On 4 September 2010, changes were introduced to help drivers with a learner's permit or provisional licence progress safely towards a full driver's licence gaining life-long safe driving practise and experiences along the way.

Most drivers do the right thing so some rules were made are fairer - like reducing the penalty for not displaying L or P-plates and being able to practise driving at 100 km/h under the guidance of your qualified supervising driver.

There are some new rules for those aged under 25 too because statistics show that if you are a new driver under the age of 25 you're much more likely to be involved in a crash.

Research also shows that:

• Getting more supervised driving experience in a range of conditions will improve your skills – leading to fewer crashes.
• Your risk of being involved in a crash increases when driving with distractions such as passengers or driving at night and particularly on weekends.

The rules introduced from 4 September 2010

All drivers with a learner's permit:

• the maximum speed limit was increased from 80km/h to100km/h where speed signs permit.
• the penalty for not displaying L-plates was reduced from a disqualification penalty to incurring demerit points and an expiation fine.

Driver's who obtained a learner’s permit on or after 4 September 2010 must also:

• Complete at least 75 supervised driving hours (including 15 hours at night).
• Must hold a learner’s permit for at least 12 months, if under the age of 25, 6 months if over 25.

Go to all L rules

All drivers with a provisional licence:

• The penalty for not displaying P-plates was changed from a disqualification penalty to incurring demerit points and an expiation fine.
• If you return to driving after a serious disqualification offence, you will have an additional curfew condition applied to your licence. That means, if you drive between midnight and 5am, you can't have any passengers in the vehicle other than your required qualified supervising driver.

Drivers who gained a provisional licence on or after 4 September 2010 must not drive a high-powered vehicle if you are under the age of 25 until you gain a full driver’s licence.

High-powered vehicles are:

• vehicles with engines of eight or more cylinders
• vehicles with turbocharged or supercharged engines (excluding diesel powered vehicles)
• vehicles that have been modified to increase engine performance
• nominated high performance vehicles.

Note: the ban does not apply to drivers holding a P1 or P2 licence before 4 September 2010.

disqualified drivers

If you are disqualified from driving you have to go back a licence stage and the new rules for that licence stage will apply to you.

If you are disqualified on or after 4 September 2010 you may be eligible to enter into a Safer Driver Agreement instead of serving the 6 month disqualification period (unless it was a serious disqualification offence).

• If you return to driving on a learner's permit:
• you will need to hold your permit for an additional 3 months - a total of 15 months if you are under the age of 25 or a total of 9 months if you are 25 years or older
• complete at least 75 supervised driving hours including 15 at night. Any hours that you have already recorded will count towards these hours.

Go to all L rules for more information.

• If you return to driving on a new provisional licence (P1 or P2) and you are under the age of 25, you must not drive a high-powered vehicle.

• If you are disqualified you may be eligible to enter into a Safer Driver Agreement instead of serving the 6 month disqualification period (unless it was a serious disqualification offence). Your existing licence will be cancelled. You will be issued a new provisional licence which you will be required to hold for a further 3 years. The Safer Driver Agreement will apply for the duration of your provisional licence. You may only enter into a Safer Driver Agreement or have one successful appeal once in a 5 year period.

Go to all P rules for more information.

Changes to the Graduated Licensing Scheme are to help L and P drivers progress safely towards a full driver's licence gaining life-long safe driving practise and experiences along the way.

More info on the risks to new and young drivers