Rules of the Road · New South Wales

New South Wales licence stages and restrictions

Learner (L plates)

Minimum time: Under 25: at least 12 months before the Driving Test (HPT possible after 10 months). 25 or over: no minimum period. Valid for 5 years (expired learner = new DKT).

  • Minimum age 16; must pass the DKT, show ID and pass an eyesight test (handbook p.7, 10; learner page)
  • Must be supervised by a person with a full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence sitting in the seat next to you; learner, P1, P2 and overseas licence holders cannot supervise (p.22, 28)
  • Supervisor BAC must be under 0.05 and they must not have illegal drugs in their system (p.29)
  • L plates on the front and back (or roof) of the car, whole letter visible (p.21)
  • Zero BAC (p.19)
  • Maximum 90 km/h even where the posted limit is higher (p.19, 33)
  • No mobile phone use at all while driving or stopped in traffic - includes hands-free, Bluetooth and phone in holder; exceptions: show digital driver licence to police, wallet functions when stationary in car park/driveway/drive-through (p.20, 54-56)
  • Passengers only as many as seatbelts / approved child restraints allow (p.20)
  • No towing (p.22)
  • Not allowed to drive in Parramatta Park, Centennial Park or Moore Park in Sydney (p.21; learner page)
  • Under 25: log book of at least 120 hours including 20 hours at night; Safer Drivers Course gives 20 hours credit; structured "3 for 1" lessons with a licensed instructor (1 lesson hour = 3 logged hours) (p.11)
  • Demerit limit 4 points in 3 years then suspension; any speeding offence puts a learner over the limit (p.33, 196; learner page)
  • May be suspended immediately for driving without a supervisor, or 30+ km/h over the limit (p.197)

Provisional P1 (red P)

Minimum time: At least 12 months (extended by any suspension). Valid 18 months, renewable. Must have passed the HPT and the Driving Test (minimum age for the Driving Test is 17).

  • Red P plates front and back (or roof) (p.21)
  • Zero BAC (p.19)
  • Maximum 90 km/h (p.19, 33)
  • No phone use at all, including hands-free (p.20, 54)
  • Under 25: between 11 pm and 5 am only one passenger aged under 21 (exemptions for work, family or community transport via application) (p.20; P1 page)
  • After a court disqualification: only one passenger at a time for 12 months after getting the licence back (p.20; P1 page)
  • No high-performance vehicles: power-to-mass ratio over 130 kW per tonne, significant engine modifications, or listed banned vehicles (p.21, 189)
  • May tow only trailers up to 250 kg unladen, with a red P plate on the back of the trailer (p.22)
  • Cannot supervise or instruct a learner (p.22)
  • If the Driving Test was passed in an automatic, may drive only automatics unsupervised (p.23)
  • Demerit limit 4 points in 3 years then suspension of at least 3 months; speeding puts you over the limit; 30+ km/h over can mean immediate suspension (p.196-197; P1 page)
  • Cannot drive cars of other licence classes (trucks, heavy vehicles) or car-based motor tricycles (p.23)

Provisional P2 (green P)

Minimum time: At least 24 months (extended by the length of a suspension plus 6 months). Valid 36 months, renewable. Must have held P1 for at least 12 months.

  • Green P plates front and back (or roof) (p.21)
  • Zero BAC (p.19; P2 page)
  • Maximum 100 km/h (p.19, 33)
  • No phone use at all, including hands-free (p.20, 54)
  • No high-performance vehicles (p.21; P2 page)
  • Towing: full-licence towing rules apply, green P plate on the back of the trailer (p.22)
  • Cannot supervise a learner (p.22)
  • May learn to drive an LR or MR vehicle once on P2; HR after holding P2 for at least 1 year (p.23)
  • Demerit limit 7 points in 3 years then suspension; each demerit-point or high-risk suspension adds 6 months to the P2 period (p.196; P2 page)

Full (unrestricted) licence

Minimum time: After 24 months on P2. Issued for 1, 3 or 5 years, or 10 years if aged 21 to 44.

  • BAC under 0.05 (p.39)
  • Phone only via Bluetooth/hands-free or in a fixed commercial holder for calls, audio and driver aids; never hold it (p.55)
  • Demerit limit 13 points in 3 years then suspension of 3-5 months (p.196)

Rules and conditions are changed from time to time — check the service.nsw.gov.au for the current requirements.