Unfortunately, throughout Australia, our states do not all share the same road laws.
For those who are travelling interstate with a caravan, it pays to know what the local speed limits are before crossing each border.
Below are the state-by-state caravan towing speed limits for Australia (all states and territories), including restrictions and penalties that may apply for not being compliant.
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Caravan Towing Speed Limits Australia
Below you’ll find the caravan towing speed limits for each Australian state, plus what penalties you can expect if you don’t stick to those speed limits.
Be aware that some car manufacturers set their own towing speed limits (e.g. some Fords are limited to towing at 100 km/h), so it pays to look at your user manual and check your vehicle.
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in ACT
The Australian Capital Territory holds no speed limit restrictions for those who are towing. Simply adhere to the local speed signage and drive to conditions.
The towing restrictions for Learner and Provisional licences state that L-plate and P1-plate holders cannot tow a trailer with a GVM of over 750 kg. This is the weight of the trailer as it sits fully loaded. However, I cannot find whether that is the weight of the trailer when it is hitched or unhitched from the tow vehicle.
ACT Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Permitted to tow up to 750 kg GVM
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow up to 750 kg GVM
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
You can find out more about towing weight terms with our towing weight guide. Below are the fines and demerit points for speeding in the ACT.
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (ACT) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 15 km/h | $297 | 1 |
| 15 – 30 km/h | $438 | 3 |
| 30 – 45 km/h | $700 | 4 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in ACT = No Restrictions |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in NSW
The speed limit for towing a caravan in New South Wales depends on the weight of your set-up.
If your vehicle is over 4.5 tonnes GVM (fully-loaded vehicle weight) or your combined set-up is over 4.5 tonnes GCM (combined car + caravan weight), you must not go over 100 km/h.
For set-ups that are lighter than 4.5t, you are free to go up to 110 km/hr if that’s what the local speed signs permit.
NSW Towing Speed Limits:
- Vehicles under 4.5t – No restrictions
- Vehicles over 4.5t – Max 100 km/h
- Car + Caravan set-ups under 4.5t – No restrictions
- Car + Caravan set-ups over 4.5t – Max 100 km/ hr
In NSW, learner drivers are not allowed to tow anything, while P1 Licence holders can tow a trailer up to 250 kg when it’s empty. There are no weight restrictions for when the trailer is fully loaded, as long as it weighs 250 kg or under at tare. Drivers with a P2 Licence have no towing restrictions.
NSW Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Not permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow up to 250 kg tare
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (NSW) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 km/h | $128 | 1 |
| > 10 km/h | $295 | 3 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in NSW = 100 km/h if over 4.5t |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in NT
When towing a caravan through the Northern Territory you are free to travel at whatever the local speed limit is. There are no restrictions around speed limits for those who are towing.
Towing on a Learner or Provisional licence is totally legal, as long as the L-plates or P-plates are displayed at both ends of the tow vehicle and on the rear of the trailer.
Below are the relevant penalties for speeding in the Northern Territory. Here’s where to find all NT traffic offence fines.
NT Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (NT) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 15 km/h | $150 | 1 |
| 15 – 30 km/h | $300 | 3 |
| 30 – 45 km/h | $600 | 4 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in NT = No Restrictions |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in QLD
Queensland, the sunshine state imposes no towing speed limit restrictions, so as always, just drive to conditions and stick to the local speed limit signs.
Any driver with a Learner or Provisional Licence in Queensland is allowed to tow a caravan, so long as L-plates or P-plates are visible at both ends of the tow vehicle and the rear of the van.
QLD Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
Below are the speeding penalties you can expect to incur in Queensland if you don’t stick to the speed limit.
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (QLD) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 km/h | $287 | 1 |
| 11 – 20 km/h | $431 | 3 |
| 21 – 30 km/h | $646 | 4 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in QLD = No Restrictions |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in SA
South Australia is another state with no specific towing speed limits, which means you can do whatever the speed limit is for the area. Drivers are advised to always drive to conditions.
SA Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
The speeding fines in SA are pretty hefty, so it pays to check your speedo and not risk going over!
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (SA) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 km/h | $196 | 2 |
| 10 – 19 km/h | $442 | 3 |
| 20 – 29 km/h | $899 | 5 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in SA = No Restrictions |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in TAS
Tasmania has no separate rules for towing speeds in the state.
Any motorists who are towing a vehicle or trailer up to 12 tonnes can drive at whatever the local speed limit signs say. That means 12t GVM (for a vehicle) or 12t GTM (for a caravan), which most people are highly unlikely to exceed.
However, there is a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h for all vehicles travelling along unsealed roads, regardless of weight or towing status.
TAS Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Not permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
Check out the Tasmanian speeding penalties and demerit points below.
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (TAS) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 km/h | $98 | 2 |
| 10 – 14 km/h | $146 | 2 |
| 15 – 22 km/h | $195 | 3 |
| 23 – 29 km/h | $341 | 3 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in TAS = No Restrictions |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in VIC
There are no towing speed limit restrictions in Victoria, which means you can do whatever the signed speed limit is for the area in which you’re travelling through.
Always drive to conditions, which can even mean sitting around 5 – 10km/ hr below the speed limit if that’s the safest scenario.
VIC Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Not permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Not permitted to tow
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
Below is a brief snapshot of the speeding fines in Victoria. Read more on safe caravanning at VicRoads.
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (VIC) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 km/h | $240 | 1 |
| 10 – 24 km/h | $385 | 3 |
| 25 – 29 km/h | $529 | 3 mth licence suspension |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in VIC = No Restrictions |
Speed Limit for Towing a Caravan in WA
Below are the rules in Western Australia for motorists towing caravans, camper trailers, horse floats, boats and so on, which can be found at wa.gov.au.
Towing Rules in WA:
- The maximum legal speed limit for any vehicle towing a trailer or caravan is 100km/h
- Vehicles towing a caravan or trailer must drive at least 60m behind heavy vehicles or other towing vehicles unless overtaking
- People are not permitted to ride in a trailer or caravan that is being towed
- Failure to properly secure a load will attract a $150 infringement
- If you are towing a load wider than your vehicle, you must have towing mirrors in place
There are no weight stipulations around towing in Western Australia, the same rules apply to all motorists who are towing. In addition, there are no restrictions for L-plate and P-plate drivers towing another vehicle or trailer in WA.
WA Towing Rules for Learner & Provisional Licences:
- Learners – Permitted to tow
- P1 Licence – Permitted to tow
- P2 Licence – Permitted to tow
Take a look at the speeding penalties below for driving over the limit in Western Australia.
| Km/h Over Speed Limit (WA) | Penalty | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 km/h | $100 | 0 |
| 10 – 19 km/h | $200 | 2 |
| 20 – 29 km/h | $400 | 3 |
| Caravan Towing Speed Limit in WA = 100km/ hr |
More on Caravan Legalities:
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