LEVEL UNLOCKED: RED P PLATES
So you crushed your Practical Driving Assessment and now you have six months to cruise around with your red P plates.
Can you SMELL that freedom? *Breathes deep.* Ahhhhhh, smells like fresh hot chips in the cupholder.
L plater to P plater: What’s changed?
- You can wave goodbye to your supervising driver – and don’t forget to thank them for all the memories (and for not screaming too much).
- Your maximum speed limit is now 110km/h. Just don’t go all speed demon on us, and always stick to the posted speed limit.
- You have a new driving curfew – but don’t worry, it’s when you’d rather be in bed anyway.
- You can only have one passenger whenever you drive. Choose wisely or suffer the poorly chosen playlists.
Red plate. One mate.
A new law aimed at saving lives means that you can only have one passenger in the vehicle with you at any time while you’re on red P plates. There are some exemptions, like for immediate family and employment reasons, but make sure you read up on the details and can show proof to WA Police if you need to.
Night time driving restrictions
While you’re on your red P plates, you can’t drive between midnight and 5.00am. What if you need to be out between these hours for work, or school? Once more there are some exemptions – but you’ll also need to be able to provide the proof upon request, or you could face penalties.
What now?
Drive safely, and help your mates do the same. Statistics show that a person’s risk of a serious crash is six times higher when they first get their P plates. So take care of yourself, each other and other road users as you make your way in the world.
You’ll be provisional for two years in total. Remember there’s zero tolerance for drink driving, drug driving or fiddling on your phone, so learn the rules and stick to ‘em.
Know the PenaltiesTake care not to accumulate any more than four demerit points (starting from when you got your learner’s permit). If you do, you risk having your provisional licence disqualified. Not cool, in more ways than one.
Get through your entire provisional licence without committing any traffic offences, and you’ll score a free year on your licence renewal.
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