The NSW Government has introduced prohibited vehicle and passenger conditions for provisional licences to keep novice drivers safe on our roads. The prohibited vehicle and passenger conditions are described below.
Prohibited vehicles
The prohibited vehicle condition restricts provisional (P1 and P2) drivers from driving certain high performance vehicles. The condition applies to provisional licences issued on or after 11 July 2005. The scheme aims to prohibit young driver access to vehicles that are overrepresented in young driver crashes.
Prohibited vehicles are those with:
- Eight or more cylinders.
- A turbocharged engine (except diesel).
- A supercharged engine (except diesel).
- Engine performance modifications that require an engineers' certificate.
- Certain high performance six cylinder engine vehicles or other vehicles as described in the publication Novice Drivers - High Performance Vehicle Restrictions.
The following vehicles are not prohibited vehicles and may be driven by provisional licence holders:
- Suzuki Cappuccino 2D Cabriolet Turbo 3 698cc (released between 1/01/1992 - 1/12/1997).
- Daihatsu Copen L880 2D Convertible Turbo 4 659cc (released from 1/10/2003).
- Smart vehicles (all models).
If you are unsure whether your vehicle is prohibited or you would like more information about P1 and P2 licence conditions phone 13 22 13.
The publication Novice Drivers - High Performance Vehicle Restrictions is available to view and download from the box at the bottom of this page. This list will be updated as required.
An additional list, Guide to prohibited eight cylinder, turbo and supercharged high performance vehicles, may also be viewed and downloaded. This additional list is a guide only and subject to change at any time without notice. If your vehicle is not on the list but would otherwise be considered to be a 'prohibited vehicle', you must not drive it, unless exempt.
Passenger conditions
P1 peer passenger condition
From 1 July 2007, all provisional P1 drivers under the age of 25 must not drive a vehicle with more than one passenger (other than the driver) under 21 years old between 11pm and 5am. This restriction is referred to as the peer passenger condition.
Drivers of emergency vehicles are exempt from the peer passenger condition while driving the vehicle in the performance of their duties. Emergency vehicles are vehicles driven by police officers, members of the ambulance service, metropolitan or rural fire services or any other person approved by Roads and Maritime Services).
P1 and P2 one passenger condition
A one passenger condition also applies to any provisional (P1 and P2) driver who is disqualified for a driving offence that is committed on or after 11 July 2005. After the disqualification period the provisional licence holder will be restricted from carrying more than one passenger at all times while driving. This condition will apply for 12 months.
For more information on vehicle and passenger conditions use the related link (above right) to Frequently Asked Questions.
Exemptions from the conditions
Application for an exemption can be made at any motor registry upon payment of a fee. NOTE: a fee is not charged for moderate-performance turbo/supercharged engine vehicle applications.
See related link to Licensing fees (above right). You must have an exemption in writing issued by Roads and Maritime Services to be exempt from the conditions.
Should an exemption be granted, the exemption will be limited to specific circumstances such as employment and maybe limited to certain vehicles.
Prohibited vehicle exemption
An exemption from the prohibited vehicle condition may be granted if:
- A prohibited vehicle needs to be driven for genuine employment purposes.
- Eight or more cylinder 4WD vehicles are required by country drivers who have no practical alternative.
- You can prove direct ownership of a prohibited vehicle prior to the start of the scheme or before an overseas/interstate licence transfer.
- The vehicle is a moderate-performance turbo/supercharged engine vehicle.
- Alfa Romeo 1368cc Giulietta
- Audi 1197cc and 1390cc (90kW) A1
- Audi 1390cc A3
- Audi 1798cc A3 and A4
- Audi 1984cc Q5
- Citroen 1598cc C4 1.6L
- Fiat 875cc, 500 Twin Air
- Fiat 1368cc, Punto and Rimto
- Holden 1400cc Cruze
- Mercedes-Benz 1595cc B180, B200
- Mercedes-Benz 1796cc E200, E200K, E250, C180, C200, CLC200, C230, C250
- Mercedes-Benz 1796cc SLK200, SLK200K, SLK250, CLK200K
- Peugeot 1598cc 308 Series 1.6T XSE and(115kW)RCZ
- Saab 1988cc 9-3 Linear, and Vector
- Skoda 1798cc Superb 1.8 TFSI and Octavia 1.8 TFSI
- Skoda 1197cc Fabia, 1390cc Fabia(1.4)and Yeti
- Volkswagen 1390cc Golf 90TSI and Golf 118TSI
- Volkswagen 1984cc Tiguan 125TSI, 132TSI, 155TSI and Passat 147TSI
- Volkswagen 1197cc Polo 77TSI
- You are required as part of your employment responsibilities to transport passengers between 11pm and 5am and more than one of these passengers is, or likely to be, under 21 years of age.
- You can demonstrate a need to drive certain immediate family members between 11pm and 5am and there are no alternative options.
- You volunteer in community service work (eg Lifeline counselling) that requires the transport of passengers between 11pm and 5am and more than one of these passengers is, or likely to be, under 21 years of age.
For Moderate-performance turbo/supercharged vehicle exemptions an exemption is given to vehicles under 100kw/t and to vehicles between 100kw/t and 125kw/t if they weigh over 1410kgs and have less than 165kw of power.
Note: NSW provisional licences issued prior to 11 July 2005 were not conditioned. However, the condition will be applied if the provisional driver is disqualified for an offence committed on or after 11 July 2005. In these instances, the provisional holder may be granted an exemption if they can prove direct ownership of their current vehicle at the time of the offence that led to the disqualification.
Examples of moderate performance turbo/supercharged vehicles that are eligible for exemption include:
Note, for enforcement purposes provisional drivers must carry an exemption letter from Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) to drive these vehicles.
If you wish to confirm that a vehicle is considered to be a moderate turbo/ supercharged vehicle, then please refer to the list below titled "A guide to moderate performance vehicles". If still unsure, please email your enquiry to exemption_enquiry@rta.nsw.gov.au
Please note that even if the vehicle is classified as a moderate performance vehicle, the vehicle is still regarded as a prohibited vehicle and an exemption to drive the vehicle must be approved and obtained from Roads and Maritime Services before the holder of a provisional licence is able to drive the vehicle. .
One passenger exemption
An exemption from the one passenger condition will be only granted in exceptional circumstances. You must provide reasons why you have an exceptional circumstance to have your exemption request considered.
Peer passenger exemption
An exemption from the peer passenger condition may be granted if:
Further information on how to apply for a prohibited vehicle or passenger condition exemption is available on the Application for Exemption: Peer Passenger, One Passenger or Prohibited Vehicle Condition (available to download from the box at the bottom of this page).
The driver must notify Roads and Maritime Services within 14 days if their changed circumstances affect their exemption, including if the driver no longer requires being exempted or if the exemption letter needs replacing. A further fee may apply.