What to Bring to Your Driving Test in Australia (2025)
Don't lose your test fee over a missing document. Here's exactly what to bring to your Australian driving test, with state-by-state rules and a pre-test checklist.
Your physical learner licence is the single most important item. Every state requires it. A digital licence or a photo on your phone is not accepted in most states right now, so keep the plastic card safe in the weeks before your test.
Here is everything to pack the night before:
- Current physical learner driver licence (not expired)
- Completed logbook, signed off by your supervisor (NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT)
- Test booking confirmation (email printout or on your phone)
- Vehicle registration papers (if using your own or a borrowed car)
- Proof of comprehensive insurance if the vehicle is not yours
- Payment receipt if you pre-paid the test fee online
No logbook in Victoria? VicRoads scrapped the mandatory paper logbook for learners who got their permit after July 2020, but you still need your licence and booking confirmation. Always check your state authority's website the day before.
State-by-State Rules at a Glance
| State | Min. Supervised Hours | Night Hours Required | Test Fee (approx.) | Logbook Required? | Digital Licence Accepted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 120 hrs | 20 hrs | $61 | Yes | No (physical only) |
| VIC | 120 hrs | 10 hrs | $44 | No (post-July 2020) | No (physical only) |
| QLD | 100 hrs | 10 hrs | $52 | Yes | No (physical only) |
| WA | 50 hrs | 5 hrs | $55 | Yes | No (physical only) |
| SA | 75 hrs | 15 hrs | $50 | Yes | No (physical only) |
| ACT | 120 hrs | 20 hrs | $58 | Yes | No (physical only) |
Sources: Transport for NSW (2024), VicRoads (2024), TMR Queensland (2024).
Your Vehicle Must Pass a Check Too
The examiner inspects the car before you move an inch. If it fails, your test is cancelled. Get this right and you save your booking fee and your nerve.
What the Examiner Checks
Examiners look at safety gear first. Every item below must be in order before you leave home.
- L-plates displayed front and rear (exterior, not inside the windscreen)
- Current registration (check the label on the windscreen)
- Roadworthy tyres, lights, horn, and windscreen wipers
- A working dual-control setup if you use a driving school car
- Passenger-side mirror the examiner can adjust
A Note on Electronic Handbrakes and ADAS
Some newer cars have electronic parking brakes or lane-keep assist. Tell the examiner before the test starts. They need to know how your car works. Turn off any driver-assist systems that could interfere with the assessment, like automatic emergency braking prompts that might confuse the assessment of your independent decisions.
Using a Borrowed or Hired Car
If the car is not registered in your name, bring the registration certificate AND proof of comprehensive insurance. Some test centres, like Service NSW in Parramatta, will ask to sight both before the test begins.
Your 15-Minute Pre-Test Checklist
Do this in the car park before the examiner approaches. It takes less than five minutes and it settles your nerves.
- Check L-plates are fixed securely front and rear
- Confirm your licence is in your pocket or bag, not the glovebox
- Open your logbook to the summary page so it is ready to hand over
- Adjust your seat, mirrors, and steering wheel before the examiner gets in
- Turn off music, phone notifications, and any ADAS features you do not need
- Take three slow breaths. You have prepared for this.
Find an Accredited Instructor to Get You Test-Ready
The fastest way to feel confident on test day is to practise the actual test routes with an accredited local instructor. Browse instructors near you at 1Stop Driving School, compare prices from around $60 to $90 per hour, and book a time that suits you. You see the rate before you book, no surprises.
Ready to start? Find a local accredited instructor at 1stopdrivingschool.com.au and book your first lesson today.
What learners ask
What documents do you need for your Australian driving test?
Bring your current physical learner driver licence, your completed logbook (required in NSW, QLD, WA, SA, and ACT), and your test booking confirmation. If the car is borrowed, add the registration certificate and proof of comprehensive insurance. Missing any one of these can cancel your test immediately.
Can your driving test be cancelled before it even starts?
Yes, and it happens more than you think. If your learner licence is missing or expired, your logbook is incomplete, the vehicle fails the safety check, or L-plates are not on the exterior front and rear, the examiner can cancel on the spot. You may also forfeit your booking fee. Check everything the night before.
Do L-plates need to be on the outside of the car?
Yes. Every Australian state requires L-plates to be fixed to the exterior of the vehicle, front and rear. Placing them inside the windscreen does not meet the legal requirement. Make sure they are firmly attached before the examiner approaches your car, or your test will not proceed.
Is a digital licence accepted at the Australian driving test?
Not yet in most states. As of 2024, NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, and ACT all require your physical plastic learner licence card at the test. A photo on your phone or a digital ID app is not accepted. Keep your physical card safe in the weeks leading up to your test date.
What to Bring to Your Driving Test in Australia (2025) — FAQs
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