Category: Victoria

Photo: Philip Mallis, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you move to Victoria and plan to live there for more than 6 months, you must convert your interstate or overseas driver licence or learner permit to a Victorian one. Interstate licences convert without tests for most drivers, and VicRoads decides whether a provisional licence becomes a P1 or a P2. For overseas licences, the tests depend on your age, driving experience and the country that issued your licence. This guide explains both routes as of November 2026.

Key facts

• Deadline: convert once you plan to live in Victoria for more than 6 months. VicRoads counts this from the day you begin living there.
• Interstate fee: $22.10 to book a licence conversion appointment (as of November 2026), plus a card payment fee for Visa or Mastercard. It is not refunded if you cannot convert on the day.
• Overseas: what you must do depends on your licence type, your age when it was first issued, how long you have held it and the country. The VicRoads requirements checker tells you which appointment and tests you need.
• Probationary or learner holders, under 22s, and anyone licensed less than 3 years since turning 18 must call VicRoads on 13 11 71 at least 5 working days before an interstate conversion appointment.
• Once you hold a Victorian licence, driving in Victoria on your overseas licence is an offence.

When do you have to convert?

Your situation	What VicRoads says
Visiting or staying less than 6 months	Drive on your valid interstate or overseas licence. An overseas licence must be in English or carried with a translation or International Driving Permit.
Moving to Victoria for more than 6 months	Convert your licence or learner permit to a Victorian one
You fail a Victorian practical test while converting	You can no longer drive in Victoria on your overseas or interstate licence

The 6-month rule is about where you live, not your visa type. The period does not restart if you leave Victoria and come back. Unsure? Use the VicRoads conversion checker or call 13 11 71.

Moving from another Australian state

Who can convert

• At least 16 for a car learner permit, or 18 for a car licence.
• A current interstate licence or learner permit.
• Not disqualified from getting a Victorian licence.

What to bring

1. A completed licence application form.
2. Original evidence of identity. See proof of identity documents in each state.
3. Proof that you live in Victoria. If you have none, a referee can sign the Victorian residence declaration on the form.
4. Your original interstate licence. A digital licence alone means you must call VicRoads first.
5. Glasses or contact lenses for the eyesight test, if you need them.
6. Medical reports for any condition or medication that could affect your driving.
7. Payment for the fees.

Call before you book if you are…

• on a probationary licence or a learner permit
• under 22, or licensed for less than 3 years since your 18th birthday
• holding a licence with condition X, V, I or Z, or one that is suspended, cancelled, disqualified or inactive
• holding a licence expired by less than 5 years, or a digital licence only.

Call 13 11 71 at least 5 working days before your appointment, so VicRoads can confirm your details with your old state. If your interstate licence expired 5 or more years ago, you cannot book online. You visit a customer service centre and book the knowledge test, Hazard Perception Test and drive test.

If you are ineligible or forget a document, you cannot convert on the day, and the booking fee is not refunded.

What happens to your P plates?

VicRoads works out which Victorian licence you get from your age and how long you have held your licence. Its online conversion calculator shows the likely result. An interstate provisional licence can convert to a Victorian P1 or P2 licence. Victorian probationary rules then apply, including the peer passenger limit on P1, zero alcohol and the phone ban. Read Victorian P1 and P2 rules before you drive, because they may differ from your old state.

Moving with a learner permit

An interstate learner permit can be converted from age 16. You then follow Victorian learner rules. If you will be under 21 when you go for your probationary licence, you need 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 at night, logged in myLearners or the Learner Log Book, and you must hold your permit for at least 12 months. Ask VicRoads what credit your interstate time and hours can get when you call. See the Victoria 120 hour logbook and Victorian learner permit rules.

Moving from overseas

Who can convert

• At least 18, with a current overseas licence.
• Not disqualified from getting a Victorian licence.

Recognised countries

VicRoads’ conversion lookup sorts countries into groups. The groups include full recognition (for example the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the United States), an experienced-driver group, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and non-recognised countries (examples include China and India). VicRoads says the lookup is a guide only. Check your own country on the VicRoads site before you book.

Which tests you may need

VicRoads bases the tests on your age, your driving experience and the country your licence is from:

• Some drivers: no tests, just an eyesight test.
• Others: the learner permit (road law knowledge) test, the Hazard Perception Test and a drive test.

If you need the tests, prepare with the same material as Victorian learners: the VicRoads learner permit test, the Victorian HPT and the VicRoads drive test.

What to bring (recognised country)

• A completed licence application form and original evidence of identity.
• Proof of your Victorian address, or a signed residence declaration.
• Your original overseas licence.
• A NAATI-approved English translation or an International Driving Permit, only if your licence is not in English.
• Glasses or contacts for the eyesight test, any relevant medical reports, and payment.

If you take both the Learner Permit Test and the Hazard Perception Test online, you book an overseas licence verification appointment, which costs $22.10 plus a card payment fee (as of November 2026). If you take either test at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre, your licence is verified at your first visit instead. Test and licence fees are separate: see VicRoads Ls and Ps fees 2026.

Worked examples

A 19-year-old on NSW green Ps moving to Melbourne

They are a probationary licence holder and under 22, so they call VicRoads first. VicRoads checks their NSW history and converts them to a Victorian P licence (P1 or P2). From then on, they follow Victorian P rules.

A 30-year-old with a UK licence on a work visa

They plan to stay 2 years, which is more than 6 months, so they must convert. The UK is in VicRoads’ full-recognition group. They use the VicRoads requirements checker to see what they need, then bring their UK licence, ID and proof of address to the appointment.

A 24-year-old with a licence from a non-recognised country

They should expect the knowledge test, HPT and drive test. They can drive on their overseas licence while it is valid during the first 6 months, but if they fail a Victorian practical test, that right ends.

Common questions

Is there a 3-month deadline in Victoria?

No. Victoria uses 6 months: convert once you plan to live there more than 6 months. Most other states use 3 months. See driving in Australia on an overseas licence.

Can I keep driving on my NSW licence while I wait for an appointment?

Within the 6-month window, yes, if it is current. Book early, because some licence types need a phone call first.

Do I have to do the drive test again if I have interstate P plates?

Interstate licences normally convert without tests. VicRoads decides your licence after checking your history. Tests apply if your licence expired 5 or more years ago.

My overseas licence is in Chinese. What do I need?

A NAATI-approved English translation or an International Driving Permit. China is in VicRoads’ non-recognised group, so also expect the tests.

Can I still use my overseas licence after I convert?

