There are two types of minimum learner permit holding time exemptions:
1. Hardship
Your application will be considered if the nature of your essential activities, occupation, employment or family circumstances means that minimum learner permit holding time would cause you or your family undue hardship. These minimum periods are:
- under 21 – 12 months
- 21 to 25 – 6 months
- over 25 – 3 months
2. Previous experience
Your application will be considered if you have sufficient previous driving experience (interstate and overseas experience will be considered*).
*Note: You don’t need to apply for an exemption if:
- you’ve already held an interstate learner permit for the minimum time required to apply for a Victorian licence, and
- your interstate learner permit was current (not expired etc) when you obtained a Victorian learner permit
You can bring in your interstate learner permit to a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. You will need to make an appointment. Your learner permit needs to be in English or accompanied by an English translation which must be NAATI approved. Please call us on 13 11 71 for more information.
Step 1: Eligibility for your exemption to be considered
You can only apply for an exemption if you:
- are at least 18 years of age
- hold a current Victorian learner permit
- have a clean driving record
- can demonstrate undue hardship or provide proof of previous driving experience
Step 2: Prepare the correct forms and documents for your exemption
The form you use will depend on the category of exemption.
Download and complete the relevant learner permit minimum holding time exemption application form:
You’ll need to provide us with electronic copies of supporting documents to demonstrate the reason for your exemption.
Hardship exemption
To support your application, you can provide:
- education: a letter from your educational institution or course coordinator verifying your student status, dates and times of attendance and identifying the hardship
- employment: a letter from your employer verifying your employment and identifying the hardship
- family circumstances: a letter from a relevant authority (medical practitioner, parish priest etc) describing the impact on the family
Previous driving experience exemption
To support your application, you need to provide documentation that supports your previous driving experience.
Step 3: Submit your application to us
When you’ve completed your exemption application form and have your supporting documents, you'll need to submit them to us for processing.
You can submit the paperwork by uploading your form and supporting documents online (External link)
You’ll need to make a payment of $63.60 (VISA or MasterCard) plus a card payment fee (0.54%) when you submit your application.
When you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive an email from us. This email will include an application reference number, contact details and receipt number (if payment was made).
Step 4: Outcome of your exemption application
We’ll contact you within 15 working days of receiving your application. If you don't get a response after this time, please call 13 11 71 and provide us with your driver licence or learner permit number and the exemption application number.
We’ll notify you in writing of the outcome of your application. Any exemption granted may result in us imposing conditions on your driver licence for a specified time.
Conditions may include:
- limiting the carriage of passengers
- limiting your travel routes and distances
- restricted driving times in the day
- restricted driving days of the week
There are no reviews or refunds of rejected exemption applications.