Login or
Novice drivers
Novice drivers must comply with a number of restrictions whilst developing the skills required to become safe drivers.
What and who is a novice driver?
For the purposes of the Graduated Demerit Point system, a person is a Novice driver until they have held a driver's licence for at least two years or periods adding up to two years. This may include:
- A first time learner's permit holder.
- The holder of a provisional driver's licence.
- A driver from overseas who has not held a driver's licence for at least two years.
- The holder of an extraordinary driver's licence.
There are two types of novice driver:
Novice driver type 1
A person is a Novice driver type 1 from the time they are first issued a learner's permit, and then granted a provisional driver's licence. They will continue to be a novice driver type 1 for a period of at least one year or periods adding up to one year.
Until the end of the first year holding a provisional licence a person will only be able to have three demerit points recorded against them. If four or more demerit points are recorded against a person, they will be disqualified for at least three months and any driver's licence held will be cancelled.
Novice driver type 2
A Novice driver type 2 is a person who has held a driver's licence for more than one year but less than two years.
Up until the end of the second year of holding a driver's licence, a person will only be able to have seven (7) demerit points recorded against them in total. If eight or more demerit points are recorded against the person, they will be disqualified for at least three months and any driver's licence held will be cancelled.
The Novice driver concept aims to ensure a driver gains at least two years experience before they are able to hold an unrestricted licence or what is colloquially called a full licence.
The Graduated Demerit point system aims to reduce the crash risk of Novice drivers by limiting their driving to safer, lower risk conditions, progressively lifting these restrictions as they move through successive stages of driving and develop more experience.
Remember, any demerit points you get as a Learner count towards the limits.
| Novice driver demerit points (Frequently Asked Questions) | Kb | |
| Road Safety Commission: Annual crash statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
Demerit point check (online)
The online demerit point enquiry tool allows only a driver who holds a WA driver’s licence or learner’s permit to check Demerit point history such as:
- Details of infringements issued,
- Demerit point penalties and demerit point expiry dates and
- Demerit points notices issued.
If you require a copy of demerit point notices served on you in WA for your insurance company, you will need to attend a DVS centre with primary and secondary identification and complete a Request for a certified copy of excessive demerit points notice (E16) form. A fee is payable.
Certified copy of excessive demerit points notice fee
| Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of Excessive Demerit Points Notice (EDPN) fee | $23.30 |
Visit the Western Australia Police Force website for more information about obtaining a record of traffic infringement notices issued to you, for viewing an image of a driver for a traffic infringement notice, or for paying a fine.
Visit the WA Department of Justice eCourts portal to find out if your driver’s licence has been suspended for the non-payment of a fine or infringement.
| WA Department of Justice eCourts portal | ||
|---|---|---|
| Western Australian Police: Infringements and notices requesting information | ||
Novice driver graduated demerit points quiz
Learn about novice driver graduated demerit points and how they impact upon drivers and riders.
The quiz consists of 15 multiple choice questions. Select the answer that you think is correct. You must attempt all 15 questions in order to review your results.
| Road Safety Commission: Games and quizzes | ||
|---|---|---|
What if the quizzes don't work for me?
These quizzes have been tested on all common web browsers in use today, including mobile devices.
Which format?
- Each quiz is available in both Flash and HTML5 format.
- Your web browser will automatically determine the best format to use.
Images
- If images within a quiz appear to be mixed up, please refresh [F5] your web browser and recommence the quiz.
If the quizzes still fail to work, please consider updating your web browser. Most common web browsers are free to download and use.
Display your P plates
You will have a provisional licence until you’re 19 years old, and have had that licence for a total of two years.
You’re required to display red P plates for six months after gaining your provisional licence, and green P plates until you’re upgraded to a full licence.
This helps other road users understand your level of experience and restrictions that may apply.
| Plate style | Time period | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
First six months | You must display white on red P plates and will be subject to night driving restrictions. |
 |
Remaining period | You must display white on green P plates. |
| P plates: red (printable) | Kb | |
| P plates: green (printable) | Kb | |
| Got Your P's, Now What? brochure | Kb | |
Night time driving restrictions
Provisional driver's licence holders are not permitted to drive between midnight and am for the first six months that they hold a driver's licence (or periods amounting to an aggregate of six months) unless the driving is:
- In the course of employment,
- For the purpose of travelling to or from employment and by the shortest practicable route for achieving that purpose,
- For the purpose of travelling to or from schooling and by the shortest practicable route for achieving that purpose,
- In the case of travel from employment or schooling, the travel commences as soon as is practicable after the employment or schooling ceases.
Provisional licence drivers stopped by police between midnight and am will need to demonstrate they meet these exceptions. If they cannot, their licence will not be valid (i.e. they will be deemed to be driving unlicensed) and subsequent penalties will apply.
Night time driving restrictions come into effect immediately upon the applicant passing their Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) and paying for the granting of their provisional driver's licence.
0.00% (zero) Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), first and subsequent offences
Novice drivers are one of many groups subject to 0.00% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
| BAC % | Infringement | Minimum court penalty | Maximum court penalty | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| > 0 but < 0.02 | $100 | $150 | $300 | 3 demerit points * |
| 0.02 to < 0.05 | - | $150 | $300 | 3 months disqualification: minimum |
* At certain holiday periods (e.g. Easter and Christmas) and on long weekends, demerit points are doubled for alcohol, speed and some other offences.
How to reduce your crash risk
Novice drivers are at a higher risk of crashing due to their inexperience and potential risk-taking. Learn about some of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury crashes and ways to stay safe on the road.
Distractions
Being distracted behind the wheel – particularly by using a mobile phone – is dangerous. Stay 100% focused on driving and stay safe.
Seatbelts
Wearing a seatbelt is one of easiest ways to protect yourself. Remember: you can only carry the same number of passengers as available seatbelts. Belt up for every trip – your life depends on it.
Speed
Speed affects both the risk of being involved in a crash and, more importantly, the subsequent outcomes should a crash occur. Slow down and save lives.
| Distractions: Road Safety website | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seatbelts: Road Safety website | ||
| Safe Speeds: Road Safety website | ||