Not in Victoria. VicRoads says using it to drive there is then an offence.

What if I passed in an automatic in another state?

Ask VicRoads how your condition will appear on the Victorian licence when you call before converting. Victoria’s own A condition rules are explained in automatic licence conditions in each state.

Back to the main guide: learning to drive in Victoria. Also useful: driving interstate on L or P plates.

Sources

• VicRoads, “Convert your licence: Interstate licence” booking terms and conditions (billing.vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Convert your licence: overseas licence verification” booking terms and conditions, read 6 November 2026 (billing.vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Convert interstate licence or learner permit” and “Driving with an interstate licence or permit” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Convert your overseas licence” and “How to convert your overseas licence” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook (vicroads.vic.gov.au)

Photo: Bidgee, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Victoria you can make a U-turn at traffic lights unless a No U-turn sign is there. That is the opposite of NSW, Queensland and every other state and territory. Wherever you turn, you must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians. This guide is for Victorian learners and P platers. It covers where U-turns are banned, who gives way, where to start the turn and how to signal, based on the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 and the Road to Solo Driving handbook.

Key facts

• Traffic lights: a U-turn is allowed unless there is a No U-turn sign at the intersection (rule 40).
• Children’s, pedestrian and level crossings: no U-turn, with or without lights, unless a U-turn Permitted sign is there (rule 43).
• Dividing lines: never U-turn across a single continuous line, a continuous line to the left of a broken line, or double continuous lines.
• No Right Turn sign: it also bans U-turns, unless a U-turn Permitted sign is there too.
• Give way: to all vehicles and pedestrians. The only exception is a driver coming out of a driveway, car park or other road-related area. They must give way to you.

Can you do a U-turn at traffic lights in Victoria?

Yes, unless a No U-turn sign is at the intersection. Rule 40 of the Victorian Road Safety Road Rules 2017 only bans a U-turn at lights where that sign is shown. You still need a safe gap and a clear view, and you must obey the signals for your lane.

Every other Australian jurisdiction works the other way round. In NSW, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT, a U-turn at traffic lights is banned unless a U-turn Permitted sign is shown. If you drive interstate, assume no U-turn at lights. See turning and indicating rules in Australia for the state-by-state picture.

Victoria does need a U-turn Permitted sign at three kinds of crossing, whether or not they have lights:

• children’s crossings
• pedestrian crossings
• level crossings.

Where a road meets a car park or other road-related area at traffic lights, a No U-turn sign there bans the U-turn (rule 43A).

Where U-turns are banned in Victoria

Situation	Rule
No U-turn sign at an intersection (with or without lights)	Banned at that intersection
No U-turn sign at a break in a median strip	Banned at that break
No U-turn sign along a road (not at an intersection)	Banned from the sign to the next intersection, or to the end of the road at a T-intersection or dead end
No Right Turn sign	No right turn and no U-turn, unless a U-turn Permitted sign is also there
Single continuous dividing line	Banned
Continuous line on your side of a broken line	Banned
Double continuous lines	Banned
Children’s, pedestrian or level crossing	Banned unless a U-turn Permitted sign is shown
No clear view of approaching traffic, or you would unreasonably obstruct traffic	You must not begin the U-turn (rule 37)

A broken dividing line, or a broken line on your side of a continuous line, lets you U-turn if it is safe and the road ahead is clear. At an intersection without lights, a U-turn is allowed unless a No U-turn sign is there, even if the lane arrows say turn right.

Who gives way during a U-turn?

You do. Rule 38 says a driver making a U-turn must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians. This includes:

• oncoming traffic and traffic coming up behind you
• a car turning out of a side street, even when it faces a Stop or Give Way sign. Drivers at those signs do not have to give way to a vehicle making a U-turn.
• a car turning left from a slip lane into the road you are turning into
• pedestrians crossing anywhere on your path, and bicycle riders.

The one exception: a driver entering the road from a driveway, car park or other land beside the road must give way to you.

Scenario

You stop in the right lane of a two-lane road to U-turn. A car is waiting at a Give Way sign in a side street on the far side, ready to turn left into the lane you want. Legally, you give way to it. Wait until it has gone and the whole path is clear. If the gap never comes, drive on and turn around somewhere easier.

Where to start a U-turn

• Road with a median strip or dividing line, at an intersection: start from the marked lane nearest the median or dividing line (rule 42). On a divided road this means the right lane.
• Any other intersection: start from the left of the centre of the road.
• Road with no median: the handbook advises starting from the left side of the road. Watch for traffic coming from behind you.

Signalling for a U-turn

A U-turn is a change of direction to the right, so you must give a right signal for long enough to warn other drivers and pedestrians. If you start the U-turn from a parked position at the side of the road, the right signal must be on for at least 5 seconds before you move off. Turn the signal off once the turn is finished.

How to do a U-turn: step by step

1. Check for signs and the line markings in the centre of the road.
2. Check that the road is wide enough to turn in one go. If not, use a three-point turn or drive around the block.
3. Position in the correct lane, or at the left of the road where there is no median.
4. Signal right for a reasonable time.
5. Check your mirrors and do a head check over your right shoulder.
6. Wait until you have a clear view both ways and a gap for the whole turn, including pedestrians.
7. Turn smoothly, then straighten up in the correct lane and cancel the signal.

When someone else is U-turning

• You may overtake on the left of a vehicle that is U-turning from the centre of the road with its right indicator on.
• You may drive in a bus lane for up to 100 metres to get past a vehicle U-turning from the centre of the road.
• If you are coming out of a driveway or car park, the U-turning driver has priority over you.

Common questions

Is a U-turn at traffic lights legal in Victoria?

Yes, unless a No U-turn sign is there. This is unique to Victoria: elsewhere in Australia you need a U-turn Permitted sign.

Can I U-turn across double white lines?

No. You must not cross double continuous lines, a single continuous line or a continuous line on your side to make a U-turn.

Does a No Right Turn sign mean no U-turn?

Yes. A No Right Turn sign bans U-turns too, unless a U-turn Permitted sign is also shown.

Do I have to give way to a car at a Stop sign when I U-turn?

Yes. A U-turning driver gives way to all vehicles, and the driver at the Stop sign does not have to give way to you.

Can I U-turn at a pedestrian crossing?

Only if a U-turn Permitted sign is there. The same applies at children’s crossings and level crossings.

How far does a No U-turn sign apply?

A sign along a road applies until the next intersection, or to the end of the road if it ends at a T-intersection or dead end. A sign at an intersection or median break applies there only.

