For many young Australians, getting a P license plate is like getting a free license. However, some major restrictions still apply in some states regarding speed limits.
- Temporary license holders have restrictions in some jurisdictions
- Other areas where P users are allowed to drive at the maximum limit are signposted
- There may be a difference between P1 and P2 . holders
Being able to drive anywhere you want without a parent, guardian, or instructor with you is perhaps one of the greatest and scariest things a 17-year-old can go through.
But with great freedom comes great responsibility, and temporary drivers may be tempted to drive more than their license (or law) allows them to do.
Some jurisdictions across Australia have strict speed limits in place for P license plate drivers, while others allow them to drive at a maximum speed limit that all vehicles can drive. portable light vehicle.
If you didn’t know, temporary license holders have some restrictions that are in place across the country. These include: zero tolerance limits on alcohol and drugs; display the number plate P (see our story on where to put the P plate); and zero tolerance for cell phone use while driving.
Here is a list of the laws for temporary permit holders across Australia’s states and territories:
New South Wales: License P1 – 90km/h, License P2 – 100km/h: New South Wales has some of the strictest speed enforcement rules for temporary drivers. P1 license holders (red P plate) are limited to a speed of 90 km/h, the same speed that L license holders are allowed to drive. And those with green Ps (P2 license) can drive at a maximum speed of 100km/h.
As for how long a driver must hold each of those licenses, a P1 license must be valid for a minimum of 12 months, while you must hold a P2 license for 24 months before you can get a full license. .
Victoria: P1 and P2 licenses – unlimited: Victoria’s phased licensing system requires P1 license holders (red P panel) to complete 12 months of driving before they can obtain a P2 (blue P) license, and they must hold it in three years. It is the longest temporary licensing scheme in Australia.
However, it’s also one of the lightest, with no specific speed limits for red or green P printers. Just watch out for those speed cameras, as they are everywhere and without signposts like in other states.
ACT: P1 and P2 licenses – unlimited: At the ACT, there are two phases to establishing a temporary license, with the first being a P1 or red P license plate for the first 12 months, followed by a green P (P2) license plate for two years. If you receive P-plates 25 years or older, you will not be a red P-plater.
However, regardless of the color of your license plate, the ACT does not impose any speed limits on temporary drivers, so they are free to drive up to the maximum signposted limit. guide in the ACT. However, like L drivers, P drivers from landlocked NSW will need to be aware that they must comply with surrounding state laws, meaning P1 is limited to 90 km/h and P2 limited to 100 km/h.
Northern Territory: Temporary permit – 100km/h: The Northern Territory has the nation’s highest speed limit of 130 km/h for some major highway sections, but P drivers aren’t allowed to go that fast – temporary license holders time is limited to 100 km/h throughout the Territory.
In NT there is no phased temporary license program. P-degree holders get a red P, and that’s what they do until fully licensed. The duration of a P license plate depends on the age of the person – those under 25 must hold a P license for at least two years, while those aged 25 and over must have a P license for at least one year.
Queensland: P1 and P2 degrees – unlimited: Queensland does not impose speed limits on P1 (red P) or P2 (green P) drivers. P2 license holders no longer have passenger restrictions and can use their phones (hands-free!) while driving.
Drivers must hold a P1 license for at least 12 months before they can convert to a P2 license, which must be held for two years for P2 license holders under the age of 25. For those aged 24 and over, the P2 term will be 12 months.
South Australia: By P1 and P2 – 100km/h: South Australia takes a slightly different approach than other states, with both P1 and P2 license holders being allowed to drive at a maximum speed of 100km/h.
Interestingly, P1 license holders have to display a red P license plate on their car and they have to keep their P1 license for 12 months. Holders of a P2 license are valid for 24 months, but they no longer have to display their P number plates.
Western Australia: Temporary permits – unlimited: P-plate drivers in Western Australia “are not restricted to any particular speed and may drive to the posted speed limit on any published road in WA”.
In Western Australia, ‘new drivers’ on their provisional license will start with a red number plate P, valid for six months and including some restrictions on night driving, then change to the green P license plate. You will start with a red P sea and move on to a ‘blue P’ sea after six months. Night driving restrictions apply for the first six months, and then you must keep your green P for 18 months or until you turn 19, whichever is longer .
Tasmania: By P1 – 100km/h; P2 license – unlimited: This seems like a pretty progressive approach from Tasmania, where drivers with a P1 license (red P panel) can drive at 100km/h, and P license holders are green (P2) is allowed to drive at any maximum limit permitted by the sign. .
Tassie P1 license holders must have had a red P for 12 months. P2 drivers are allowed to use the phone in hands-free mode or on speakerphone and must hold the blue P for different periods of time depending on their age: “If you are under 23 when you get your P2, you will need to hold the degree for 2 years; if you are 23 or older but under 25, you will have to hold your license for 12 months or until you turn 25. The application period will depend on whichever is longer. If you are 25 or older, you will have to hold your license for 12 months.”
Tasmania also has an attractive bonus for those having no trouble with their P1 and P2 licenses – the state will offer “eligible motorists and motorists a full three-year license with value up to $75.75.”
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
