Displaying L-plates
Queensland Transport reintroduced L-plates to Queensland on a trial basis on 31 January
2005. The trial was scheduled for three years, ending 30 January 2008. However, with the announcement of the young driver initiatives by the Queensland Government on 12 August 2006, the display of L-plates by learner drivers was made mandatory and the trial finalised. L-plate requirements
The minimum size and colour of an L-plate is 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm with a black uppercase letter 'L' on a yellow background. No other colours are acceptable. The L-plate may be larger than the minimum size requirement of 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm, but not so large that it will obscure your view when learning to drive or ride.
L-plates can be purchased from most service stations, major retailers and automotive outlets.
Note: Home-made L-plates will be acceptable as long as they meet the specified size and colour. The L-plate template below can be printed in colour and laminated for use.
Template for L-plate (PDF**, 16KB)The L-plates may show a logo placed around the outside of the L-plate. The logo must not be part of the minimum size requirements. For example, the placement of a frame with the name of the motor dealer is allowed but it must not cover the standard-sized plate.
Company logos on L-plates
The display of company logos on L-plates is a commercial transaction between an individual and the manufacturer of the plates. Queensland Transport does not have a list of these manufacturers.
Location of L-plates on vehicles
The L-plates must be visible to anyone looking at the front or rear of your vehicle. If your vehicle is a motorbike, you must display L-plates:
- next to your rear number plate, or
- on a vest being worn by you, or
- on a vest being worn by your teacher if they are a pillion passenger.
On any other motor vehicle (including B-doubles and road trains), L-plates must be displayed:
- next to your front and rear number plates, or
- inside the front and rear windscreen, or
- on the bonnet and boot of the vehicle.
Penalties for not displaying L-plates
You and your teacher will each be fined A$120 if L-plates are not displayed.
An accredited driver-trainer or rider-trainer who provides the vehicle and fails to display the required L-plates may be dealt with by a court. The maximum penalty is A$1500.
However, if the learner driver or learner rider provides the vehicle and fails to display L-plates, a fine of A$120 will apply to both the learner and the accredited driver trainer or rider trainer.
Penalties for displaying L-plates when not a learner driver
The driver will be fined A$60. However, accredited driver trainers and rider trainers may continue to display L-plates on their vehicle after they have finished giving driver training.
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is required to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from our "Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF" web page.
Last updated 19 February 2008
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