Prerequisites:
People under 21 when they pass the Drive Test
People under 21 move to a probationary P1 licence (Red Ps) when they progress from a learner permit. To progress from red Ps to your green Ps (probationary P2) you must:
- Have held your red Ps for at least 12 months
- Have a good driving record (avoiding licence cancellation or suspension and drink and drug offences)
So as long as you have a good driving record throughout the 12 months on your red Ps, you will automatically move onto your green Ps.
People over 21 when they pass the Drive Test
People over 21 when they progress from a learner permit move to a probationary P2 licence (Green Ps). This progression requires you to take and pass first the Hazard Perception Test and then the Drive Test.
You must pass the Hazard Perception Test before you can attempt the Drive Test. As such, you should avoid scheduling these tests close together to ensure you don't have to reschedule.
If over 21 and under 25, you must have held your learner permit for a continuous period of at least 6 months before your Drive Test. People over 25 are required to hold the learner permit for a continuous period of only 3 months before the Drive Test.
People over 21 are not required to complete and record a set number of supervised driving hours before attempting to progress. However, it is recommended that you get a similar amount of experience (120 hours) in varied conditions to ensure you are ready to drive independently when you pass your Drive Test.
Licence features:
Your green Ps (probationary P2 licence) are valid for 3 years. As long as you have a good driving record throughout this period, you will automatically move onto your full licence.
In addition to following the road rules like all road users should, there are specific rules associated with a probationary P2 licence. Disobeying these additional rules could result in heavy fines or loss of licence.
| Blood Alcohol Concentration | Zero (no alcohol in your system) |
| Demerit points | 5 points in a 1-year period or 12 points in a 3-year period |
| Plate display | Green P plates (150mm square with white P on a green background) must be displayed clearly on front and back of the vehicle (visible from 20m) |
| Maximum speed limit | The limit as signed (no probationary limit) |
| Towing | You can tow a single trailer up to the lesser of 9 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass or the vehicle's specifications. |
| Supervision | Not allowed to supervise a learner |
| Transmission | If tested in automatic, can only drive automatic |
| Mobile phone | No mobile phone use (including hands-free, hand-held, and messaging) |
| Licence category | Licence only allows you to drive a vehicle that does not exceed 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass and can seat up to 12 adults including the driver |
| Probationary prohibited vehicles | Vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 2010 if it has:
Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 2010 if it has:
Exemptions exist for driving during work hours at employer request or if a written exemption is granted by VicRoads. |
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Requirements to progress:
To progress to your full licence you must:
- Have held your green Ps (probationary P2) for at least 3 years
- Have a good driving record
A good driving record is simply avoiding licence cancellation or suspension and drink and drug offences.
A bad driving record will extend your time on a probationary P2 licence by at least 6 months.
Periods in which your licence has been suspended do not count towards the 3-year requirement. Licence cancellation will mean your probationary period starts again with any time accumulated towards the 3-year requirement void. Licence cancellation / suspension can result from:
- a court conviction
- a Traffic Infringement Notice
- accumulation of demerit points
- action taken by the Sheriff’s Office
- action taken by VicRoads
Check out the other resources available to help you get your probationary P2 licence (Green Ps):
For comprehensive information on probationary licensing, please refer to the VicRoads website. The above information is a summary of this content and although current when published may now be outdated. To ensure you are accessing the most current and accurate information, use the VicRoads website or visit your nearest VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
Learner Permit
Probationary P1 Licence (Red Ps)
Probationary P2 Licence (Green Ps)
Full Licence