Photo: BlackCab, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Victoria, learner and P plate drivers reach their demerit point limit at 5 points in any 12 months or 12 points in any 3 years. At that point you choose between a licence suspension and a 12-month extended demerit point period. This guide explains the limit and what suspension, cancellation and impoundment mean for a new driver. It also covers your legal duties as a licence holder and exactly what you must do after a crash.
Key facts
- L and P limit: 5 demerit points in 12 months, or 12 in 3 years.
- Suspension at the limit: 3 months, plus 1 month for every 4 points over the limit.
- Extended demerit point period option: keep driving for 12 months, but any new points offence doubles the suspension.
- Points count from offences anywhere in Australia and stay on your record for four years.
- P licence suspended: your P period is extended. P licence cancelled: your P period starts again.
- Drink driving: licence cancellation, the Behaviour Change Program and an alcohol interlock for at least 6 months.
How many demerit points can P platers have in Victoria?
Learner permit holders and P1 and P2 drivers share the same limit:
| Period | Limit for L and P drivers |
|---|---|
| Any 12 months | 5 or more points |
| Any 3 years | 12 or more points |
A single phone offence is listed at 4 points in the VicRoads “Rules for P drivers” brochure, so one more minor offence can take you over. Some states also use double demerits at holiday times; see double demerit points in Australia.
What happens when you reach the limit
VicRoads writes to you and you choose one option:
- Suspension. Your licence or permit is suspended, for 3 months plus 1 month for every 4 points over the limit. For P drivers this also extends your P1 or P2 period.
- Extended demerit point period. You keep driving for 12 months. Any offence in that time that carries demerit points or a suspension gets you double the suspension originally offered.
If you do not choose, the suspension applies. Points you rack up during the extension stay active after it ends. Check the current rules on the Transport Victoria demerit points page.
Scenario: Mia, P2 driver
Mia is caught touching her phone (4 points) in March, then commits another offence carrying 1 point in November. That reaches 5 points in 12 months. If she is offered a 3-month suspension, taking it also extends her P2 period. Or she can choose the 12-month extension. If she takes the extension and then commits any other points offence, she faces double the suspension: 6 months instead of 3.
Suspension, cancellation, disqualification: the difference
| Penalty | What it means | Effect on a P driver |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | Licence withdrawn for a set time. Usually returned after. | P period extended (by at least six months, plus the suspension, per the Rules for P drivers brochure) |
| Cancellation | Licence no longer valid. You must apply to be relicensed, possibly with a knowledge or drive test, a court order, a course or an interlock. | Start your P period again, no matter how close you were to finishing |
| Disqualification | You cannot drive or apply for a licence for a set time. | As above |
After a suspension or cancellation, a P1 driver may carry only one passenger of any age for the rest of P1. Driving while suspended, disqualified or unlicensed carries severe penalties.
Penalties for learner permit holders
You must hold your learner permit for a continuous period immediately before applying for a licence: 12 months if under 21, 6 months if 21 to under 25, and 3 months if 25 or older. A suspension or cancellation can break that period and delay your Ps.
Drink and drug driving penalties for new drivers
- L and P drivers must have zero BAC. See zero alcohol for learners and P platers.
- If your licence or permit is cancelled for drink driving, you must complete the Drink and Drug Driver Behaviour Change Program. You must also install and use an alcohol interlock for at least 6 months to be relicensed.
- Fully licensed drivers relicensed by court order after a drink or drug offence get a three-year zero BAC condition.
Hoon driving and vehicle impoundment
Police can impound or immobilise your vehicle for offences including:
- speeding 45 km/h or more over the limit
- street racing, burnouts, doughnuts, loss of traction
- dangerous or careless driving, or failing to have proper control
- repeat unlicensed, disqualified, drink or drug driving.
| Offence | Impoundment |
|---|---|
| First | 30 days by police |
| Second, or 70 km/h or more over the limit | 30 days by police plus 45 days to 3 months by the court |
| Third | 30 days by police plus 45 days to 3 months by the court, or possible forfeiture |
This applies even if the car belongs to your parents.
Your legal responsibilities as a Victorian licence holder
- Carry your licence or permit (or paper receipt) whenever you drive. Drivers under 26 must always carry it.
- Change of name: tell VicRoads within 14 days, in person, with original documents.
- Change of address, phone or email: tell VicRoads within 14 days (online with myVicRoads, by phone or at a Customer Service Centre).
- Medical conditions: tell VicRoads about any serious or long-term illness, disability or injury that may affect your driving.
- Lost or stolen card: report it straight away and apply for a replacement.
- Registration and roadworthiness: never drive an unregistered or unroadworthy vehicle. It must meet air and noise emission standards.
- Police direction: you must always follow instructions from police or any other authorised person. That includes taking a breath test when asked at a random breath test station.
What you must do after a crash in Victoria
- Stop immediately.
- Give assistance to anyone injured. Call 000 for ambulance, police or fire.
- Give your name, address, registration number and the vehicle owner’s name to the other people involved (or their representative) and to police if present.
- If anyone is injured and police do not attend, report the crash at the nearest open police station.
- If property is damaged and the owner or police are not there, report it at the nearest open police station.
Failing to stop and help after a crash causing death or injury can mean a fine of over $140,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison, plus losing your licence for at least two years. For a tow truck, call 13 11 76. More steps: what to do after a crash in Australia.
Motorcycle crash victims
The handbook says a rider’s helmet should only be removed if absolutely necessary: when they are unconscious and the airway is blocked or likely to become blocked. Ideally two people do it, one steadying the head and neck while the other gently removes the helmet. Call 000.
Common questions
How many points can a learner driver lose in Victoria?
The same as P drivers: reaching 5 points in 12 months or 12 in 3 years triggers the suspension choice.
Do interstate fines count on my Victorian licence?
Yes. Demerit points are recorded for offences anywhere in Australia.
How long do demerit points last?
Four years.
Does a suspension reset my P plates?
No, a suspension extends your current P period. A cancellation sends you back to the start of your probationary period.
Can I check my demerit points?
Yes, through VicRoads, which also offers driver history reports.
What fines apply to P plate offences?
Fine amounts change over time. Check current amounts on the Transport Victoria or Fines Victoria sites, not old brochures.
Related guides
- Learning to drive in Victoria
- Victorian P1 and P2 rules
- Victoria phone rules for L and P platers
- P plate rules in each Australian state compared
Sources
- Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Penalties, Legal responsibilities, Crash responsibilities and Assisting victims following motorcycle accidents (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
- Department of Transport and Planning, “Rules for P drivers” (March 2023) (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
- Transport Victoria, “Demerit points” (transport.vic.gov.au)
- Transport Victoria, “Learner and probationary driver road rules” (transport.vic.gov.au)