Do You Need 120 Hours to Get Your P Plates in Victoria?

One of the most common questions learner drivers ask in Victoria is:

“Do I really need 120 hours before I can get my Victoria Licence?”

The short answer is: it depends on your age and licence situation.

If you are a standard Victorian learner driver under 21, you generally need to complete 120 hours of supervised driving experience, including at least 20 hours of night driving, before sitting the drive test.

However, this rule does not apply to everyone in the same way. If you are 21 or older, or if you already hold an overseas driver licence that is not a learner permit, your requirements may be different.

This guide explains the 120-hour rule, learner permit holding periods, the myLearners app, overseas licence holders, and how structured driving lessons can help you prepare more effectively.

Who Needs 120 Hours in Victoria?

If you are a learner driver under 21 years old and applying for your probationary licence through the standard Victorian learner pathway, you generally need to complete:

• 120 hours of supervised driving

• At least 20 hours of night driving

• A valid record of your hours through the myLearners app or an accepted learner log book

These hours are designed to help young learners gain experience in different driving conditions before they drive independently.

However, the 120 hours should not just be about reaching a number. Good practice should include different road types, traffic levels, parking situations, night driving, wet weather when safe, and decision-making in real traffic.

A learner who only repeats the same easy route may have 120 hours recorded, but still feel unprepared for the drive test or real Melbourne traffic.

What If You Are 21 or Older?

If you are 21 or older, the 120-hour learner logbook requirement usually does not apply in the same way.

Instead, the key requirement is the minimum learner permit holding period.

In Victoria, the minimum continuous learner permit period is usually:

• Under 21: 12 months

• 21 to under 25: 6 months

• 25 or older: 3 months

This means that if you are over 21, you may not need to complete 120 logged hours, but you still need to hold your learner permit for the required minimum time before you can sit the drive test.

However, “not needing 120 hours” does not mean you are automatically test-ready. You still need to be able to drive safely, confidently and independently in real traffic.

What If You Have an Overseas Driver Licence?

If you hold an overseas driver licence that is not a learner permit, your situation is usually different from a standard Victorian learner driver.

In many cases, overseas driver licence holders follow the overseas licence conversion pathway instead of the standard Victorian learner pathway. This means you may not need to complete the standard 120-hour requirement or the standard learner permit holding period, even if you are under 21.

The important point is whether your overseas licence is a driver licence or only a learner permit.

For example, some countries issue a driver licence with a first-year or probationary condition. This is not always the same as holding only a learner permit. A Chinese driver licence that is still within its first-year probationary period may still be treated as an overseas driver licence for conversion purposes, rather than as a learner permit.

That said, overseas licence rules can depend on your individual situation, including:

• Which country or jurisdiction issued your licence

• Whether your licence is current and valid

• Whether the licence is a learner permit or a driver licence

• How old you were when your overseas licence was first issued

• How long you have held the licence

• Whether you need to complete the Hazard Perception Test or drive test

Because the rules can vary, overseas licence holders should always check their individual VicRoads requirements before booking a drive test.

What If You Only Have an Overseas Learner Permit?

An overseas learner permit is different from an overseas driver licence.

If you only hold a learner permit, you may still be treated as a learner driver and may need to follow learner permit rules. This can include supervision requirements and, depending on your situation, supervised driving hours or other steps before you can sit the drive test.

This is why it is important not to simply say “I have an overseas licence” without checking what type of licence it is.

A full overseas driver licence, a probationary overseas driver licence, and an overseas learner permit can lead to different requirements.

Should You Use a Paper Log Book or the myLearners App?

Most learners today use the myLearners app to record their driving hours instead of relying on a paper log book.

The myLearners app allows you and your supervising driver to record driving hours digitally, making it easier to track your progress and reduce the chance of losing or damaging a paper log book.

If you are under 21 and need to complete 120 hours, we generally recommend using the myLearners app from the beginning where possible.

It is still important to make sure your entries are accurate. You should record your drives properly, including night driving hours, and make sure your supervising driver understands how to approve the entries.

What Happens If Your Hours Are Not Accepted?

If you are required to present proof of supervised driving hours, your records need to be valid and complete.

Problems can happen if:

• Required details are missing

• Entries are incomplete

• Hours are recorded incorrectly

• Night driving hours are not completed

• Supervising driver details are incorrect

• VicRoads does not accept the records as valid

• A paper log book is damaged, unreadable or incomplete

If your driving hour records are not accepted, you may not be able to sit your drive test on the day.

This is one reason learners should not leave their hours until the last minute. It is better to keep your records accurate from the beginning and check your progress regularly.

Can You Apply for a 120-Hour Exemption?

In some cases, learners may be able to apply for an exemption from the 120-hour requirement.

Exemptions may be considered for reasons such as:

• Undue hardship

• Previous driving experience

For example, a learner may have previous driving experience from interstate or overseas. In that case, VicRoads may consider whether some of that experience can be recognised.

However, an exemption is not automatic. You usually need to apply, provide supporting documents and wait for the application to be assessed.

If you think you may qualify for an exemption, you should check the official VicRoads or Transport Victoria information before relying on it.

Do Professional Driving Lessons Count Towards the 120 Hours?

Professional driving lessons can usually be recorded as supervised driving time if the lesson is completed with a qualified instructor and properly recorded.

However, professional lessons should not be seen only as a way to “collect hours”.

The real value of a driving lesson is that it helps you improve the quality of your practice.

For example, a professional instructor can help you correct bad habits early, understand road rules, practise safe observation, improve speed control, learn proper lane positioning, and prepare for drive test expectations.

If you are learning only with family or friends, you may get lots of practice but still repeat the same mistakes. A driving instructor can help you understand what needs to change before those mistakes become habits.