Related guides

• Learning to drive in Victoria
• How to do a hook turn in Melbourne
• Traffic lights and arrows in Australia
• Giving way in Australia
• Australian road markings and lane lines
• Road to Solo Driving study guide

Sources

• Victorian Government, “Road Safety Road Rules 2017, version 027, rules 37 to 43A, 48, 91 and 132” (legislation.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, U-turns, giving way and dividing lines (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management, Road Rules) Regulation 2009, section 40” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
• Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook”, U-turns and three-point turns (nsw.gov.au)

Photo: Dylan Chan, Pexels

If you passed your Victorian drive test in an automatic, your P licence has an automatic-only (A) condition for your whole probationary period. To drive manuals sooner, you must pass another drive test in a manual car. Otherwise the condition drops off when you move to a full licence. This guide covers the steps, the plates you need while practising, and the fees.

Key facts

• Automatic drive test = A condition on your P1 and P2 licence.
• Removing it early: pass an eyesight test and a drive test in a manual, then pay the licence variation fee.
• While practising in a manual on your Ps: P plates plus a yellow “Driver under instruction” plate, and a fully licensed supervisor beside you.
• Off your Ps and on a full licence: the A condition is removed automatically.

Do you need to upgrade at all?

Your situation	What happens
On P1 or P2 with the A condition, and want to drive manuals now	Pass a manual drive test
Happy to drive automatics until your Ps end	Do nothing. The A condition is removed when you get your full licence
A condition for a medical reason	Not covered by this process. Ask VicRoads

Driving a manual while your licence says automatic only breaks your licence conditions. The VicRoads Rules for P drivers brochure lists a fine and demerit points for it. See Victorian demerit points and penalties.

How to upgrade from auto to manual in Victoria: step by step

1. Find a supervisor. They must sit beside you and hold a full licence for the type of vehicle you are learning in.
2. Use a car P drivers can drive. It must not be a probationary prohibited vehicle unless you have an exemption. See Victorian P1 and P2 rules.
3. Put the plates on. Keep your red or green P plates on. Add a yellow plate, about 150 mm by 150 mm, with “Driver under instruction” in black letters.
4. Practise. Clutch control, hill starts, gear changes on approach to intersections and roundabouts, and stalling recovery. A lesson or two with a driving instructor in a manual dual-control car can speed this up.
5. Book the test online, by phone or at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. The appointment includes an eyesight test and a drive test in a manual.
6. On the day: arrive at least 15 minutes early. Late arrival means rebooking and paying again. Bring a roadworthy manual car that meets the drive test rules, your licence, glasses or contacts if you need them, and payment.
7. Pass and pay the licence variation fee. The A condition is removed and you can drive both automatics and manuals.

The manual test car

The same vehicle rules apply as for the first drive test. The car must:

• be registered and roadworthy, with a normal manual gearbox
• have a speed display the testing officer can see, and seatbelts for everyone
• have a handbrake the testing officer can reach, if no instructor is with you. Electronic and foot-operated park brakes cannot be used for solo tests.

Full checklist: which cars you can use for the VicRoads drive test.

What the test assesses

It is the standard VicRoads drive test format, in a manual. You need safe observation, gap selection, speed and positioning, plus smooth control of the clutch and gears. Stalling is listed among critical errors, so practise until moving off is automatic. Read the VicRoads drive test explained and VicRoads drive test fails.

Fees

• Drive test: $53.20 plus a $22.10 appointment fee as of November 2026. Confirm the fee for a manual retest when you book.
• Licence variation fee: payable after you pass. Check the current amount on the VicRoads “Ls and Ps fees” page.

Full list: VicRoads Ls and Ps fees 2026.

Common questions

Can I drive a manual on my Ps if I passed in an automatic?

Not on your own. You can only drive one while learning, with a fully licensed supervisor beside you and the “Driver under instruction” plate shown, until you pass a manual test.

Do I need to sit the hazard perception test again?

No. The VicRoads upgrade appointment is an eyesight test plus a manual drive test.

Does the upgrade change my P1 or P2 dates?

No. It only removes the automatic condition.

Will I automatically be allowed to drive manuals after my Ps?

Yes. When you move to a full licence, the A condition is removed automatically, unless a medical condition requires it.

Can my supervisor be on a full automatic-only licence?

No. They need a full licence for the type of vehicle you are learning in, so a manual car needs a supervisor licensed to drive manuals.

Is it worth upgrading?

If you may need to drive a manual for work, or the only car available is manual, yes. Otherwise you can wait out the A condition on your Ps.

Related guides

• Learning to drive in Victoria
• Victorian P1 and P2 rules

Sources

• VicRoads, “Upgrade your probationary licence to drive a manual vehicle” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Drive test for a Victorian driver’s licence” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Drive Test and P licence rules (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Rules for P drivers” (March 2023) (edge.sitecorecloud.io)

Photo: Dylan Chan, Pexels

Road to Solo Driving is Victoria’s official learner driver handbook, and the VicRoads Learner Permit Test questions are based on it. You also need it for the drive test. This study guide walks through every chapter, tells you what to focus on, and answers the nine “Test yourself” questions with explanations. It ends with a study plan you can finish in about a week.

Key facts about the handbook

• Publisher: Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria.
• Current PDF: cover dated September 2026; the imprint says “Updated March 2023”. It includes the device rules that started on 31 March 2023.
• Free download from the Transport Victoria “Driver handbooks and logbooks” page. Translated versions are listed on the same page.
• Five colour-coded sections: the 10 steps to your licence, then Chapters 1 to 4, then Resources.
• The handbook is a guide only. The law itself is the Road Safety Act 1986 and the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (legislation.vic.gov.au). The handbook’s resources page still names the older 2009 rules, which the 2017 rules replaced.

Chapter by chapter: what to learn

The licensing journey and the 10 steps

Ages, the Graduated Licensing System and the order of tests. Know these cold:

• You must be at least 16 to sit the Learner Permit Test.
• Under 21 at your licence test: 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 at night.
• Hazard Perception Test from 17 years 11 months, and you must pass it before the drive test.
• P1 (red) for at least 1 year, then P2 (green) for at least 3 years. Aged 21 or over, you go straight to P2.

Detail: learning to drive in Victoria.

Chapter 1: The challenges of driving

Why new drivers crash. The key ideas are that crash risk peaks when you first get your Ps, and that the four common crash types are run-off-road, turning right across traffic, being hit by a right turner, and rear-ending. Test questions here are about attitudes and risk, so read it even though it has few rules.

