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Getting a Learner Licence in Australia Capital Territory: Frequently Asked Questions

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  • When can I apply for a learner licence in Australia Capital Territory?

    You need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply for your learner licence.
  • What documents do I need to bring to apply for my Australia Capital Territory learner licence?

    • Learner licence fee - $52.40
    • Passed ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test certificate (You’ll have to first pass pass a Road Ready Course as well as the ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test in order to apply for your learner licence).
    • At least 3 ‘Evidence of Identity’ documents:
      • At least one ‘Primary Proof’ document:
        • A Photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
        • Australian Birth Certificate (not a Commemorative Certificate and not an extract). If the certificate is not in the name currently used appropriate linking documentation will be required (for example a marriage certificate).
        • Australian Passport (expired up to 2 years).
        • Overseas Passport (expired by up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa).
        • Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate.
        • Department of Immigration and Border Protection travel document (valid up to 5 years after issue).
        • Department of Immigration and Border Protection Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status (issued before 1 April 2013).
        • Department of Immigration and Border Protection Evidence of Immigration Status (EIS) ImmiCard (valid to date of expiry).
        • Department of Immigration and Border Protection Permanent Resident Evidence (PRE) ImmiCard (valid to date of expiry).
        • Department of Immigration and Border Protection Australian Migration Status (AMS) ImmiCard (valid to date of Expiry).
        • Police Officer Photo-identity card (from ACT only).
        • Australian Proof of Age Card (includes NSW Photo Card) with appropriate security features, showing date of issue by an Authority, that is current or expired up to 2 years.
      • And one or more ‘Secondary Proof’ documents:
        • Current Medicare Card.
        • Current Credit Card or Account Card, with signature and embossed name from a Bank, Building Society or Credit Union.
        • Current Student Identity Document (with photo and / or signature) issued by an Educational Institution.
        • Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession Card.
        • Australian-issued Security Guard / Crowd Controller Licence (with photo).
        • Australian-issued Firearm Licence (with photo).
        • Current Consular photograph identity card issued by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
        • Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
        • Australian Defence Force Photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
        • ACT Services Access Card issued by the ACT Government (for Asylum seekers).
        • Working with Vulnerable People card.
    • Proof of Residency:
      • Current Medicare Card.
      • Current Credit Card or Account Card, with signature and embossed name from a Bank, Building Society or Credit Union.
      • Current Student Identity Document (with photo and / or signature) issued by an Educational Institution.
      • Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession Card.
      • Australian-issued Security Guard / Crowd Controller Licence (with photo).
      • Australian-issued Firearm Licence (with photo).
      • Current Consular photograph identity card issued by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
      • Current State, Territory, or Federal Government employee photo-identity card.
      • Australian Defence Force Photo-identity card (excluding civilians).
      • ACT Services Access Card issued by the ACT Government (for Asylum seekers).
      • Working with Vulnerable People card.
      • Contract of Purchase, Current Lease or Rental Document for relevant premises (a receipt only is not acceptable) prepared by a real estate agency or ACT Government.
      • ACT Revenue Office Rates Notice (current).
      • Land Tax Valuation Notice (current).
      • Australian Taxation Office Assessment (last or current financial year). To protect your privacy customers are advised to block out their Tax File Number.
      • Utility Accounts relating to the nominated physical address (Electricity, Gas, Landline Telephone or Water) paid within the last 6 months.
      • Pay Television account, relating to your nominated physical address, paid within the last 6 months.
      • Department of Defence Minute Confirmation of address, supported by a Defence Identification Card.
      • Letter from Approved University Residences, accompanied by a Student Identity Card from that University.
      • Mail from Centrelink, received within the last 6 months.
      • Course Confirmation Letters from a college or university in the ACT for the current year or last year.
      • ACTEW welcome letter or bundle advice relating to the nominated physical address received in the last 3 months.
      • Bank Statements received by post at the nominated physical address, with evidence of transactions performed in the ACT over the last 3 months.
      • Mail from Medicare, received within the last 6 months.
      • Current interstate registration renewal notice, received at the nominated physical address.
      • Mail from an Australian Government Department, received at the nominated physical address within the last 6 months.
  • How can I sign up to take a Road Ready Course?

    The Road Ready Course is provided by most ACT schools free of charge as part of their year 10 curriculum. It is also conducted by a Road Ready Centre at various locations. The course is available during the day, in the evenings and at weekends. To make a booking, telephone Watson (north) 6162 5152 or Phillip (south) 6282 8990, or go to www.roadready.act.gov.au for more information.
  • How can I sign up to take my ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test?

    The Road Rules Knowledge Test will happen automatically at the end of your Road Ready Course. Don’t forget to bring your passed ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test certificate to a Canberra Connect Shopfront or the Civic Driver Licence Service to get your learner licence.
  • How can I contact the nearest Canberra Connect Shopfront or ACT Civic Driver Licence Service?

    You can find contact info for any Canberra Connect Shopfront or Civic Driver Licence Service on the websites of these organisations.
  • Will I receive a physical exam when I apply for my Australia Capital Territory learner licence?

    No, but you are responsible for alerting the government about any medical issue - including an eyesight issue - that could have an impact on your ability to drive.
  • Will I receive an eyesight test when I apply for my Australia Capital Territory learner licence?

    Yes, you’ll have to prove that your visual acuity is at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale. So don’t forget those glasses or contacts!
  • Will I get my photo taken when I apply for my Australia Capital Territory learner licence?

    Yes, once your application is approved, the office will take your photo for your learner licence.
  • Should I avoid wearing certain colours when I get my licence photo taken?

    No, you don’t need to worry about avoiding any particular colour. Just wear whatever colours you usually would!
  • Should I pull my hair back when I get my licence photo taken?

    Only if it covers any of your eyes or your face. Your whole face needs to be clearly visible in your licence photo, because it’s going to serve as proof of your identity.
  • Should I avoid wearing makeup for my licence photo?

    No, you can feel free to wear any makeup you usually would!
  • Can I smile in my licence photo?

    No, because your face will be easiest to identify in the photo if you have a straight face in it. It’s not much fun, true - but it’s very important for making you easy to identify from your licence photo.
  • What else can I do to make sure I get a nice-looking licence photo?

    Just try not to blink! Keep a calm and relaxed face, and look straight into the camera.
  • I’m ready to get my Australia Capital Territory learner licence. What do I do?

    Have you passed your Road Ready Course and ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test? If not, then your first step is to complete those. To make a booking for a Road Ready Course, telephone Watson (north) 6162 5152 or Phillip (south) 6282 8990, or go to www.roadready.act.gov.au for more information.

    Once you’ve passed the course and test, bring your passed ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test certificate to a Canberra Connect Shopfront or the Civic Driver Licence Service to apply for your learner licence.

    After the office has processed your application - and given you a simple eyesight test - they’ll snap your photo, give you a temporary learner licence, and send you on your way!
  • I don’t see my question here. Where can I get it answered?

    You can check out our Beginner Driver Q & A Section, where our professional driving experts can help you find the info you’re looking for. You can also feel free to send us an email, if you’d like: drivingtestsorg@gmail.com.
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