Driver licence in Australia

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Licensing laws in Australia for a driver licence differ between different states and territories; however, most involve a similar procedure and a graduated licensing scheme. Official nomenclature varies between the different states and territories of Australia between "driver's licence" and "driver licence", however it is mostly referred to as a "driver's licence" by the general public.

1 Australian Capital Territory
2 New South Wales
3 Victoria
4 Western Australia
5 Queensland
6 South Australia
7 General
8 References

[edit] Australian Capital Territory

The minimum age for a Learner Driver Licence in the ACT is 15 years and 9 months. The licence can be obtained after completing the Road Ready course (road safety program, run in many secondary schools, or at a Road Ready Centre), and passing a computerised road rules test. The learner licence lasts for two years. Learner drivers must display black on yellow 'L Plates' and drive with a full Australian licence holder.

The provisional licence can be obtained after reaching 17 years of age, holding the learner licence for 6 months, and either completing a logbook with an accredited driving instructor, or passing a practical driving test. The provisional licence is valid for 3 years. Provisional drivers must display red on white 'P Plates' for three years, unless they take the Road Ready Plus course after six months, or are over 26 and have held the licence for 6 months.

After holding the licence for three years, it can be upgraded to an Open Licence.

For more about driver licensing in the ACT, visit ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services - Driver Licence.

[edit] New South Wales

The minimum age for a Learner Driver Permit is 16 years (for cars) and for a Learner Rider Licence 16 years and 9 months (for motorcycles). Since the introduction of an enhanced graduated licensing scheme in 2000, new drivers must proceed through 3 different stages before gaining a full, unrestricted licence.

A learner driver licence is gained after passing a computerised knowledge test. Learner drivers are permitted to drive accompanied by a supervising unrestricted licence holder (usually a parent or professional driving instructor). Learner drivers are subjected to numerous restrictions: a maximum speed of 80 km/h, a zero alcohol limit, cannot tow a trailer, and must conspicuously display black-on-yellow 'L-plates' while driving. As of July 1, 2007, learner drivers must complete at least 120 hours (verified by a log book completed by the supervising driver) of on-road driving experience, and must hold the permit for at least 12 months, before they may apply for a provisional licence, stage 1. In an intentional quirk of the system, drivers may apply for a learner licence at the age of 16 and six months,^{[citation needed]} but the minimum age for a P1 licence is 17^{[citation needed]}; drivers who apply for a Learner's permit on their sixteenth birthday^{[citation needed]} must therefore hold the licence for a year before progressing to the next stage. This is thought to encourage extra driving experience for younger applicants.

A Provisional licence, stage 1 (P1 - red) (commonly called Ps and Reds) is gained after a minimum twelve months of holding a Learner Licence, 120 hours of on-road driving experience, and successful completion of an on-road practical driving examination. The licence holder can drive unaccompanied, but is limited to a maximum speed of 90 km/h, towing trailers of up to 250 kg, and a zero alcohol content. They must display red-on-white 'P-plates' while driving. P1 drivers are limited to a total of four demerit points during the term of the licence, as compared to the 12-point limit on unrestricted licences. P1 drivers must hold the licence for one year before progressing to the next stage. In New South Wales the minimum age to be eligible for a P1 Licence is 17. As of 1st July 2007, new laws for P1 drivers have been introduced, including a limit of one passenger under the age of 21 between 11pm and 5am, and instant suspension for 3 months for any speeding offence. Furthermore, it is also now a requirement that red 'P-plates' be displayed on the outside of the vehicle.

A Provisional licence, stage 2 (P2 - green) (commonly known as Ps and Greens) is gained after one year and successful completion of a computerised hazard perception test. The driver is restricted to a speed limit of 100 km/h, a zero alcohol limit, and a maximum of six demerit points; however, they are eligible to upgrade the class of their licence, such as those for heavier vehicles. P2 drivers must display a green-on-white 'P-plate' at all times. P2 drivers must hold the licence for two years before progressing to the next stage.

A full, unrestricted licence is gained after two years and successful completion of another computerised test. Unrestricted drivers might progress through different "colour" licences: black, silver and gold.

