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Novice drivers

A novice driver is a person who has a learner permit or probationary licence but has never had a full licence.

If you are an experienced driver who has a learner permit for a motorbike, you are not counted as a novice driver, even if your full drivers licence is suspended, cancelled or expired.

Laws for novice drivers

Special laws apply to probationary drivers, for example:

  • having a zero blood alcohol concentration
  • having your licence or permit immediately suspended if you are caught with a blood alcohol concentration of .07 or more
  • having a tougher demerit point system.

Also, if you are a P-plater you must:

  • carry your probationary licence and show your P-plates whenever driving
  • not drive a high-powered motor vehicle (unless you get a special permission to do this).

If you are a learner driver you must:

  • have an experienced driver next to you when driving a car
  • show your L-plates whenever driving.

Graduated licences

Since 1 January 2007 there are new rules for learner and probationary drivers in Victoria. They will affect you if you want to get a licence or if you are already fully licensed and under 26. Most of the changes also apply to motorbike licences.

If you are under 21 and applying for a probationary licence you must have a:

  • learners permit for at least 12 months
  • at least 120 hours of supervised driving experience and at least 10 hours of this must be done at night.

Other rules apply for older learner drivers.

The changes also mean that:

  • learner and P1 probationary drivers (see below) cannot use a mobile phone at all (hand-held, SMS or hands-free) while driving
  • alcohol interlock devices will be fitted to cars for first-time drink drivers on a probationary licence and drink drivers under 26
  • there are new restrictions on driving high-powered vehicles for probationary drivers who got their licence after 1 July 2007.

P1 and P2 licences

From 1 July 2008, probationary drivers under 21 have a two-stage four-year licence system. If you are under 21 you will have:

  • a P1 licence (red P-plate) for the first 12 months
  • a P2 licence (green P-plate) for the next three years.

It will take longer to get to the next stage of licence if you have a bad driving record.

More information

Demerit points

Possible outcomes for traffic offences

Youth issues – Driving

Related publications

Road to court

Related websites

Arrive alive – graduated licensing system

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

If you have to go to court and have not been able to get legal advice beforehand, our free legal services include lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website for more information and CLC contact details.

Youthlaw is a community legal centre for young people up to the age of 25. Youthlaw can help with:

  • confidential legal advice, information and casework services
  • information about your legal rights and responsibilities.

See the Youthlaw website, call them on (03) 9611 2412 or email info@youthlaw.asn.au.