Victoria Phone Rules for L and P Platers Since March 2023

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

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)