A car learner permit allows you to drive a car on the road with an experienced driver while you are learning to drive. The learner permit is valid for 10 years or until you obtain a driver licence.

The new Victorian driver licence
From late November 2009, VicRoads is introducing a new and more secure learner permit, probationary driver licence and driver licence. When you obtain a new permit or licence, renew or replace your licence from late November 2009, your card will be mailed to you in about a week from payment. Select the image above or click here for more information.

New laws for new drivers: Victoria introduced a new Graduated Licensing System (GLS) to help young drivers be safer drivers. The GLS was implemented in three stages over eighteen months (January 2007, July 2007 and July 2008). For more information visit gls.arrivealive.vic.gov.au.

Select any of the links below to learn more about getting a learner permit.

Can I get a learner permit? 
Exemption from a learner permit
Learner permit restrictions
Additional restrictions from 1 July 2007
Exemption from the learner permit minimum holding period
Study material
Make an appointment for your test
Transfer or cancel an appointment
Learner permit test
Fees
The Learner Kit
Evidence of identity
Forms
Driving on your learner permit
Experienced driver


Can I get a learner permit? 
You must be at least 16 years of age and a Victorian resident to be eligible to apply for a learner permit. You will need to pass a car learner permit test at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.

Exemption from a learner permit 
From 9 Nov 2009 there are new rules about overseas drivers and their requirement to hold a learner permit. Similar rules apply to Australian drivers who have held an Australian licence but not the last 5 years.

You will not be required to hold a learner permit to undergo a drive test if: 

• You are driving the vehicle to have your driving skills assessed, and,
• the person conducting the test holds an Australian driver licence for the category of vehicle being driven.

Learner permit restrictions 
All learner permit holders will be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

• must display L plates on the front and rear of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 20 metres
• must be accompanied by an experienced driver at all times while driving. (see Experienced driver section below)
• must have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at all times while driving
• must carry learner permit at all times while driving
• must not use a mobile phone, including hands free, hand held and messaging while driving

Holding period restrictions and supervised driving experience 
The following restrictions will also apply to learner permit holders: 

• if you are under the age of 21, you will be required to complete a minimum of 120 hours (including at least 10 hours at night) of driving with an experienced driver before you  take your licence test. You must record these hours in an official Learner Log Book which must be signed by you and your experienced driver
• if you are under 21 years of age, you must hold your learner permit for at least twelve months
• if you are 21 years of age or over but under 25 years of age, you must hold your learner permit for at least six months
• if you are 25 years of age or over you must hold your learner permit for at least three months

• book online
• call VicRoads on 13 11 71 (Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5.00pm, Sat 8.30am - 2.00pm). You can pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard)
• visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. You can pay by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card.

Important: You must bring the appropriate evidence of identity documents with you when you sit your learner permit test. If you do not have the appropriate evidence of identity documents, you will be unable to sit the test and forfeit your appointment and test fees. If you have a medical condition, you will also be required to provide a medical report and clearance from VicRoads Medical Review prior to you sitting the learner permit test.

Transfer or cancel an appointment  Only the appointment holder can change their appointment. If you want to change your appointment you will need to pay another appointment fee. The test fee can be transferred to a new time (or refunded if the test is cancelled) if at least 24 hours notice is given. Failure to provide at least 24 hours notice will result in you forfeiting your appointment and test fees.

The learner permit test 
To get your learner permit you need to pass a learner permit knowledge test and an eyesight test at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. The knowledge test is conducted on computer and consists of 32 multiple choice questions based on road law information in the Road to Solo Driving handbook. You will need to correctly answer at least 25 questions (78%) to pass. Before you attempt the learner permit test, you can do a practice test online.

You can take the test in one of 20 different languages including English. The languages available are:

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Fees 
Please refer to driver licence and learner permit fees for the information on the following fees:

• Appointment
• Learner permit test
• Learner permit card

There are no concessions available for appointment, test or learner permit fees.

The Learner Kit
The Learner Kit which includes the Guide for Learners with a Learner Log Book and the Guide for Supervising Drivers, is available free of charge to all learner drivers who obtain their learner permit for the first time from 1 July 2007. These guides outline the roles and responsibilities for both learning and supervising drivers. Please see the Learner Kit page for more information.

Evidence of identity 
On the day of your test you need to bring original evidence of identity documents. You must provide:

• one primary evidence document (e.g. Australian birth certificate or passport)
• one secondary evidence document (e.g. Medicare card, credit/account card, student identity card, bank statement)
• evidence of residence (if not indicated in the primary or secondary documents)

One of these documents must have your signature on it.

Forms 
You will need to complete a Licence or Learner Permit application form [PDF, 93KB].

You will also be required to complete the forms below if you have a particular medical condition. If you are not sure if you need to complete these forms, please call VicRoads Medical Review on 9854 2407.

Eyesight Report [PDF, 138 KB]
Medical Report for Drivers [PDF, 32 KB]
Psychiatric Report for Drivers [PDF, 28 KB]

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Driving on your learner permit 
After you pass your learner permit test and get your learner permit you can drive a car under certain restrictions and conditions.

Experienced driver 
After you get your learner permit to drive on the road, you must have a supervising driver seated beside you at all times while driving. The supervising driver must be an experienced driver who holds:

• a current Victorian full (not probationary) driver licence which authorises the person to drive that motor vehicle, or
• a current interstate or overseas (not probationary or provisional) driver licence in English (or with an English Translation or International Driving Permit) for the category of motor vehicle being driven by the learner driver

All experienced drivers must carry their driver licence with them, and are subject to a 0.05 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) requirement (supervising drivers with an alcohol interlock restriction and authorised Driving Instructors must have a zero BAC) when supervising a learner driver.

Supervising drivers must also complete their details in the 'List for Supervising Drivers' and 'Declaration of Completion' in your Learner Log Book.

Note: An experienced driver with licence restrictions such as hand controls, automatic transmission, alcohol interlock etc is not prohibited from being the supervising driver for a learner driver. The supervising driver must not contravene any provision of the restriction.

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