Author: Ophelia Hollway
Practice area: Driving Offences
Ophelia is a Senior Associate and LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist at Doogue + George, appearing regularly as a solicitor advocate across Victorian courts and having practised exclusively in criminal law since admission. Her depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Ophelia authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 5th August 2026.
What is the offence of Display “L” Plate?
Display “L” Plate is a Victorian traffic offence that applies to learner drivers who fail to comply with mandatory L plate display rules while driving on a highway. The obligation to display L plates is set out in section 48 of road safety (drivers) regulation 2019 (Vic)
Key points
- The accused was a learner driver operating a vehicle on a highway.
- The required L plate was not displayed in the prescribed manner.
- Proceedings are heard in the Magistrates’ Court.
The maximum penalty for Display “L” Plate is 3 penalty units (fine - $627.30 — as at 2026–27).
Common defences may include factual error and identification dispute.
Fail to Display “L” Plate is found in section 48 of road safety (drivers) regulation 2019 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 Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019 (Vic) r 48(1) — 2,690 charges across 1,938 cases, Magistrates’ Court, 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2023.
| Sentencing outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Fine | 70.6% |
| Adjourned Undertaking | 19.5% |
| Discharge/Dismissal | 6.1% |
| Community Correction Order | 3.6% |
| Imprisonment | 0.2% |
These figures indicate that this offence is most commonly treated as a summary matter resulting in a financial penalty. While custody is technically possible, it is highly unusual, and outcomes generally depend on factors such as prior driving history and the surrounding circumstances.
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 – $627.30 — as at 2026–27) for Display “L” Plate (section 48 of road safety (drivers) regulation 2019). 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 2019
Learner driver must display L plates
Reg. 48. Learner driver must display L plates
- A learner driver must not drive a motor vehicle (other than a tractor) on a highway unless—
- 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
- 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
- The learner driver drove a motor vehicle on a highway without an “L” plate conspicuously displayed.
