Understanding Victoria’s Driver Licence Stages — L, Red P, Green P & Full Licence (2026 Guide)
If you’re getting your driver licence in Victoria, you’ll probably hear people talk about Ls, Red Ps, Green Ps and a Full Licence.
But what does each stage actually mean? How long do you stay on each licence? Do you need 120 hours? And does everyone have to go through Red Ps?
Here’s a simple guide to the Victorian driver licence stages in 2026.
Victoria’s Driver Licence Stages: The Quick Answer
Victoria uses a Graduated Licensing System (GLS), which gradually gives new drivers more independence as they gain experience.
For most drivers under 21, the pathway looks like this:
Learner Permit (L) → P1 Red P → P2 Green P → Full Licence
However, if you are 21 or older when you obtain your probationary licence, you will normally skip the Red P stage and start directly on a P2 Green P licence.
Licence stage | Drive alone? | Typical period | Main things to know |
Learner Permit (L) | No | Depends on age | Must be supervised, zero BAC, display L plates |
P1 – Red P | Yes | 1 year | Peer passenger restriction, zero BAC, Red P plates |
P2 – Green P | Yes | 3 years | Zero BAC, Green P plates, probationary restrictions still apply |
Full Licence | Yes | Ongoing | Standard Victorian driver rules apply |
1. Learner Permit — L Plates
You can apply for a Victorian learner permit from 16 years of age.
While driving on your Ls, you cannot drive by yourself. You must be accompanied by an appropriate supervising driver who holds a full car licence.
Learner drivers must also:
display L plates at the front and rear of the vehicle
have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
follow Victoria’s stricter mobile phone and device rules
not tow a trailer or another vehicle
carry evidence of their learner permit while driving.
How long do you need to stay on your Ls?
The minimum period depends on your age when applying for your probationary licence.
Age | Minimum continuous learner period |
Under 21 | 12 months |
21–24 | 6 months |
25 or older | 3 months |
Do you need 120 hours?
If you are under 21, you normally need to complete at least:
120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours at night.
These hours need to be properly recorded before you can sit your Drive Test.
If you are 21 or older, the 120-hour requirement generally does not apply, although you still need to meet the minimum learner holding period and other eligibility requirements.
Before getting your Ps, you’ll also need to meet the relevant testing requirements, including the Hazard Perception Test and Drive Test.
2. P1 Probationary Licence — Red Ps
If you are under 21 when you obtain your probationary licence, you will normally begin with a P1 licence, better known as your Red Ps.
The P1 stage normally lasts for 12 months.
Once you get your Red Ps, you can drive independently without a supervising driver.
However, P1 drivers still have several important restrictions.
You must:
display clearly visible red P plates at the front and rear of the vehicle
maintain a zero BAC
comply with probationary vehicle restrictions
follow Victoria’s stricter mobile phone and device rules
comply with any conditions shown on your licence.
Red P passenger restrictions
One of the biggest differences between Red Ps and Green Ps is the peer passenger restriction.
A P1 driver generally cannot carry more than one passenger aged 16 to under 22.
There are exemptions, including for some family members and situations where a fully licensed driver is seated beside you, so check the current VicRoads requirements if you are unsure.
What if you passed your test in an automatic?
If an automatic transmission condition applies to your probationary licence, you must comply with that condition when driving.
Always check the conditions shown on your licence rather than assuming you can drive a manual vehicle after passing in an automatic.
3. P2 Probationary Licence — Green Ps
The next stage is the P2 probationary licence, commonly called Green Ps.
If you started on Red Ps, you normally move to Green Ps after completing your one-year P1 period.
The P2 period normally lasts for three years.
Do you always need Red Ps first?
No.
This is one of the most common points of confusion.
If you are 21 or older when you first obtain your probationary licence, you normally receive a P2 Green P licence directly instead of starting on Red Ps.
That means the usual pathways are:
Under 21 when you get your Ps:
L → Red P for 1 year → Green P for 3 years → Full Licence
21 or older when you get your Ps:
L → Green P for 3 years → Full Licence
What changes on Green Ps?
P2 drivers no longer have the P1 peer passenger restriction.
However, you are still a probationary driver.
You must continue to:
display green P plates
maintain a zero BAC
follow probationary mobile phone and device restrictions
comply with probationary prohibited vehicle rules
comply with any conditions shown on your licence.
So while Green Ps give you more freedom than Red Ps, they are not the same as having a full licence.
4. Full Victorian Driver Licence
After completing your required probationary period with an appropriate driving record, you can progress to a full Victorian driver licence.
P plates are no longer required and the additional restrictions that specifically apply to probationary drivers generally no longer apply.
For most drivers, this marks the end of Victoria’s Graduated Licensing System.
A typical under-21 journey is therefore:
L → 1 year Red P → 3 years Green P → Full Licence
While someone who gets their Ps at 21 or older will normally follow:
L → 3 years Green P → Full Licence
Red P vs Green P: What’s the Difference?
The main difference isn’t whether you can drive alone — both P1 and P2 drivers can drive independently.
The biggest practical difference is that P1 Red P drivers have additional restrictions, particularly the peer passenger restriction.
Red P – P1 | Green P – P2 | |
Drive alone | Yes | Yes |
P plates required | Red | Green |
Zero BAC | Yes | Yes |
Peer passenger restriction | Yes | No general P1 peer restriction |
Probationary vehicle restrictions | Yes | Yes |
Probationary device rules | Yes | Yes |
Typical duration | 1 year | 3 years |
Mobile Phone Rules for L and P Drivers
Victoria has stricter device rules for learner and probationary drivers than for fully licensed drivers.
