Getting your driver licence

The learner licence is the first step in getting your full driver licence through the Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS).

The GLS is the process you need to go through to get a full licence. By building up your driving experience and passing the required tests, you will gain the skills and knowledge to be a safe driver.

On your learner licence (or your Ls), you develop your driving skills under the supervision of a driver with a full licence.

To get your learner licence, you need to:

• be 16 or over
• prove your identity
• pass an eyesight test
• pass the Driver Knowledge Test.

Getting a provisional P1 licence (also known as 'red Ps') means you can drive a car unsupervised.

To get a P1 licence, you must:

• have passed the Hazard Perception Test (HPT)
• pass an eyesight test
• pass the driving test.

If you're under 25, you must:

• have held your learner licence for at least 12 months
• have logged 120 hours of driving time in a learner driver log book (including 20 hours of night driving).

Do you live in a remote area?

If you're under 25 and live in a remote area, you may be eligible for a restricted P1 licence.

The provisional P2 licence (or 'green Ps') is the next step in the journey to getting your full licence.

When you have held your provisional P1 licence for at least 12 months, you can apply for a provisional P2 driver licence.

Most customers can apply for a P2 licence online.

When you've had your green Ps for at least 2 years, you can get a full (unrestricted) driver licence.

To apply for a full licence, you must:

• have held your P2 licence for at least 2 years
• pass an eyesight test.

Changes to Driver Qualification Test (DQT)

You no longer need to take the DQT to progress from your P2 licence to a full licence.