General News
20 May, 2025
Call to lower P-plate age to 17
A petition calling on the Victorian Government to lower the probationary driving age from 18 to 17 has been extended to October 1, with growing support emerging during National Road Safety Week.
Nationals Member for Northern Victoria, Gaelle Broad, said the extension was timely, as more families, particularly in regional areas, were voicing their frustration over the current age restriction.
“I have heard from many frustrated families who are keen to see the law changed, especially in regional areas where there is limited or no public transport available, and not everyone has someone to act as a taxi service,” she said.
She said the current law impacts opportunities for young people, particularly those seeking apprenticeships.
“I have heard from young people who had to pass up valuable apprenticeships simply because they did not have their licence.
“Some are using NSW addresses so they can get their licence at 17.”
Despite raising the issue in Parliament twice, Ms Broad said the state government has not supported the proposal.
“The Minister believes it is not in the community’s best interests and has cited safety concerns,” she said.
Ms Broad argued that safety can still be prioritised under a reduced licensing age, pointing to the New South Wales model, which includes special driver training programs and safety-focused incentives that she said could be adopted in Victoria.
A 2022 report by parliamentary intern Naylin Al described young Victorians as “severely disadvantaged” by the state’s higher driving age, noting the change would significantly impact education, employment, and social outcomes.
The report also re-evaluated earlier crash risk data and concluded that the evidence used to justify keeping the age of 18 was flawed.
It found that fatalities among 17-year-old drivers were relatively low in states with a younger probationary driving age.
Currently, Victoria is the only state in Australia where probationary drivers must be 18.
If the law changes, young drivers must still follow strict P-plate rules.
According to the current Probationary rules in Victoria, drivers must always carry their driver’s licence and display red P plates on both the front and back of the vehicle unless they are working in emergency services roles such as police, CFA, ambulance, or SES.
They must maintain a zero blood alcohol concentration, and if tested in an automatic vehicle, can only drive an automatic unless the restriction is formally lifted.
P-platers are also prohibited from carrying more than one passenger aged 16 to under 22 unless the passenger is a sibling or partner.
They cannot operate portable devices in any way while driving, including for phone calls or navigation, and are not allowed to tow trailers unless it’s for approved work or agricultural use, or if supervised by a fully licensed driver.
They are also restricted from driving probationary-prohibited vehicles unless approved under specific exemptions.
The petition requires 10,000 combined online and hard copy signatures to be considered for debate in Parliament.
People can sign the petition to reduce the probationary driving age on www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/reduce-probationary-driving-age/.
National Road Safety Week runs until May 18.