Provisional licences have two stages. After completing the minimum required tenure period on your P1 licence you can attempt the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). If successful, you can proceed to the P2 licence.
A P2 driver licence is issued for 30 months. You must hold a P2 licence for a minimum period of 24 months before being eligible to progress to a full licence.
If you have committed an offence under section 129 of the Liquor Act 2007 of using false documents to gain access to licensed premises or purchase alcohol you will be required to hold your P2 licence for 30 months, that is, an additional six-month period. This is not required if the additional 6 month period was served on the P1 licence.
Any period that your licence is suspended is not counted. This means that if your licence is suspended, you must hold your P2 licence for an additional period that is equal to the suspension period. As an example, if your licence is suspended for 3 months, the earliest you can progress to the full licence is after 27 months (24 months + 3 months = 27 months) or, if the Liquor Act offence applies, 33 months (30 months + 3 months = 33 months).
If you are disqualified from driving by a court, the law operates to immediately and permanently cancel any licence held. In these circumstances, any tenure gained on your P2 licence is forfeited. This means that when the disqualification period has ended, you will be required to obtain a further P2 licence and you will need to complete the 24 months (or 30 months) tenure period again before you can progress to a full licence.
What is the Hazard Perception Test (HPT)?
The HPT is a touch-screen computer test which measures your ability to recognise and respond to potentially dangerous situations. Research has shown that a lack of these skills is a major factor in crashes, particularly those involving young drivers.
Resources are available to help you practise your hazard perception skills. A Hazard Perception Handbook is available from registries or on this website.
You can also practise your hazard perception skills online at this website, with a series of interactive tests which are similar to the HPT.
To progress from a P1 to a P2 licence you must pass the Hazard Perception Test (HPT).
What special rules must I follow?
P2 licence holders must:
- Have P plates (green P on a white background) displayed conspicuously at the front and rear exterior of the car when driving. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden. If towing a trailer, a P plate must be on the back of the trailer.
- Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (this means you cannot drink before driving). It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs.
- Observe a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h.
- Not supervise a learner driver.
- Only carry the number of passengers that can be properly seated in seats and restrained by approved seat belts or child restraints.
- Only drive vehicles that have a seat belt fitted to the driver's position and you must wear the seat belt.
- Not drive certain prohibited vehicles.
Failure to comply with any of the above requirements is an offence and carries heavy penalties, including loss of licence.
P2 licence holders caught speeding will receive a minimum of four demerit points.
A provisional P2 licence will be suspended or refused if the threshold of seven demerit points is reached or exceeded. A suspension or refusal period will also apply for any excessive speed offence (more than 30km/h above the speed limit).
During the term of a P2 licence you are able to upgrade to a LR, MR and HR class of licence - see 'Heavy vehicles' for more information.
How do I progress to a full licence?
You may progress to a full licence after holding the P2 licence for a total of 24 months and by passing the Driver Qualification Test (DQT). See Full Licence for more information.