Victoria Drivers Licence: Complete Guide to Physical and Digital Licences

Getting behind the wheel in Victoria requires more than just knowing how to drive. You need a valid Victorian driver’s licence, whether you’re a teenager taking your first supervised lessons or an experienced driver who just moved from overseas.

VicRoads issues all Victorian licences, and as of 2024, you have two ways to carry your credentials: the traditional plastic licence card or a digital driver’s licence on your smartphone. Both are legally valid throughout Victoria.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Victoria’s graduated licensing system, from obtaining your learner permit through to managing your full licence digitally.

Victorian driver and digital licence overview

A Victorian driver’s licence is the official document authorising you to drive a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle on public roads in Victoria. VicRoads administers the licensing system under the Road Safety Act 1986 and Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019.

From 2024, most Victorian drivers—whether they hold a full, learner, or probationary licence—can access a Victorian digital driver licence through the Service Victoria app or the myVicRoads app. However, plastic cards are still issued and accepted everywhere.

Here’s what you need to know at a glance:

• A valid Victorian licence is required to drive any motor vehicle on Victorian roads

• Victoria uses a graduated licensing system with Ls, Ps, and full licence stages

• Both physical and digital licences are legally valid within Victoria

• Over 4.5 million licence holders in Victoria are eligible for digital access

• The digital licence is optional—you’ll still receive a physical card

Victoria graduated licensing system

Victoria’s graduated licensing system is designed to build driving skills progressively before granting unrestricted road access. The three main stages are the learner permit, probationary licence (P1 red and P2 green), and finally the full licence.

For a typical 18-year-old starting from scratch, expect the journey to take around four to five years before reaching a full driver’s licence.

Goals of the graduated system:

• Build foundational knowledge through the learner permit test and supervised practice

• Develop hazard perception skills before solo driving

• Accumulate extensive supervised driving experience (120 hours minimum, including 20 hours at night)

• Ensure drivers maintain a good driving record at each stage before progressing

• Reduce crash risk among new drivers through staged independence

Key requirements:

• Drivers must progress through stages in order without serious offences or suspensions

• Heavy vehicle and motorcycle licences have additional class-specific requirements

• The system applies to all new drivers regardless of age, though progression timelines differ

How to get a Victoria learner permit (Ls)

The learner permit is your first step toward driving independently in Victoria. It allows you to practise driving under supervision while building the skills and experience needed for solo driving.

Eligibility requirements:

• Minimum age of 16 years

• Victorian residency

• Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, or similar)

• Proof of address in Victoria

The learner permit knowledge test:

• Content is based on the VicRoads “Road to Solo Driving” handbook

• Online practice tests are available to help you prepare

• You can book and complete the test online or at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre

• The test covers road rules, traffic signals, safe driving practices, and blood alcohol limits

For overseas licence holders:

If you hold an overseas licence and become a Victorian resident, you generally must obtain a Victorian licence within six months. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to pass the learner permit test and possibly the drive test as well.

Fees and what you’ll receive:

• Separate fees apply for the learner permit test and the permit itself

• Fees are payable online or in person—check the current VicRoads fee schedule for exact amounts

• Successful applicants receive a plastic learner permit card by mail

• Once VicRoads processes your application, you can add a digital learner permit to your app

Probationary licences in Victoria (P1 and P2)

After holding your learner permit for the required period and passing both the Hazard Perception Test and the practical Drive Test, you’ll progress to a probationary licence. This stage sits between fully supervised driving and complete independence.

P1 licence (red Ps)

The P1 stage applies primarily to drivers under 21 and comes with stricter conditions:

• Zero blood alcohol content (BAC) requirement

• Restrictions on carrying peer-aged passengers late at night

• Complete ban on using mobile phones while driving (including hands-free)

• Minimum holding period before progressing to P2

• Must display red P plates on your vehicle

P2 licence (green Ps)

The P2 stage relaxes some conditions compared to P1:

• Zero BAC still applies for drivers under certain ages

• Mobile phone restrictions continue for younger drivers

• Must display green P plates on your vehicle

• Longer probationary period before full licence eligibility

Progression rules by age

Under 21:

