Moving to a full licence

By the end of this topic you can

• You can work out the earliest date you could hold a full licence in your state.
• You can explain how suspensions and disqualifications affect your timeline.
• You can list what changes, and what stays the same, on a full licence.
• You can explain your new responsibilities as a fully licensed driver.

What you need to know and understand

• NSW: at least 12 months on P1 and at least 24 months on P2, then you can apply for a full licence.
• Victoria: under 21s hold a probationary licence for at least four years (one on P1, three on P2); those 21 or over hold P2 for at least three years. A good driving record is required to graduate.
• SA: at least 12 months on P1, then at least 2 years on P2, and you must be 20 or older to get a full licence.
• WA: P plates for two years in total, with red plates for 6 months and green for 18 months.
• NT: provisional licence for 2 years, or 1 year if you are 25 or older.
• In NSW, a P2 suspension extends the P2 period by the suspension time plus 6 months. A disqualification restarts the stage.
• In Victoria, drivers under 25 who complete their whole P1 and P2 period with a good record may be eligible for a free three year licence.

Getting the licence itself

1. Check the date you become eligible, allowing for any suspensions.
2. Make sure you have no unpaid fines or outstanding suspensions.
3. Apply or renew through your road authority. In Victoria you are sent a renewal notice before your P2 expires; in NSW you apply once you have held P2 for at least 24 months.
4. Choose the licence length if your state offers options. NSW offers 1, 3 or 5 years, or 10 years if you are aged 21 to 44.
5. Pay the fee and have your photo taken if required.

What changes and what does not

• No more P plates, and no special P plate speed, passenger or vehicle limits.
• Your BAC limit changes to under 0.05 for most full licence holders, but zero is still the safest choice. Some places keep a zero limit for a while: in the NT, it continues for 12 months after your P period or until you turn 25, whichever comes first.
• Phone rules relax slightly, but texting, video calls and social media while driving remain illegal for everyone.
• Your demerit limit rises, for example to 13 points over 3 years in NSW and 12 points over 3 years in WA.
• You can supervise learners once you meet your state's requirements, which may include holding a full licence for a set time.
• All road rules, speed limits and seatbelt laws still apply exactly as before.

Staying safe after the plates come off

Many drivers relax once they are fully licensed, but experience keeps building for years. Keep the habits you learned: scanning, safe gaps, no phone, no alcohol before driving and rest when tired.

Think about next steps such as an advanced driving course, and if you plan to drive a truck, bus or motorcycle, check the separate licence requirements in your state.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the full licence arrives automatically. In some states you must apply or renew.
• Forgetting that a P period suspension pushes back your date. Count it in your plan.
• Treating 0.05 as a target. Any alcohol affects your driving.
• Driving on an expired P licence while waiting. Renew or apply on time.

Test yourself: Moving to a full licence

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Learning to Drive in South Australia
• Learning to Drive in the NT
• Learning to Drive in WA