Discovery along 1km stretch of road prompts $272 warning to young Aussie drivers

Australian learner and provisional drivers are being urged to properly secure their plates after authorities found more than 100 of them strewn along a one-kilometre stretch of road.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said that over a six-month period, a total of 111 learner and P-plates were found on Samantha Riley Drive in Kellyville, in Sydney’s northwest. “And there’s likely many more across the state,” the department said on Wednesday.

In the state, learner and provisional drivers face fines of $272 and two demerit points if they fail to properly display their L or P plates. The plates must be clearly visible on both the front and rear of the vehicle, and motorists can be penalised even if the plates have “flown off” prior to being stopped.

Given learners and provisional licence holders have lower demerit point limits, not displaying plates correctly can put their licence at risk. To mitigate this, TfNSW advises “using a clip or holder” on their vehicle.

“[This] will help keep the plates on your vehicle and out of the environment — remember to always have the right one on for your licence type so that drivers behind you know the maximum speed you can travel,” it said.

Pictures shared by the department show dozens of plates collected by authorities, with more seen scattered in gutters, on the roadside, and in a skip bin.

Why are L and P plates so important?

Displaying L and P plates is a legal requirement in every Australian jurisdiction because it allows other drivers and authorities to easily identify inexperienced motorists.

Learner and provisional drivers are subject to specific restrictions, such as lower speed limits, zero blood alcohol content and visible plates help police enforce these rules.

The plates also promote road safety by encouraging other motorists to be more patient and give extra space, reducing the pressure on novice drivers and lowering the risk of accidents.