Thursday, 5 June, 2008

Media Release
From the Minister for Roads and Ports

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas today announced the distribution of 250,000 green P plates free to Victoria’s probationary drivers and riders currently using the standard red P plates.

The mail out of new, green P plates comes as Victorian probationary and learner drivers prepare for the introduction of phase three of the new Graduated Licensing System (GLS).

Mr Pallas said that phase three of the GLS will see the most important and far reaching changes to Victoria’s driver licensing system since 1969, when the probationary licence was introduced.

“When fully implemented, the changes under the GLS are expected to reduce the number of people injured in crashes by up to 800 per year, including 12 fewer deaths,” Mr Pallas said.

The Graduated Licensing System includes a new four-year, two-stage probationary licence system, as opposed to the current single stage licensing system.

The new system also requires young drivers to gain more driving experience before they sit their license. Drivers will need to have 120 hours of driving experience – including at least 10 hours at night – before they go for their licence.

If they pass, motorists will receive a P1 licence followed by a three-year P2 licence. The P1 licence holder will use red plates and the P2 holder will use green plates.

Mr Pallas said the GLS had been specifically designed to address the dangers young people face on the road.

“Probationary drivers are involved in casualty crashes at three times the rate of more experienced drivers – that’s about one-third of Victoria’s road toll,” Mr Pallas said.

“Our research tells us that the first 12 months of solo driving is the most dangerous time for a probationary driver and that probationary drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash when carrying two or more passengers.

“These new measures will help reduce these risks and protect young drivers on our roads.”

Mr Pallas said he was pleased to announce that Vic Roads was sending free green P plates to replace the red P plates probationary drivers are currently using.

“A green P package, including a pair of green P plates and information explaining these changes is now being mailed to the 250,000 probationary licence holders in Victoria,” he said.

Victorian probationary licence holders will need to replace their old red plates with the new green plates on 1 July 2008 but not before then. Any probationary licence holder who obtained their P plates prior to 1 July 2008 automatically becomes a P2 licence holder with green P plates.

If a probationary driver, motorcyclist or scooter rider has not received their free green P plates by 20 June, they should contact their local VicRoads Customer Service Centre.

For more information visit www.gls.arrivealive.vic.gov.au