Driving on your Ps

Once you have your probationary licence (Ps) you can drive on the road all by yourself. 

Stay safe on the roads by understanding the limits of your licence and the rules and restrictions that apply to you. 

Here’s what you need to know about driving on your Ps.  

 P1 vs P2 licences

There are two kinds of probationary licences in Victoria: 

• P1 (red P plate), which lasts for at least the first 12 months of probationary driving 

• P2 (green P plate), which normally starts 12 months from when you get your P1 licence and lasts for at least three years.  

Rules and restrictions for P-platers

Certain rules and restrictions apply while you're on your Ps. Some only apply to P1 drivers and some apply to both P1 and P2 drivers. 
 
If you're found guilty of any driving offences, or you break any of the rules for P1 or P2 drivers, you may have your P1 or P2 licence period extended.   

Peer passenger restriction for P1 drivers

A P1 driver isn't allowed to carry more than one peer passenger when driving. A peer passenger is a person who is between the ages of 16 and 22 and is not the P1 driver's: 

• spouse or domestic partner 

• sibling or step-sibling. 

For example, if you're on your P1s you can drive your brother and your sister around (no matter what their age). At another time you can drive one person between the ages of 16 or 22. You can't, however, drive three of your mates around (unless two of them are over 22). 

There are no restrictions when your passengers are over 22 years of age. 

More information can be found on the VicRoads probationary licence restrictions webpage.  

Other rules and restrictions for P1 drivers

As well as the peer passenger restriction, the following also apply to P1 drivers: 

• You're not allowed to tow another vehicle or trailer (unless you're doing it for work or you're under instruction). 

• If your licence is cancelled or suspended as a result of a traffic offence, you're only allowed to carry one passenger in total (whatever their age) for the rest of your P1 period (there are exceptions to this rule). 

Rules and restrictions that apply to P1 and P2 drivers

The following rules and restrictions apply to both P1 and  P2 probationary drivers: 

• you must always display your P-plates in the front and back of the car when driving. The plates must be seen from at least 20 metres away. 

• you always have to have your licence with you when you drive 

• no mobile phone use (hands free or hand-held) or messaging of any kind is allowed 

• you can't have any alcohol or illicit drugs in your body 

• any suspension, drink driving offence without licence cancellation or suspension, or drug driving offence will result in an extension of your P1 or P2 period 

• you will lose your licence if you get five demerit points in a year, or 12 over a three-year period 

• you can't drive high-powered vehicles - the VicRoads prohibited vehicles page has details and definitions 

• if you got your licence driving an automatic car, you aren't allowed to drive a manual car until you get a full licence or pass another drive test in a manual car. 

For a full overview of restrictions on P-plate drivers, see the VicRoads P plate restrictions page.  

Displaying your P plates

It's up to you whether you decide to buy, borrow or make your P plates. The main thing is that you display them correctly when you're driving.  
 
Requirements for P plates in Victoria are listed on the VicRoads displaying P plates page, including: 

• how you need to display them 

• what they need to look like. 

Getting your full licence

There are two ways to get your full licence after you've successfully finished your P2 period. 

• If the expiry date on your licence is after your probationary end date it automatically becomes a full licence from midnight on that end date - you don't need to get a new one until your current licence expires. 

• If the expiry date on your licence and your probationary end date are the same you have to renew your licence before getting a full driver's licence (VicRoads will send you a renewal notice). 

If your probationary licence has an automatic (A) condition, the restriction will be removed when your probationary period finishes, and either:  

• a new unrestricted licence will be sent to you automatically 

• the new, full licence you pay for won't have the restriction. 

None of the P1 or P2 restrictions apply to you once you've got your full licence. You're still bound by the road rules and responsibilities that apply to all Victorian drivers though.