Getting your driver’s licence in Australia in 2026 involves a step-by-step process that varies slightly depending on which state or territory you’re in. Each region follows a graduated licensing system designed to ensure new drivers gain experience safely before getting a full licence. This guide breaks down the exact requirements and steps you’ll need to follow in every state and territory.

Quick Summary of Driver Licence Steps and Requirements by State

  • NSW: Learner licence available from 16 years old. You must log at least 120 supervised driving hours, including 20 at night. After passing your driving test, you’ll hold a P1 Red licence for 1 year, then a P2 Green licence for 2 years before qualifying for a full licence at 20 or older. Zero blood alcohol content (BAC) is required until you get your full licence.
  • VIC: Learner permit starts at 16 years. You need 120 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours at night. After passing the driving test, you hold a P1 licence for 1 year, then P2 for 3 years. You can get your full licence at 22 or older. Zero BAC applies during all provisional stages.
  • QLD: Learner licence can be obtained at 16 years. You must complete 100 supervised hours, including 10 at night, before taking your driving test. After passing, you hold a P1 licence for 1 year and P2 for 2 years. You can get your open licence at 20 years or older.
  • WA: Learner’s permit available from 16 years. The minimum required supervised driving is 50 hours. After passing the test, you hold a P1 licence for 6 months, then a P2 licence for 18 months before qualifying for a full licence.
  • SA: You can apply for a learner’s permit at 16 years. You need to log at least 75 hours of supervised driving, including 15 at night. The P1 licence period is 1 year, followed by a 2-year P2 period, then you are eligible for a full licence.

Prerequisites for Getting Your Driver’s Licence in Australia

Across all states and territories, the minimum age to apply for a learner’s permit is 16 years. You’ll need to pass a theory-based knowledge test that covers road rules, traffic signs, and safe driving practices before you get your learner licence. This ensures you understand the basics before you start driving.

When you hold your learner permit, you must always be supervised by a fully licensed driver who has held their licence for a minimum period (usually 4 years or more, depending on the state). You must also display clearly visible L plates on the vehicle at all times while driving.

All learner and provisional drivers must maintain a zero blood alcohol content (BAC) level when driving. This means you can't have any detectable alcohol in your system behind the wheel. Provisional drivers often face additional restrictions such as lower speed limits and bans on using mobile phones, with no hands-free exceptions in many states.

It’s crucial to be aware that mobile phone use is banned for learner and P plate drivers unless the phone is completely hands-free and not touched during driving. This is strictly enforced to minimise distractions and improve safety on the roads for new drivers.

Step-by-Step Guide by State

New South Wales (NSW)

  1. Get your learner licence: You must be at least 16 years old and pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT), which covers road rules and safety. The test is computer-based and can be taken at any Service NSW centre. The fee for the learner licence application is approximately $49. This learner licence is valid for 5 years.
  2. Log 120 hours of supervised driving: You need to complete at least 120 hours of driving with a fully licensed supervisor, including 20 hours of night driving. This must be recorded in the official logbook provided by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). Logging hours is mandatory before you can take your driving test.
  3. Pass the driving test: Once you turn 17 and have completed your logged hours, you can book the practical driving test. The test assesses your ability to control the vehicle and obey traffic laws. Passing this test earns you the P1 Red provisional licence.
  4. Hold P1 Red licence for 1 year: You must display red P plates clearly on your vehicle. Passenger restrictions apply between 11pm and 5am — you can only carry one peer passenger under 21, unless supervised by a fully licensed driver. You must maintain zero BAC and adhere to speed limits set for P1 drivers.
  5. Progress to P2 Green licence: After 1 year on P1, you automatically progress to P2, where green P plates must be displayed. P2 drivers face fewer restrictions but still must maintain zero BAC and obey provisional speed limits. The P2 period lasts for 2 years.
  6. Obtain your full licence: After holding a P2 licence for 2 years, you can apply for a full driver’s licence at age 20 or older. Full licence holders have no passenger or speed restrictions and are allowed a BAC limit of 0.05%, the legal adult limit.