Chapter 2: Learning to drive

Hazard perception, blind spots, head checks, mirror set-up and the four stages of the Learner Kit. Key definitions: a head check is a quick look over your shoulder through the rear side windows. Frequent short drives beat occasional long ones early on. Study alongside the 120 hour logbook guide.

Chapter 3: Managing risk

Alcohol and drugs, speed, phones, passengers, distractions, fatigue, seatbelts, vehicle safety and maintenance, seven crash-reducing strategies, eco-driving. Learn the numbers: zero BAC for L and P drivers, a two-second minimum following gap, and the P1 one-peer-passenger limit. Summary: managing risk as a new Victorian driver and phone rules for L and P platers.

Chapter 4: Rules and responsibilities

The longest chapter and the source of most test questions. Sections and where to study each:

Handbook section	Study with
Alcohol; Drugs, medicine and driving	Zero alcohol for learners and P platers
Seatbelts	Seatbelts and child car seats
Road signs; Road markings	Australian road signs, road markings and lane lines
Traffic controls at intersections; Give Way rules	Giving way in Australia, traffic lights and arrows, roundabouts
Turning, including hook turns	How to do a hook turn in Melbourne
Freeways; Overtaking	Learners on freeways, overtaking, merging and changing lanes
Sharing the road: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists	Pedestrian and school crossings, passing cyclists
Sharing the road: trams and buses	Driving with trams in Victoria
Police and emergency vehicles; trucks; animals	Emergency vehicles, trucks and buses, wildlife
Railway level crossings	Railway level crossings
Parking	Parking rules in Australia
Penalties; Legal responsibilities; Crash responsibilities	Victoria demerit points, penalties and legal responsibilities

The national guides cover the Australian Road Rules shared across states. Where Victoria differs, its handbook wins for your Victorian test.

The Test yourself questions, answered

The handbook’s nine sample questions show the style of the real test, but are not the actual test questions.

1. Safe following distance in good conditions? At least two seconds behind the car in front. Car lengths are not the measure.
2. At a random breath test, you must take a test: when you are asked to. Not only if you have been drinking or speeding.
3. Driving is best described as: a complicated task.
4. Supervised learner drivers: are amongst the safest drivers on the road. Their risk is far lower than new P drivers’.
5. School crossing vs pedestrian crossing? Not the same. At a children’s crossing you must stop and stay stopped until the crossing is completely clear of pedestrians.
6. A head check is: looking quickly over your shoulder through the side windows.
7. Early on, it is best to take: frequent, short drives in light traffic with your supervisor.
8. Crash likelihood is almost halved after: 2 to 3 years of solo driving.
9. Best way to check a car’s crashworthiness: its safety rating on How Safe Is Your Car, ANCAP or the Used Car Safety Ratings buyer’s guide.

Notice the pattern: the wrong options sound reasonable but are less safe or only partly true. Pick the answer that matches the handbook wording, not what drivers commonly do.

A one-week study plan

Day	Read	Check yourself
1	10 steps, Chapter 1	Can you list the licence stages and ages?
2	Chapters 2 and 3	Explain hazard perception, BAC rules and phone rules aloud
3	Chapter 4: alcohol to road markings	Name every sign on a drive or walk
4	Chapter 4: intersections, Give Way, turning	Draw a hook turn and a T-intersection give way
5	Chapter 4: freeways to level crossings	Tram stop and school crossing rules
6	Chapter 4: parking to crash responsibilities	Parking distances from hydrants, crossings, intersections
7	Test yourself questions; reread weak areas	Start the online test

The online Learner Permit Test is described in the VicRoads Learner Permit Test guide.

The rest of the Victorian handbook set

• Guide for Learners, with the Learner Log Book: your four-stage practice plan, unless you use the myLearners app.
• Guide for Supervising Drivers: for the person sitting beside you.
• Rules for P drivers brochure: the P1 and P2 rules and penalties once you pass.

Common questions

Is the VicRoads learner test taken straight from Road to Solo Driving?

Yes. The handbook says the learner permit test questions are based on it. The sample questions in the book are not the real ones.

Where do I download Road to Solo Driving?

From the Transport Victoria “Driver handbooks and logbooks” page, as a free PDF.

Is Road to Solo Driving available in other languages?

Yes, some translated editions are listed on the Transport Victoria handbooks page. The tests themselves are also offered in some languages, and free interpreters can be booked.

Is my old copy still OK?

Road laws change. The handbook tells you to check you have the latest edition. Use the current PDF, which includes the March 2023 phone rules.

Do I need the handbook for the drive test too?

Yes. The handbook says you need its information to pass the drive test, and recommends rereading it before you go.

How long does it take to study?

The book has over 160 pages. A focused week, as in the plan above, covers it with time to revise.

Sources

• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, all chapters and Test yourself questions (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
• Transport Victoria, “Driver handbooks and logbooks” (transport.vic.gov.au)

Photo: Totallynotarandomalt69, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Victoria your learner permit, P1 licence and P2 licence are free to issue under the Victorian Motorist Package. Your first online Learner Permit Test attempt is also free. What you still pay for are in-person tests, retakes and the drive test: $75.30 for a car drive test including the appointment fee, as of November 2026. This page lists every VicRoads Ls and Ps fee, what triggers a second payment and how to qualify for a free licence after your Ps.

VicRoads Ls and Ps fees (as of November 2026)

Item	Fee
Learner permit issue	Free
P1 probationary licence issue	Free
P2 probationary licence issue	Free
Learner Permit Test online, first attempt	Free
Learner Permit Test online, each further attempt	$28.70
Learner Permit Test in person	$28.70 test + $22.10 appointment = $50.80
Hazard Perception Test online, first attempt	Free
Hazard Perception Test online, each further attempt	$22.10
Hazard Perception Test in person	$21.90 test fee plus $22.10 appointment fee ($44.00)
Car drive test	$53.20 test + $22.10 appointment = $75.30
Changing a test booking	$22.10 appointment fee again
Licence variation (for example removing the automatic condition)	Fee applies; check the VicRoads fees page

Fees change from time to time. Confirm on the VicRoads “Ls and Ps fees” page before you pay.

What is free under the Motorist Package

The Victorian Motorist Package and Safe Driver Discount began in mid-August 2022. For new drivers it waives:

• the learner permit issue fee
• the P1 and P2 licence issue fees
• the first online Learner Permit Test attempt (free from 15 August 2022)
• the online Hazard Perception Test fee for the first attempt.

