Get your provisional driver licence
You must be at least 17 years old to get your ACT provisional driver licence, also called 'your Ps'.
Steps to get your Ps
This applies to C class (car) licences. It's a different process to get an R class (motorbike) licence. Read about getting a motorcycle provisional licence.
If you have an interstate or overseas learner driver licence there are extra requirements.
1. Complete the ACT Learner driver licence period
You need to hold an active (isn’t expired, suspended or disqualified) ACT learner driver licence for:
- a minimum of 12 months, or
- 6 months if you’re 25 or older at the time you got your learner licence.
2. Complete the online Hazard Perception Test
After 3 months of having your Ls, complete the online Hazard Perception Test.
Your first attempt is free.
If you fail the first time you will need to wait 24 hours and pay a fee to take the test again.
3. Do your driving hours
To get your Ps you need to practice driving, not only to get the required hours, but to make sure you’re a safe and confident driver.
The number of hours you need to do depends on your age:
- A licence issued before you turned 25 years old: 100 supervised driving hours. This includes 10 hours at night.
- 25 or older: 50 supervised driving hours including 5 at night.
Supervised driving
When practicing on your Ls you must always have a fully licenced Australian driver in the passenger seat.
This can either be:
- a family member or friend, or
- an ACT Accredited Driving instructor.
Before practicing, make sure you review the ACT road rules handbook [PDF 5.5MB] [DOCX 4.7MB].
Credited driving hours
You will get 3 hours credit for each hour of driving supervised by an ACT Accredited Driving Instructor, up to a maximum of 10 hours.
This means if you drive 10 hours you will receive 30 hours credit. All other driving hours are counted one for one, as are hours driven with non-accredited instructors.
You can complete optional road safety courses for credit towards your driving hours:
- the 'Safer Driving Course' which is worth 20 driving hours
- the 'Vulnerable Road User Program' which is worth 10 driving hours
- the ‘Learner Driver First Aid Program’ which is worth 5 driving hours.
Read about optional training courses on the City Services website.
Search for ACT Accredited Driving Instructors and safety course providers online.
4. Get assessed
You can complete either:
- the Competency Based Training and Assessment through an ACT Accredited Driving Instructor. Search online for 'driving instructors', or
- a one-off practical driving assessment with an ACT Government Licence Examiner.
Read about the one-off practical driving assessment.
The Competency Based Training and Assessment
If you do the Competency based training and assessment (CBT&A) with an ACT Accredited Driving Instructor, then you don’t need to do a government practical driving assessment.
The CBT&A is often called the 'log book method'.
The Driving Instructor, over the course of lessons, will assess you against 23 competencies.
View the competencies in the Road ready towards your Ps in the ACT: a learner driver guide [PDF 570KB].
You’ll need to do a minimum of 7 lessons to complete the log book method, but most people need 10-15 lessons.
You will still need to:
- meet the required amount of supervised driving hours for your age
- do the Hazard Perception Test.
Driving an automatic
If you do your assessment in an automatic car, your provisional licence will have an 'A' condition.
You can drive an automatic car without supervision.
To drive a manual car, you will need a fully licenced driver to supervise you.
If you want to drive a manual car without supervision you can either:
- retake your assessment in a manual car, or
- request the removal of the A condition once you have had your provisional licence for 12 months.
After 3 years, on renewal to a full licence, the A condition will be automatically removed.
Visit Access Canberra
When you’ve completed the CBT&A, visit an Access Canberra Service Centre and bring:
- your logbook with all competencies signed off and the final assessment sheet completed
- your ACT learner driver licence or other proof of your identity
- a VISA or MasterCard to pay the fee
- bring your completed logbook with all required driving hours accounted for
- bring your Hazard Perception Test certificate.
There are extra requirements for holders of interstate or overseas driver licences.
If you’re under the age of 25 you’ll be mailed a P1 driver licence.
If you’re aged 25 or older, you’ll be mailed a P2 driver licence.
Access Canberra will give you a temporary licence which you can use until your physical card arrives, which can take up to 21 business days.
Once issued, an ACT Provisional Licence must be held for 3 years before becoming a full licence.
Read about licence classes and conditions.
After the provisional period
Once the 3-year provisional period is over, you will get a renewal notice to get your full licence. You can apply for your full licence online.
Have our ACT provisional driver licence with you to complete the online application and pay the fee.
Access Canberra will give you a temporary licence which you can use until your physical card arrives, which can take up to 21 business days.
Once issued, an ACT Full Licence is a valid for up to 10 years and you can renew it online.
Read about licence classes and conditions.
Read about renewing your licence.
Medical conditions and driving
If you hold an ACT driver licence you must tell Access Canberra if you have a permanent or long-term illness, injury, or incapacity that might impair your driving ability.
Access Canberra may ask you to demonstrate your fitness to drive to ensure you can safely operate a vehicle. This may involve one or both:
- a medical examination
- a driving assessment by an occupational therapist
Read about fitness to drive.