Probationary licences
If you’re disqualified from holding or getting an Australian driver licence, you may be able to apply for a probationary licence after a period of time.
Probationary licences impose a strict demerit point regime after a period of disqualification from driving ordered by a court in Australia.
A probationary licence is only issued when a court disqualification, imposed by any jurisdiction, has ended.
If you have not previously held a licence, or previously held a learner licence, then you’ll be issued a learner licence.
When you complete all requirements to upgrade from the learner licence, you’ll be issued a probationary licence.
Read about learner driver licences.
Conditions for probationary licences
Probationary licences must be held for 12 months.
Some probationary licence periods may be extended if licence conditions are not adhered to. Probationary licences are valid for 12 months before progressing to the class of licence you held before you were disqualified.
You must display 'P' plates and comply with provisional licence restrictions if the probationary period is during the time you would have spent on your provisional licence.
Access Canberra will cancel the licence for 6 months if you accumulate 2 or more demerit points.
Probationary licence holders must have a zero blood or breath alcohol concentration when driving.
A probationary licence holder can’t be issued with a public vehicle licence.
Apply for a probationary licence
To apply for a probationary licence, you need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.
You’ll need:
- your ACT driver licence or full proof of identity
- a completed Application for a Driver Licence form [PDF 235 KB]
- if applicable, a completed Driver Licence Medical form [PDF 256 KB]
- if applicable, the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Certificate issued to you after completing a course
- payment for the fee.
If your disqualification relates to a drink or drug driving offence, please see below for to see if further requirements apply to you. If you are unsure of which requirements apply to you, contact Access Canberra.
Drink or drug related offences
If you’ve been convicted, or found guilty with no conviction by an ACT Court of a drink or drug driving offence you may also need to:
- complete an approved alcohol and drug awareness course
- be issued with an interlock device condition on their probationary licence and may need to complete therapeutic treatment ordered by the courts.
Read about licence classes and conditions.
Alcohol and drug awareness courses
Under ACT laws, if you’ve been convicted of or found guilty of drink or drug driving you must complete an approved alcohol and drug awareness course.
You need to do the course before you can apply for a probationary licence.
If you have been convicted or found guilty of one or more of the following offences under the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 (the Act), you need to complete an alcohol and drug awareness course if you want to keep your licence or get a restricted or probationary licence.
| Offence | Relevant section of the Act |
|---|---|
| Driving with a prescribed concentration of alcohol in your blood or breath | Section 19 |
| Driving with a prescribed drug in your oral fluid or blood | Section 20 |
| Refusing to provide breath sample | Section 22 |
| Refusing to provide oral fluid sample | Section 22A |
| Refusing to undergo an alcohol screening test | Section 22C |
| Refusing a blood test | Section 23 |
| Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug | Section 24 |
You don’t need to complete the same course if you’ve already completed an alcohol and drug awareness course in the 12 months prior to your conviction or finding of guilt.
To find out which course you need to do and where the courses are available visit TCCS website.
Mandatory interlock condition
If you want to apply for a probationary licence, and you’ve been convicted of a drug or alcohol driving offence and meet any of these criteria - you will get an interlock condition on your driver licence:
- You were convicted in the ACT of a high-range drink driving offence (0.15 BAC or higher).
- You have had 2 previous drink driving offences in the past 5 years.
- You have refused a breath or blood sample.
- Have served at least half of your disqualification period.
Your licence will be endorsed with the condition your vehicle is fitted with an alcohol ignition interlock device for a certain period of time.
The device is wired into the ignition of your vehicle. You need to blow into the device and have a zero-alcohol reading before the vehicle will start.
If you have this licence condition, it’s an offence to drive a vehicle without an alcohol ignition interlock device.
You must also have:
- completed at least half of your disqualification period
- not been disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence for reasons other than drink driving offences.
Request an exemption
You can apply for an exemption from the mandatory interlock condition because of special circumstances.
To apply for an exemption, email lara@act.gov.au and explain the special circumstances. You will need to provide any supporting documents.
Voluntary interlock condition
If you've been convicted of an alcohol offence and don’t meet the criteria for a mandatory interlock condition, you may be eligible to apply for a probationary licence with a voluntary interlock condition immediately after the court has imposed your disqualification.
This for licence holders who want to get back to driving as soon as possible.
You must:
- have already completed the required drug and alcohol awareness course and provided the certificate to Access Canberra
- have not been disqualified or suspended from holding or obtaining a driver licence for reasons other than drink driving offences.
- Apply for a probationary licence with interlock condition
If you’re applying for a probationary licence with an interlock condition, you’ll need to bring with you a completed Application for a probationary licence with interlock condition [PDF 234 KB].
On the form you need to nominate the vehicles that will be fitted with the interlock device.
If someone else is the registered operator of a vehicle, they will need to give their signed consent and provide proof of identity.
Access Canberra staff will confirm with the Licence and Registration Administration team that you’re eligible.
If approved, you’ll need to pay the fee.
Access Canberra will email you your temporary probationary licence within1 business day. You can use this until your driver licence card is posted to you, within 28 days.
Take your vehicle for installation
You will need to provide your interim temporary licence along with any documents provided to you by Access Canberra.
For information on costs and concessions, please discuss with your preferred installer.
Approved devices
Only these ignition interlock devices are approved:
- Alcolock LR
- Alcolock WR3
- Dräger Interlock XT
- Guardian 2030
- Smart Start Model SSI 20/20
- Smart Start Model SSI 20/30
Approved installers and service providers
Only these individuals are approved to install or service ignition interlock devices:
| Installer/service provider | Business name | Business address |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Pilkington | Taunton's Auto Electrical | 46 Yass Road, East Queanbeyan NSW 2620 |
| Ioan Mic | Taunton's Auto Electrical | 46 Yass Road, East Queanbeyan NSW 2620 |
| Jordan Michael Gannon (installation only) | Audiotech | 209 Scollay Street Greenway ACT 2900 |
| Robert Bellingham | Audiotech | 209 Scollay Street, Greenway ACT 2900 |
If you wish to become an approved installer or service provider, email lara@act.gov.au or call 02 6207 7002.
If you are an approved installer or service provider in another state or territory, you may be eligible to work in the ACT under the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme.
Read about automatic mutual recognition.
Interstate interlock condition
Contact Access Canberra directly on 02 6207 7002 or email lara@act.gov.au if either of these circumstances apply to you:
- You’re moving to the ACT and have an interstate licence with an interlock condition.
- You have an ACT driver licence and have been issued an interstate court order with an interlock condition.
Restricted licences
Restricted licences are only issued in very limited circumstances to drivers and riders who’ve received a court-imposed disqualification.
A restricted licence imposes a strict demerit points regime, and strict driving conditions during a period of disqualification from driving ordered by the ACT Magistrate Court.
They allow the holder to drive during specific hours or for specific purposes. Examples include needing a driver licence for your job or taking a child to regular hospital appointments.
You may need to have completed an approved alcohol and drug awareness course.
If your licence was suspended due to demerit points, you aren’t eligible for a restricted licence.
Visit the ACT Magistrates Court website to find out: