P1 and P2 vehicle and passenger conditions

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 (except diesel).
A turbocharged engine (except diesel).
A supercharged engine (except diesel).
Engine performance modifications.
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.

Guidelines for light vehicle modifications, including engine modifications, are also available to view and download at the bottom of this page (refer to Vehicle Standards Information Sheet VSI 06).

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 the RTA.

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. See related link to Licensing fees (above right). You must have an exemption in writing issued by the RTA 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. There is no blanket exemption.

Prohibited vehicle exemption

A limited 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 principal family vehicle is a moderate-performance turbo/supercharged engine vehicle.

Note: NSW provisional licences issued prior to 11 July 2005 were not conditioned. However, the condition will be applied if the provisonal driver is disqualified for an offence committed on or after 11 July 2005. In these instances, the provisional holder may be granted and 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 may be eligible for exemption include (but not limited to):

Audi 1781 cc, A3 and A4
Mercedes-Benz 1796 cc, C180, CLK200K, E200K, C200, C230 and SLK 200K
Saab 1988 cc, 9-3 Linear, Arc and Vector
Volvo 2521 cc, S80, XC70 and XC90
Volkswagon 1781 cc, Passat, Beetle and Golf

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

And exemption from the peer passenger condition may be granted if:

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.

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).