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Driving on your P plates
Find out the rules for driving or riding on your provisional licence.
From 1 December 2024, red P-platers will only be allowed to travel with one passenger in their vehicle at all times. Read more about the new rules from red P platers.
Once you pass your practical driving assessment (PDA), you will be issued with your provisional licence – also known as your ‘P plates.’
You will be on a provisional licence for 2 years or until you turn 19 years of age, whichever period is longer.
Once you have your provisional licence, you can drive without a supervising driver or rider.
Rules for P plate drivers
Driving or riding solo is a new skill and comes with responsibilities.
While driving or riding on your P plates, you must:
- follow the Western Australian road rules
- always display P plates
- not drive between midnight and 5AM for the first 6 months of your provisional licence (exemptions for driving to or from work or study may apply.)
- have only one passenger in your vehicle at all times while on your red P plates (exemptions apply.)
- have a blood alcohol content of 0.00%.
Red P plate passenger restrictions
Red P plate drivers in Western Australia will only be allowed to travel with one passenger in their vehicles at all times.
Exemptions to the new law
There are three exemptions to the passenger limit law which will only apply if:
- the additional passengers include a driver who has held a full C-class licence for at least four years; or
- other passengers are immediate family members (immediate family include a spouse, de facto partner, child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, grandparent or step-grandparent of the person driving the vehicle); or
- if additional passengers are in the vehicle as a necessary requirement of the driver's employment (paid or unpaid). For this to apply, a letter from the driver's employer must be carried by the red P-Plate driver for presentation on request (see Employment exemption information below).
Please note: You do not need to apply for these exemptions however, you will be required to show proof that you and your passengers meet these requirements to WA police on request.
Employment exemption information
If it is a requirement of your employment to drive with more than one passenger in your vehicle, you are eligible for an exemption to the red P plate passenger limit. You do not need to apply for this exemption. However, you are required to have a letter from your employer to present to WA Police when requested.
The Passenger Restriction Exemption form (E190) can be used by your employer to support this exemption, or used as a guide for them to create their own letter confirming they require you to drive with more than one passenger for your employment.
If your employer creates their own letter, please ensure it includes the following:
- Your full name and driver's licence details
- Company or employer name
- Contact information of the employer
- ABN or ACN details (if applicable)
- Reasons for transporting more passengers
- Who the additional passengers are (if known).
If the additional passengers already meet the requirements of the other exemptions, they do not need to be listed in this letter.
| Passenger restrictions and exemption infographic | Kb | |
| Passenger restriction exemption form (E190) | Kb | |
Displaying your P plates
While driving or riding on your provisional licence you must also display:
- red P plates for the first 6 months your provisional licence
- green P plates for the remaining 18 months or until you turn 19 years of age, whichever period is longer.
| P plates: green (printable) | Kb | |
| P plates: red (printable) | Kb | |
Night time driving restrictions
While driving or riding on your P plates, you must not drive between midnight and 5.00am for the first 6 months of your provisional licence, unless you are travelling:
- to or from employment, or in the course of employment, and by the shortest route practicable
- to or from school, by the shortest route practicable.
If you need to travel from employment or school, your journey should start as soon as possible after your employment or school ends.
If you are stopped by a Police Officer, you must be able to provide evidence you meet these exceptions (for example, a letter from the employer or the school/education institution.)
If you cannot provide evidence, penalties may apply.
Demerit points
Under the demerit point system, a person is considered a novice driver until they have held a driver's licence for at least 2 years.
A novice driver type 1 is someone who has held a driver's licence for at least one year or periods adding up to one year, and includes first-time learner's permit holders.
A novice driver type 2 is someone who has held a driver's licence for more than one year but less than 2 years.
As a novice driver, your learner’s permit or provisional licence may be suspended or disqualified if you accrue:
- 4 demerit points from the issue of your learner’s permit until the end first year of your provisional licence, and/or
- 8 demerit points until the end of your second year of your provisional licence.
Check your demerit points
You can check how many demerit points you have using our online demerit point tool.
How to reduce your crash risk
Learner and P-plate drivers are at a higher risk of crashing due to their inexperience and potential risk-taking. Learn about some of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury crashes and ways to stay safe on the road.
Distractions
Being distracted behind the wheel – particularly by using a mobile phone – is dangerous. Stay 100% focused on driving and stay safe.
Seatbelts
Wearing a seatbelt is one of easiest ways to protect yourself. Remember: you can only carry the same number of passengers as available seatbelts. Belt up for every trip – your life depends on it.
Speed
Speed affects both the risk of being involved in a crash and the outcomes if a crash occurs. Slow down and save lives.
More tips for safe driving
The first few years of driving solo as a new driver or rider is the time you are most at risk of having a crash. While you are still gaining experience as a solo driver it is important to limit the risks you take.
Always abide by the rules for novice drivers as well as the general road rules:
- Never drive after drinking or taking drugs or medication that may affect your driving.
- Avoid driving tired.
- Ask passengers to be quiet if you’re having difficulty concentrating while driving.
- Keep up your good habits, like scanning for potential hazards and leaving a safe distance when following another car.
Getting your full licence
When your provisional licence period is almost complete, you will be sent a renewal notice with the option to renew your licence.
After paying the renewal, you will be issued with your full licence which will come into effect once your provisional licence period is complete.
Safe driver reward (free licence renewal)
If you do not commit any traffic offences while on your provisional licence, you will be rewarded with a free licence renewal for one year.
When you receive your first full licence renewal notice it will offer a one-year free renewal option.
The $0 fee amount must be processed using one of the following payment methods:
- using our online payment system
- DoTDirect
- by post
- by phone
- in person, at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre, regional agent or photopoint location.
Drivers who remain demerit point free for a further year (i.e., a total of three consecutive years of demerit free driving), will be rewarded with up to a $100 discount off their next driver’s licence renewal either as:
- a $100 discount off a five-year licence; or
- a one-year free licence renewal.