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How Many Driving Hours Do You Need in Tasmania?
Tasmania requires 80 supervised hours before you can go from your Ls to your Ps. 15 at night, 65 during the day. The instructor bonus is 2-for-1 rather than the 3-for-1 you’ll find elsewhere, but the RYDA programme adds another 5 free hours.
Tasmania permit requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 80 |
| Daytime hours | 65 |
| Night hours | 15 |
| Minimum learner age | 16 |
| Minimum hold period | 12 months |
| Supervisor requirement | Full licence held 12+ months |
| Driver education required | No |
| Maximum speed on Ls | 90 km/h |
| Instructor bonus | 2-for-1 (cap 10 hrs = 20 credit) |
| Blood alcohol limit | Zero |
Night driving rules in Tasmania
Night driving counts from sunset to sunrise. Tasmania’s southern position means dramatic seasonal swings. In Hobart, sunset can be as early as 4:45 PM in June or as late as 8:45 PM in December. That’s a 4-hour difference.
Winter is when you’ll rack up night hours fastest. A 5:00 PM drive in July is already dark. Use that to your advantage — start mixing in evening sessions during autumn and you’ll have your 15 hours done before spring.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervisor must have held a full licence for at least 12 months. Provisional licence holders can’t supervise. They sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and must be ready to take control at any time.
Zero blood alcohol for the learner. Supervisors should stay well within their own legal limit.
Instructor bonus hours
Tasmania offers a 2-for-1 bonus with licensed driving instructors. Each instructor hour counts as 2 in your logbook. The cap is 10 instructor hours, which gives you 20 hours of credit.
That brings your actual driving time down from 80 to about 70 hours. It’s a smaller multiplier than the 3-for-1 in NSW or Queensland, but still a meaningful reduction.
RYDA programme bonus
RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) is a road safety education programme that runs in schools and community venues. Completing it gives you 5 bonus hours in your logbook. Combined with the instructor bonus, you could earn up to 25 credit hours — dropping your actual requirement to about 65 hours.
Check with your school or local council to find RYDA sessions near you.
Speed restrictions
Learner drivers in Tasmania are limited to 90 km/h. That’s lower than most other states, and it applies regardless of the posted speed limit. On highways posted at 100 or 110, you need to stay at or below 90. Display your L plates clearly so drivers behind you understand.
How to plan your 80 hours
With a 12-month hold period, there’s no need to rush. Here’s what a realistic schedule looks like:
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed (27 weeks) | 3 | 1 hour | ~27 weeks |
| Moderate (16 weeks) | 5 | 1 hour | ~16 weeks |
| With all bonuses (13 weeks) | 5 | 1 hour | ~13 weeks |
The “with all bonuses” row assumes you max out the 2-for-1 instructor hours (20 credit) and complete RYDA (5 credit), bringing your actual required hours down to about 65.
Night hours are about 19% of the total. One evening session per week from the start keeps you on track.
No age exemption
Unlike most other Australian states, Tasmania doesn’t offer an age exemption from the logbook requirement. Whether you’re 16 or 36, you need the full 80 hours. Plan accordingly.
Tracking your driving hours
80 hours across a year means dozens of logbook entries. Paper gets messy. Moda logs every drive automatically, separates day and night hours, tracks your instructor bonus and RYDA credit, and shows exactly how far you’ve come. When it’s time for your test, export your logbook in the format Tasmania requires.
How many supervised driving hours does Tasmania require?
Tasmania requires 80 total supervised driving hours. 15 must be at night and 65 during the day.
What counts as night driving in Tasmania?
Night driving in Tasmania is defined as sunset to sunrise. Tasmania’s southern latitude means big seasonal swings — sunset can be as early as 4:45 PM in winter.
Can I get bonus hours with a driving instructor in Tasmania?
Yes. Each hour with a licensed instructor counts as 2 hours in your logbook. The cap is 10 instructor hours, giving you 20 hours of credit.
What is RYDA and how does it help in Tasmania?
RYDA is a road safety education programme. Completing it gives you 5 bonus hours in your logbook.
Who can supervise a learner driver in Tasmania?
Your supervisor must have held a full licence for at least 12 months. They need to sit in the front passenger seat.
How old do you have to be to get a learner licence in Tasmania?
You can apply for a learner licence in Tasmania at age 16.
What’s the speed limit for learner drivers in Tasmania?
Learner drivers in Tasmania are limited to 90 km/h, even on roads with higher posted limits.
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