The rules for provisional licensing right across Australia are being tightened this year, and 2025 brings a fresh round of adjustments that all P-Plate Driving Laws need to know. Whether you just cruised through your P-plate test or you’re coaching a student driver, understanding the latest regulations is essential for staying safe and steering clear of damaging fines.
The Two-Tier P-Plate System
Every state and territory sticks to the graduated licensing pathway: drivers shift from learners to P1 (red stickers) and then P2 (green stickers) before getting a full licence. In Victoria, for example, you keep your P1 for one year, then you roll into P2 for another three. These set periods help drivers gain experience step by step, with restrictions easing as you rack up kilometres.
P-plate drivers must keep those plates up whenever the engine’s running. The plates have to be easy to spot from 20 metres away, and while that rule is staying put this year, a few jurisdictions are adding reflective stickers that flash a little extra light when twilight hits.
Tougher Mobile Phone Restrictions
This year’s biggest shake-up zeros in on smartphones. All states have gone full no-phone-for-P-platers, which means Zip. Nada. Not a single tap, scroll, or voice prompt is allowed—even if the car is tied to a Bluetooth cradle.
The penalties for breaking the rules are stiff. In New South Wales, if you get caught using a phone while driving, you’ll face a $387 fine and a sting of five demerit points. That’s more than a warning for P1 drivers: cross the demerit limit and your licence is gone.
“A lot of young drivers think it’s okay if the phone only connects by Bluetooth to play music,” says a senior traffic officer from NSW Police. “Even if it connects without you touching it, you’re still on the hook. The driver is responsible, always.”
Passenger Limits Still Apply
The peer passenger rule is sticking around for 2025. P1 drivers can only carry one passenger aged 16 to 22, and that’s only if the passenger isn’t a member of your immediate family. The limit exists for a simple reason: the more young passengers there are in the car, the higher the crash risk for a new driver.
Statistics prove it: young drivers with several peers in the car are much more likely to end up in serious crashes, especially at night when distractions are hard to manage and judgment slips.
Drug and Alcohol Rules
The zero BAC rule stays in place across the country, meaning P-plate drivers cannot have even the tiniest bit of alcohol in their blood. That goes for drugs as well. If you’re caught driving impaired by any substance, including prescription drugs that affect your ability to drive safely, you’ll get your licence suspended on the spot.
High-Powered Vehicle Restrictions
In 2025, U.S. states agreed on rules about high-performance vehicles. P-plate drivers can’t use cars that have too much power for their weight or that have major engine upgrades. Some quick-launch electric vehicles are now caught by these rules, so be sure to check your ride.
Enhanced Penalties System
The demerit points system for provisional drivers has changed. If you’re on a P-plate, you can’t rack up five points in one year or twelve points in three years. Cross those lines, and your license gets suspended. Repeat these numbers, and the suspension gets longer each time.
Digital Licensing Exceptions
One interesting 2025 change is the digital license rule. P-plate drivers usually can’t touch their phones at all, but police in most states now allow you to show a digital license from your cellphone. That’s the only time you can look at your phone while driving.
Major Driving Alert: Over 60+ New Road Law Changes Rolled Out in Australia From August 2025