Victoria (VIC)

  1. Get your learner permit: You must be at least 16 and pass the learner permit test at VicRoads. The test covers road safety and rules. The learner permit fee is around $21.90 and is valid for 3 years.
  2. Log 120 hours of driving: VicRoads requires 120 hours of supervised driving including 10 hours at night, recorded in a learner logbook. This ensures experience in various driving conditions.
  3. Pass the driving test: After completing your logbook and turning 17, you can book the driving test. Passing gives you your P1 licence, also called a red P plate licence.
  4. Hold P1 licence for 1 year: You must display red P plates and follow restrictions such as no mobile phone use and zero BAC. Passenger limits apply for drivers under 21 during late night hours.
  5. Progress to P2 licence: After 1 year, you move to the P2 green plate stage, which lasts 3 years. The same zero BAC rule applies, but passenger and speed restrictions are eased.
  6. Get your full licence: Once you complete the P2 stage, typically at age 22 or older, you can apply for a full licence. Full licence holders are allowed the adult legal BAC limit of 0.05% and no provisional restrictions.

Queensland (QLD)

  1. Apply for your learner licence: At 16 years, you can take the written road rules test at a Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) centre. The learner licence fee is about $31.95 and valid for 4 years.
  2. Complete 100 driving hours: Learners must log 100 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, in an official logbook. This is a requirement before applying for the practical driving test.
  3. Pass the practical driving test: Once you turn 17 and complete logged hours, you can book the test. Passing earns you the P1 Red licence.
  4. Hold P1 licence for 1 year: P1 licence holders must display red P plates and comply with restrictions — zero BAC, speed limits lower than full licence holders, and passenger restrictions between 11pm and 5am.
  5. Progress to P2 licence for 2 years: After 1 year, you move to P2 green plates. P2 drivers have fewer restrictions but must keep zero BAC and follow provisional speed limits.
  6. Get your open licence: After 2 years on P2, you can apply for a full unrestricted licence at 20 years or older.

Western Australia (WA)

  1. Get your learner’s permit: Must be at least 16 years old and pass a computerised knowledge test at a Department of Transport centre. The learner permit fee is about $25 and is valid for 2 years.
  2. Log at least 50 hours of driving: Learner drivers have to complete at least 50 hours supervised driving before booking a practical test. This is less than other states but still mandatory.
  3. Pass the practical driving test: Upon passing, you receive a P1 Red licence, which must be held for 6 months.
  4. Hold P1 licence for 6 months: Red P plates must be displayed. Restrictions include zero BAC, no mobile phone use, and passenger limits.
  5. Progress to P2 licence: After 6 months, you move to P2 Green plates for 18 months with fewer restrictions but still zero BAC.
  6. Obtain full licence: After completing P2, you can apply for a full licence without restrictions.

South Australia (SA)

  1. Apply for learner’s permit at 16: Pass the learner theory test at Service SA. The learner permit fee is around $20 and valid for 5 years.
  2. Log 75 supervised hours: You need 75 hours of driving, including 15 hours at night, recorded in the official logbook.
  3. Pass the practical driving test: At 17 or older, you can book the test. Passing earns your P1 Red licence.
  4. Hold P1 licence for 1 year: Red P plates must be displayed. Restrictions include zero BAC, no mobile phone use, and passenger limits during night hours.
  5. Progress to P2 licence: After 1 year, you hold P2 Green plates for 2 years with fewer restrictions but still zero BAC.
  6. Get your full licence: After completing P2, you can apply for a full licence with no provisional restrictions.

Getting your driver’s licence in Australia in 2026 means following your state’s graduated licensing rules closely. Each state sets minimum ages, supervised driving hours, and testing requirements to help new drivers gain skills safely. Remember to maintain zero blood alcohol content during your learner and provisional periods, obey speed limits, and avoid distractions like mobile phones. Logging your supervised driving hours properly and understanding your passenger and speed restrictions will keep you on track to earning your full licence.

This article was created with AI assistance.