How to Get Your Driver Licence in Australia: NSW, VIC and QLD

To get your driver licence in Australia, you pass a road rules knowledge test to get your learner licence (your Ls) at 16, log supervised driving hours over at least 12 months, pass a Hazard Perception Test and a practical driving test, then drive on provisional P1 (red) and P2 (green) plates before you get a full licence. There is no national licence: each state runs its own system, so the hours, ages and fees depend on where you live.

This guide compares the three most populous states, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, as of 2026. Other states and territories follow a similar path with different details.

The path in three states

Australia drives on the left. The road rules themselves are largely uniform because each state adopts the Australian Road Rules, but licence conditions such as passenger limits and phone rules are state law.

Step 1: Pass the knowledge test and get your Ls

Each state offers an online course with a test at the end, or an in-person test:

• NSW: the online DKT is a 4 to 6 hour course and test you can enrol in from 15 years and 11 months. You apply for your learner licence at 16. The in-person DKT is for those 16 and over.
• Victoria: the online Learner Permit course and test takes about 4 to 6 hours, and your first attempt is free. You can only take the test in person if you need another language or don't have computer access.
• Queensland: the written road rules test has 30 questions in two sections, or you can do PrepL online (around 4 to 6 hours, 27 of 30 to pass).

Our Australian learner knowledge test guide covers formats and pass marks.

Step 2: Supervised driving and your logbook

This is the longest stage. As a learner you display L plates, keep a zero blood alcohol concentration and drive with a supervisor who holds a full licence. Young learners must record supervised hours:

• NSW (under 25): 120 hours including 20 at night, using the Roundtrip app or a paper log book. Lessons with a licensed NSW instructor count triple (up to 10 lesson hours), and the Safer Drivers Course adds 20 hours of credit.
• Victoria (under 21): 120 hours including 20 at night, in the myLearners app or an official log book.
• Queensland (under 25): 100 hours including 10 at night, in the Queensland Learner Logbook app or a paper logbook, submitted at least 12 business days before your driving test.

Our L and P plate rules guide explains what you can and can't do as a learner.

Step 3: The Hazard Perception Test

All three states require you to pass a computer-based Hazard Perception Test (HPT) before your driving test. You watch video clips of traffic and respond by touching or clicking when you'd slow down, overtake or turn. See our Hazard Perception Test guide.

Step 4: The driving test

Once you've met the minimum learner period, logged your hours and passed the HPT, you can book the practical test:

• NSW: you must be at least 17, and under-25s need 12 months on Ls and 120 logged hours.
• Victoria: you must be 18 or older, with your logbook (if under 21) and an HPT pass from the last 12 months. The Drive Test has two on-road stages.
• Queensland: under-25s can book once their logbook is approved, and car learners must pass the HPT first.

You bring your own roadworthy, registered car. Our Australian driving test guide covers what examiners look for and the errors that end a test.

Step 5: P plates and your full licence

After passing, you drive on provisional plates:

• NSW: red P1 for at least 12 months, then green P2 for at least 24 months.
• Victoria: red P1 then green P2. Transport Victoria rewards drivers who finish their four years on P plates with no traffic offences with a free three-year licence.
• Queensland: under-25s hold a P1 for at least one year, then a P2. Drivers 25 and over go straight to P2.

Probationary drivers keep a zero BAC and face tighter phone, passenger and vehicle limits.

How long does it take?

For a 16-year-old in NSW, the minimum path is 12 months on Ls, 12 months on P1 and 24 months on P2: about four years to a full licence. Queensland and Victoria are similar in length. Older learners often move faster because logbook and learner-period requirements ease with age.

Tips for a smoother licence journey

1. Start logging from day one, including night driving, which takes longest to accumulate.
2. Use professional lessons wisely. In NSW they're worth triple hours, up to a limit.
3. Practise in every condition: rain, night, highways and busy city traffic. Our guides to driving in rain, fog and snow and defensive driving help.
4. Check your state's site before you book anything; fees and processes change.

Summary

Australian licensing is state-based but follows the same pattern: knowledge test and Ls at 16, at least a year of supervised, logged driving, a Hazard Perception Test, a driving test, then P1 and P2 plates. NSW and Victoria require 120 logbook hours for young learners and Queensland 100. Always follow your state transport agency's current rules.

About Co-Drive

Co-Drive is an iOS app for learner and new drivers. Its driving technique lessons and defensive driving habits apply on any road; it does not yet include Australian state-specific test practice, and it isn't affiliated with Transport for NSW, Service NSW, VicRoads, Queensland TMR or any other government agency. Find out more.