HOW MANY PASSENGERS CAN I CARRY WHILE I AM ON MY Ls?

HOW MANY PASSENGERS CAN I CARRY WHILE I AM ON MY Ls?

As a learner driver, you can carry as many passengers as there are seats with seatbelts in the car at any time.  For example, a Toyota Corolla has 5 seats, so you would be able to carry 4 passengers.  This also applies when you get your Ps with the exception of the ‘peer passenger’ rule which is explained below. While on your Ls, please remember that your supervisor must be seated in the front passenger seat and not in the rear seat.  

Having more than two people or carrying a load might be a worthwhile driving experience, but be careful not to overload the vehicle and avoid carrying someone whose behaviour is
likely to distract you.

It is also important to remember that anyone under the age of 7 must be correctly seated in a capsule, child seat or booster seat according to their age and/or size.  This link describes the requirements regarding children’s seating in detail. You can be fined ($391 as at June 2019) and get 3 demerit points for ‘each child’ that is not properly restrained.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/children

There is a ‘peer passenger’ rule, but this applies to P1 (red P) drivers under the age of 25.  Under this rule, you must not drive between 11.00pm and 5.00am with more than one passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member.  

You may have to explain to the police your family relationship to each passenger if you are pulled over.  In this situation, if the police are not able to believe on reasonable grounds that an ‘immediate family relationship’ exists, you can be fined ($391 as at June 2019) and get 3 demerit points. 

It is worth remembering that when as a newly licensed driver, you have an added responsibility when you carry a passenger.  The passenger has to wear a seatbelt, which is the your responsibility as the driver.  The passenger's behaviour should not be a distraction to you as the driver and any activity by the passenger that will affect your operation of the car should not be acceptable.