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What’s first on your Ls
See what you need to know as you learn to drive.
In this topic
Why we have a Graduated Licensing System in Victoria
How the Graduated Licensing System in Victoria helps you develop as a safe driver
What’s next based on your age
Why it’s good to get at least 120 hours driving experience
How you move through the Graduated Licensing System
You changing crash risk as you go from your Ls to Ps
Read up on the road rules
Why we have a Graduated Licensing System in Victoria
We designed the Victorian Graduated Licensing System so you can develop safe driving behaviours, as you progress from your Ls to Ps to full licence.
Victoria introduced the system to improve the safety of young drivers, which has saved young lives.
The system allows you to gradually gain driving experience in conditions of low risk.
As you gain more experience, we lift the restrictions placed on your driving as you develop safe driving behaviours.
The Graduated Licensing System helps you develop as a safe driver as it:
What's next based on your age
You're under 21
Step 1: Gain a minimum of 120 hours driving experience, of which you must do at least 20 hours at night using the four stages of the learner period (you’re here).
Step 2: Go for your Ps when you and your supervising driver agree you’re ready and when you've met all the legal requirements.
Step 3: Spend at least one year on a red P1 licence with a good driving record.
Step 4: Spend at least three years on a green P2 licence with a good driving record.
Step 5: Gain your full licence if you’ve got a good driving record.
You're over 21
Step 1: Do as much driving practice as possible using the four stages of the learner period to guide you (you’re here).
Step 2: Go for your Ps when you’re ready and have met all the legal requirements.
Step 3: Spend at least three years on a green P2 licence with a good driving record.
Step 4: Gain your full licence if you’ve got a good driving record.
Why it’s good to get a minimum 120 hours driving experience
If you’re under 21, then you must log at least 120 hours of driving, with at least 20 hours at night.
But many learners gain much more experience than this.
There is a relationship between more supervised driving as a learner and lower crash risk once licensed.
On-road driving practice develops hazard perception and other important skills needed for safe driving.
To improve safety on the road and to develop hazard perception skills, you need on-road driving practice where you can interact with real traffic on real roads. This is another key reason for the 120 hour requirement.
New solo drivers with at least 120 hours of driving experience have a crash risk 35% lower than new drivers with only about 50 hours of experience.
A minimum 120 hours driving helps you to:
An evaluation of the Graduated Licensing System in 2017 found those in the first year of their Ps and drivers 18 to 20 years have had their rate of involvement in fatal and serious injury crashes drop.
Age you can apply
16 years
What you need to apply
Proof of who you are.
What we'll assess
Eyesight test.
Road rules test.
What you need to do when you drive
Clearly display L plates at the front and back of your vehicle, which must be visible from 20 metres away.
Carry your car learner permit.
Drive with a supervising driver in the seat beside you, who has a full car licence (not their Ps).
Have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of zero.
Only use a securely mounted phone or other device for music and navigation and ONLY if setup before driving.
Make simple adjustments (e.g. to volume) using only an inbuilt device while driving.
Never tow a caravan or trailer.
Only drive a car, ute or van, but not a motorcycle, truck or bus.
Duration of permit
10 years
Most learners have their Ls for at least two years before they go for their Ps. This means 120 hours is about an hour of driving a week.
As a Learner driver
You’re relatively safer as a learner, as you’ve got your supervising driver with you.
That’s why you need to gain a minimum of 120 hours driving experience, as it’s the best time to learn safe driving behaviours.
Read up on the road rules before you drive
Make sure you read the roads rules in Victoria for any law changes, updates or new rules.
Road ruleseducation online