Photo: Anh Thu Le, Pexels
In Tasmania you move from P2 to a full licence once you have held the P2 for the minimum period, which depends on your age: 2 years if you were under 23 when you got P2. If you complete P1 and P2 with no demerit points and no suspension-type offences, the safer driver reward gives you a free three-year full licence. This page sets out the P2 periods, who qualifies for the reward and what the licence would otherwise cost.
How long before a full licence in Tasmania?
| Age when you got your P2 | Minimum P2 period | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Under 23 | 2 years | P2 at 18, full licence at 20 at the earliest |
| 23 or older but under 25 | 12 months or until you turn 25, whichever is longer | P2 at 23 and 6 months, full licence at 25 |
| 25 or older | 12 months | P2 at 30, full licence at 31 |
Before P2 you need 12 continuous months on P1 (see Tasmanian P1 and P2 rules). A P1 restart offence resets that clock and delays everything after it.
The safer driver reward
The safer driver reward is for drivers and riders who get through P1 and P2 without an offence. It gives you a free three-year full licence. Plates Plus values it at up to $83.23. It replaced the old offence free reward, which people had to claim manually. The eligibility rules are the same.
Who qualifies?
You must have:
- held a Tasmanian licence for the full P1 and P2 periods
- completed both P1 and P2
- had no demerit points recorded during P1 and P2
- committed no offence during P1 and P2 that led to disqualification, suspension or cancellation
- never received this or any other reward for another licence class.
The last rule works both ways. If you got a motorcycle offence free reward, you can’t also claim the safer driver reward for your car licence, and the reverse.
What one offence costs you
A single demerit point recorded during your Ps, for example from a minor speeding fine, rules out the reward. You then pay for your first full licence at the standard rates below. See Tasmanian demerit points.
Full licence fees in Tasmania (as of November 2026)
| Licence length | Standard fee | With safer driver reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $40.68 | $0.00 |
| 2 years | $66.16 | $0.00 |
| 3 years | $91.64 | $0.00 |
| 4 years | $117.12 | $25.48 |
| 5 years | $140.64 | $49.00 |
Pensioner rates are lower. The fees page shows the current three-year standard fee as $91.64, while Plates Plus describes the reward as worth up to $83.23. Check the current figure with Transport Services before you renew.
What changes when you get your full licence
- No P plates and no 100 km/h cap.
- The zero alcohol rule ends unless another category applies (for example heavy or public passenger vehicles, or a Z condition). For other drivers, a BAC over 0.05 is an offence.
- Demerit threshold rises to 12 points in 3 years, and you can apply for a Period of Good Behaviour if you reach it.
- After three years with an automatic-only condition, Service Tasmania can remove it without a manual assessment.
- You can supervise a learner once you have held the full licence continuously for 12 months.
- Heavy vehicle classes open up once you have held class C long enough, for example 12 months for LR or MR.
Common questions
Do I have to sit a test to get my full licence in Tasmania?
No. There is no test between P2 and a full licence. You just need to finish the P2 period.
How do I claim the safer driver reward?
The reward replaced a scheme that required a manual application. Contact Service Tasmania on 1300 13 55 13 if your full licence is not issued as expected.
I got a fine on my Ps but no demerit points. Am I still eligible?
The test is no demerit points and no offence leading to disqualification, suspension or cancellation. Check how your offence was recorded with Service Tasmania.
Can motorcycle riders get the reward?
Yes, motorcycle riders can get the safer driver reward, but only one reward across all licence classes.
What is the minimum age for a full licence in Tasmania?
Taking each stage at the minimum (learner at 16, P1 at 17, P2 at 18, then 2 years on P2), the earliest is 20.
Back to learning to drive in Tasmania. Compare P plate rules in every state.
Sources
- Department of State Growth, “Progressing to your full licence” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Summary of novice car licensing pathway” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “General frequently asked questions” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Supervisory drivers and learner vehicles” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Licensing and assessment fees” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Demerit points” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Disqualifications, suspensions and cancellations” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Licence conditions” and “Licence classes” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, Version 2.1 (transport.tas.gov.au)