Probationary and learner drivers

To drive in Victoria you will need to get a learner permit, and then a probationary drivers licence.

Laws that apply to learner and probationary drivers include:

Must not drink any alcohol and drive. If you are caught with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) more than zero, your licence or permit is immediately cancelled and disqualified
Must not drive if you’re affected by drugs (even if your doctor has prescribed the drugs).
Must carry your permit or licence with you at all times.
Must register your car with VicRoads.
Must comply with a tougher demerit point system.

Driving a car on a learner permit

You must be at least 16 to apply for a learner permit.

When you’re on your L-plates you must:

carry a permit with you at all times
always have an experienced licensed driver with you when you drive
display your L-plates whenever you drive.

The VicRoads website outlines the steps involved in getting your learner permit.

You can also visit the Transport Victoria website for information about Learner road rules.

How long do I have to be on a learners permit?

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 permit for at least 12 months before applying for a driver’s licence.
a minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving experience, including a minimum of 10 hours night driving.

These hours must be recorded and signed off by the person that was supervising you. Visit VicRoads to find out How to get your car learner permit.

If you are over 21, other rules apply to how long you need a learner permit. There are also some exemptions that let people have a shorter learner permit period

Visit the Transport Victoria website for full details – Prepare for your probationary licence.

Driving a car on your P-plates

Probationary drivers under 21 have a two-stage, four-year licence system.

This means you will have a:

P1 licence (red P-plate) for the first 12 months
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 and other rules apply for older drivers.

For more information about preparing for a probationary drivers test, visit the Transport Victoria website, and VicRoads page Getting your P's.

New drivers should also read about rules for mobile and other digital devices.

When you get your probationary licence (P-plates)

You must display your P-plates whenever you drive. The plates should be visible from a distance of 20 metres.

There are other rules too:

P-plate drivers can’t use or touch their mobile phone or portable device while driving. This includes phone calls. navigation or text messaging of any kind. visit
P1 drivers can’t have more than one ‘peer passenger’ in their car. A ‘peer passenger’ is someone aged 16 to under 22 years old. But if you have brothers and sisters in this age group you can have them as passengers even if there are more than one.

Information about all these rules and more can be found in the 'The Probationary kit' for new P-platers, on the Transport Victoria website.

You can also visit Learner and probationary driver road rules.

Other rules for probationary drivers

Probationary drivers must not accumulate five or more demerit points in any twelve-month period, or twelve or more demerit points in a three-year period.

There are restrictions on probationary licence holders driving high-powered vehicles.

Go to Transport Victoria website for information about Learner and probationary road rules.

Riding a motorcycle

You can apply for a learner permit to ride a motorcycle when you are 18.

Before you get a permit you will need to pass:

an eyesight test
a knowledge test
a practical skills assessment test.

Transport Victoria has full details about how to Get your motorcycle Ls.

How long do I need to be on a motorcycle learner permit?

You must have the permit for at least three months before you can apply for a licence.

Visit Transport Victoria to find out how to Prepare for your motorcycle licence.

Restrictions on size and engine capacity

Learner and probationary motorcyclists can only ride a motorcycle or motor scooter of a certain size and engine capacity.

Riders will only be able to ride an automatic motorcycle if that is what they were tested on. Visit Transport Victoria for a list of approved motorcycles for novice riders and to read about motorcycles for learner and restricted riders.

Rules and restrictions for learner and probationary motorcyclists

You cannot carry a passenger on your bike or scooter:

when you are a learner
during the first year of your probationary (P-plate) licence.

If you apply for a motorcycle learner permit or probationary licence, you will also have to:

keep your headlights on at all times while you are riding
wear an approved helmet
wear a high visibility vest or jacket (L-plates only)
not use a mobile phone at all (not even for navigation purposes).

Find out about the rules and restrictions for learner and probationary motorcycle riders visit Transport Victoria's pages:

Visit the Transport Victoria website to find out about the road rules for motorcyclists.

Explore our publications and resources

Learning the law: tools and resources for secondary specialist school teachers about driving, fines, sexting and consent.
Am I old enough? Common legal issues for young people.

Support from other organisations

VicRoads – How to get your Ls: find out what steps you need to take to get your learner driver licence.
Youth Central – Driving on your Ls: find out what you need to do once you've got your leaner driver licence.
Transport Victoria – Prepare for your learner permit: learn what you need to do to get your Learner licence. eligibility and taking the test
Transport Victoria – Prepare for your probationary licence: find out how to get a probationary licence and the laws that apply.
Transport Victoria – The probationary kit: helpful tips and information for new probationary drivers

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Updated 23 October 2026