Rules For P2 Drivers NSW
There are specific rules for P2 drivers NSW to follow when driving in New South Wales. In addition to complying with the NSW Road Rules, you must:
- Use mobile phones for calls and audio only. The phone must be securely mounted, or you must use an automated audio device. Touching a phone (eg text or video functions) is against the law
- Have P plates displayed (green P on a white background) clearly on the front and back of the vehicle, on the outside. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden. If you’re towing a trailer, a P plate must be on the back of the trailer
- Observe a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h, and observe the posted speed limit where it’s below 100 km/h
- Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration. This means you cannot have any alcohol in your system when you drive a vehicle. It’s also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs
- Not supervise a learner driver
- Ensure all occupants, including yourself, are in a seat that has a seatbelt or an approved restraint fitted, and that each passenger is using the seatbelt or restraint.
Failure to comply is an offence and carries heavy penalties, including loss of licence.
Demerit points
Demerit points apply to P2 drivers. Your P2 licence will be suspended or refused if you reach or exceed 7 demerit points.
Speeding offences
If you commit any speeding offence you’ll receive a minimum of 4 demerit points. A suspension or refusal period also applies for any excessive speed offence (more than 30km/h over the speed limit).
Passenger Conditions Rules For P2 Drivers NSW
If you’ve been disqualified for any driving offence committed on or after 11 July 2005, once you return from the disqualification period you must not carry more than one passenger at any time while driving. This condition will apply for 12 months. This is known as the ‘one passenger condition’.
You may apply for an exemption by attending a registry or service centre in person, completing the P1/P2 passenger or vehicle exemption form (PDF, 305Kb) and paying the application fee.
Exemptions from the one passenger condition will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. You must provide reasons why your situation is exceptional.
If an exemption is granted, it will be limited to specific circumstances such as employment, and may also be limited to certain vehicles.
You must notify Roads and Maritime within 14 days if you have changed any circumstances which affect your exemption, including if you no longer require the exemption, or if the exemption letter needs replacing. A further fee may apply.
Prohibited Vehicles Rules For P2 Drivers NSW
Prohibited vehicle conditions apply to provisional licence holders to keep novice drivers safe on our roads.
From 1 August 2014, a high performance vehicle is defined as a vehicle which:
- Has a power to tare mass ratio (PMR) of greater than 130 kilowatts per tonne or
- Has had a significant engine modification, or
- Is listed in the Roads and Maritime Services document Novice Driver- High Performance Vehicle Restrictions as a high-performance vehicle.
Note: An exception from the prohibited vehicles condition is the person:
- Obtained a provisional licence before 1 Aug 2014 and continues to hold that licence, and
- The vehicle they are driving is now prohibited under the above definition, but was not previously prohibited under the previous definition.
You must not drive a banned vehicle unless you have been issued with an exemption.
You may apply for an exemption by attending a registry or service centre in person, completing the P1/P2 passenger or vehicle exemption form and paying the application fee.
An exemption from the prohibited vehicle condition may be granted if:
- A prohibited vehicle needs to be driven for genuine employment purposes
- A 4-wheel-drive vehicle with power to tare mass ratio (PMR) greater than 130 kilowatts per tonne is required by a country driver who has no practical alternative
If an exemption is granted, you must carry the exemption letter issued by Roads and Maritime Services while driving the vehicle.
You must notify Roads and Maritime within 14 days if you have changed any circumstances which affect your exemption, including if you no longer require the exemption, or if the exemption letter needs replacing. A further fee may apply.
Upgrading to a heavy vehicle licence
If you hold a P2 licence, you can upgrade to a heavy vehicle licence of classes LR, MR or HR. See Getting a heavy vehicle licence for more information.
Progressing to a full licence
Once you’ve held your P2 licence for at least 24 months, you can progress to the next licence stage and apply for a full driver licence.
If your licence is suspended
Any period that your P2 licence is suspended is not counted towards your full licence. This means that if your licence is suspended, you must hold your P2 licence for an additional period equal to the suspension, before you can apply for a full licence.
Court disqualification
If you’re disqualified from driving by a court while on your P2 licence, the law operates to immediately and permanently cancel your licence. In these circumstances, the time you’ve accumulated is forfeited. This means that when the disqualification period ends, you’ll have to apply for a new P2 licence and complete the 24 months again, before you can apply for a full licence.
Liquor Act offences
It’s an offence under section 129 of the Liquor Act 2007 to use false documents to gain access to licensed premises or to purchase alcohol. If you’re convicted of such an offence while holding a P2 licence, you’ll be required to hold your P2 licence for an additional six months, therefore 30 months in total.
