Driver & TransportExamRoo practice revision sheet

Novice Driver Speed Caps, Phone Rules & Demerit Limits by State

Learner and provisional rules compared for NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA

Based on: Transport for NSW, VicRoads, Queensland TMR, WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport•3 min read (Printable)•Sources checked 14 October 2026

Learner and Provisional Speed Caps by State

Some states cap novice drivers below the posted limit. Where a state lists no cap, the posted speed limit applies as it does to every driver.

State	Learner (L)	First provisional stage (P1 / red P)	Later provisional stage (P2 / green P)
New South Wales	90 km/h maximum	90 km/h maximum	100 km/h maximum
Victoria	No separate cap in the L conditions (posted limit applies)	No separate cap in the P1 conditions (posted limit applies)	No separate cap in the P2 conditions (posted limit applies)
Queensland	No separate cap in the L rules (posted limit applies)	No separate cap in the P restrictions (posted limit applies)	No separate cap in the P restrictions (posted limit applies)
Western Australia	100 km/h maximum	Up to 110 km/h where that is the posted limit	Up to 110 km/h where that is the posted limit
South Australia	100 km/h maximum	100 km/h maximum	100 km/h maximum

Note: Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory are not covered on this sheet. Check the licensing authority in those jurisdictions.

Demerit Point Limits by State

Reaching the limit (not just going past it) triggers a suspension, disqualification or choice notice in each state below.

State	Learner	Provisional	Full / open licence
New South Wales	4 points	P1: 4 points. P2: 7 points	13 points (professional drivers can apply for 14). Offences counted within a 3-year period
Victoria	5 points in any 12 months, or 12 in any 3 years	5 points in any 12 months, or 12 in any 3 years	12 points in any 3 years
Queensland	4 or more points in a continuous 1-year period (3-month suspension)	4 or more points in a continuous 1-year period (choose suspension or a good driving behaviour period)	12 or more points within 3 years
Western Australia	Novice drivers: 4 points in the first year of holding a licence (first-time learners count as Type 1)	Novice drivers: 4 points in the first year, then 8 points until two years licensed	12 or more points in a 3-year period
South Australia	4 or more points during the learner's permit period	4 or more points during the provisional licence period	12 or more points in any 3-year period

Mobile Phone Rules for Novice Drivers

NSW: learner, P1 and P2 drivers must not use a mobile phone at all while driving, even when stopped at lights or in traffic. This includes hands-free (Bluetooth) and phones in a holder.
NSW full licence: a phone may be used only for calls and audio via Bluetooth, or for calls, audio and driver's aids (such as maps) in a commercially manufactured holder fixed to the vehicle. It must never be held in the hand.
VIC: learner and P drivers must not touch or use voice controls on a hand-held or mounted phone. Simple audio and navigation adjustments are allowed only on a device built into the car.
QLD: learners under 25 and P1 drivers under 25 must not use hands-free kits, Bluetooth, wireless headsets or loudspeaker. P2 drivers and P1 drivers aged 25 and over may use a phone hands-free.
SA: learner and P1 drivers must not use any function of a mobile phone while driving. P2 drivers may use a phone within the general road rules.
WA: the handbook sets one phone rule for all drivers: calls only with the phone in a fixed mounting or operated without touching it, and no texts, emails or video messages while driving.

Note: Double demerit points: NSW and WA apply them in holiday periods (in NSW, for example, to speeding, seatbelt and phone offences). In Queensland they apply all year to repeat offences, such as a second phone offence within 12 months.