If you have a P1 or P2 provisional driver’s licence you’ll need to comply with these rules and conditions or you could have to pay a fine and go back a step in your licence process.
P1 or P2 provisional licence conditions
You are only allowed to drive the class of vehicle stated on your provisional licence under the following conditions:
- You must not drive a motor vehicle when there is any concentration of alcohol in your blood or the presence of THC (cannabis), Methylamphetamine (speed) or MDMA (ecstasy) in your blood or oral fluid (saliva).
- You must display the prescribed P-plates so that they are clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle (P2 drivers do not need to display P-plates).
- If you commit a speeding offence 10 km/h over the speed limit, you will also commit a breach of your provisional licence conditions.
- You must carry your provisional licence at all times whilst driving.
- You must not exceed the 100 km/h speed limit at any time.
- You must not accumulate four or more demerit points during the provisional licence period.
P1 drivers are also banned from using any type of mobile phone function while driving. This includes using hands-free mode and Bluetooth technology, loud speaker operation and text messaging. The penalty includes an on-the-spot fine and three demerit points. For more information go to the road safety website.
Breaching a condition
If you are disqualified from driving while holding a provisional licence for breaching the provisional conditions or for accruing four or more demerit points you may appeal to the Court to have the disqualification set aside. You can only appeal one disqualification within a five year period.
P1 provisional licence
If you are disqualified while you hold a P1 provisional licence, and you do not or are not eligible to appeal, you will need to serve the disqualification period and then:
- re-apply for a learner's permit (you won’t need to pass the theory test but you will have to complete all the documents and pay the fee again)
- pass a practical driving test again (either the vehicle-on-road test or competency-based-training) before being reissued with another P1 licence.
You’ll need to hold the P1 provisional licence for a minimum period of two years before you can progress to a P2 provisional licence.
P2 provisional licence
If you are disqualified while you hold a P2 provisional licence, and you do not or are not eligible to appeal, you will need to serve the disqualification period and then:
- be issued with a P1 provisional licence
- pass the hazard perception test again before regaining your P2 licence.
You’ll need to hold a P1 licence for two years before being eligible to progress to a P2 provisional licence that you must hold for a minimum period of six months.
Serious offences
If you commit a serious driving offence, when you are issued your next licence you will be subject to a curfew condition for 12 months. The curfew means you can’t drive between 12:00 am and 5:00 am unless you have a qualified supervision driver seated beside you.
Serious offences include:
- an offence that incurs 4 or more demerit points
- a second speeding offence that incurs 3 or more demerit points
- a red light offence and a speeding offence from the same incident
- any offence committed by a person who has previously been disqualified from driving.