Can a P-plater tow a trailer?
Want to know if you can hitch up a trailer as a probationary driver? Read on to find outIf you’re on your P-plates and are keen to trailer a jet ski to the water, need to tow a trailer for work, or tow any other type of trailer behind a passenger vehicle, make sure you’re up to date with the law. You might find you are not permitted to tow anything at all on a provisional (P-plate) licence in your state.
The good news for those P-plate drivers licensed in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia is that you are good to go towing a trailer up to 4500kg, just like unrestricted car licence holders can. The one catch is you must make sure you have a P-plate visible on the back of the trailer.
In NSW, P1-platers (red Ps) in NSW can tow a trailer, but only if the trailer’s unloaded (tare) weight is 250kg or less. This means that in practice you can tow something like a single jet ski trailer or small box trailer up to 250kg tare, plus any load on it – provided, of course, your load is within the vehicle and trailer’s legal towing capacity.
If you’ve graduated to your green Ps (P2 provisional licence) in NSW, you’re treated to the same trailers that an unrestricted car licence holder can tow (up to 4500kg). You do have to display a P-plate on the back of the trailer though, just like you’d normally do on the back of the car.
For Victoria, if you’re on your red P-plates (P1), you’re not allowed to tow a trailer at all – with the following exceptions. If you need to tow for work purposes in agriculture, horticulture, dairy, pastoral, or commercial fishing and you have a fully licenced driver sitting beside you, then you’re able to tow up to 4500kg.
If you’re on green Ps (P2 provisional licence) you can tow a trailer as a normal full car licence driver can. In those instances where you are allowed to tow, you still need to have a P-plate on the back of the trailer.
For the Australian Capital Territory, a P-plate driver can tow a trailer, but if you’re on your red Ps, the total weight (including any load) must be no more than 750kg and you must have a P-plate on the back of the trailer. There are no trailer weight restrictions on your green Ps, (beyond the maximum 4500kg someone on a full licence can tow) and again you need to have a P plate visible on the back of the trailer.
For those jurisdictions where you can tow on your Ps, be aware that your maximum speed, alcohol, vehicle power-to-weight restrictions and any other licence restrictions still apply regardless of if you’re towing a trailer.
The vehicle and trailer weights also must be within legal limits, as they would if you were on a full car licence.
P-plater towing rules by state/territory
NT, SA, QLD, TAS, WA | P-platers can tow up to 4500kg, same as full licence holders, but must display a P-plate on the trailer. |
New South Wales | P1: Can tow only if the trailer’s tare weight is 250kg or less. P2: Can tow up to 4500kg, with a P-plate on the trailer. |
Victoria | P1: Cannot tow unless for specific work purposes (agriculture, etc.) and accompanied by a fully licensed driver. P2: Can tow up to 4500kg, with a P-plate on the trailer. |
Australian Capital Territory | P1: Can tow up to 750kg (including load), with a P-plate on the trailer. P2: Can tow up to 4500kg, with a P-plate on the trailer. |
General rules still apply: speed limits, alcohol restrictions, vehicle power-to-weight limits, and legal towing capacities. P-plates must be displayed on the trailer in all jurisdictions where towing is allowed.
Related: Towing weights explained: How to legally and safely tow a caravan in Australia
Related: L-plate and P-plate rules across Australia
Related: P and L Plates NSW: The rules
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