Learners Permit | L Plates | Youth Central

Once you've got your learner permit, it's time to get behind the wheel. You have to get at least 120 hours of driving time (including 10 hours of night driving) under your belt before you can move onto your Ps.

Displaying your L plates

It's up to you whether you decide to buy, borrow or make your L plates. The main thing is that you display them correctly when you're driving on your Ls. 

Requirements for L plates in Victoria are listed on the VicRoads Displaying L Plates page, including:

  • How you need to display them
  • What they need to look like

Clocking up 120 hours

If you're under 21 you’ll need at least 120 hours of logged (and supervised) driving experience before you can move onto your Ps. 

120 hours might sound like a lot, but if you drive for two to three hours every week for a year you'll get there. Remember, though, that if you're under 21 you have to be on your Ls for a full 12 months before you can go for your Ps.

Log your hours

The myLearners app and The Learner Kit have log books to keep track of your hours (and the conditions). You need to record all your driving hours in your log book or in the app, and make sure each drive is signed off by you and your supervising driver.

The myLearners app and The Learner Kit are free for all learner drivers.

Plan some drives

Plan trips, short and long, for driving in different situations. Some longer trips may take a few hours or even more, getting you your 120 hours even sooner.

Suggested drives include:

  • Driving along the Great Ocean Road
  • Heading out to the hills in Belgrave and Upwey
  • Tackling the traffic on Sydney Road at peak hour
  • Practising your hook turns along Collins Street
  • Cruising around Ballarat's Lake Wendouree circuit

Remember that at least 10 of your 120 hours have to be driven at night.

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. 

If you can't find a supervisor

If you don't have access to a supervising driver or a vehicle to practise driving in, check out the TAC L2P program, which teams up with local councils to help you get your 120 hours.

Paying for lessons

Of course, if you can afford it you could just pay for lessons - check out the Yellow Pages to find driving instructors near you.

Rules and restrictions for learner drivers

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 (not a P-plater) at all times when driving
  • Must not drive a car which is towing a trailer or another vehicle
  • 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
  • Must have a minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving including at least 10 hours of night driving) before you can take the licence test
  • Must record your 120 hours of driving in your log book and have it signed off 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 (six months if you're between 21 and 25, or three months if you're over 25)

The Vicroads website has the full list of rules for learners.

Moving on to your Ps

You're ready to sit for your probationary licence test once you've:

  • Clocked up 120 hours (including 10 hours of night driving)
  • Met any age-related time requirements 

 To find out how to take the test, check out our Getting your Ps page.

Good luck, and happy learning!

Links

TAC L2P
Matches learner drivers under 21 with supervising drivers and vehicles so they can qualify for the probationary licence test.

Vic Roads - Licences
Answers to questions on dozens of licence and driving topics like fees, types of licences, getting your Ls and getting your Ps.

TAC - Learning to Drive
Information about the kind of driving practice you'll need, how to get your parents to stop making excuses, and tips on how to drive in different conditions.