Photo: Canley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Tasmania, P1 drivers display red P plates, are capped at 100 km/h, can’t use a phone at all and, if under 25, may carry only one peer passenger aged 16 to 21. P2 drivers display green P plates, can drive at the posted limit and can use a hands-free phone. Both must have zero alcohol. This page covers every P1 and P2 condition, the peer passenger exemptions, restart offences and when you move up.
P1 and P2 rules compared
| Rule | P1 (first stage) | P2 (second stage) |
|---|---|---|
| Plates | Red on white, visible front and back | Green on white, visible front and back |
| Top speed | 100 km/h, even where the limit is higher | The posted speed limit |
| Mobile phone | No use at all, including hands-free and speaker | Hands-free or speaker mode allowed |
| Alcohol | 0.00 BAC | 0.00 BAC |
| Peer passengers | Under 25: one passenger aged 16 to 21, unless exempt | No restriction |
| Towing | Allowed. A P plate must be visible on the back of the trailer if it hides yours | Allowed, same plate rule |
| Carry licence | Always | Always |
| Minimum time | 12 continuous months | 12 months to 2 years, by age |
The P1 phone ban
P1 drivers can’t use a mobile phone while driving, including while stopped but not parked. Hands-free and voice activation are banned too. Music or GPS played through the phone is allowed only if you set it up before you drive and don’t touch or look at the phone. Using a phone, even hands-free, is a P1 restart offence.
On P2, the handbook rules for full and P2 drivers apply. To make or take a call, the phone must be in a commercially designed holder fixed to the car, or work without you touching it (for example Bluetooth or voice). Holding the phone, resting it on your body, texting or looking at messages is illegal for every driver.
Tasmanian P1 peer passenger restrictions
If you are under 25 and got your P1 from 1 December 2020, you can carry only one peer passenger aged 16 to 21 (inclusive), at any time of day, for your 12 months on P1.
Who doesn’t count as a peer passenger?
- anyone younger than 16, or 22 and older
- your husband or wife, or a partner you live with
- immediate family: siblings, step-siblings and half-siblings, a parent or guardian, or a child of a parent or guardian.
Cousins are not immediate family, so they count.
When can you carry more?
- Employment: driving for work (paid or volunteer) or to and from work.
- Education or training: school, university, TAFE, apprenticeships and other formal training, or travelling to and from them. School sport is not included.
- Medical purposes: getting treatment for yourself or a passenger.
- Undue hardship: exceptional circumstances that would cause hardship to your family or a passenger’s family.
- Experienced driver: a full Australian licence holder in the front passenger seat who is willing to instruct you, and who has not been disqualified or suspended for demerit points in the last 12 months.
- Emergency services: only while you are acting in that role.
You don’t apply for an exemption, but you must be able to show police that you meet it. The optional Peer Passenger Exemption Form helps, ideally with a signed letter from the employer, school or person involved.
Scenarios from the official factsheet
| Situation | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| 18-year-old P1, driving two 18-year-old workmates straight to and from work | Yes: employment exemption |
| 24-year-old P1, three friends aged 20, 20 and 21, going clothes shopping | No |
| 21-year-old P1, 16-year-old brother and one 18-year-old friend to the beach | Yes: the brother is immediate family |
| 19-year-old P1, two sisters plus two cousins aged 18 and 21 to the family shack | No: both cousins count |
| 26-year-old P1 with cousins aged 16 and 18 | Yes: the rule only applies under 25 |
| 23-year-old paramedic on P1, off duty, three friends aged 22, 21 and 21 to the movies | No: the exemption only applies on duty |
P1 restart offences
Commit any of these on P1 and your 12-month P1 period starts again:
- not wearing a seatbelt
- using a mobile phone, including hands-free, while driving
- speeding by 10 km/h or more
- not displaying P plates
- carrying more than one peer passenger without an exemption.
Demerit points also count: 4 or more in 12 months suspends a provisional licence. See Tasmanian demerit points for learners and P platers.
When will I get my P2 licence in Tasmania?
After 12 continuous months on P1 with no restart offences, disqualifications or suspensions, you move to P2 automatically. You don’t need a new card. Your licence renews automatically while it is current. Put green plates on from your first P2 drive.
How long do you stay on P2?
| Your age when you get P2 | Minimum P2 period |
|---|---|
| Under 23 | 2 years |
| 23 or older but under 25 | 12 months or until you turn 25, whichever is longer |
| 25 or older | 12 months |
Then see getting your full licence and the safer driver reward.
Common questions
What is the P plate speed limit in Tasmania?
100 km/h on P1, even where a higher limit applies. P2 drivers can drive at the posted limit.
Can P1 drivers use Bluetooth in Tasmania?
No. Hands-free and voice activation are banned on P1. Music or GPS set up before you leave is the only exception.
Is there a night curfew for P platers in Tasmania?
The standard P1 and P2 conditions listed by Plates Plus do not include a night curfew. Novice case management can add curfews for drivers returning after disqualification or suspension.
Can P platers drive any car in Tasmania?
The Plates Plus P1 and P2 restriction pages do not list a vehicle power ban. An automatic-only condition applies if you passed in an automatic.
Do the rules change if I drive interstate?
Some states have different rules. See driving interstate on L or P plates and P plate rules in every state.
How much alcohol can a P plater have in Tasmania?
None. Provisional and learner drivers must have zero alcohol. See zero alcohol for learners and P platers.
Back to learning to drive in Tasmania.
Sources
- Department of State Growth, “P1 restrictions” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “P2 restrictions” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “When will I get my P2 licence?” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Peer passenger restrictions factsheet”, November 2022 (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Peer passenger factsheet and exemption form” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Mobile phone ban” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Progressing to your full licence” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Novice penalties and case management” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, Version 2.1 (transport.tas.gov.au)