How Do I Get A Victorian Driver’s Licence?

So, you’re keen to get out on the roads in Victoria. You’re wondering, how do I get a Victorian driver’s licence?

Before you jump into the car with your full licence and journey into the sunset, there are a number of stages you will need to progress through. 

Victoria follows a graduated licensing system. This system spreads the learning process over 5 years, ensuring that new drivers learn all of the relevant driving theories and gain adequate experience behind the wheel. This, in turn, produces safer drivers.

Essentially, there are three main learning stages you must pass before qualifying for a full licence. First, you’ll need to qualify for a learner’s permit. Then you’ll progress through the P1 and P2 probationary licence stages, before securing your full licence.

Let’s unpack exactly how you can get a Victorian driver’s licence. 

How to Get Your Learner’s Permit

The first step to getting your Victorian driver’s licence is to receive your learner permit. 

A learner permit allows you to begin learning to drive. Once you have your ‘L’ plates, you can drive a car under supervision. 

You must sit and pass the learner permit knowledge test to receive your learner permit. This test is theory-based and covers everything you need to know about driving before getting behind the wheel.

The learner permit test ensures the quality of driving and safety is very high on our roads, which prevents accidents. 

So, how can you prepare for the test?

You’ll need to study the latest edition of the Road to Solo Driving handbook. This handbook helps you learn all the road rules and basics of driving. You’ll need this knowledge before you start driving lessons.

The questions in the learner permit test are based on all four chapters of this handbook, so start familiarising yourself with the content well before your test to give yourself the best chance at passing.

We recommend using our EzLicence FREE practice learner permit knowledge test to check your knowledge before you sit the actual test. 

Our questions are based on the real test, and you can practice as many times as you like. Practising the test is a great way to make sure you pass the first time.

Once you’ve studied the theory and completed a few practice tests, you’ll need to book a learner’s permit test through VicRoads. 

You’ll need to pass the learner permit test whether you’re a beginner or an overseas licence holder. 

If you are an overseas licence holder, you will need to get a Victorian licence within six months of becoming a permanent Australian resident. It’s illegal to drive on your overseas licence after this six-month period. 

In addition to passing the learner permit test, you will also need to

• Pass an eyesight test
• Have a Victorian residential address
• Be deemed medically fit to drive
• Prove your identity
• Pay the relevant licence and test fees
• Not be currently subject to a Fines Victoria licence sanction
• Not have outstanding relicensing requirements
• Not be disqualified from receiving a permit

How Old Can You Be to Get Your Learner’s Permit? 

You must be at least 16 years old to get your learner’s permit. 

How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Learner’s Permit? 

To receive your learner permit, you’ll need to pay for the permit itself as well as the permit test. 

The costs are as follows: 

• A new learner permit for a car or motorcycle: $26
• Learner permit test online: $25.40
• Learner permit test in-person: $45 ($25.40 for test, $19.60 for appointment) 
• A car learner permit renewal: $26  
• Replacement learner permit for a car or motorcycle: $25.40

You can apply for your learner permit here. 

How to Get Your Probationary Licence (P1 and P2)

A probationary driver's licence in Victoria has two stages: P1 and P2. 

Your probationary licence allows you to drive unsupervised, however, there is a range of restrictions you will have to abide by. 

P2 restrictions are slightly less extensive than the restriction for P1 licence holders. 

For example, when carrying a P1 licence, you cannot carry more than one peer passenger between 16 and 22 years of age, unless you meet certain exemption criteria. When you receive your P2 licence, this restriction no longer applies.

You can take a look at the full range of restrictions here. 

If you’re under 21 and applying for a probationary licence, you will start off on a P1 licence and progress to a P2 licence. If you’re over 21 when applying for a probationary licence, you’ll go straight to a P2 licence. 

Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria for the two types of probationary licences. 

Under Age 21 Progressing to P1 Probationary Licence (Red Ps)

To be eligible to progress from your learner permit to a P1 probationary licence, you must:

• Have been on your learner permit for a minimum of 12 months
• Have completed 120 hours of driving in your logbook (including 20 hours of night driving)
• Pass the driving test
• Pass an eyesight test
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test

Under Age 21 Progressing to P2 Probationary Licence (Green Ps)

To progress from your red P’s (P1) to your green P’s (P2), you must:

• Have been on your red P’s for a minimum of 12 months without incident

You will graduate from P1 to P2 immediately without needing to take any additional tests or steps. 

You’ll receive a letter notifying you that it’s time to change your P plates. 

Aged 21 to 24 Progressing to P2 Probationary Licence (Green Ps)

If you’re aged 21 to 24, to progress from your learner permit to your green P’s you must:

• Have been on your learner permit for a minimum of 6 months
• Pass the driving test
• Pass an eyesight test
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test

Over Age 25 Progressing to P2 Probationary Licence (Green Ps)

If you’re over age 25, to progress from your learner permit to your green P’s, you must:

• Have been on your learner permit for a minimum of 3 months
• Pass the driving test
• Pass an eyesight test
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test

As you can see, learner drivers that graduate from their learner permit after age 21 bypass the P1 stage and immediately progress to a P2 probationary licence. 

You can book the tests to go for your P1 or P2 licence here.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Probationary Licence?

The cost of your probationary licence depends on your type of licence and how many years the licence will be valid, and the tests you take.

In addition to the probationary licence itself, you will need to pay for your Hazards Perception Test and Driving Test. The prices are as follows.

There are additional tests you may need to take. You can find the full list of fees here. 

How to Get Your Full Licence 

A full driver’s licence allows you to drive a car unsupervised without the restrictions that apply to P1 and P2 licence holders.

To progress to your full licence, you must  

• Have held your green P’s (P2) licence for at least 3 years
• Have a good driving record
• Pass an eyesight test

If you have a good driving record, you will automatically move onto your full licence after 3 years holding a P2 licence.

You will receive a letter notifying you that you are graduating with your full licence.

But what is a good driving record?

A good driving record means that you have avoided licence cancellation or suspension, and have not committed any drink or drug offences. 

A bad driving record can extend the time on your P2 licence by a minimum of 6 months. If your licence has been suspended, this suspension period doesn’t count towards the 3-year probationary requirement. 

This means that if your licence is cancelled or suspended, your probationary period starts again. Any previous time accumulated will be voided. 

Licence cancellation or suspension can occur due to 

• A court conviction
• Action taken by VicRoads
• Action taken by the Sheriff’s Office
• Accumulation of demerit points
• A Traffic Infringement Notice 

When you receive your full licence, it is valid for 3 or 10 years — it’s up to you! 

There are specific driving rules associated with a full licence in addition to the general road rules you must always follow. 

These specific rules are listed below. 

How Long Does it Take to Get Your Full Victorian Driver’s Licence? 

You must have held your green P’s (P2 licence) for at least 3 years to get your full licence.

You must also pass an eyesight test. 

How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Full Licence?

The cost of your full driver’s licence depends on the type of licence and how many years the licence is valid. 

You can apply for your full driver's licence here.

Getting Your Victorian Driver’s Licence 

Ready to get on the road?

The first step to securing your Victorian Driver’s Licence is to sit your learner permit test. You can book your learner permit test here.

When you’ve received your permit, it’s time to start driving. 

At EzLicence, we provide you with the choice of over 800 verified driving instructors. You can book online, reschedule, and change your instructor anytime.

Find a driving instructor with EzLicence here.