In-person tests and drive tests are not covered.

Total cost of getting your Ps in Victoria: worked example

Path	Fees
Pass LPT online first time, pass HPT online first time, pass drive test first time	$75.30
Same, but fail the drive test once	$75.30 + $75.30 = $150.60
Sit LPT in person, then pass HPT and drive test first time	$50.80 + $75.30 = $126.10

These are VicRoads fees only. Driving lessons, fuel and car costs are extra.

When you pay twice: cancellations, changes and no-shows

• Changing a booking: you pay the $22.10 appointment fee again, whenever you change it. With at least 24 hours’ notice you do not pay the test fee again.
• Cancelling: with 24 hours’ notice the test fee is refunded. The appointment fee is non-refundable.
• Late notice: without 24 hours’ notice, fees are not refunded unless you have a medical certificate or other evidence.
• Logbook problems: if you cannot prove 120 hours (20 at night) or your Learner Log Book is incomplete or incorrect, you cannot sit the drive test. You lose your fees and must wait at least six weeks.
• Arriving late: you may have to rebook and pay again.

Read which cars you can use for the drive test before booking. Turning up in a car that does not qualify is an easy way to lose a fee.

Free three-year licence after your Ps

Under the Free Licence Scheme, you can get a free three-year full driver licence if:

• you are under 25
• you have completed your probationary period, holding a Victorian probationary licence for 4 years
• you had no traffic-related offences during that time (for example demerit point, drink or drug driving, or speed offences).

Check the eligibility rules on the Transport Victoria Free Licence Scheme page before your P2 expires.

Safe Driver Discount on later renewals

Once you hold a full licence, you can get 25% off renewal if you have held a Victorian licence for at least 39 months and 1 day. You also need no demerit points or serious road offences in the three years ending three months before your licence expires.

How to pay

Book and pay online or by phone with Mastercard or Visa, or in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. Fees are paid at the time of booking.

Common questions

Is a learner permit free in Victoria?

Yes. The permit issue fee is waived, and your first online Learner Permit Test attempt is free.

How much is the VicRoads drive test in 2026?

$53.20 plus a $22.10 appointment fee, $75.30 in total, as of November 2026.

Do I pay for my P plates licence card?

No. P1 and P2 licence issue is free.

How much does it cost to resit the Learner Permit Test?

Each further online attempt is listed at $28.70 on the fees page. In person costs $28.70 plus the $22.10 appointment fee.

Is the hazard perception test free?

The first online attempt is free. Each further online attempt is $22.10. In person, the test and appointment fees come to $44.00.

Does the free licence apply if I got my Ps at 21 or older?

The scheme is for drivers under 25 who held a probationary licence for 4 years. Most drivers who start at 21 or older do 3 years on P2, so check eligibility with Transport Victoria.

Related guides

• Learning to drive in Victoria
• VicRoads Learner Permit Test
• Victoria Hazard Perception Test
• The VicRoads drive test

Sources

• VicRoads, “Ls and Ps fees” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “How to get your Ps” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Victorian motorist package and safe driver discount” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Free probationary driver’s licence for eligible drivers” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Steps 2, 6 and 10 (edge.sitecorecloud.io)

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:

1. 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.
2. 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

1. Stop immediately.
2. Give assistance to anyone injured. Call 000 for ambulance, police or fire.
3. 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.
4. If anyone is injured and police do not attend, report the crash at the nearest open police station.
5. 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)

Photo: BlackCab, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New drivers in Victoria are three times more likely to be in a casualty crash than experienced drivers, and the first year on P plates carries the highest crash risk you will ever have. This guide covers Chapter 3 of the Road to Solo Driving handbook (Managing risk). It is for new Victorian drivers and their parents, and pulls out the risks that matter most and the specific habits that cut them.

Key facts from the Victorian handbook

• New drivers: three times more likely to be in casualty crashes than experienced drivers.
• 120 hours of learner practice gives a crash risk about 30% lower than about 50 hours.
• A BAC of .05 doubles crash risk. L and P drivers must have zero BAC.
• Speed is a factor in almost 20% of fatal crashes. In a 60 km/h zone, crash risk doubles for every 5 km/h over the limit.
• P drivers with multiple passengers have four times the fatal crash risk (Rules for P drivers brochure).
• Half of all probationary night-time crashes happen on Friday and Saturday nights.

The crashes new Victorian drivers have most

The handbook lists four crash types that are common for new solo drivers:

1. Losing control and running off the road, most often on straight roads.
2. Turning right at an intersection in front of an oncoming vehicle.
3. Being hit by a right-turning vehicle at an intersection.
4. Rear-ending the car in front.

The causes are not poor car control. They are misjudged gaps, speed too high for conditions, following too closely, slow hazard spotting, distraction and looking no further than the car ahead.

Risk by risk: what to do

Risk	What the handbook says	What to do
Alcohol and drugs	Zero BAC for L and P drivers, no exceptions. Alcohol can still be in your system the next morning. Mixing alcohol, drugs or medicines is worse than any one alone.	Plan a sober driver, stay over, get picked up or use public transport or a taxi. Ask a pharmacist about medicines.
Speed	Less time to scan, spot hazards and decide.	Drive a little under the limit. Cover the brake near pedestrians, cyclists and turning cars.
Phones and devices	L and P drivers must not touch any device or use voice commands.	Phone off and out of reach. Set up audio and navigation before moving.
Passengers	P1 limit: one passenger aged 16 to under 22.	Whatever your licence, avoid more than one passenger in your first solo year. Ask passengers to be quiet at busy moments.
Other distractions	Eating, smoking, makeup, reaching for a bag, being upset.	Do it before you drive or after you park.
Fatigue	Higher risk 10 pm to 6 am, after 17 hours awake or after 2 hours non-stop.	Sleep is the only cure. A 15 minute power nap helps; coffee does not fix it.
Seatbelts	People thrown from cars are up to 25 times more likely to be killed.	Belt on every trip. You are fined if passengers are not restrained.
Vehicle condition	Tyre problems are a common cause of defect-related crashes.	Check tyre pressure and tread. Get regular services.

More on the rules behind these: zero alcohol for learners and P platers, Victoria phone rules for L and P platers, driver fatigue and seatbelts and child seats.

Fatigue warning signs: stop driving if you notice

• repeated yawning
• drifting across the lane
• eyes closing or vision going fuzzy
• trouble keeping your head up
• speed creeping up or down without you meaning it
• not remembering the last few kilometres
• daydreaming.

