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What’s first on their Ls
Read about your role in helping your learner drive safely.
In this topic
How the Graduated Licensing System makes your learner a safe driver
What’s next based on your learner’s age
How your learner moves through the Graduated Licensing System
Build your supervising skills with Road Smart
Why you learner must log 120 hours if they’re under 21
How your learner moves through the Graduated Licensing System
Your learner’s changing crash risk as they go from their Ls to Ps
Read up on the road rules
How the Graduated Licensing System makes your learner a safe driver
We designed the Victorian Graduated Licensing System so your learner can develop safe driving behaviours, as they progress from their 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 your learner to gradually gain driving experience in conditions of low risk.
As your learner gains more experience, we lift the restrictions placed on their driving as they develop safe driving behaviours.
The Graduated Licensing System helps your learner develop as a safe driver as it:
What's next based on your learner's age
My learner is under 21
What's next if your learner is under 21
Step 1: Gain a minimum of 120 hours driving experience, of which they must do at least 20 hours at night using the four stages of the learner period (they’re here).
Step 2: Go for their Ps when you both agree they’re ready and when they'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 their full licence if they’ve got a good driving record and have no driving offences.
My learner is over 21
What's next if your learner is over 21
Step 1: Do as much driving practice as possible using the four stages of the learner period to guide them (they’re here).
Step 2: Go for their Ps when they’re ready and when they’ve 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 their full licence if they’ve got a good driving record and have no driving offences.
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.
Why it’s good for your learner to get a minimum 120 hours driving experience
If your learner is under 21, then they 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 for your learner to develop hazard perception skills, they will need on-road driving practice where they can interact with real traffic on real roads. This is another key reason for the 120 hour requirement.
Build your supervising skills
A great way to help build your supervising skills is to use our e-learning module, which covers the importance of gaining 120 hours experience and more.
This module gives you helpful tips on how to:
- Teach your learner.
- Give your learner feedback.
- Plan using a staged approach.
Getting a minimum of 120 hours driving experience allows your learner to:
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 a securely-mounted device for navigation or music, set up prior to driving. No touching or voice commands when 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
Your learner is relatively safer on their Ls, as they’ve got you with them.
That’s why your learner needs 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