Minimum age for a car driving licence in Tasmania (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Tasmania issues a learner licence from 16 and allows the P1 driving assessment from 17 after 12 continuous months and 80 logbook hours, 15 at night. P1 drivers under 25 have peer passenger restrictions.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence17 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence16 years [1]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licenceThe 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. [1]
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified
Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence16 years [2]
Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence80 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). [3]
Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified
Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licenceA 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. [4]
Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licenceLearner licence: the driver knowledge test. P1 licence: the hazard perception test (for most learners, introduced 7 March 2022) and the P1 practical driving assessment. [1]
How long the licence is validCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Tasmania: licences are issued in stages. The minimum age shown is the age for the P1 driving assessment, which leads to the first licence that allows driving without a supervisor; the learner stage is shown separately.

Sources

  1. Plates Plus Tasmania: Summary of novice car licensing pathway | Plates Plus Tasmania (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 August 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Service Tasmania: Apply for or renew a learner driver licence | Service Tasmania (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 August 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Plates Plus Tasmania: Getting your P1s | Plates Plus Tasmania (Internet Archive snapshot of 21 November 2025) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Tasmanian Government (Tasmanian Legislation Online): Vehicle and Traffic (Driver Licensing and Vehicle Registration) Regulations 2021 (S.R. 2021, No. 26), authorised version of 22 April 2026 (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Tasmania

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and local roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h sealed, 80 km/h gravel
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, since 1 May 2025 · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed illicit drug present is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, on Cracker Night (permit) · Minimum age to buy: 18 (permit holder)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, visitors and temporary visa holders · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent residency: convert within 6 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registrar approval needed · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule
  • MopedsLicence: Motor cycle licence (class R)
  • 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/P1: none
  • 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, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: 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.
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • 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.