Seven ways to cut your crash risk in your first months on Ps

The handbook’s “Keys to reducing your risk of a crash” are aimed at the first six months on P plates.

1. Choose when and where to drive. Avoid very late nights, city peak hour, freeways, rural roads, wet weather, fog, snow, ice and gravel until you have built experience.
2. Slow down. Going 2 or 3 km/h slower will not delay you, and it buys reaction time.
3. Give yourself space. Two seconds is the minimum gap. Three or four seconds is safer for new drivers, at night, in the wet, with a heavy load or on gravel.
4. Think ahead. Scan well down the road, to the sides and in your mirrors. Plan the trip and use familiar routes.
5. Keep night driving to a minimum in your first few months.
6. Practise on country roads (sealed, unsealed, gravel) while you are still a learner.
7. Drive cooperatively. Indicate early, let others merge, keep intersections clear, stay left unless overtaking.

Worked example: the two-second check

The car ahead passes a power pole. Count “one thousand and one, one thousand and two”. If you reach the pole before you finish, you are too close. Ease off until you can count to three or four.

Choosing a safer first car

Larger cars with more safety features protect occupants better in real crashes. The two features to look for are airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which can only be fitted when the car is made. Check a car’s safety rating on the TAC’s How Safe Is Your Car site or with ANCAP (the Australasian New Car Assessment Program) before you buy. Also remember P drivers cannot drive a probationary prohibited vehicle (power to mass ratio over 130 kW per tonne, or a performance-modified engine). See Victorian P1 and P2 rules.

Dealing with aggressive drivers

• Do not react, avoid eye contact and give them space.
• If someone tailgates, hold a steady speed or let them pass.
• If confronted, keep doors and windows locked and stay in the car.
• If you are very worried, drive to the nearest police station.

Eco-driving (saves fuel and is safer)

• Drive smoothly. Fast take-offs can use up to 60% more fuel.
• At 110 km/h a car uses up to 25% more fuel than at 90 km/h.
• Keep tyres at the pressure in the owner’s manual.

If you break down

Before a long trip, check fuel, oil, water and tyre pressures, including the spare. Keep a high-visibility vest, safety markers and a torch in the car. Breakdown lanes are for breakdowns only, so use a rest area for calls and toilet stops.

• Pull over somewhere safe, such as an emergency breakdown area, as far left as you can.
• Turn on your hazard lights, and your headlights if light is poor.
• Call roadside assistance, or use a roadside emergency phone. Most Victorian freeways have Help Phones that work 24 hours a day.
• Get out on the passenger side if you can, check for traffic, and stand well clear of the road, behind a safety barrier if there is one. Do not cross the road.
• If it is not safe to get out, stay in the car with your seatbelt on.
• On a freeway or country road, do not change a tyre yourself. Wait for roadside assistance, and expect help to take longer in the country.

Passing someone else’s breakdown? The handbook advises slowing to about 30 km/h below the speed limit.

Common questions

Why are new P platers so likely to crash?

Lack of experience in spotting and responding to hazards, not poor car control. The handbook says crash risk is highest when you first start on Ps and falls slowly over the following years.

How much does speeding increase crash risk?

In a 60 km/h zone, your crash risk doubles for every 5 km/h over the limit.

Is it safe to have friends in the car on my Ps?

On P1 you can carry only one passenger aged 16 to under 22, unless an exemption applies. The handbook advises against carrying more than one passenger in your first solo year whatever your licence.

Does coffee stop tiredness?

No. The handbook says only sleep fixes fatigue. Stop and nap if tired.

What should I do if a tyre blows out?

Grip the wheel firmly, take your foot off the accelerator and brake gently once the car is under control. See car emergencies: tyre blow-outs and brake failure.

How do ABS brakes feel in an emergency stop?

Keep firm pressure on the pedal. Vibration and a pulsing pedal are normal when ABS works.

Related guides

• Learning to drive in Victoria
• Road to Solo Driving study guide
• Victoria Hazard Perception Test

Sources

• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Chapter 1 The challenges of driving and Chapter 3 Managing risk (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Rules for P drivers” (March 2023) (edge.sitecorecloud.io)

Photo: Bal Jinder, Pexels

For the VicRoads drive test you bring your own car, or your instructor’s. VicRoads does not supply one. The car must be registered and roadworthy, have a speed display the testing officer can see and seatbelts for everyone, and show L plates. If no instructor comes with you, it needs a handbrake the testing officer can reach. This checklist covers every car requirement in Victoria, plus what happens if you test in an automatic.

Drive test car checklist (Victoria)

• Registered, with current registration.
• Roadworthy.
• Speed display on the dashboard that the testing officer can easily see.
• Seatbelts for all occupants.
• L plates displayed.
• For a test without a driving instructor: a centrally mounted handbrake the testing officer can reach. Cars with an electronic or foot-operated park brake cannot be used for solo tests.
• For a dual-control car with your instructor: the instructor must hold a current Driving Instructor Authority.

Not on the list means a wasted booking. Read the vehicle section of the Transport Victoria “Drive test for a Victorian driver’s licence” page before test day.

Can you do the VicRoads drive test in a car with an electronic handbrake?

Not if you are testing without an instructor. The testing officer must be able to reach a handbrake and use it if needed. Transport Victoria says a car with an electronic or foot-operated park brake cannot be used for a solo test. Many newer cars have a button park brake, so check before you book.

Your options if your family car has an electronic park brake:

1. Borrow a car with a centre pull-up handbrake that meets the rest of the checklist.
2. Take the test in a driving instructor’s dual-control car, with the instructor in the car.

Dual-control cars and having your instructor in the test

A dual-control car has extra pedals on the passenger side for the accompanying driver. If you test in a dual-control car and your instructor holds a current Driving Instructor Authority number, the instructor can come with you. Otherwise only the VicRoads testing officer rides with you. Other passengers are not usually allowed.

VicRoads guidance on dual-control test cars also mentions working buzzers or pedal covers, and says left-hand-drive vehicles are not acceptable. Your instructor will know their car meets this. If you are unsure, check the Transport Victoria drive test page.

Testing in an automatic: the A condition

If you pass the drive test in an automatic car, your probationary licence carries an automatic-only restriction (the A condition). For your whole P1 and P2 period you may drive only automatic vehicles. The only way to remove it sooner is to pass another drive test in a manual car. Driving a manual while restricted to automatics is a licence condition offence.

Once you move from P2 to a full licence, the automatic condition is removed automatically, as long as no medical condition requires it. The full process is in upgrading from an automatic to a manual licence in Victoria.

