Displaying P-plates
P1 licence holders
The holder of a car or motorbike (class C, RE or R) P1 type licence must clearly display
red P-plates (PDF, 21 KB) on their car or motorbike. This applies to:
- P1 provisional licence holders
- P1 probationary licence holders
- P1 restricted licence holders.
P2 licence holders
The holder of a car or motorbike (class C, RE or R) P2 type licence must clearly display
green P-plates (PDF, 21 KB) on their car or motorbike. This applies to:
- P2 provisional licence holders
- P2 probationary licence holders
- P2 restricted licence holders†.
| Plate colour | Who must display | What the plate must look like |
|---|
| Red |
The holder of a C, RE or R class: - P1 provisional licence
- P1 probationary licence
- P1 restricted licence
must display a red P-plate when driving a car or riding a motorbike on a road. |
A plate or sign with: - an area measuring at least 14.6 centimetres (cm) by 14.6 cm
- a red upper case letter 'P' clearly marked on a white background.
|
| Green |
The holder of a C, RE or R class: - P2 provisional licence
- P2 probationary licence
- P2 restricted licence
must display a green P-plate when driving a car or riding a motorbike on a road. |
A plate or sign with: - an area measuring at least 14.6 cm by 14.6 cm
- a green upper case letter 'P' clearly marked on a white background.
|
P-plate specifications
A P-plate is a plate that features an uppercase red letter 'P' or an uppercase green letter 'P' on a white background. You can buy P-plates from service stations, major retailers and automotive outlets. Check with your local supplier for cost.
You can also download and print a
red P-plates (PDF, 21 KB) or a
green P-plates (PDF, 21 KB). When printing the P-plate template use a colour printer, white A4 paper or card and ensure the page scaling is set to 'None'.
The minimum size and colour of a P-plate is 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm. The P-plate may be larger than the minimum size requirement of 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm but not so large that it will obscure your view when driving.
How the plate must be fitted
A P-plate must be fitted:
- to the front and rear of the car (rear only for motorbikes)
- so the 'P' character is visible on each plate from 20 metres (m) away at any point within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of each 'P' plate above or to either side of the car or motorbike.
Penalties
The display of P-plates lets other drivers know that you are a novice driver. It also assists enforcement officers identify which drivers are placed on restrictions and what these restrictions are. Failure to display P-plates incurs a A$160 fine and two demerit points.
It is an offence to display P-plates on a vehicle if you are not the holder of a P1 or P2 type provisional or probationary licence. Doing so carries a penalty of A$80.
†Since 1 July 2010, the holder of a provisional or probationary licence is no longer eligible to apply for a restricted licence.
