KEY CHANGES

Even though the road toll has been significantly reduced, young drivers continue to have more crashes than any other road users, and car crashes kill more young people than any other causes.

The answer is safer young drivers - and the new Graduated Licensing System (GLS) has been designed to do just that.

If you provide your age, the permit or licence you have, or even if you don't have either, and when you obtained it, 'Fast Facts' will provide you with all the information you need to know about how Victoria's new graduated licensing system will affect you.

NEW GLS RULES IN DETAIL

Learner permit for 12 months if under 21

From 1 July 2007, a learner driver under 21 must stay on their learner permit for at least 12 months before they can apply for their P1 probationary licence. They also have to carry their permit whenever they drive.

Learner permit for six months if 21 and up to 25

From 1 July 2007, a learner driver, 21 and up to 25, must stay on their learner permit for at least six months before they can apply for their P1 probationary licence. They also have to carry their permit whenever they drive.

Learner permit for three months for 25 and over

From 1 July 2007, a learner driver 25 and over must stay on their learner permit for at least three months before they can apply for their probationary licence. They also have to carry their permit whenever they drive.

120 hours of supervised driving

From 1 July 2007, every learner driver (under 21) must have logged at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including a minimum of 10 hours night driving, before they can apply for a probationary licence.

Logbook

A completed Learner Log Book, with a record of a minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving, must be presented when the learner is applying for their probationary licence. Each entry must be signed by the supervising driver, and the learner and supervising driver both must sign the 'Declaration of Completion'. Click here for the first several pages of the logbook which show how to complete it correctly.

Restrictions on driving high powered vehicles

If you are a probationary driver and obtained your licence after 1 July 2007, you can't drive a vehicle with:

An engine of eight or more cylinders
A turbocharged or supercharged engine
An engine that has been modified to improve the vehicle's performance.
One of the nominated high performance six cylinder vehicles which include BMW M and M3, Honda NSX, Nissan 350Z, Porsche (all models) and Mercedes Benz SLK350.

If you get caught driving any of these vehicles, you'll have to pay a fine and you'll receive three demerit points.

Vehicles excluded from these restrictions ...

Diesel powered turbocharged or supercharged vehicles (without engine performance modifications)
Nominated vehicles with low powered turbocharged or supercharged engines, including Suzuki Cappucino 2D Cabriolet Turbo 3 cylinder 689cc, Daihatsu Copen L880 2D Convertible 4 cylinder 659cc
All models of the Smart car produced by Mercedes Benz.
Vehicles driven as a part of the driver's employment and at the request of the employer

For more information about restrictions on high powered vehicles please select your option below.

Going green for red P plate drivers

Victoria's new graduated licensing system is introducing new driver licensing rules. These new rules mean that a probationary driver will have to display either a red or green P plate.

If you obtained your probationary licence before 1 July 2008, you will have to change your P plate from red to green.

A green P plate driver has fewer restrictions such as how many passengers they can carry.

Attach your green P plates so they are clearly visible on your vehicle, and make sure you do not use them before 1 July 2008.

New on-road driving test

The driving test, which commenced on 1 July 2008, takes about 30 minutes and is in two parts. The first part involves five to ten minutes in less challenging driving situations. This is to assess your basic driving ability.

The second part is about 20 minutes, and involves a wider range of traffic situations to test your day-to-day driving ability more thoroughly.

To help you pass your driving test, there is important information you should know before you start.

This information is contained in the leaflet below, and includes topics such as, what tests you must pass to get your licence, what you have to bring to the licence test, what will happen during the driving test, how your driving will be assessed and the serious errors that could cause you to fail the test.

Click here to download the leaflet.

From 1 July 2008, P1 probationary drivers passenger restrictions

From 1 July 2008, P1 probationary drivers can only carry one passenger aged between 16 and 21.

Allowances will be made for carrying family members, when accompanied by a fully licensed driver (as is the case for learner drivers) and for essential activities. Exemptions to passenger restrictions will be available on the grounds of hardship.

The existing passenger limit imposed on first year probationary drivers who commit serious traffic offences still applies.

Alcohol interlock

From 1 January 2007, a probationary driver or any driver under 26, convicted of a drink driving offence involving a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .07 or higher, must have an alcohol interlock fitted to their car before they return to driving. If the interlock detects any alcohol on a driver's breath, the car won't start.

New P1 and P2 probationary licences

On 1 July 2008, a two stage probationary licence system commenced and replaced the previous one stage, three year probationary licence. The first stage is a one year, P1 probationary licence (red plates), followed by a three year, P2 probationary licence (green plates).

A probationary driver who is aged 21 or older when first licenced, will move straight to a P2 licence.

No mobile phone use

While driving, learner or P1 probationary drivers are not allowed to use a mobile phone that includes hand held, hands free, and messaging of any kind.

A good driving record

All young drivers will need a good driving record to progress to the next stage of licensing. A poor driving record, for example drink or drug driving offences, will extend the P1 or P2 licence period by six months.