	Automatic test car	Manual test car
Licence you get	P licence with A condition	P licence, no transmission restriction
Can drive manuals on Ps?	No, unless you pass a manual test	Yes
After your Ps	A condition drops off at full licence	No change

Learning manual once you are on your Ps

A P plater with the A condition who is learning or being tested in a manual must display a yellow plate, about 150 mm by 150 mm, with “Driver under instruction” in black letters. Your red or green P plates stay on too. A fully licensed supervisor must sit beside you, and the car must be one P drivers are allowed to drive (not a probationary prohibited vehicle unless you hold an exemption).

What else to bring on test day

• Your appointment number.
• Your current learner permit.
• Your completed Learner Log Book with the Declaration of Completion and List of Supervising Drivers, or a completed declaration in the myLearners app (if under 21).
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them for the eyesight test.
• A medical certificate if you have a condition affecting your driving that VicRoads does not know about.

If you cannot prove 120 hours including 20 at night, you will not be allowed to sit the test. You lose your fees and must wait at least six weeks. See the Victoria 120 hour logbook.

Common questions

Does VicRoads provide a car for the drive test?

No. Your supervising driver or instructor provides it.

Can I use a car with an electronic park brake if my instructor comes?

Transport Victoria states the electronic park brake ban for solo tests. If you plan to test in your instructor’s dual-control car with them present, ask your instructor whether their car is accepted.

Can my parent sit in the back during the test?

Not usually. Only the testing officer, plus your instructor in a dual-control car, are normally allowed.

Should I test in an automatic or a manual?

An automatic is often easier, but it locks you to automatics for at least three years of Ps. If you will need to drive manuals for work or the family car, consider testing in a manual.

Can I use a car with a warning light on?

The car must be registered and roadworthy. Get any fault checked and fixed before test day.

Related guides

• Learning to drive in Victoria
• The VicRoads drive test explained
• VicRoads drive test fails
• VicRoads Ls and Ps fees

Sources

• Transport Victoria, “Drive test for a Victorian driver’s licence” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “How to get your Ps” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• VicRoads, “Upgrade your probationary licence to drive a manual vehicle” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Step 7 and Drive Test (edge.sitecorecloud.io)

Photo: Bal Jinder, Pexels

In Victoria, learner drivers and P1 and P2 drivers must not touch a phone or any portable, mounted or wearable device while driving, and must not use voice commands either. Only simple audio and navigation adjustments on the car’s inbuilt system are allowed. These rules have applied since 31 March 2023. This guide sets out exactly what L and P platers can and cannot do, how the rules differ from a full licence, and what a breach costs.

Key facts

• Applies to: learner permit holders, P1 (red) and P2 (green) licence holders in Victoria.
• In force since: 31 March 2023.
• No touching any phone or portable, commercially mounted or wearable device while driving. That includes smart watches and motorcycle helmet devices.
• No voice commands while driving, even hands free.
• Inbuilt car systems: simple audio changes (volume, song) and brief adjustments to navigation settings only. No entering an address, scrolling or voice controls.
• Anything else (texting, scrolling, entering numbers) means pulling over and parking first.
• Penalty listed in the VicRoads “Rules for P drivers” brochure: a fine and 4 demerit points. P drivers can lose their licence at 5 points in 12 months.

What L and P drivers cannot do with a phone in Victoria

While driving (which includes being stopped in traffic or at lights, as opposed to parked), a learner, P1 or P2 driver must not:

• touch a phone or any other portable, commercially mounted or wearable device
• use voice commands, for example “Hey Siri, call Mum” or asking a voice assistant to change the playlist
• make or take calls, hands-held or hands free (P brochure: “No mobile phone use, hands-free or hand-held or messaging of any kind”)
• interact with text messages in any way
• change audio once it has been set up, except with simple changes on an inbuilt system
• rest a device on your lap or pass it to a passenger.

These bans on messaging, social media, video, games, photos, email, typing and scrolling also apply to fully licensed drivers.

What you can do: inbuilt systems and setting up before you drive

The Road to Solo Driving handbook and the Rules for P drivers brochure say:

• Set up first. If you want navigation or music, start it before you drive.
• Inbuilt device, simple changes only. On the car’s own screen or controls you may briefly adjust audio (such as the volume or radio station), climate controls and navigation settings. You must not enter an address, scroll or use voice controls while driving.
• Everything else needs you parked. The brochure says novice drivers “must pull over and park” to scroll, enter text or otherwise interact with a phone or device.

Mounted phone or loose phone: the difference matters. A phone fixed in a commercially made holder counts as a mounted device. You may use it for navigation or audio that you set up before the trip, but you must not touch it at all while driving, even at red lights. A loose phone (in your hand, on the seat or in a cupholder) counts as a portable device, and L and P drivers must not have any ongoing activity on it, even navigation or music started before you set off. To change a song or a destination on a mounted phone, pull over and park. Only the car’s inbuilt system allows simple changes on the move, and even there scrolling, typing and voice controls are not allowed.

Learners vs P1 vs P2 vs full licence

Action while driving	Learner, P1, P2	Full licence
Touch a hand-held phone	No	No
Calls with voice commands or minimal touch on a phone in a commercial holder	No	Yes
Calls through the car’s inbuilt system	No	Yes
Simple audio or navigation change on the inbuilt system	Yes	Yes
Texting, social media, video, games, scrolling	No	No
Phone resting on your lap	No	No

Screens your passengers use

It is illegal to have a visual display unit (for example a passenger’s phone playing video) running where the driver can see it, even when the car is stopped but not parked. Mounted driver’s aids such as navigation are the exception. Ask passengers to keep screens out of your view.

Penalties for using a phone on your Ls or Ps

• Demerit points: the VicRoads Rules for P drivers brochure (March 2023) lists 4 demerit points for phone use by P1 and P2 drivers. Check the current fine on the Transport Victoria demerit points page; fines change every July.
• Licence loss: L and P drivers reach their limit at 5 points in 12 months or 12 points in 3 years. One phone offence plus almost any other point offence can cost you your licence. See Victoria demerit points and penalties for new drivers.
• Cameras: mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras operate in Victoria.
• Careless driving: if a distraction causes bad driving, you can also be charged with careless or dangerous driving or failing to have proper control.

