Minimum age for a car driving licence in Australian Capital Territory (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: The ACT issues a learner licence from 15 years and 9 months and a provisional licence from 17 after 12 months as a learner and 100 supervised hours (10 at night) for those under 25. A P1 driver may carry only one passenger aged 16 to 22 between 11pm and 5am.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence17 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence15.75 years [2]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licenceA 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. [3]
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licenceA 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. [4]
Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence15.75 years [2]
Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licenceA 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. [1]
Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified
Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licenceA 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. [3]
Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licenceLearner 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). [3]
How long the licence is validCar (category B) driving licenceA learner licence issued after 1 January 2020 is valid for 5 years. [2]

Notes

  • Australian Capital Territory: licences are issued in stages. The minimum age shown is that of the provisional licence, the first licence that allows driving without a supervisor; the learner stage is shown separately. The learner age is 15 years and 9 months (15.75).

Sources

  1. Access Canberra: Get your provisional driver licence - Access Canberra (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 February 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Access Canberra: Get your learner driver licence - Access Canberra (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 February 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. City Services (ACT Government): Learner and provisional driver safety - City Services (Internet Archive snapshot of 3 December 2025) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Access Canberra (ACT Government): Drivers with licences from overseas - Access Canberra (Internet Archive snapshot of 6 March 2026) (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Australian Capital Territory

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, mainly footpaths and shared paths
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 18+ within the limit · Growing at home: Yes, 2 plants per adult, 4 per home
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Same rights as bicycles
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licence or permit needed)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent visa: ACT licence after 3 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
  • MopedsLicence: Motorcycle licence (class R)
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or untouched; L/P: no voice use
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, compulsory · Minimum alarms and where: 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.
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Towing trailers and caravansTrailer mass allowed with a car licence in any combination: Up to 9,000 kg GVM
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.