DKT- A suspended or cancelled learner permit may affect when you can apply for a licence.
- A suspended probationary licence extends your probation.
- A cancelled probationary licence means probation starts again.
If you hold a learner permit
Before you apply for a probationary licence you must hold your permit for a continuous period. A suspension or cancellation breaks that period and may affect your eligibility to apply. The required periods are:
| Your age when applying | Continuous learner period |
|---|---|
| Under 21 | 12 months |
| 21 but under 25 | 6 months |
| 25 or older | 3 months |
If you hold a probationary licence
- Suspended: your probationary period is extended.
- Cancelled: your probationary period starts again from the beginning, no matter how close you were to graduating to the next stage.
- Breaking any of the probationary rules can bring severe penalties, including suspension, a longer probation or cancellation.
- Drink-driving convictions add more penalties, such as a Behaviour Change Program and an alcohol interlock. See drink driving penalties.
Compared with a full licence
When a full licence is cancelled, a full licence is reissued once all the relicensing requirements are met. A full licence holder does not go back to learner or probationary status. If a court order is needed because of an alcohol or drug offence, a three-year zero BAC restriction is placed on the licence when it is reissued, and an alcohol interlock may be part of it.
Why a clean record matters
You need a good driving record to move through the stages: no cancellation, no suspension and no drink or drug driving offences. See the P1 rules and P2 rules, and read about learner permit conditions to avoid breaking them.
Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.
Quick answers
What happens to my P plates if my licence is suspended in Victoria?
Your probationary period is extended. If the licence is cancelled instead, the probationary period starts all over again.
Does a suspension affect my learner permit time in Victoria?
It can. The learner permit must be held continuously (12, 6 or 3 months depending on your age) before you apply for a licence, and a suspension or cancellation breaks that period.