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Display “L” Plate

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Fail to Display “L” Plate is found in section 47 of the Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2009 in Victoria. It is committed by a learner driver who was found to have driven a motor vehicle on a highway without an L plate, or who had an L plate on said vehicle however it was improperly displayed.

Police Interview
The police interview is an important stage in the investigation process and its function is to gather information from you to prove the charge. It is a very straight forward offence and it is best policy to tell the Police why you are not showing an “l” plate and be very polite.

This is not the sort of offence that you need a lawyer to be involved in.

Pleading Not Guilty
Being charged with a criminal offence is a stressful experience. But think carefully before you decide to contest such a simple charge. If you were driving and it was not displaying you are guilty of the offence.

Pleading Guilty
Sometimes the evidence that an offence has been committed is overwhelming. For an offence like this, you may receive a good behaviour bond or a fine.

Sentencing
Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Courts of VictoriaSentencing Statistics Pie Chart for Learner Driver Not Displaying L Plates in the Magistrates' Courts
Defences
Some of the criminal defences that are often used to fight against a charge of Display “L” Plate are factual errors and identification disputes.

Maximum penalty and court that deals with a “Display ‘L’ Plate” charge
There is a maximum penalty of 3 penalty units (fine) for Display “L” Plate (regulation 47 of the Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2009). It is considered to be at the lower scale of criminal offending. Hence, cases are heard at the Magistrates’ Courts.

Legislation
ROAD SAFETY (DRIVERS) REGULATIONS 2009

Learner driver must display L plates

Reg. 47. Learner driver must display L plates

  1. A learner driver must not drive a motor vehicle (other than a tractor) on a highway unless—
    1. an L plate is displayed facing out from the rear of the motor vehicle so that the letter “L” is clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres behind the vehicle; and
    2. in the case of a vehicle other than a motor cycle, an L plate is displayed facing out from the front of the vehicle so that the letter “L” is clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres ahead of the vehicle.
What the prosecution must prove
  1. The learner driver drove a motor vehicle on a highway without an “L” plate conspicuously displayed.
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