There isn’t a Australia-wide rule in terms of towing when you find yourself a learner driver licence holder.
- The foundations fluctuate relying on the place you maintain your licence
- Towing is probably harmful, and inexperienced drivers could lack the ability to cease accidents
- All the time be sure you know the principles of what you possibly can and may’t tow
Nonetheless, towing a trailer, caravan, camper trailer, horse float, wooden chipper, porta-loo or the rest is an act that shouldn’t be taken flippantly.
Towing can finish in tragedy if tried by somebody who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Simply search “towing fail” on YouTube and also you’ll see some confronting footage of drivers who seemingly have all of the gear and no concept in terms of towing.
There are two arguments as to when it is best to begin studying about driving whereas towing one thing.
The primary is that it is best to study while you’re studying to drive within the first place. The logic being that in case you study that kind of ability immediately, it might come in useful in case you want that expertise at a later date.
The opposite approach of it’s that L-platers ought to be studying how one can drive and perceive the highway first, earlier than they’re anticipated to have the ability to address the extra burden of towing one thing in a ‘reside’ scenario.
That’s mainly how among the completely different jurisdictions throughout the nation see it, too – the principles fluctuate, relying on the place your L plates are issued. Right here’s a rundown of the completely different guidelines for Australian L-plate drivers in terms of towing.
The jurisdictions the place L platers ARE NOT ALLOWED to tow:
New South Wales
In accordance with the State Authorities’s transport company, learner and provisional P1 drivers have towing restrictions. “Learner drivers and learner and provisional bike riders usually are not allowed to tow.”
It’s additionally price contemplating in case you reside close to any of the borders with neighbouring states or territories that do enable L-plater towing, the NSW Centre for Highway Security states: “NSW learner, P1 and P2 drivers and riders should obey the identical licence circumstances and restrictions that apply to them in NSW after they drive or trip in different states or territories in Australia.”
Victoria: In accordance with the Vicroads web site round learner driver restrictions, these drivers who’re on their L plates should “not tow a trailer, caravan or one other automobile”.
Tasmania: The island state doesn’t enable L-platers to tow. The state’s PlatesPlus web site states that learner-stage drivers should “by no means tow one other automobile, together with trailer”.
The jurisdictions the place L platers ARE ALLOWED to tow:
Queensland: L-plate drivers are allowed to tow supplied they “have the L Plate on the again of the caravan or seen on the trailer as properly”.
Nonetheless, Queensland Police state that towing will not be a activity that ought to be taken flippantly – and, ideally, shouldn’t occur for the primary time on a public highway with different site visitors round: “Towing a trailer or caravan requires further focus and ability. It is best to achieve expertise earlier than attempting to tow at excessive pace or in confined areas.”
ACT: The ACT Highway Guidelines Handbook states: “Towing is restricted to small trailers not exceeding 750 kilograms GVM (gross automobile mass). Holders of a learner driver licence for a motorbike are NOT permitted to tow.”
South Australia: MyLicence SA states: “In case your allow or licence was issued in South Australia, chances are you’ll drive a automobile of not more than 4.5 tonne and tow a trailer, caravan, boat or horse float as SA doesn’t prohibit learner’s allow or provisional licence drivers from towing such automobiles. Most often your allow/licence circumstances journey with you in case you drive interstate, nonetheless, remember that some guidelines could also be completely different.”
Western Australia: Learner drivers are permitted to tow in Western Australia. “L drivers usually are not restricted from towing a trailer so long as the learner driver is driving inside the circumstances of their studying allow – and this consists of having a supervising driver alongside them within the automobile”.
Northern Territory: The NT’s learner drivers’ information states: “Towing – You might be allowed to tow trailers”. Additional, the Territory states that “L plates should be clearly displayed on the back and front of the automobile. If towing a trailer, an L plate should even be displayed on the again of the trailer”.
Not supposed as authorized recommendation. Test with the related roads authority in your state or territory.