If you are on your Ls, Red Ps or Green Ps, you must not use or touch a mobile phone or other portable device while driving — including a mounted phone.
This means a phone being attached to a dashboard or windscreen mount does not automatically make it legal to use.
If you need navigation or audio for your trip, set everything up before you start driving and make sure you understand the current Victorian device rules.
Can You Use a Digital Driver Licence in Victoria?
Yes.
Victorian learner permit, probationary licence and full licence holders can access a digital version of their licence.
The digital licence is available through the myVicRoads app and can also be accessed through Service Victoria.
It can be used as evidence of your right to drive.
You may still choose to carry your physical licence as a backup, particularly if you are travelling somewhere where your phone may be unavailable or have limited internet access.
What About Overseas Licence Holders?
If you already hold a full overseas driver licence, your pathway can be different from someone getting their first licence in Victoria.
You may not need to obtain a Victorian Learner Permit before taking your first Drive Test. If your overseas licence conversion requires testing, you may need to complete the Learner Permit Test, Hazard Perception Test and Drive Test as part of the conversion process — but completing the Learner Permit Test does not necessarily mean you are following the standard Victorian learner pathway.
Your exact requirements depend on factors including:
the country or jurisdiction that issued your licence
whether you hold a full licence or learner permit
your age
when your overseas licence was first issued
how long you have held it.
This is important because the standard Victorian learner requirements — such as minimum learner permit holding periods and 120 hours of supervised driving for drivers under 21 — do not automatically apply in the same way to every full overseas licence conversion.
Use the official VicRoads overseas licence conversion checker to confirm the requirements that apply to you.
Important: What Happens If You Fail the Drive Test?
There is one rule every overseas licence holder should know before taking a Victorian Drive Test.
If you fail a VicRoads practical driving test, you can no longer use your overseas driver licence to drive in Victoria.
This applies from your first unsuccessful practical test.
If you need to continue driving or practising before attempting the test again, you can no longer rely on your overseas licence and will need to follow the Victorian licensing requirements that apply to your situation.
This is why overseas licence holders should make sure they are properly prepared before attempting their first Victorian Drive Test.
For a full breakdown of the conversion process, read our How to Convert an Overseas Driver Licence to a Victorian Licence — 2026 Guide.
What Victorian licence will you receive?
There is no single answer that applies to every overseas licence holder.
Your conversion requirements can depend on:
the country or jurisdiction that issued your licence
the type of licence you hold
your age when the overseas licence was first issued
how long you have held it.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to convert without completing all Victorian tests, or you may need to complete testing before receiving your Victorian licence.
The easiest way to check your individual requirements is to use the official VicRoads overseas licence conversion checker.
For a full breakdown, read our How to Convert an Overseas Driver Licence to a Victorian Licence — 2026 Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need 120 hours to get my Ps in Victoria?
If you are under 21, you normally need at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours at night.
If you are 21 or older, the 120-hour requirement generally does not apply.
Do I have to get Red Ps before Green Ps?
Not necessarily.
If you are under 21 when you obtain your probationary licence, you normally start on P1 Red Ps.
If you are 21 or older, you normally start directly on P2 Green Ps.
Can I drive alone on Red Ps?
Yes. Once you hold a P1 probationary licence, you no longer need a supervising driver.
Can I drive alone on Green Ps?
Yes. P2 licence holders can also drive independently.
Can I carry friends on my Red Ps?
Yes, but P1 drivers generally cannot carry more than one peer passenger aged 16 to under 22, unless an exemption applies.
Do Green P drivers still need zero BAC?
Yes.
The zero-BAC requirement continues throughout both the P1 and P2 probationary periods.
Can I use my phone for Google Maps on my Ps?
Victorian learner and probationary drivers are subject to strict device rules. You must not use or touch a portable or mounted phone while driving.
Set up anything you need before you begin your journey and check the current Transport Victoria rules if you are unsure.
Does everyone with an overseas licence need to go on Ps?
No.
Your Victorian licence and conversion requirements depend on your individual overseas licensing history and the country or jurisdiction that issued your licence.
Preparing for Your Victorian Drive Test?
Knowing how Victoria’s licence stages work is only one part of getting ready to drive independently.
Before your Drive Test, you should be comfortable driving safely in everyday traffic, including:
lane changes
intersections and give-way situations
safe gap selection
speed management
observation and head checks
parking
driving around pedestrians, cyclists and trams.
If you’re preparing for your Drive Test in Melbourne, Shortcut Driving provides structured driving lessons and test preparation around Carlton and surrounding areas.
Our instructor GuangYi Zhou is a former VicRoads Licence Testing Officer, bringing practical testing experience into everyday driving lessons.
Whether you’re starting as a new learner, preparing for your test, or converting an overseas licence, we can help you understand what is expected and build safer driving habits before test day.
Ready to get started? Book your driving lesson with Shortcut Driving online.
About Shortcut Driving
Shortcut Driving is a Melbourne driving school based around Carlton, offering driving lessons, Drive Test preparation and test-day supervision. Led by former VicRoads Licence Testing Officer GuangYi Zhou, Shortcut Driving focuses on practical, structured training designed to help learners become safe and confident independent drivers.