Practical set-up before every drive

1. Put your phone on silent or Do Not Disturb (driving mode) and out of reach.
2. Start your playlist or podcast and your route before you move.
3. Prefer the car’s inbuilt navigation with spoken directions over looking at a map.
4. Let a passenger handle the music.
5. Need to call or reply? Pull over somewhere legal and park. Do not stop in an emergency lane to use a phone; that is illegal.

Common questions

Can I use Google Maps on my P plates in Victoria?

Yes, if the phone sits in a commercial holder fixed to the car and you set the route before you drive. You must not touch it or talk to it while driving. A phone that is not mounted cannot be used for maps at all. To enter a different address, pull over and park first, whether you use the phone or the car’s inbuilt screen.

Can P platers use Bluetooth or hands-free calls?

No. Hands-free and hand-held calls are both banned for learner, P1 and P2 drivers in Victoria.

Can I touch my phone while stopped at traffic lights?

No. You are still driving when stopped in traffic. You must be parked.

Is a smart watch a device?

Yes. Wearable devices are covered, so do not tap or talk to your watch while driving.

Can my passenger change the music for me?

Yes. The handbook suggests passengers can help with tasks like changing the audio selection. Just make sure their screen is not showing video where you can see it.

Do Victorian rules follow me interstate?

When you drive in another state, that state’s rules apply. See driving interstate on L or P plates.

Related guides

• Learning to drive in Victoria
• Victorian P1 and P2 rules
• Victorian learner permit rules
• Managing risk as a new Victorian driver

Sources

• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Mobile phones and other electronic devices (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
• Department of Transport and Planning, “Rules for P drivers” (March 2023) (edge.sitecorecloud.io)
• Transport Victoria, “Learner and probationary driver road rules” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Device rules for new and young drivers and motorcyclists” (transport.vic.gov.au)
• Transport Victoria, “Demerit points” (transport.vic.gov.au)

Photo: PeterChickenCampbell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Driving with trams in Victoria comes down to a few firm rules: stop level with the rear of a tram at a stop with no safety zone, never pass a tram on the right unless the tracks are on the far left, keep out of tram lanes when they operate, and never delay a tram. Young, inexperienced drivers are involved in more tram and pedestrian crashes than experienced drivers, so learn these before you drive in Melbourne.

Key facts

• Tram stop with no safety zone: stop level with the rear of the tram and do not pass while the doors are open.
• Passing a stopped tram (doors closed, no pedestrians on the road, or a tram employee waves you on): no faster than 10 km/h.
• Pass trams on the left, unless the tracks are at or near the far left of the road.
• Give way to a tram moving into or across a roundabout.
• Buses travelling along tram tracks must be treated as trams.

Passing a tram at a tram stop

Situation	What you must do
Tram stopped at a stop with no safety zone, doors open	Stop level with the rear of the tram. Give way to pedestrians crossing between the tram and the kerb. Do not move while the doors are open
Doors closed and no pedestrians on the road	You may pass, at no more than 10 km/h
A uniformed tram employee signals you through	You may pass, at no more than 10 km/h
Tram stop with a safety zone	You may pass, but slow down: people may step off the island without looking

A safety zone is the area at or near a tram stop with safety zone signs and a traffic island or dividing strip. Remember that pedestrians may run across the road at the last minute to catch a tram.

Which side do you pass a tram on?

You must not pass on the right of a tram, unless the tram tracks are at or near the far left side of the road. Where the tracks run down the middle of the road, that means you pass trams on the left.

Tram lanes, tramways and yellow lines

Marking	Meaning	Can you drive in it?
Broken yellow line next to the tracks	Trams have priority at all times	Yes, you can cross it and drive on the tracks, but keep out of the path of trams and never delay one
Continuous yellow line with a Tram Lane sign showing hours (part-time tram lane)	Tram lane during the hours shown	Not during those hours, except up to 50 metres to enter or leave the road, or briefly to overtake a bicycle rider. Never delay a tram, even outside the hours
Continuous yellow line with a Tram Lane sign and no times (full-time tram lane)	Tram lane at all times	No, except up to 50 metres to enter or leave the road, or briefly to overtake a bicycle rider
Double continuous yellow lines or a separation kerb, with a Tramway sign	Tramway, in operation at all times	No, except to avoid an obstruction. Cross only at breaks designed for vehicles

If a parked or double parked car blocks your lane and you have to enter a tramway, you are not breaking the law, but move back into your own lane as soon as possible. More on lane markings: road markings in Australia.

Turning right on a road with trams

• If you want to turn right, let the tram pass you, or keep going and turn right further on.
• Do not pull out in front of a tram.
• At intersections with a Hook Turn sign, use a hook turn. See how to do a hook turn in Melbourne.

Tram signals and roundabouts

• Some traffic lights show a white T (or B) on a black background. These are for trams (or buses). Other road users must wait for the normal green light. See traffic light rules in Australia.
• You must give way to a tram moving into or across a roundabout. See roundabout rules in Australia.

Leave trams their safety margin

Trams are longer and heavier than cars and take longer to stop. When you pass a tram or change lanes, do not pull into the empty space just in front of it. That gap is the tram’s safety margin.

Sharing the road with buses in Victoria

• Bus lanes: only public buses or vehicles named on the sign may use them, but you may drive in one for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road, or to overtake a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road.
• Bus only lanes: no other vehicles, except to avoid an obstruction. You may need to turn across them, giving way to any buses in the lane.
• Buses pulling out: in a built-up area you must give way to a bus displaying a Give Way to Buses sign that is signalling to pull out from the kerb into the left lane.
• Bus stops: slow down. Passengers often step out from in front of or behind a bus.

More: sharing the road with trucks and buses.

Common questions

Can you overtake a tram on the right in Melbourne?

Only if the tram tracks are at or near the far left side of the road. Otherwise pass on the left.

Do I have to stop for a tram with its doors open?

Yes, at a stop with no safety zone. Stop level with the rear of the tram and wait until the doors close and pedestrians are clear.

How fast can I pass a stopped tram?

No faster than 10 km/h, and only when the doors are closed and no pedestrians are on the road, or when a tram employee signals you through.

Can I drive on tram tracks in Victoria?

Yes, where the line next to the tracks is broken yellow, as long as you keep out of the path of trams. Not in a tram lane during its hours, or in a tramway.

How far can I drive in a tram lane to turn left?

Up to 50 metres, to enter or leave the road.

Does a bus on tram tracks count as a tram?

Yes. Buses travelling along tram tracks must be treated as trams.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Victoria.

Sources

• Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Sharing the road with trams and Sharing the road with buses (edge.sitecorecloud.io, transport.vic.gov.au)