If You Need 120 Hours, How Many Lessons Should You Take?

If you need to complete 120 hours, you do not usually need to do all 120 hours with a driving instructor.

For many young learners, a practical approach is to start with 3 to 4 professional lessons to build the correct foundation, then continue practising with family or another supervising driver.

Those first few professional lessons can help you understand:

• Basic vehicle control

• Steering and braking

• Moving off and stopping safely

• Mirror checks and head checks

• Road positioning

• Basic turning

• How to practise safely with a family supervisor

After that, you can use your supervised practice hours to repeat the correct methods and gradually build confidence.

If you want to complete a large portion of your 120 hours with us, or if your family is not available to supervise you regularly, you can contact Shortcut Driving to discuss a customised package.

What If You Do Not Need 120 Hours?

Some learners do not need to complete 120 hours.

This may include:

• Learners aged 21 or older

• Some overseas driver licence holders

• Students converting an overseas licence

• Learners who have received an exemption

If you do not need 120 hours, your goal is usually different. Instead of building a large number of supervised hours, you need to become test-ready efficiently.

This is where structured professional lessons can be very useful.

For complete beginners who do not need to complete 120 hours, Shortcut Driving offers a 10 × 90-minute beginner training plan. This plan is designed for students who are starting from zero or have very limited driving experience, but do not need to spend months building 120 logged hours.

The plan covers key stages such as:

• Basic vehicle control

• Steering and braking

• Quiet street driving

• Main road driving

• Parking

• Lane changes

• Intersections

• Observation habits

• Speed control

• Drive test preparation

Most complete beginners can make strong progress through this structure. In many cases, students who follow the plan seriously can become ready for the drive test after completing this type of structured training.

Of course, this is not a guarantee. Every student is different. Your progress depends on confidence, road awareness, practice outside lessons, and how consistently you apply safe driving habits.

The purpose of the 10 × 90-minute plan is to give learners a clear structure instead of random lessons.

Why 120 Hours Alone Is Not Enough

The 120-hour rule is about experience, but passing the drive test is about safe driving.

A learner may have 120 hours recorded and still struggle with:

• Head checks

• Gap selection

• Speed control

• Lane changes

• Reverse parking

• Roundabouts

• Stop signs

• Road positioning

• Driving under pressure

• Making safe decisions in traffic

This is why quality matters as much as quantity.

The best practice is usually a combination of professional driving lessons and regular supervised practice outside lessons.

Professional lessons help you learn the correct method. Supervised practice helps you repeat that method until it becomes natural.

Why Learn with GuangYi?

Shortcut Driving is led by GuangYi Zhou, a former VicRoads Licence Testing Officer based in Carlton.

This background gives students a clearer understanding of what safe driving looks like from a drive test perspective.

GuangYi’s lessons are not only about controlling the car. They also focus on:

• Safe decision-making

• Observation timing

• Signalling habits

• Road positioning

• Gap selection

• Speed choice

• Test-style driving situations

• Common mistakes learners make before the drive test

This is especially helpful for beginners because early habits matter. If you learn the correct method from the start, it becomes much easier to prepare for the test later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all learners need 120 hours in Victoria?

No. The 120-hour requirement mainly applies to standard Victorian learner drivers under 21 who are applying for a probationary licence through the learner pathway.

Do I need 120 hours if I am over 21?

Usually, no. If you are 21 or older, the 120-hour learner logbook requirement generally does not apply, but you still need to meet the minimum learner permit holding period.

Do I need 120 hours if I have an overseas licence?

Not always. If you hold an overseas driver licence that is not a learner permit, you may be able to follow the overseas licence conversion pathway instead of the standard 120-hour learner pathway.

What if my overseas licence is still in a probationary period?

A probationary or first-year overseas driver licence is not necessarily the same as a learner permit. In many cases, it may still be treated as an overseas driver licence for conversion purposes. You should check your individual VicRoads requirements before booking a test.

What if I only have an overseas learner permit?

An overseas learner permit is different from an overseas driver licence. If you only have a learner permit, you may still need to follow learner driver requirements.

Should I use the myLearners app?

Yes, we generally recommend using the myLearners app if you need to record supervised driving hours. It is easier for most learners than relying on a paper log book.

How many night hours do under-21 learners need?

Under-21 learners who are required to complete 120 hours usually need at least 20 hours of night driving.

Can driving lessons be counted in my hours?

Professional driving lessons can usually be recorded as supervised driving time if they are properly completed and recorded.

Should I do all 120 hours with a driving instructor?

Most learners do not need to do all 120 hours with an instructor. Many students start with 3 to 4 professional lessons, then continue practising with family. If you want more professional support, you can contact us to discuss a customised package.

Who is the 10 × 90-minute beginner training plan for?

The 10 × 90-minute beginner training plan is mainly for complete beginners who do not need to complete 120 hours, such as some overseas licence holders or learners aged 21 or older. It is designed to help students build skills efficiently and prepare for the drive test with a clear structure.

Book Driving Lessons in Carlton

If you are working towards your P plates in Victoria, the goal is not just to complete the minimum requirements. The goal is to become a safe and confident driver.

If you need 120 hours, a few professional lessons at the beginning can help you build the right foundation before practising with family.

If you do not need 120 hours, a structured lesson plan can help you become test-ready more efficiently.

Shortcut Driving offers driving lessons in Carlton with GuangYi Zhou, a former VicRoads Licence Testing Officer.

Book your lesson online and start preparing for your drive test with a clear plan.

About the Author

Shortcut Driving is a Carlton-based driving school founded by GuangYi Zhou, a former VicRoads Licence Testing Officer. We provide clear, practical and flexible lessons for learners preparing for the Victorian drive test. Each lesson is tailored to the student’s current ability, confidence level and test goals.