Australia’s learner and provisional (P-plate) driving rules are always changing. To help provisional license holders and their families, here’s a quick summary of key updates planned for 2025.
NSWS updates
P-plate drivers aged 25 and older in New South Wales will see a big relaxation of the phone rule in 2025. A 12-month trial will permit these drivers to use their phones for navigation if the device is secured in a cradle. Officials believe that guidance for navigating the complicated Sydney street network will reduce driver stress and the risk of crashes.
The state will also tighten rules for a few reckless behaviors. Driving into floodwaters will bring harsher penalties, while a crackdown on trading demerit points will now feature fines of up to $11,000.
Victoria’s Age Change Dream
Victoria is the last state that keeps the P-plate rule set at 18 for the P1 stage, but this could change in 2025. A proposal from State Nationals MP Gaelle Broad is pushing to cut the P1 minimum age to 17. Should the measure pass, the younger age will line Victoria up with other states and help 17-year-olds access job, training and health services more easily.
New Victorian Education Programs
Victorian secondary schools are stepping up their road safety programs by adding driver safety skills and basic vehicle maintenance courses for Years 10 to 12. These lessons will teach students how to drive defensively and keep their vehicles in safe shape.
Passenger Rule for Red P-Plate Drivers
From December 2024, WA will require red P-plate drivers to carry only one passenger. This new rule matches laws in other states and is designed to cut down on distractions for new drivers.
WA is also tightening up laws around off-road vehicles. The goal is to simplify their registration and hit existing offenders with higher fines—rising from 1,000 to 5,000. Drivers on many regional roads will also face lower speed limits in a new 3-year trial.
Know Your State’s P-Plate Rules
P-plate laws change a lot from one state or territory to another. Curfews, passenger limits, and rules on mobile phones can all differ.
For example, WA and South Australia set a curfew for P1 drivers from midnight to 5 a.m. That curfew doesn’t exist in other areas. Passenger rules can be even more varied, with some places banning all additional riders and others allowing extra passengers only during certain hours.
Stay up to date with your state’s latest P-plate laws so you can drive safely and legally on Australian roads in 2025.