There are several common complaints about the NSW licensing scheme. The relatively high number of road accidents and traffic offences (such as speeding and drink-driving) involving P-plate drivers has prompted calls for further driving restrictions, such as curfews and passenger restrictions, as implemented in other countries. Also, the blanket speed restrictions on Learner and Provisional drivers can pose problems on country roads and freeways, where learner drivers are restricted to 80 km/h while other drivers may travel up to 110 km/h. Another common complaint is that it takes too long to progress to your full license.In Queensland and Victoria, this problem is avoided by not imposing speed restrictions on newly licensed drivers. There has been some criticism, especially amongst holders of provisional licenses, that the new laws punish the majority whilst it is only the minority that are the offenders.

[edit] Victoria

A Learner's Permit is gained after passing a computerised knowledge test and eye-sight test. Drivers are restricted to driving only with a BAC of 0.00%, whilst accompanied by a fully licensed driver (non-Probationary) who has a BAC below 0.05%, as well as displaying 'L' plates, and not towing a trailer. There are no speed or vehicle restrictions. Learner's Permits must be held for at least 6 months, unless the holder is over 25, in which case it is 3 months. In a new scheme slowly being implemented, the current recommendation of 120 hours practice will become mandatory for learners aged 16-20. The minimum age for obtaining a Learner's Permit is 16 years.

A Probationary Licence is gained after passing a computerised Hazard Perception Test and a practical driving test, as well as an eye-sight test. Drivers are restricted to driving with a 0.00% BAC, and are not permitted to drive 'high powered vehicles' (those powered at more than 125 kW/tonne or 3.5 litres/tonne). They must also display white-on-red 'P' plates. If the driver was tested in an automatic vehicle, then they must not drive a manual vehicle. There is no speed restrictions, and trailers may be towed. Currently, there is only one level of Probation, which lasts for 3 years. In July 2008, there will be a new P1 and P2 system implemented similar to New South Wales. From then, the red P plates will become the P1 level, and last for 1 year. However, towing will not be allowed on the new P1 level, nor will any mobile phone use - hands-free or otherwise. The minimum age for obtaining a Probationary Licence is 18 years.

A P2 Probationary Licence is a future level of licence in Victoria, that will be implemented from July 2008. It will be gained if a good driving record is maintained whilst holding the P1 licence. The same P1 restrictions apply, except P2 drivers may tow trailers, and use hands-free mobile phones. They must also display white-on-green 'P' plates, rather than red. P2 licences last for 3 years, making the minimum age of receiving a full licence 22 years, up from 21. The minimum age for obtaining a P2 licence is 19 years.

A Full Driver Licence is obtained after finishing the probation period at a minimum age of 22. There are few restrictions, other than not being able to drive while holding a mobile phone, and the need to have a BAC under 0.05%. Full licences are issued for a ten year duration, but can be made available for three years if requested.

Under the new P plate system, what is considered a high power vehicle has been redefined. P platers are no longer allowed to drive cars with engines larger than a V6, cars that have a turbo or supercharger (unless it is a diesel). A shortlist has been produced of cars that comply with these restrictions but are still considered powerful and therefore banned. The list includes BMW M3 and Porsche 911. There have been many complaints about this new system as several slower cars have been banned, such as the Peugeot 308, but faster cars such as VW Golf R32 and BMW 130i are still permitted.

For a greater explanation of the new system, see the Victorian Government's Arrive Alive website.

[edit] Western Australia

A Phase 1 Learner's Permit to drive a car in Western Australia can be gained by anyone aged 16 or over after successfully passing a computer-based driving theory test and an eyesight test. Drivers with Learner's Permits may only drive whilst accompanied by either a qualified driving instructor or a person who has held a valid licence of the same type as the permit for 4 years. Learner drivers must display black-on-yellow "L" plates, and must not drive with a Blood alcohol content exceeding 0.02%. Phase 1 Learner drivers are not permitted to drive on Perth freeways or within Kings Park. Learner's Permits expire after one year.

A Phase 2 Learner's Permit is awarded to those Phase 1 Learners who pass a practical driving test accompanied by an examiner employed by the government. Only those aged 16 years and 6 months or older are permitted to undergo the practical assessment. Successful drivers are presented with a log book, in which they must record subsequent driving experience and conditions. Phase 2 Learner drivers are permitted to drive on Perth freeways, however they must still be accompanied by an experienced driver whenever they drive and the other restrictions continue to apply.

