If you get your Ps from 1 July 2008, and you are under 21, you will now have an extra probationary licence stage. In other words, it’s an extra P plate.

As part of Victoria’s new graduated licensing system, there will be two probationary licence stages: a one year P1 (red plates) stage, followed by a three year P2 (green plates) stage.

You will need a good driving record to progress from P1 to P2, then to a full licence.
Any licence suspension, or other serious offence, will add six months to the probationary period, plus the period of suspension.

NEW P1 AND P2 PROBATIONARY LICENCES

P1 Licences (Red Plate)

From 1 July 2008, the new P1 licences will be issued and everyone applying for a probationary licence will need to pass a hazard perception test and an on road driving test. (Drivers with a probationary licence issued before 1 July 2008 will be covered by the current system.)

Probationary drivers aged under 21 years, when first licensed, must hold a P1 licence for a minimum of 12 months. During this time all mobile phone use is banned and there is a restriction on towing unless for work or they are under instruction.

Probationary drivers who are aged 21 years or older when first licensed will move directly to a P2 licence.

What’s different about a P1?

P1 requirements include…

Must stay on a P1 licence for at least 12 months
No mobile phone use of any kind.
P1 driver can only carry one passenger aged between 16 and 21.
No towing (unless for work or if under instruction).
Restrictions on driving high powered vehicles
Drink driving offenders may have an alcohol interlock fitted to their vehicle
Any licence suspension, drink driving offence with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) up to 0.05, or drug driving offence will result in an extension of the P1 licence period for six months, plus the period of suspension.
If the P1 licence is suspended, a passenger limit of one will apply for the remainder of the P1 period.
Other existing P provisions will also apply.

What’s different about a P2?

P2 requirements include…

A three year minimum
Restrictions on driving high powered vehicles
Drink driving offenders may have an alcohol interlock fitted to their vehicle.
Any licence suspension will result in an extension of the P2 period by six months, plus the period of suspension.
Other existing P provisions will also apply

(Source: Arrive Alive Mail Out 17 June 2008 and website)

As an owner operator of a driving school it never ceases to amaze me, the amount of intolerance that is shown to learner drivers.
Learner drivers are the safest category of drivers on our roads and are continually harassed and abused by other road users of all age groups.
Patience and courtesy seem to be sadly lacking in our on road community and lets face it WE ALL HAVE BEEN LEARNER DRIVERS

As of the 1 July 2008, the new Practical drive test will be approximately 50 minutes long and will consist off:

1. Confirmation of Identity and Eligibility
2. Learner Log Book checking (where applicable)
3. On Road Drive Test
4. Drivers Licence Assessment Results
5. Drivers Licence Issue

More information will be available closer to the commencement date explains David from Eastern Suburbs Driving School.

New key changes facing Learner and Probationary Drivers due with the introduction of the new Graduated Licensing System on 1st of July 2008 have created a rush for driving schools in Melbourne for driving students wanting to get their driver’s licence before the 1st of  July reports David Putney from Eastern Suburbs Driving School.

New Probationary licence criteria creates VIC Roads build up of bookings

As of the 1st of July any person who goes for a driving licence test falls under the new criteria of the Probationary licence which will be covering not a 3 year, but 4 year period. The first 12 months being on a red P plate, the follwing 36 months on a green P plate providing probationary drivers have a clean record over the first 12 months. David reports that as of 4th of April VIC Roads build up of bookings for probationary licence tests at some VIC Roads offices are now at the end of June.