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Driving
You can only drive a car or ride a motorbike on a road or in a public place if you have a learner’s permit or driver’s licence. You can’t drink any alcohol and drive while on L-plates or P-plates. It’s also illegal to drive if you’re affected by drugs (even if they’ve been prescribed by your doctor). The police conduct random roadside drink and drug driving tests.
Your car or motorbike must be registered if driven in a public place.
Learning to drive
When you’re on your L-plates you must always have a licensed driver with you when you drive. You have to be 18 to apply for a driver’s licence.
Once you get your car driver’s licence you will be on P-plates for three years. This is called a probationary licence and there are stricter rules during this time. The penalties are tough if you break the rules on a probationary licence.
For motorbike licences the length of time on P-plates depends on what kind of car licence you already have.
Whether you are on L-plates or P-plates you must carry your licence or permit with you at all times. VicRoads (link below) is responsible for licensing services in Victoria.
Cars
You can apply for a learner’s permit to drive a car when you are 16. The amount of time you need to spend as a learner depends on how old you are. If you are under 21 you must have your learner’s permit for at least 12 months before applying for a driver’s licence. Drivers under 21 also have to keep a record of the time you spend learning.
There are some exceptions that let people have a shorter learner’s permit period – for example, if the licence is essential for work and you live in a very isolated area. You have to apply to VicRoads (link below).
Motorbikes
You can apply for a learner’s permit to ride a motorbike when you are 18. You must have the permit for at least three months before you can apply for a licence.
For the first year of your licence you can’t ride a motorbike with an engine bigger than 260cc or carry a passenger.
If you are riding a motorbike or a bicycle you must wear an approved helmet.
Changes to the licensing system
There have been major changes to the licensing system in Victoria. The changes affect you if you want to get a licence or if you’re fully licensed and under 26. Most of the changes also apply to motorbike licences.
The graduated licensing system was introduced on 1 July 2008. The new system means that if you are under 21 and applying for a probationary licence you will have a minimum one-year P1 licence, and then a minimum three-year P2 licence. Other rules apply for older drivers.
The changes mean that:
- you must have a learner’s permit for a minimum of 12 months (if under 21)
- you must have a minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving experience, including a minimum of 10 hours night driving ( under 21 only)
- learner and probationary drivers can’t use their mobile phones at all while driving (including SMS and hands-free)
- all drivers under 26 and all probationary drivers will have to have their vehicles fitted with alcohol interlock devices if they want to get another licence after their licence has been cancelled for a drink driving offence
- there are new restrictions on driving high-powered vehicles for probationary drivers
- it will take longer to progress to the next stage of licence if you have a bad driving record.
See the Arrive Alive! website (link below) for more details about the graduated licensing system.
Hoon driving
The police can immobilise or confiscate a vehicle for up to 48 hours if they reasonably believe that the vehicle was used in an unlawful way, such as:
- burnouts
- doughnuts
- deliberately skidding or spinning
- giving off excessive noise or smoke
- going through a railway or tram crossing in an unsafe manner when the train or tram is about to cross
- being a part of a ‘speed trial ‘ or ‘drag race’ – for example, racing cars on a public road or in a public space
- keeping on driving while your licence is disqualified
- driving 45 kilometres or more above the posted limit or driving at 145 km/h
- careless or dangerous driving.
For repeat offences, the car can be taken away permanently, even if the owner wasn’t the person driving. See the Road Safety website (link below) for more information about hoon driving laws.
See ‘Careless & dangerous driving' (link below).
More information
Drink & drug driving (general information)
Novice drivers (general information)
Related publications
Fines: your options for dealing with fines
Related websites
Graduated licensing system – helping young drivers be safe drivers (new window)
Cameras Cut Crashes – hoon driving (new window)
VicRoads – licensing (new window)
How we can help
Call VLA’s 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.
To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.
Who else can help?
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 (new window), call them on (03) 9611 2412 or email info@youthlaw.asn.au.