Minimum age for a car driving licence in Victoria (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Victoria issues a learner permit from 16 and a probationary licence from 18. Under 21 the permit must be held for 12 months with 120 logged hours of supervised driving (20 at night). P1 drivers may carry only one passenger aged 16 to 21.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence18 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence16 years [2]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licenceBefore a probationary licence the learner permit must be held continuously for 12 months if under 21 (6 months if 21 to under 25, 3 months if 25 or older), and under 21 the driver must have logged 120 hours of supervised driving (including 20 at night). The Hazard Perception Test and a drive test follow. A driver under 21 receives a 4-year probationary licence (12 months at P1, 3 years at P2); from 21 it is a P2 licence for 3 years. [3]
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified
Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence16 years [2]
Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licenceUnder 21: at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours of night driving, logged in the myLearners app or a log book. [3]
Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence⚠ Not yet verified
Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licenceA P1 driver must not carry more than one passenger aged 16 to under 22 (the peer passenger restriction). A spouse or domestic partner and a sibling or step-sibling are not counted. [1]
Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licenceProbationary licence: the Hazard Perception Test and a drive test, which includes an eyesight test. [3]
How long the licence is validCar (category B) driving licenceA learner permit is valid for 10 years or until the Ps are obtained. [2]

Notes

  • Victoria: licences are issued in stages. The minimum age shown is that of the probationary licence, the first licence that allows driving without a supervisor; the learner permit is shown separately.

Sources

  1. Transport Victoria: Learner and probationary driver road rules - Transport Victoria (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 October 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. VicRoads: How to get your Ls | VicRoads (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 July 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. VicRoads: How to get your Ps | VicRoads (Internet Archive snapshot of 9 June 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Victoria

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence; small amounts max 5 penalty units · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, CDS Vic · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Any amount of THC is an offence · THC threshold: Any amount of THC
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licensed only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, if living in Victoria under 6 months · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Convert if living in Victoria 6+ months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Controlled weapon; excuse needed · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted/built-in only; L/P: none
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: One per level, plus by bedrooms
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.