Once you've got your learner permit, it's time to get behind the wheel. You should get at least 120 hours driving time (including 10 hours of night driving) under your belt before you even think about moving onto your Ps. But since your learner permit is valid for ten years, there's no hurry!
Getting someone to supervise you
You'll have to find a fully licensed driver to supervise you while you're on your Ls. Hopefully, your parents will help you out, but it's up to you to convince them to give you a go.
Attending a Keys Please session with your parents may help. Keys Please is a two-hour information session for parents or supervising drivers. To book a Keys Please session contact VicRoads on 1300 360 745.
Otherwise you could just pay for lessons - check out your local yellow pages to find driving instructors near you.
Clocking up the hours and experience
Try to get experience driving in a range of conditions. The Learner Kit, which includes the Guide for Learners (including a learner log book) and the Guide for Supervising Drivers, is available free of charge to all learner drivers who obtain a learner permit.
These guides outline the roles and responsibilities for both the supervising driver and the learner driver. The learner logbook lets you keep track of how many hours you've had behind the wheel, and what the driving conditions were like.
Remember that when you're on Ls you:
- Must display your L plates on the front and rear of your car when driving
- Must be accompanied by a full licence holder at all times when driving
- Must not drive a car which is towing a trailer
- Must have zero blood alcohol content at all times when driving
- Must carry your learner permit at all times when driving
- Are not allowed to use a mobile phone (including hands-free, handheld and all messaging) while driving
- Will be required, if you are under 21, to undertake a minimum of 120 hours (including at least 10 hours of night driving ) of supervised driving before you can take the licence test (these hours must be recorded in the official learner log book that is signed by you and your supervising driver)
- Must hold your learner permit for at least twelve months continuously if you are under 21 years of age
- Must hold your learner permit for at least six months continuously if you are between 21 and 25
- Must hold your learner permit for at least three months continuously if you are over 25
Once you have clocked up your 120 hours (including 10 hours of night driving) and met any age-related time requirements, you will be ready to sit for your probationary licence test.
To find out how to go about it, check out our Getting your Ps page.
And for an easy-to-follow, fun guide to getting your drivers licence, check out the "Direct Route to Licence Town" cartoon (new window) on the VicRoads Arrive Alive website.
Good luck, and happy learning!
Links
Arrive Alive! - The Graduated Licensing System (new window)
Use the online tool to select what kind of driver you are and find out how the new licensing laws affect you.
Arrive Alive! - Victoria's Road Safety Strategy (new window)
Info about the main safety issues for Victorian drivers - and particularly young drivers - including road design, speeding, drink driving, fatigue and vehicle safety.
Vic Roads - Introduction to Licensing (new window)
Links, tips, information and answers to questions on dozens of licence and driving related topics including fees, types of licences, getting of Ls and getting your Ps.
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) - Safety (new window)
In this section of the TAC site there are a number of tools to help you while you gain practice on the roads. There's information about the kind of practice you'll need, how to get your parents to stop making excuses, and tips on how to drive in different road conditions.
Victoria Police - Young Drivers (new window)
Victoria Police is committed to providing specialist and support services aimed at ensuring that Victoria's roads remain some of the safest in Australia.
