Different states have different rules for driving at night before you get your full licence. All learners can drive at night because they are supervised by a person with a licence. In fact, each state has its own recommendations for driving at night while you are a learner:
- Queensland: 100 hours of supervised driving including 10 hours of night driving
- Western Australia: 50 hours of supervised driving with five hours of night driving
- New South Wales: 120 hours of supervised driving experience with 20 hours of night driving
- Victoria: 120 hours of supervised driving experience with 20 hours of night driving
- Northern Territory: No specific recommendation
- Australian Capital Territory: No specific recommendation
- Tasmania: No specific recommendation
- South Australia: 75 hours of supervised driving with 15 hours of night driving
You are not allowed to drive unsupervised between certain hours at night when you are a P plate driver unless you have a specific restriction for work or education. The curfew times vary from state-to-state, for example, it’s midnight to 5am in Western Australia but 11pm to 5am in New South Wales. However, if you are on private land you can drive at any time day or night on a P plate.
Darren is an expert on driving and transport, and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists
