Getting your learner licence

To get your learner licence you must:

Be at least 16 years of age
Pass a Driver Knowledge Test(DKT)
Prove your identity
Pass an eyesight test
Pay the licence and test fees, unless you’re eligible for a concession.

Once you pay the required fees and pass the DKT, your photo will be taken. Depending on which location you attend, your licence card will either be handed over the counter or posted to you. If it’s posted, you’ll receive a temporary paper licence, which you can use to learn to drive, until your new card arrives.

Your learner licence is valid for five years. If you have not progressed to a P1 licence at the end of the five years, you can renew your licence, but you will need to pass the DKT again.

Getting your P1 licence

To apply for your P1 licence, you must:

Be at least 17 years of age
Have held a learner licence for at least 12 months, unless you’re 25 or older
Have logged at least 120 hours driving time in your Learner Driver Log Book, including at least 20 hours of night driving, unless you’re 25 or older
Prove your identity
Pass an eyesight test.

Pay the licence and test fees, unless you’re eligible for a concession
Pass the driving test.

Once you pay the required fees and pass the driving test, your photo will be taken. Depending on which location you attend, your licence card will either be handed over the counter or posted to you. If it’s posted, you’ll receive a temporary paper licence, which you can use to learn to drive, until your new card arrives.

Your P1 licence is valid for 18 months. If you’ve not progressed to a P2 licence at the end of the 18 months, you can renew your licence. You do not need to take the driving test again.

Restricted P1 licence pilot – remote areas

If you’re under 25 and live in a specified remote area, you can apply for a restricted P1 licence after you’ve logged only 50 hours practical driving experience (including at least 10 hours of night driving) in your Learner Driver Log Book.

The restricted P1 licence is designed to allow you to drive to work, education and medical related appointments. After six months, the restricted conditions will automatically expire, and the standard P1 rules will apply for the rest of your P1 licence period.

The restricted P1 licence is being piloted for two years, and aims to help young people living in remote areas access health, education and work opportunities by providing easier access to their provisional licence, under strict conditions.

Getting your P2 licence

To apply for your P2 licence you must:

Have held your P1 licence for at least 12 months
Prove your identity
Pay the licence and test fees, unless you’re eligible for a concession
Pass the Hazard Perception Test(HPT).

Your P2 licence is valid for 30 months. If you’ve not progressed to a full licence at the end of the 30 months, you can renew your licence. You do not need to take the HPT again.

Rules for P2 drivers

In addition to complying with the NSW Road Rules, you must:

Use mobile phones for calls and audio only. The phone must be securely mounted, or you must use an automated audio device. Touching a phone (eg text or video functions) is against the law
Have P plates displayed (green P on a white background) clearly on the front and back of the vehicle, on the outside. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden. If you’re towing a trailer, a P plate must be on the back of the trailer
Observe a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h, and observe the posted speed limit where it’s below 100 km/h
Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration. This means you cannot have any alcohol in your system when you drive a vehicle. It’s also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs
Not supervise a learner driver
Ensure all occupants, including yourself, are in a seat that has a seatbelt or an approved restraint fitted, and that each passenger is using the seatbelt or restraint.