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Phase 2

  1. When was information made available to the public?
  2. How do I progress through the L1 and L2 stage?
  3. How long do I have to hold a learner licence before I can progress to the next stage?
  4. As an L1 licence holder can I start recording 50 hours of supervised driving
  5. Why are there 2 driving assessments for a car learner?
  6. What will the L2 & P1 car assessments look for?
  7. How much will the L2 assessment cost?
  8. How much will the P1 assessment cost?
  9. Will the age for getting a car learner licence stay at 16 years?
  10. Will the age for getting a motorcycle learner licence stay at 16 years 6 months?
  11. Will the minimum age for getting a car or motorcycle provisional licence stay at 17 years?
  12. Are there additional fees involved?
  13. What if I need help to get my 50 hours of driving?
  14. What happens if I renew my L1 licence?
  15. What happens if I renew my L2 licence?
  16. What happens if I renew my motorcycle learner licence
  17. What happens if I transfer an interstate learners licence to Tasmania?

5. When was information made available to the public?

Information on the Phase 2 changes has been available on the DIER internet site since 25 August 2008 (launch date of phase 1).  Brochures have been produced and made available in Service Tasmania shops. The DIER website has been updated to provide additional information about phase 2 changes. 

Brochures and updated website information was made available from 27 April 2009

6. How do I progress through the L1 and L2 stages?

The process to obtain a motorcycle learner licence will remain the same.

For car learners the following will apply:

  • Complete the driver knowledge test to obtain an L1 licence. The learner licence will be issued for 3 years.
  • You must hold your L1 licence for a minimum of 3 continuous months before taking the L2 practical driving assessment (a minimum of 30 hours driving experience is recommended before you attempt the L2 assessment). You must pass the L2 practical driving assessment (L2 PDA) before being able to progress to the L2 licence.
  • There is no logbook requirement in the L1 stage however you are recommended to complete the non-mandatory L1 logbook which forms part of the L2 logbook.
  • You must hold your L2 licence for a minimum period of 9 continuous months before taking the P1 practical driving assessment(P1 PDA). You must complete a minimum 50 hours of supervised driving, have your L2 logbook completed and signed by your supervisory driver and successfully complete the P1 PDA before being able to progress to a P1 licence.

7. How long do I have to hold a learner licence before I can progress to the next stage?

For motorcycle learner licence holders the minimum period that you will need to hold the learner will remain the same, i.e. 6 continuous months

For a car learner licence you must hold the L1 licence for a continuous period of 3 months. You must be 16 years and 3 months of age to sit the L2 PDA.

For the L2 licence you must hold your licence for a continuous period of 9 months. You must be 17 years of age to sit the P1 PDA.

This will mean that you will no longer be able to sit for your provisional driving assessment at 16 years and 11 months - you will have to be at least 17 years old.

8. As an L1 licence holder can I start recording 50 hours of supervised driving?

No. The purpose of the L1 period is to concentrate on acquiring basic car control skills so that you reach the appropriate level of competence to progress to the L2 licence. The 50 hours of supervised driving required in L2 allows time for you to master the higher order driving skills like hazard perception/identification, speed control and multi-tasking. A L1 logbook has been developed to allow driving hours from the L1 stage to be entered, however; these will not be counted towards the 50 hours in the L2 stage.

9. Why are there 2 driving assessments for a car learner?

Research indicates that learner drivers benefit from developing their driving skills and knowledge over time, and through a staged process where they can get basic car control skills before moving on to more advanced skills.

Research also shows that it takes learners longer to develop skills such as hazard perception/identification and anticipation. These skills are only developed through driving in a wide range of situations and conditions.

10. What will the L2 & P1 car assessments look for?

The L2 PDA will assess your ability to undertake basic car control skills like managing steering, braking and clutch (if applicable). In the L2 PDA you will be directed to undertake certain manoeuvres by the Driving Assessor, such as a three-point turn. You will not be required to make decisions about when or where you need to do the manoeuvre.