• Ls → P1 → P2 → Full licence

• Minimum holding periods apply at each stage

• Must maintain a good driving record throughout

Age 21–24:

• Ls → P2 directly (bypassing P1)

• Still subject to a probationary period before a full licence

Age 25 and over:

• Usually progress straight from Ls to P2

• Shorter overall probationary period

Additional notes:

• Progression from P1 to P2 is normally automatic once the criteria are met

• VicRoads sends a notification when you’re eligible to upgrade

• Probationary licence fees vary by duration (e.g., 3, 4, or 10 years)

• Additional fees apply for the Hazard Perception Test and Drive Test

Upgrading to a full Victoria driver’s licence

A full licence represents the final stage of Victoria’s graduated system, granting the most driving privileges and removing the requirement for P plates.

Eligibility requirements:

• Hold a P2 licence for at least 3 years

• Maintain a good driving record with no suspensions, cancellations, or serious drink/drug driving offences

• Pass an eyesight test at the time of upgrading

What changes with a full licence:

• No P plates required on your vehicle

• Can supervise learner drivers (subject to certain conditions)

• Maximum BAC of 0.05 (stricter limits apply for some professional categories)

• Continued ban on using hand-held mobile phones while driving

• Greater flexibility for interstate and overseas driving

Licence duration and fees:

• Available in 3-year or 10-year terms

• Fees vary according to the licence length you choose

• Some younger drivers may be eligible for schemes that reduce or waive licence fees

How to apply:

• Applications for full licences are usually completed online via myVicRoads

• Your physical card will be posted to your registered address

• Your digital version updates automatically once processed

Digital driver’s licence in Victoria

Victoria now offers a digital driver’s licence for most licence types, including full, learner, and probationary licences. This digital licence can be displayed on your smartphone and is accepted by Victoria Police and many businesses across the state.

A digital driver’s licence is an official electronic copy of the information on your plastic card, stored securely within a Victorian government app. Think of it as carrying your licence on your phone rather than in your wallet.

Key points about digital licences:

• Digital licences are optional—you still receive a physical card

• Either form is legally valid within Victoria

• Keep your plastic licence as a backup for travel outside Victoria or where digital ID isn’t accepted

• Over 4.5 million Victorian licence holders are eligible to access a digital licence

• Available for drivers, motorcyclists, and heavy vehicle operators

Benefits of a Victoria digital driver’s licence

Digital licences offer convenience, security, and real-time accuracy that plastic-only licences simply can’t match.

Real-time updates:

• Changes to licence conditions, expiry dates, or personal details in the Victorian Licensing Registry are reflected in the app automatically

• No waiting for a new plastic card to arrive in the mail

• You can verify when the app last pulled your details to ensure information is current

Convenience:

• No need to carry a wallet just for your licence

• Quick access on your smartphone whenever you need it

• Use it for roadside checks, proof of age at licensed venues, and identity verification with businesses

Security features:

• App login via PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition

• Time-limited QR code for verification that expires quickly

• Hologram-style animations that are difficult to replicate

• Reduced risk if your physical card is lost or stolen

Privacy controls:

• Choose what to display: full licence details, identity-only view, or age-only view

• Share only what the venue or checker actually needs to see

• Prove you’re over 18 without revealing your exact date of birth

Simplified credential management:

• Manage multiple credentials (driver, learner, other Victorian Government cards) in a single app

How to get and use your digital driver’s licence

Most eligible drivers can set up a digital licence in just a few minutes using their smartphone. Once activated, it’s ready to use whenever you need to prove your right to drive or verify your identity.

Setup steps:

1. Download the Service Victoria app or the myVicRoads app from your device’s official app store

2. Create an account or log in using your email and a secure password

3. Verify your identity and link your existing Victorian driver’s licence details

4. Wait for confirmation via email or push notification that your digital licence has been issued

5. Open the app to access your digital licence

How to display your licence when requested:

1. Open the app and select which view is needed (age, identity, or full licence)

2. Pull down or tap refresh to ensure the latest data is shown

3. Present the screen so the hologram animation and QR code are visible for scanning

Where you can use it:

• Roadside checks by Victoria Police

• Age verification at licensed venues (proving you’re 18+)

• Identity verification with most Victorian businesses

• Anywhere a Victorian plastic licence is accepted within the state

Important reminder:

Keep your phone charged and carry your physical card as backup. If your battery dies, the app crashes, or you lose mobile reception, you’ll need that plastic licence.

