualified driversUsing a mobile phone while driving a car
Under 6 months: approved rearward-facing restraint. 6 months to under 4 years: approved rearward-facing restraint or forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness. 4 to under 7 years: approved forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt. (source: Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (Tasmania))
Children in the front seatPassenger cars
In a car with 2 or more rows, children under 4 must not travel in the front seat. If all seats other than the front seats are used by children under 7, children aged 4 to 6 may travel in the front seat in an approved child restraint or booster seat. (source: Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (Tasmania))
Booster seat untilPassenger cars
Children aged 4 to under 7 may use an approved booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt in place of a forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness (source: Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (Tasmania))
Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars
Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras can operate anywhere in Tasmania at all times of the day and night, and police can also issue infringement notices to the driver and the passenger (source: Mobile Speed Cameras in Tasmania (Tasmanian Government))
A smoke alarm in every hallway or corridor connected to bedrooms (or between the bedrooms and the rest of the home if there is no hallway). Multi-storey homes need an alarm on each level, including levels without bedrooms. (source: Tasmania Fire Service)
Minimum alarms and whereSmoke alarms in dwellings; Rental properties in Tasmania
Smoke alarms are required in all hallways and at the top of all stairways. (source: Tasmania Fire Service)
Who must fit the alarmsSmoke alarms in dwellings; Rental properties in Tasmania
E-cigarettes in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine products
Yes. 'Smoke' in the Act includes vapour or aerosol from a personal vaporiser product, so vaping is banned in smoke-free areas, including enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces. (source: Tasmanian Government, Tasmanian Legislation Online)
Smoking in cars with childrenTobacco and nicotine products
Flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products
Displaying, selling or supplying a tobacco product that is confectionery-flavoured, confectionery-scented, fruit-flavoured or fruit-scented is banned. The same applies to cigarette papers. (source: Tasmanian Government, Tasmanian Legislation Online)
Towing trailers and caravans
Rule
What applies
Compared with other states
Higher categories for trailers (B96, BE)Car with a trailer or caravan
Light Rigid (LR), Medium Rigid (MR) and Heavy Rigid (HR) licences allow a trailer of no more than 9 tonnes GVM; a Heavy Combination (HC) licence covers a heavy rigid vehicle plus a trailer greater than 9 tonnes GVM. (source: Tasmanian Government (Transport Services))
Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcohol
A person under 18 may be in a part of licensed premises designated as off-limits to under-18s only to have a meal or in the company of a responsible adult (a parent, step-parent, guardian, spouse or partner of the minor, or a person with parental responsibility, aged 18 or over), where the area is designated for that exception. (source: Tasmanian Government)
Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcohol
A person must not sell or serve liquor to a person under 18 on licensed premises or permit premises (50 penalty units; 100 for a licensee whose authorised person does so), and must not supply liquor to a person under 18 there (50). A person under 18 must not purchase liquor (10 penalty units), consume liquor on licensed or permit premises, or be sent to buy liquor. (source: Tasmanian Government)
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol
0.00%: s 6(2) makes it an offence for a learner or provisional licence holder to drive with alcohol present in the body. (source: Tasmanian Government)
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcohol
First offence at 0.15 or more: a fine of 5 to 30 penalty units, disqualification of 12 to 36 months and up to 12 months in prison. At 0.05 to under 0.10: 2 to 10 penalty units, 3 to 12 months' disqualification and up to 3 months in prison. Subsequent offences carry higher ranges. (source: Tasmanian Government)
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.