When should a learner start driving at night?

Record each drive in the myLearners app or an official log book. Note the date, the time, and the conditions so your night hours are easy to count towards your 120 hours.

Yes. L plates need to be displayed on the car whenever you’re driving as a learner, day or night. Check that they stay visible from the front and back, and keep them clean so other drivers can see them in the dark.

Avoid looking straight at the lights, because oncoming headlights can blind you for a moment. Glance towards the left edge of your lane, ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed if you’re dazzled. Keep your windscreen clean inside and out, and turn down your dashboard and interior lights to minimise reflections. If you’re following another vehicle, keep a safe gap so their lights don’t disorient you, and switch from full beam to low beam when you meet oncoming traffic.

Once you feel comfortable with the basics in daylight. Start at dusk on quiet, familiar streets with a supervising driver or instructor, so you can adjust to the fading light and get used to your headlights. Add longer night drives as your experience driving grows, and always stay alert, take breaks to stretch your legs, and pay close attention to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

For most beginners, yes. Lower visibility, glare from oncoming traffic and a weaker perception of speed and distance all make it more demanding. Your night vision and peripheral vision work differently in low-light conditions, and some hazards are harder to spot. That’s why gradual practice helps you feel in control and build confidence behind the wheel.