No more logbook. No more lessons. You’ve passed your driving test, and now you’ve got your brand new provisional licence. Congratulations!
Getting your Ps means more freedom and independence, but there are still some rules and restrictions to keep in mind – and some important things to know about P- plate insurance too.
To help you understand how your new licence works, we’ve put together this practical guide to provisional licences, including what they’re for, which restrictions apply in your state or territory, and what to keep in mind when looking for car insurance for P-platers.
What is a provisional licence?
A provisional licence, sometimes called “your Ps”, is the step in between holding a learner licence and graduating to a full, open licence. On your Ps, you can drive unsupervised, but you also have to follow some special restrictions in addition to the standard road rules.1,2
In most states and territories, there are two types of provisional licences. P1 licences are typically the first licence you get after passing your driving test, and require you to display red P plates on your vehicle.1,2 After you’ve held your red Ps for a while – anywhere from six months to two years, depending on your state or territory2 – you’ll usually move on to your P2 licence, which has fewer rules and a green P plate to match.3
So, what’s the point of putting newly minted drivers on P plates? In short, provisional licence restrictions are designed to help keep inexperienced drivers – and the nation’s roads – safe.
In Australia, road accidents are a leading cause of death for young people.4 And while youth road deaths have decreased by nearly 50% since 2000, there’s still a long way to go.5
In 2023 alone, 236 people aged 15 to 24 sadly lost their lives in a road crash, and more than half of the young adults killed on our roads were involved in single-vehicle crashes.4
“Young drivers are making safer choices, and it’s saving lives. But we can’t take our foot off the pedal,” says John Elliott, Head of Program Delivery at Road Safety Education.5
Provisional licences are part of the Graduated Licensing System (GLS), which allows you to build up knowledge, skills and experience over time and become a safer driver.6
P-plate restrictions across Australia
Some P-plate laws are the same everywhere. No matter where you are in Australia, P-platers:7
- Must not have any alcohol or drugs in their system when they’re driving
- Must display the correct P plates prominently on their vehicle.7
It stands to reason that P-platers must also comply with general motoring laws, such as always wearing a seatbelt correctly and not illegally using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. However, other provisional rules can vary – for example P-plate conditions in New South Wales are quite different to those in Western Australia. Use this state-by-state breakdown to find out about some key P-plate restrictions around Australia.
P-plate restrictions NSW
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Speed | 90km/h limit1 | 100km/h limit3 |
| Passengers | Drivers under 25 limited to one passenger under 21 between 11pm and 5am1 | No restriction |
| Vehicle | No high-performance vehicles1 | No-high performance vehicles3 |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | Not allowed1 | Not allowed3 |
View high-performance vehicles via the Transport for NSW vehicle restrictions search.8
P-plate restrictions Qld
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Passengers | Drivers under 25 limited to one passenger between 11pm and 5am, except immediate family members9 | No restriction |
| Vehicle | No high-powered vehicles9 | No high-powered vehicles10 |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | No high-powered vehicles9 | No restriction |
In Queensland, if you’re over 25 when you pass your practical driving test, you’ll go straight to your P2 licence.10 You can find out which vehicles are allowed to be driven using the approved cars database.11
P-plate restrictions Vic
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Passengers | Limited to one passenger aged between 16 and under 22, excluding spouses, domestic partners, siblings or step-siblings12 | No restriction |
| Vehicle | Banned vehicles not allowed12 | Banned vehicles not allowed12 |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | Not allowed12 | Not allowed12 |
If you’re over 21 when you pass your practical driving test, you’ll get your P2 licence straight away.13 Banned vehicles can be found on the VicRoads probationary vehicles database.14
P-plate restrictions WA
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Passengers | Limited to one passenger, except for immediate family members15 | No restriction |
| Night driving | Not allowed between midnight and 5am for the first 6 months, except for school or employment15 | No restriction |
P-plate restrictions SA
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Speed | 100km/h limit16 | 100km/h limit17 |
| Passengers | Drivers under 25 limited to one passenger aged 16 to 20, excluding immediate family16 | No restriction |
| Vehicle | High-powered vehicles restricted for drivers under 2516 | High-powered vehicles restricted for drivers under 2517 |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | Not allowed16 | No restriction |
| Night driving | Drivers under 25 cannot drive between midnight and 5am16 | No restriction |
Find guidelines to P-plate legal cars in South Australia on the My Licence website.18
P-plate restrictions ACT
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Passengers | Limited to one passenger aged 16 to 22 between 11pm and 5am, with some exceptions for work, school and family19 | No restriction |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | Not allowed19 | Not allowed19 |
If you’re over 25 when you pass your driving test, you’ll go straight to holding your P2 licence.19
P-plate restrictions Tas
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) | P2 (green Ps) |
| Speed | 100km/h limit20 | No restriction |
| Passengers | Drivers under 25 limited to one passenger aged 16 to 21, except immediate family, spouses and domestic partners21 | No restriction |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | Not allowed22 | No restriction |
P-plate restrictions NT
| Restrictions | P1 (red Ps) |
| Speed | 100km/hr limit23 |
| Mobile phone on hands-free or loudspeaker | Not allowed23 |
The Northern Territory only has one type of provisional licence, marked by a red P plate. You must hold this for at least two years, or for at least one year if you’re over 25.23
How to find out about new P-plate laws in Australia?
