Getting your P1 licence means you can finally drive on your own. But Victoria has a specific set of rules you need to know before you hit the road.
In Victoria, P1 drivers must follow rules covering mobile phone use, alcohol limits, passengers, P plate display, and vehicle eligibility to help reduce crash risks for new drivers.
What Is a P1 Licence in Victoria?
A P1 licence is the first stage of your probationary period. It runs for 12 months and requires you to display red P-plates. After completing it with a clean-enough record, you move to P2 (green plates) for three years, then apply for a full licence.
If you were under 21 when you got your Victorian driver’s licence, you follow the P1 stage. If you were 21 or older when you first got your probationary licence, Victoria skips you straight to P2.
The Key Rules at a Glance
| Rule | What Applies to P1 Drivers |
| P-plates | Red plates, front and rear, visible from 20 metres |
| Speed limit | No restriction. P1 and P2 drivers in Victoria can drive up to the posted speed limit |
| Blood alcohol | Zero (0.00 BAC) at all times |
| Mobile phone | Completely banned, no exceptions |
| Demerit points | Suspension kicks in at 5 points in any 12 months |
| Peer passengers | No more than one peer passenger (aged 16 to under 22) at any time |
| Night curfew | Victoria has no curfew for P1 drivers |
| Vehicle power | No vehicles with a power-to-mass ratio above 130 kW/tonne |
| Towing | Not permitted, except for work purposes or when under instruction |
| Transmission | Automatic-only if your drive test was in an automatic |
Speed Limit Rule
Victoria doesn’t impose a special speed cap on P1 drivers. You can drive up to the posted limit on any road. A freeway signed at 110 km/h? You can drive at 110 km/h.
This is different from NSW, where P1 drivers are capped at 90 km/h. If you hold a Victorian P1 licence but drive into another state, check that state’s rules before you go.
Zero BAC Rule
As a probationary driver in Victoria, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be exactly 0.00 at all times when you’re driving. This is not the 0.05 limit that applies to full licence holders.
The zero BAC rule also applies to:
- Learner permit holders
- Drivers operating heavy vehicles
- Driving instructors
If you’re caught over 0.00, the consequences go beyond a fine. Drink-driving offenders may be required to fit an alcohol interlock device before they can be relicensed, according to Transport Victoria’s probationary driver road rules.
Mobile Phones Use
P1 drivers in Victoria cannot use a mobile phone in any way while driving. The same rule applies to learner permit holders and P2 drivers.
- No handheld calls
- No hands-free calls
- No Bluetooth
- No speakerphone
- No mounting it to glance at messages
- No wearable devices (smart watches etc.)
In March 2023, updated Road Safety Road Rules extended device restrictions across all driver types and covered wearable and inbuilt devices in addition to handheld phones.
The only workaround is to set navigation before you start driving and not touch the phone again. Even touching the screen while it’s mounted can get you fined.
Peer Passenger Restriction
In Victoria, a P1 driver can carry no more than one peer passenger at any time. A peer passenger is anyone aged 16 to under 22 years old.
But this rule is not time-restricted. Unlike NSW, which limits peer passengers only between 11 pm and 5 am, Victoria’s restriction applies around the clock.
So if you’re driving three mates who are all between 16 and 21, that’s a breach, whether it’s 2 pm on a Saturday or midnight on a Friday.
Who Does Not Count as a Peer Passenger?
The following people are exempt from the peer passenger limit:
- Your sibling or step-sibling
- Your spouse or domestic partner
The restriction also does not apply if a fully licensed driver is seated in the front passenger seat.
No Night Curfew in Victoria
States like South Australia and Western Australia do have overnight driving curfews for P1 drivers, but Victoria does not. VicRoads instead focuses on other restrictions: the peer passenger limit, the 90 km/h speed cap, and the zero BAC, to manage crash risk among newer drivers.
Demerit Points
As a P1 driver, you are suspended if you reach 5 demerit points in any 12-month period. Full licence holders can accumulate up to 12 points over three years before suspension.
That 5-point threshold is tight. Here’s how quickly it adds up:
- Mobile phone use while driving: 4 demerit points (plus a fine)
- Running a red light: 3 demerit points
- Exceeding the speed limit by 10–24 km/h: 1 demerit point
A single phone offence plus a minor speeding fine puts you right at the edge. Two phone offences and your licence is gone.
When you reach 5 points, VicRoads sends you a demerit point option notice. You can choose to accept the suspension (typically 3 months), or choose to extend your demerit period, which means you keep your licence but must earn zero additional points for 12 months. If you get even one more point in that period, the suspension doubles.
Prohibited Vehicles
P1 drivers in Victoria cannot drive vehicles with a power-to-mass ratio above 130 kW per tonne. This applies to both P1 and P2 licence holders.
Vehicles are classified as prohibited if they have:
- A power-to-mass ratio above 130 kW/tonne, or
- A modified engine that increases performance beyond standard spec
VicRoads maintains a searchable prohibited vehicles database on their website where you can check a specific make, model, and year before you buy or borrow a car.
