Getting Your P1

Drivers Licence

Check Your Eligibility

The Provisional P1 licence (commonly called Red Ps) is the next step in the NSW graduated licensing scheme after obtaining a learner driver licence. Before applying for your P1 licence, make sure you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Age: You must be at least 17 years old.
• Learner licence status: Hold your learner licence for a minimum of 12 months.
• Driving hours: Complete at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours of night driving, recorded in your Learner Driver Log Book or through an accepted digital logbook app.
• Hazard Perception Test: You must have passed the HPT (Hazard Perception Test).
• Fitness to drive: You must be medically fit and have no disqualifying offences or suspensions that would affect your eligibility.

If you meet these conditions, you’re ready to progress to your provisional P1 licence.

Passing the Hazard Perception Test (HPT)

The Hazard Perception Test (HPT) is a computer-based test that assesses your ability to recognise and respond to potentially dangerous situations on the road. It’s designed to reflect real-life driving scenarios, especially those that new drivers are most likely to encounter.

• Format: You’ll view short video clips of traffic situations and click the mouse when you think it’s safe to take an action (e.g. overtake, turn, or slow down).
• Test fee: As of 1 July 2025, the HPT fee is $57 per attempt, for both online and in-person bookings.
• Booking: You can book online through Service NSW or visit a service centre.

You can take the HPT once you have held your learner licence for at least 10 months. It’s highly recommended to prepare using online resources and practice tests.

Passing the Driving Test

Once you’ve passed the HPT and completed your log book hours, the final step to earning your P1 licence is passing the practical driving test.

Booking the driving test

• Where to book: Use the Service NSW website to choose a testing centre, date, and time.
• Documents needed:
  • Valid learner licence
  • Completed log book (or verified digital log)
  • Hazard Perception Test pass confirmation
  • Payment method for the test fee (expect to pay $70 for the driving test, plus $72 for a 12-month P1 licence – as of July 2025).
• Vehicle requirements:
  • Must be roadworthy and legally registered
  • Can be automatic or manual (note that if you pass in an automatic car, your licence will be restricted to automatics)
  • Must have L plates displayed at the time of the test

After you pass

Congratulations! Once you pass the driving test, you’ll be issued a Provisional P1 licence, often referred to as a probationary licence.

• You’ll receive a licence card with a white background and red ‘P’.
• Your licence is valid for 18 months, but you can apply for a P2 licence after holding your P1 for 12 months, provided you haven’t committed any suspensions or disqualifying offences.
• You’ll need to display red P plates clearly on the front and back of your vehicle at all times when driving.

Rules for Provisional P1 Licence

P1 licence holders are subject to strict conditions aimed at reducing road risks for inexperienced drivers. These rules must be followed at all times:

• Maximum speed limit: 90 km/h, regardless of the signposted limit.
• Zero blood alcohol: Absolutely no alcohol in your system while driving.
• Mobile phones: You cannot use a mobile phone at all while driving, including for maps, speaker mode, or hands-free.
• Driving restrictions:
  • Must only drive vehicles of the class your licence covers (e.g. car class C).
  • You must not tow a trailer over 250kg unless supervised by a full licence holder.
  • You must not drive a prohibited high-performance vehicle unless officially exempted. Check restrictions here.
• Display your plates: Red P plates must be displayed clearly on the front and back of your vehicle.
• Carry your licence: Always carry your licence card when driving.

Failure to follow these conditions can result in demerit points, fines, suspension, or loss of licence.

Passengers of P1 drivers

The peer passenger condition:

One of the unique restrictions for P1 drivers in NSW is the peer passenger condition. This rule is in place to reduce risk by limiting distractions and peer influence.

• Between 11pm and 5am, P1 drivers can only carry one passenger aged under 21 who is not an immediate family member.
• This rule applies regardless of the number of seatbelts in the vehicle.
• Immediate family members include:
  • Siblings
  • Spouse or partner
  • Children
  • Step-children
• If you’re found in breach of the peer passenger condition, penalties may include fines and suspension of your P1 licence.

Licence offences and consequences

Even minor infractions can have serious consequences for P1 drivers. As a new driver, you’re under greater scrutiny and stricter rules.

Demerit points

• P1 drivers must not exceed 4 demerit points in any 12-month period. Reaching this limit triggers a 3-month suspension or refusal to renew your licence.
• Common offences that attract points:
  • Mobile phone use while driving: 5 points
  • Speeding: minimum 4 points
  • Failing to display P plates: 2 points

Demerit points stay on your record for 3 years, so one offence can have long-term consequences.

Speeding offences

Speeding is a major risk factor for young drivers and is treated seriously under P1 licence conditions:

• Any speeding offence, no matter how minor, will result in:
  • A minimum of 4 demerit points
  • An immediate 3-month suspension
  • Possible fine (from $130 to $2,000+, depending on severity)
• Multiple offences or higher speeds can lead to longer suspension or disqualification.

If your licence is suspended

If you receive a notice of suspension:

• You cannot drive at all during the suspension period.
• Driving while suspended is a serious offence that can result in court action and longer penalties.
• Once your suspension is complete, you must follow all conditions as if you never left the provisional stage.

If your licence is disqualified

Disqualification is more severe than suspension and usually results from court action due to serious or repeated offences.

• You must reapply for your P1 licence after disqualification.
• This may include re-taking the driving test.
• Your 12-month P1 period restarts, even if you were close to progressing to P2.

Liquor Act offences

Driving under the influence of alcohol as a P1 driver has zero tolerance under the law.

• Any detection of alcohol (even under 0.02) will result in:
  • Immediate suspension
  • Heavy fines
  • Possible court penalties
• Offences under the Liquor Act can include:
  • Drinking while supervising a learner
  • Supplying alcohol to underage passengers in a vehicle
  • Driving after alcohol consumption (even hours later)

Stay safe: never mix drinking and driving, even the morning after a night out.

What’s next after Red Ps?

Once you’ve held your provisional P1 licence for at least 12 months and have remained free from licence suspensions or disqualifications, you’re eligible to progress to a Provisional P2 licence (Green Ps).

To get your P2 licence:

• Ensure you’ve completed 12 months of P1 driving.
• Apply online or visit a Service NSW centre.
• Pay the P2 licence fee ($112 for 3 years, as of 2025).
• You will not need to take another driving test unless your P1 licence was disqualified or expired.

Once you’ve obtained your P2 licence, restrictions will be slightly relaxed, but key rules like zero alcohol tolerance and passenger safety still apply.

Final Tips

Transitioning from a learner driver to a P1 driver is an exciting milestone — but with it comes increased responsibility and a need for greater awareness on the road. As a P1 driver, your focus should be on building real-world experience, avoiding distractions, and following all conditions to stay safe and protect your licence.

Learn with Confidence at LTrent Driving School

At LTrent Driving School, we’ve helped thousands of learner drivers in NSW prepare for their provisional licence. Our accredited driving instructors guide you through every step — from logbook hours and HPT prep to mastering the driving test.

Whether you’re learning in an automatic or manual car, we offer tailored lessons that build your skills and confidence on the road. Book your lesson today and take the next step towards driving independence with LTrent.

Related Pages

NSW Driver Licence Guide
NSW P1 Licence
NSW P2 Licence