The P1 PDA will assess your ability in hazard perception/identification, judging your vehicle speed and the speed of other drivers and multi-tasking as well as all other elements of driving. The P1 PDA will assess your ability to link a number of driving tasks together to complete an exercise. You will be required to make decisions about where and when you do the required manoeuvres.

11. How much will the L2 PDA cost?

See Other Driver Licence Fees for the L2 PDA fee. If you fail the L2 PDA you will have to book and pay for another assessment, so don't rush and make sure you are ready.

12. How much will the P1 assessment cost?

The fee for the new P1 PDA was introduced from 27 July 2009, see Other Driver Licence Fee for the P1 PDA fee. If you fail the assessment you will have to book and pay for another assessment, so don't rush and make sure you are ready.

13. Will the age for getting a car learner licence stay at 16 years?

Yes.

14. Will the age for getting a motorcycle learner licence stay at 16 years 6 months?

Yes.

15. Will the minimum age for getting a car or motorcycle provisional licence stay at 17 years?

Yes.

16. Are there additional fees involved?

To get a car licence, yes. Current costs for progression from a learner to a full car licence is around $150 (2009 fee estimate). When the changes are introduced this cost will increase to around $240 however as an incentive to be offence free during your P1 and P2 period you may be eligible for a credit of around $52.

There are no increased fees to get a motorcycle licence.

17. What if I need help to get my 50 hours of driving?

We recognise that getting a significant amount of supervised driving is difficult for some people, particularly disadvantaged groups that may not have easy access to a car or a qualified driver to supervise them.

There are now a number of Statewide community based road safety programs that provide young people with a volunteer supervisory driver to achieve their 50 supervised hours. More are planned in future. DIER is committed to providing funding for community organisations to establish programs that support learner drivers to get the 50 hours supervised driving.

To find out how to access these programs please contact the Road Safety Operations Branch on 6233 6643.

18. What happens if I renew my L1 licence?

Before you can renew your L1 licence you must pass the car driver knowledge test.

If an L1 licence is renewed on or prior to expiry, the expiry date is increased by 3 years. If an L1 is renewed after expiry but within 28 days of expiry, the expiry date is 3 years from the date of payment. In both examples the earliest L2 assessment date' will remain the same.

If an L1 licence is expired for greater than 28 days then the 3 continuous months starts again and the 'earliest L2 assessment date' will be reset on the licence.

19. What happens if I renew my L2 licence?

Before you can renew your L2 licence you must pass the car driver knowledge test.

If an L2 licence is renewed on or prior to expiry, the expiry date is increased by 3 years. If an L2 is renewed after expiry but within 28 days of expiry, the expiry date is 3 years from the date of payment. In both examples earliest P1 assessment? date will remain the same.

If an L2 licence is expired for greater than 28 days then the 9 continuous months starts again and the 'earliest P1 assessment date' will be reset on the licence.

20. What happens if I renew my motorcycle learner licence?

Before you can renew your motorcycle learner licence you must ?

  • Pass the motorcycle driver knowledge test
  • Have a pre-provisional course booked and paid for OR have passed the pre-learner training course again and have a valid competency certificate

If a motorcycle learner licence is renewed on or prior to expiry, the expiry date is increased by 1 year. If it?s renewed after expiry but within 28 days of expiry, the expiry date is 1 year from the date of payment. In both examples the ?earliest assessment date? will remain the same.

If a motorcycle learner licence is expired for greater than 28 days then the 6 continuous months starts again and the ?earliest assessment date? will be reset on the licence.

21. What happens if I transfer an interstate learners licence to Tasmania?

If the client has held an interstate learners licence for less than 3 months, an L1 Tasmanian licence will be issued with and earliest L2 assessment date 3 months from the date of issue of the interstate licence.

If the client has held an interstate learners licence for greater than 3 months an L2 Tasmanian licence will be issued with an earliest P1 assessment date 12 months from the date of issue of the interstate licence or on their 17th birthday whichever occurs last.

For more information see transferring an interstate licence.