A few examples of vehicles that may be affected include high-output versions of performance sedans, sports hatchbacks, and some turbocharged models. The Hyundai i30 N Premium, for instance, has a power-to-weight ratio above 130 kW/tonne and is not permitted for P-platers in Victoria.
Exemptions to the Vehicle Restriction
You may be able to drive a prohibited vehicle in limited circumstances:
- As a member of the police force, driving on duty
- For your employer, as directed, for genuine work purposes
- For your own business, including travelling to and from work in that vehicle
Automatic Transmission Restriction
If you sat your drive test in an automatic car, your P1 licence includes an “A” condition: automatic transmission only.
You cannot drive a manual vehicle until either:
- Your probationary period ends, or
- You pass a separate drive test in a manual vehicle
This matters more than it sounds. If a family member or friend lends you their manual car and you have an A condition on your licence, driving it is a breach.
No Towing
P1 drivers in Victoria are generally not permitted to tow trailers, caravans, or other vehicles.
The exceptions are: towing in the course of employment as directed by your employer; towing for agriculture, horticulture, dairy, pastoral, or commercial fishing purposes; towing while a fully licensed driver is seated beside you; or if VicRoads has granted you a specific exemption.
Displaying Your Red P-Plates
Your red P-plates must be displayed on the front and rear of your vehicle whenever you drive. The plates must be clearly visible from at least 20 metres away.
From 3 April 2025, a digital driver licence is treated the same as a physical licence card in Victoria, so you no longer need to carry the plastic card; but you still need to carry some form of your licence (digital or physical) at all times as a P1 driver.
Who Must Follow the P1 Rules?
Anyone issued with a Victorian P1 licence must follow all probationary conditions every time they drive.
First-Time Drivers
If you are under 21 when you get your licence, you start on red P plates. All P1 rules apply to you from day one.
Interstate Drivers Living in Victoria
If you move to Victoria holding a P1 licence from another state, Victorian P1 rules apply to you. This includes passenger restrictions and the mobile phone ban.
Overseas Licence Holders Issued with a P1 Licence
If you hold an overseas licence and are under 22, Transport Victoria will issue you with a probationary licence. If you are 22 or older but have less than three years of driving experience, you will also receive a probationary licence. All Victorian P1 conditions apply.
P1 vs P2 Licence
| Feature | P1 (Red) | P2 (Green) |
| Duration | Minimum 12 months | 3 years |
| Peer passenger restriction | Yes | No |
| Mobile phone ban | Full ban (including hands-free) | Full ban (including hands-free) |
| Prohibited vehicles | Yes | Yes |
| BAC limit | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Note: Drivers 21 or older when first licensed skip P1 and go straight to P2.
Once you move to P2, you keep your green plates for three years before applying for a full licence.
Safe Driving Tips for New P1 Drivers
According to the TAC, the riskiest time as a new driver is the first three to six months after getting your P1 licence. Young Victorians in their first year of driving are almost four times more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash.
Avoid Distractions
Put your phone out of reach before you start the car. Set your GPS before you leave. Tell passengers upfront that you need to focus. Most crashes involving new P1 drivers come down to distraction. One peer passenger doubles your risk.
Drive in Different Conditions
Most of your 120 learner logbook hours were probably in familiar areas. On your P1, practise driving in different conditions: motorways, country roads, wet weather, and night driving.
Driving the same familiar route every day won’t prepare you for the unexpected. Mix it up.
Drive Within Speed Limits
Speed gives you less time to react and makes crashes worse. Sticking to the posted limit on unfamiliar roads is still the right call.
Leave a Safe Following Distance
Keep at least a three-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front in dry conditions. Increase this in rain, fog, or at night. New drivers often underestimate stopping distances.
Continue Taking Professional Driving Lessons
Taking lessons on your P1 is not just for learners who struggled. Even confident new drivers benefit from feedback on habits that have already crept in. Instructors can also help you avoid common learner driver mistakes before they become long-term habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a P1 driver carry passengers over 22 years old?
Yes. The peer passenger restriction only applies to passengers aged 16 to under 22. You can carry as many adults aged 22 or older as your vehicle has seatbelts for.
Does the peer passenger rule apply at all times of the day?
Yes. In Victoria, the P1 peer passenger restriction applies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no night-time-only rule like in some other states.
Can I drive at 110 km/h on a freeway in Victoria as a P1 driver?
Yes. Victoria has no reduced speed cap for P1 drivers, so you drive at whatever the posted limit is. This is different from NSW and some other states where P1 drivers face a cap.
If I get my P1 licence interstate and then move to Victoria, which rules apply?
You must follow Victorian road rules while driving in Victoria. This includes the peer passenger restriction, the mobile phone ban, and prohibited vehicle rules. If your licence was issued in another state under different conditions, Victorian conditions still apply to you while you are in Victoria.
All information in this article is based on current Victorian road rules and Transport Victoria guidance. Rules can change, so always confirm the current conditions on the Transport Victoria website before driving.
