Community
29 July, 2023
Applying for your L's
Being able to get behind the wheel and drive is an exciting time for any teenager.
The independence that comes with a licence, together with the responsibilities that carries, is an important milestone and one that is forever treasured.
But even before that big day arrives, gaining a learner’s permit – being given the opportunity to drive on our roads – is just as exciting for any teenager.
In Victoria you must be at least 16 years old and a Victorian resident to be eligible to apply for a learner permit.
You will need to pass a car learner permit test at a VicRoads customer service centre.
This involves a learner permit knowledge test and an eyesight test.
The knowledge test is conducted on computer and consists of 32 multiple choice questions based on road law information in the Road to Solo Driving handbook. You will need to correctly answer at least 25 questions (78 per cent) to pass.
Before you attempt the learner permit test, you can do a practice test online.
The learner kit, which includes the Guide for Learners with a learner log book and the Guide for Supervising Drivers, is available free of charge to all learner drivers who obtain their learner permit for the first time.
These guides outline the roles and responsibilities for both learning and supervising drivers.
When you pass your learner permit test you can drive a car under certain restrictions and conditions:
You must display L plates on the front and rear of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 20 metres.
You must be accompanied by an experienced driver at all times while driving.
You must have a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at all times while driving and carry your learner permit at all times while driving.
You must not tow a trailer or vehicle.
If you are under the age of 21, you will be required to complete a minimum of 120 hours (including at least 10 hours at night) of driving with an experienced driver before you take your licence test.
You must record these hours in an official Learner Logbook which must be signed by you and your experienced driver.
And if under 21, you must also hold your learner permit for at least twelve months.
After you get your learner permit to drive on the road, you must have a supervising driver seated beside you at all times while driving.
The supervising driver must be an experienced driver who holds a current full licence.
When supervising a learner driver, all experienced drivers are subject to a 0.05 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) requirement and must not drink a beverage containing alcohol while supervising.
Supervising drivers must also complete their details in the ‘List for Supervising Drivers’ and ‘Declaration of Completion’ in your Learner Log Book.
