Moving from your Ls to your Ps is one of the biggest milestones for any driver in Victoria. It represents freedom, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and a few hoops to jump through.
If you’re ready to trade in those yellow plates for red or green ones, here is your definitive guide to the five steps you need to follow to get your probationary licence.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before you book anything, you need to make sure you meet the criteria. The requirements change depending on how old you are:
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• The Logbook: If you’re under 21, you must have completed 120 hours of supervised driving, including at least 20 hours at night.
• Holding Period: You must have held your learner permit for a continuous period:
• Under 21: 12 months.
• 21 to 25: 6 months.
• 25 and older: 3 months.
Step 2: Conquer the Hazard Perception Test
Before you can get behind the wheel for your actual drive test, you have to pass the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). This is an online test that checks your ability to recognize and respond to dangerous situations on the road.
Pro-tip: Don’t go in blind! Use the practice tests available on the VicRoads/Transport Victoria website to get used to the timing and the types of hazards you’ll see.
Step 3: Book Your Drive Test
Drive test appointments fill up fast, so plan ahead. You can book online through your myVicRoads account. When booking, keep these things in mind:
• Timing: Leave a few days between your HPT and your drive test just in case you need to retake the HPT.
• Eye Test: You will need to pass a brief eyesight test as part of the process.
Step 4: The Drive Test (The Big Day)
On the day of your test, arrive 15 minutes early. If you’re late, you’ll lose your fee and have to rebook.
What to bring:
1. Your Learner Permit (physical or digital).
2. Your completed logbook (or your myLearners app).
3. A safe, eligible vehicle. VicRoads does not provide a car.
Vehicle Requirements:
The car you bring must meet specific standards. It needs a centrally mounted handbrake that the instructor can reach, a speedometer visible from the passenger seat, and working lights/signals.
Step 5: Getting Your Licence
If the examiner says those magic words—”You passed”—you’ll get your results immediately.
• Under 21: You’ll get a P1 licence (red Ps) for the first year, followed by three years of a P2 licence (green Ps).
• 21 and Over: You’ll go straight to a P2 licence for three years.
Your physical card will arrive in the mail, but your digital licence should update in the myVicRoads app within a day or two.
Ready to start? Log into your myVicRoads account to check your progress and book your tests. Good luck, and stay safe on the roads!
Resource – Ps License