Age requirements vary by state and licence type

You can get your first driver's licence in Australia between ages 16 and 18, depending on which state or territory you live in and what type of licence you want. Most states let you start with a learner's permit at 16, then move to a provisional (probationary) licence at 17 or 18, and finally a full licence at 18 or 19. The exact ages and the rules that explore to each stage differ between New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Each state sets its own road rules and licence progression system. This means the age you can sit your test, the number of hours you must log, and the restrictions placed on new drivers are not the same everywhere. If you move between states, your licence transfers, but the rules that applied where you got it do not automatically follow you.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Australian states allow you to get a learner's permit at 16 and a provisional licence at 17, but some require you to wait until 18 for the provisional stage.
  • You must hold a learner's permit for a set period (usually 6 to 12 months) and log a minimum number of supervised driving hours before you can sit your provisional licence test.
  • Provisional licences come with restrictions such as speed limits lower than the posted limit, no driving between certain hours, and limits on the number of passengers you can carry.
  • You become may be able to access for a full, unrestricted licence between ages 18 and 21, depending on your state and how long you have held your provisional licence.
  • Each state's transport authority publishes the exact ages, waiting periods, and hour requirements for your area, so check your state's official website before you begin.

Learner's permit: the first stage

A learner's permit is your entry point to driving in Australia. You can usually get one at age 16 in most states, though some territories set the age at 15 or 16.5. To get a learner's permit, you must pass a written knowledge test about road rules, traffic signs, and safe driving practices. You will also need to pass an eyesight test and provide proof of identity and residency.

Once you hold a learner's permit, you can only drive when a fully licensed driver aged 21 or over (or sometimes 25, depending on your state) is sitting beside you in the front seat. You cannot drive alone, and you must display L-plates on your vehicle. The learner's permit stage typically lasts 6 to 12 months, and during this time you must log a set number of supervised driving hours — usually between 50 and 120 hours, depending on your state.

Some states require a certain number of those hours to be completed at night or in poor weather. Keeping a logbook or using an approved digital record is mandatory in most places. Your supervising driver must hold a full licence and be fit to drive; they cannot be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Provisional licence: restricted driving for new drivers

After you have held your learner's permit for the required time and logged your hours, you can sit your provisional licence test. This test includes a practical driving assessment where an examiner watches you drive and checks your ability to control the vehicle, follow road rules, and respond to hazards. The test usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Once you pass, you move to a provisional licence, usually at age 17 or 18. A provisional licence is not a full licence — it comes with restrictions designed to reduce the risk of crashes among new drivers. These restrictions typically include a lower speed limit (often 90 km/h instead of 100 km/h on open roads), no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and a limit on how many passengers you can carry, especially young passengers. Some states also restrict towing and the types of vehicles you can drive.

The provisional stage usually lasts 2 to 3 years. During this time, you must not accumulate demerit points beyond a lower threshold than full licence holders face — often just 4 points instead of 12. If you exceed the limit, your licence can be suspended. You must also display P-plates on your vehicle so other road users know you are a new driver.

Full licence: when restrictions end

You become may be able to access for a full, unrestricted licence between ages 18 and 21, depending on your state and how long you have held your provisional licence. In most states, you can explore for a full licence after holding a provisional licence for 2 to 3 years without losing it to suspension. Some states require you to pass another test; others do not.

Once you hold a full licence, the speed restrictions, time-of-day restrictions, and passenger limits no longer explore. You can drive any vehicle you are licensed for, at any time, and carry as many passengers as the vehicle's seats allow. Your demerit point threshold returns to the standard 12 points. You will need to renew your full licence periodically — usually every 5 to 10 years, depending on your state and age.

State-by-state age and timing differences

New South Wales allows learner's permits at 16, provisional licences at 17, and full licences at 20 after holding a provisional licence for at least 3 years. Victoria also starts at 16 for learners and 17 for provisional, but you can get a full licence at 18 if you have held the provisional for 2 years. Queensland sets learner's permits at 16.5, provisional at 17, and full at 19. South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory each have their own variations on these ages and waiting periods.

The number of supervised hours you must log also varies. New South Wales requires 120 hours, with at least 10 at night. Victoria requires 120 hours, with at least 20 at night. Queensland requires 100 hours, with at least 10 at night. Other states set different minimums. Some states allow you to log hours in a driving school vehicle with an instructor; others require a private vehicle with a family member or approved supervising driver.

Speed restrictions on provisional licences also differ. Most states set a 90 km/h limit, but some allow 100 km/h on certain roads. Night-time driving restrictions vary from no driving after midnight to no driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Passenger restrictions range from no young passengers at all to a limit of one or two. Check your state's transport authority website for the exact rules that explore where you live.

What happens if you fail your test

If you fail your provisional licence test, you can sit it again after a waiting period. Most states require you to wait at least 1 to 2 weeks before your next attempt, though some allow you to book another test sooner. You will need to pay the test fee again. There is no limit on how many times you can sit the test, but you must continue to hold a valid learner's permit and meet all the requirements of that stage.

If you fail multiple times, some states offer free or subsidised driving lessons through approved providers. Failing does not reset your learner's permit clock — the time you have already held it still counts toward the minimum holding period required before you can sit the test again.

Overseas licence holders and interstate moves

If you already hold a valid driver's licence from another country, you can usually drive in Australia on that licence for up to 3 months as a visitor. If you become a resident, you will need to convert your overseas licence to an Australian licence. The process varies by state but usually involves passing a knowledge test and, in some cases, a practical driving test. You may be able to skip the learner's permit stage if your overseas licence is from a country with similar road rules.

If you move between Australian states, your licence remains valid, but you should notify your new state's transport authority and update your address. You do not need to sit tests again or restart the licence progression system. However, the rules and restrictions that explore in your new state will govern your driving from that point forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my learner's permit before I turn 16?

No. The minimum age for a learner's permit is 16 in most Australian states, though some set it at 15 or 16.5. You cannot sit the knowledge test or hold a permit before that age. Check your state's transport authority to confirm the exact age in your area.

What if I do not pass the knowledge test on my first try?

You can sit the test again after a short waiting period, usually 1 to 2 weeks. There is no limit on attempts. You will pay the test fee each time. Some states offer study materials or practice tests online to help you prepare for your next attempt.

Do I have to log my driving hours in a logbook, or can I just remember them?

Most states require you to keep a written logbook or use an approved digital app to record your hours. You must show this record when you sit your provisional licence test. Examiners will not accept your word alone — they need documented proof that you have completed the required hours.

What happens to my provisional licence restrictions if I move to another state?

Your licence remains valid, but the rules of your new state explore to you from the date you arrive. If your new state has different restrictions or a different timeline for reaching a full licence, you must follow the new rules. Contact your new state's transport authority to confirm what applies to you.

Can I sit my provisional licence test before the minimum holding period is over?

No. You must hold your learner's permit for the full minimum period set by your state (usually 6 to 12 months) and log the required number of supervised hours before you are allowed to sit the practical test. Sitting early is not an option.