Security, privacy, and data protection

Security and privacy were central to the design of Victoria’s digital driver licence system. The Victorian Government built multiple layers of protection to secure your personal information.

Authentication requirements:

• Access to your digital licence requires PIN, fingerprint, or face ID on your device

• If your phone is lost or stolen, unauthorised users cannot simply open the app and view your licence

Verification features:

• Time-limited QR codes allow police, venues, and businesses to confirm your licence is authentic and valid

• Hologram animations provide visual confirmation that the licence is genuine

• These features prevent screenshots or photos from being used fraudulently

Privacy controls:

• You control what information to share each time you present your licence

• Showing proof of age doesn’t require revealing your full address or licence number

• This provides more privacy than automatically handing over a plastic card with all details visible

Data management:

• Personal data is managed under Victorian privacy legislation

• The system must comply with the Road Safety Act 1986 and relevant privacy and security standards

• Keep your app and phone operating system updated to ensure you have the latest security protections

When you still need your physical Victorian licence

Even if you rely on your digital licence day-to-day, your physical licence remains important in certain situations. Don’t leave it at home and forget about it entirely.

Scenarios requiring a physical licence:

• Applying for or using an International Driving Permit to drive overseas

• Driving or hiring vehicles interstate, where Victorian digital licences may not be recognised

• Travelling to a country that requires a physical licence for car rental

• Visiting businesses or authorities that cannot yet scan or verify Victorian digital licences

• Situations with poor mobile reception, a flat battery, or technical issues with the app

• Formal identification requirements where digital ID policies haven’t been updated

Practical advice:

• Some organisations may still request the physical licence as primary ID

• Keep your plastic licence in a secure place at home or in your bag

• Carry it when you expect to need formal identification outside Victoria

• Consider it an essential backup for any interstate or overseas travel

Replacing, renewing, or updating your Victorian licence

VicRoads handles all licence renewals, replacements, and updates to personal details. Any changes you make flow through to both your physical and digital licences.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged licence:

• Report theft to Victoria Police where applicable

• Log in to your myVicRoads account to order a replacement card

• Your new card will have the same licence number but a new card number for identity protection

• Your digital licence updates automatically once the replacement is processed

• A fee applies for replacement cards

Renewing your licence:

• Typical renewal periods are 3 or 10 years

• VicRoads sends reminder notices before your licence expires

• Renew and pay online through myVicRoads

• Your digital licence will update automatically with the new expiry date

Updating personal details:

• Changes to your address or name must be submitted to VicRoads within the required timeframe

• Updates will refresh on your digital licence shortly after processing

• Some changes may require supporting documents to be submitted

Fee information:

• Fees apply for replacements and renewals

• Check the current VicRoads fee schedule before applying

• Some concessions may be available depending on your circumstances

Help, troubleshooting, and common questions

Support is available if you encounter issues with either your physical or digital Victorian licence. Here’s a quick reference for common problems and where to find help.

Common digital licence issues:

Where to find more help:

• Official VicRoads and Service Victoria FAQs provide up-to-date information on eligibility, acceptance, and technical requirements

• Customer service channels (online form, phone, and some in-person centres) can assist with complex cases

• Overseas licence transfers have specific requirements—contact VicRoads directly for guidance

• Questions about conditions and restrictions can be answered through VicRoads customer support

Quick tips:

• Bookmark the VicRoads page for licence information so you can access it easily

• Keep your account login details secure but accessible

• Set calendar reminders before your licence expiry date to allow time for renewal

Whether you’re just starting with your learner permit or managing a full licence digitally, Victoria’s licensing system is built to develop competent, safe drivers at every stage. The digital driver’s licence adds convenience and security to everyday life, but your physical card remains your reliable backup.

Ready to get started? Visit the VicRoads website to check current fees, book your learner permit test, or download the Service Victoria app to set up your digital licence today.