A Provisional Licence is awarded when Learner drivers aged 17 years or over complete 25 hours of driving experience in their log book and pass a computerised "Hazard perception test". Drivers with provisional licences must display red-on-white "P-plates" whenever they drive, can drive unaccompanied and still cannot drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or higher. Provisional drivers have the same amount of demerit points as full licence drivers (12).

The provisional licence automatically converts into a Full Driver's Licence after the two year probationary period. Drivers with full driver's licences must drive with a blood alcohol content less than 0.05%, and may drive at up to 110 km/h (the maximum speed limit in the state)."P" plate driver may also drive up to 110 km /h, where permitted by the state.

Drivers who have had their licence revoked can obtain an Extraordinary Licence if they can demonstrate that the loss of their licence inflicts hardship. They must pay a $A500 fine, and display black-on-yellow "E" plates. The Extraordinary Licence permits them only to drive to avoid the hardship, such as to and from work.

For more information on Driver's Licenses in Western Australia go to The Department For Planning and Infrastructure and click on Licensing Services

[edit] Queensland

As of 2005, Queensland licences are now called a "Driver Licence" (as opposed to the traditional "Driver's Licence" or the variant "Driving Licence"), and no longer carry information about the holder's organ donor status. The Australian Organ Donor Register^[1] is now used for national registration of tissue donation status, due to criticism of the previous schemes.

There are no additional speed limit restrictions imposed on learner drivers.

Elderly drivers are required to have their licences renewed more often and required to have compulsory eye tests, which does not include colour vision (which is in theory important for understanding traffic signals, although colour blind people can in practice tell by position, this requires more concentration).

As of July 2007, New, tough, and controversial licensing laws were enforced on drivers under the age of 25. These included decreasing the minimum age of learners from 16 years 6 months, to 16 years, but increasing the minimum length of time the learner's licence is held to 1 year instead of 6 months, and included a compulsory 100 logged driving hours, including 10 hours of night driving.

For more information about Driver's Licenses in Queensland go to Queensland Transport and click on Licensing

[edit] South Australia

A person who is at least 16 may apply for a Learner's Permit (commonly called Ls) in South Australia. Applicants must pass a theory test to qualify. A learner driver must be accompanied by a Qualified Supervising Driver (not being a provisional or probationary licence). They must display yellow L plates, not have any alcohol in their blood, not get more than 4 demerit points, and must not travel above 80 km/h.^[2]

To get a Provisional Licence (also commonly called a probationary licence or Ps), you must have held a learner's permit for at least 6 months or have an equivalent interstate or overseas driver's licence. If you had a learner's permit, you must also have a log book showing you have had at least 50 hours driving experience (including at least 10 hours of night-time driving). All applicants must pass a practical driving test or be signed off on several points by a driving instructor in a competency-based training course. Drivers are then issued with a P1 licence. The main restrictions on P-platers are a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h (even where the posted speed limit is higher), a requirement that no alcohol or party drugs be in the system, and not being allowed to accrue more than 4 demerit points. They must also display red P plates (shown on left).

After a 12-month good driving record on normal Ps (P1s) or successfully completing a driver awareness course, a driver qualifies for P2s. This is the same as P1s, but the driver doesn't need to display P plates.

A driver must have held a provisional licence (combined P1s and P2s) for at least 2 years and a P2 licence for at least 6 months before becoming a fully-licensed driver. Fully-licensed drivers have their restrictions on alcohol relaxed to 0.05 per cent blood alcohol concentration and may drive at the full speed limit (which is 110 km/h on many country roads).

For more information about driver's licences in South Australia go to The Department for Transport and click on Licences & Certification

[edit] General

Tourists and visitors staying less than three months are permitted to drive on the licence of their home country. If the licence is not written in English, then an acceptable translation of the licence must be carried at all times. Visitors staying more than three months must apply for a licence in the state in which they reside.

Licences and Photo Cards are hologrammed, and contain a photograph, signature, and the holder's address. In some states, they also show organ donor status.

In Australia, where there is no form of national identity card, driver's licences serve as the primary means of photo identification; 'proof of age' cards were available for non-drivers. In New South Wales, these were replaced by photo cards in December 2005. Tasmania calls their equivalent card a 'personal information card'.