While there’s some common ground when it comes to P-plate driver restrictions in Australia, specific rules are set by each state. For example, Tom’s Law, which was introduced in December 2024, banning WA's P-plate drivers from carrying more than one passenger in their first six months behind the wheel.24 You can find out more about P-plate restrictions in your area, as well as any new P-plate laws, via the relevant authority in your state or territory:
- Transport for NSW
- Queensland Government
- VicRoads
- WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure
- Government of South Australia
- ACT City Services
- Plates Plus Tasmania
- Northern Territory Government
Are P-platers covered by insurance?
As a P-plater, you might wonder if you’re covered by your parents’ car insurance. If you’re sharing a parent’s car, they can probably add you to their policy as an additional driver, although this might increase their policy premium and excess.25
Some insurers may still cover you under a parent’s policy, even if you aren’t listed, but this generally involves a steeper unlisted driver excess if you need to make a claim.25
If you are driving your own car, and want P-plate insurance, you’ll need to consider taking out your own policy.24 We’ll go into more detail on your options shortly.
Whatever you decide, remember that insurance may not cover you if you breach the conditions of your provisional licence. For example, a claim could be refused if you were:25
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving a vehicle not specified on your licence, such as a truck
- Breaching peer passenger restrictions at the time of the incident.25
Car insurance for P-platers: What are your options?
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance – which provides cover if you cause a car accident and someone gets injured or killed as a result – is mandatory in Australia. However, CTP won’t cover you for damage to vehicles or property. This is where additional insurance comes in.26
Optional car insurance policies for provisional drivers include:26
- Comprehensive – the highest level of cover available; it includes everything offered by Third Party Property and Third Party Fire & Theft, plus cover for damage to your own car caused by accidental damage, most severe weather events, intentional damage and more.26
- Third Party Fire & Theft – offers the same cover as Third Party Property Only, as well as fire or theft cover for your vehicle
- Third Party Property Only – covers damage you cause to someone else’s car or property
If you’re trying to lock down the best car insurance for P-platers out of the above options, it’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your best insurance match will depend on your specific needs; the make, age and model of your car; and your individual circumstances. Having said that, understanding more about the different types of car insurance may help you land on the insurance cover that’s just right for you.
Is CTP insurance enough for a P-plater?
As we’ve seen, CTP insurance is compulsory, but it won’t help with the cost of damage to cars or property – even your own.26
When weighing up additional levels of cover, you might want to think about the following questions:27
- Could you live without your car if it got written off or stolen?
- Could you afford to repair or replace your car without insurance?27
And even if your own car isn’t worth a lot of money, a third party policy could help you avoid having to pay hefty out-of-pocket costs for damage you might cause to other people’s cars or property if you’re involved in an accident that’s your fault.26
How much is car insurance for a P-plater?
Car insurance costs vary but, on average and as of July 2025, drivers under 21 pay $3,784 per year, while those aged 21 to 24 pay $2,512.28
“Young, inexperienced drivers are typically considered riskier to insure, which is why their insurance is often a bit more expensive,” explains Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
However, there are some steps you can take that may help to reduce car insurance costs for young people, adds Jackson.
“For example, choosing a car that’s cheaper to repair, increasing your policy’s basic excess, which is the amount you’d have to pay if you make a claim, and maintaining a safe driving record might all help contribute to a lower premium,” she says.
Knowing more about the restrictions that apply when you’re driving on a provisional licence can make it easier to enjoy that new-found freedom out on the road. And, if you’re hunting around for P-plater car insurance that perfectly fits your needs as a new driver, consider giving us a call on 13 9684 or starting a quote online.
1 Source: NSW Government – Provisional P1 licence
2 Source: Office of Road Safety – Rules for P plate drivers by State and Territory, May 2025
3 Source: NSW Government – Provisional P2 licence
4 Source: National Road Safety Data Hub – Younger Australians, September 2024
5 Source: news.com.au – Australian road safety data: Seniors at more risk than young drivers, February 2025
6 Source: NSW Government – Getting your driver licence
7 Source: carsales – L-plate and P-plate rules across Australia, July 2022
8 Source: Transport for NSW – Vehicle restrictions
9 Source: Qld Government – P1 provisional licence, January 2026
10 Source: Qld Government – P2 provisional licence, January 2026
11 Source: Qld Government Department of Transport and Main Roads – Queensland P1 and P2 Approved Cars
12 Source: Transport Victoria – Learner and probationary driver road rules
13 Source: VicRoads – Getting your Ps
14 Source: VicRoads – Probationary vehicles database
15 Source: WA Government Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure – Driving on your P Plates, October 2025
16 Source: My Licence SA – P1 provisional licence
17 Source: My Licence SA – P2 provisional licence
18 Source: My Licence SA – High powered vehicles
19 Source: ACT Government City Services – Learner and provisional driver safety
20 Source: Plates Plus Tasmania – P1 restrictions
21 Source: Plates Plus Tasmania – Peer passenger restrictions factsheet
22 Source: Plates Plus Tasmania – Mobile phone ban
23 Source: NT Government – Road Users’ Handbook, August 2020
24 Source: ABC News – P-plate drivers restricted to one passenger under new rules called Tom's Law introduced by WA government, October 2024
25 Source: Canstar – Car insurance for P-platers, April 2025
26 Source: Canstar – Do I need car insurance in Australia?, May 2025
27 Source: Moneysmart – Choosing car insurance
28 Source: CHOICE – Best car insurance for drivers under 25, September 2025
