Whether you can tow on L or P plates depends on the state, and the rules are very different. NSW lets P1 drivers tow only small trailers, Victoria stops P1 drivers towing at all with a few exceptions, and the NT lets learners tow. Here’s what each official source says.
The rules by state
| State | Learner (L) | P1 (red P) | P2 (green P) | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Not allowed to tow | Small trailers up to 250 kg unloaded weight | No restriction listed | Transport for NSW |
| VIC | Must not tow a trailer, caravan or another vehicle | No towing, except for work, for farming and similar, or with a full licence holder beside you | No restriction listed | Transport Victoria |
| ACT | Trailer no greater than 750 kg | Trailer no greater than 750 kg | No restriction listed | ACT Government |
| NT | Allowed, with an L plate on the back of the trailer | Allowed, with a P plate on the back of the trailer | Allowed | NT Road Users’ Handbook |
| TAS | No towing on an L2 licence | Not stated on the page we checked | Not stated on the page we checked | Transport Tasmania |
| QLD | Check with TMR | Check with TMR | Check with TMR | qld.gov.au licensing |
| WA | Check with DoT | Check with DoT | Check with DoT | Driving on your P plates |
| SA | Check with mylicence | Check with mylicence | Check with mylicence | The Driver’s Handbook |
“No restriction listed” means the official page sets out the L and P1 towing rules and doesn’t list one for P2. For Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, the official licensing pages we checked don’t state a towing rule for learner or provisional drivers either way, so confirm with the state before you tow.
What “250 kg unloaded” means in NSW
The NSW limit is on the trailer’s unloaded weight, its tare, not what’s in it. A small box trailer can be under 250 kg empty. Most caravans, camper trailers, boat trailers and car trailers are well over it, so a NSW P1 driver generally can’t tow them.
Victoria’s three P1 exceptions
A Victorian P1 driver can tow only if it’s:
- for work, as requested by the employer
- solely for agriculture, horticulture, dairy, pastoral, commercial fishing or similar
- with a fully licensed driver sitting beside them
Before you tow on L or P plates
- Check the weights too. Licence rules sit on top of the vehicle’s own limits. Even where you’re allowed to tow, the trailer must be within the vehicle’s towing capacity, GVM and GCM. The how much can I tow calculator works out your real limit.
- Brakes and chains. Trailers with a GTM over 750 kg need brakes. See trailer brake and safety chain requirements.
- Interstate trips. If you’ll drive in another state, check its rules as well before you go.
This is general information, not legal advice. Licence conditions can change, so check your state’s official source before towing.