Restrictions for P1 driver licences

  • Automatic transmission vehicles – You are restricted to driving an automatic or clutchless manual transmission vehicle if tested in one.
  • Zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – You cannot have any alcohol in your system when you drive a vehicle.
  • Demerit points – If you incur 4 or more demerit points during the term of your licence, action will be taken to suspend the licence.  Note that demerit points may carry over to your P2 licence.
  • Display of P plates – P plates (red P on a white background) must be clearly displayed on the front and back of the vehicle.
  • Licence class – You can only drive cars and/or motorcycles.
  • Passengers – The one passenger condition applies to provisional licence holders disqualified for a driving offence. After the disqualification period, you will be restricted to carrying no more than one passenger at all times while driving, for 12 months.
  • Seatbelts – You must 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.
  • Speed limit – You must not drive faster than 90 km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 90 km/h.
  • Supervising a learner – You must not supervise a learner driver.
  • Towing – You are allowed to tow light trailers up to 250 kilograms unloaded weight.
  • Vehicles – You must not drive any vehicle with:
    • Eight or more cylinders.
    • A turbocharged or supercharged engine (diesel powered engines exempt).
    • Modifications that increase engine performance.
    • Any other vehicle identified by Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) – further details available on Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) website.
    Please note exemptions may apply.

In addition to the above, the following restrictions apply from 1 July 2007:

  • Display of P plates – P plates (red P on white background) must be clearly displayed on the front and back of the outside of the vehicle. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden. 
  • Mobile phones – You must not use a mobile phone while driving or while your vehicle is moving or is stopped but not parked. This includes phones in the hands-free mode or with the loudspeaker operating.
  • Peer-Passenger – If you are under the age of 25 you must not drive with more than one passenger under the age of 21 between the hours of 11pm and 5am.
  • Licence suspension for speeding – Your licence will be suspended for at least three months for any speeding offence.