For drivers who have passed their P Plate test and are ready to upgrade from L Plates, their first question is often:
What colour P Plates do I need?
This article will look at the P Plate colours you need in each state.
In NSW
For new P Plate drivers in NSW, you will get a P1 licence and the P1 licence colour in NSW is a red-letter P Plate with a white background. You will start on a provisional P1 licence with a speed limit of 90 km per hour. You’re required to “display your red P plates clearly on the front and back of the car, on the outside”.
After 12 months, you will progress to a P2 licence and the P2 licence colour in NSW is a green-letter P Plate with a white background. You’re required to “display the correct P plates clearly on the outside of the front and back of the vehicle. If you’re towing a trailer, a P plate must be on the back of the trailer”. Your speed limit will increase to 100 km per hour.
NSW FAQs
- Do you need a red P Plate with 90 in a circle displayed on it? Although the speed limit for P Platers is 90 km per hour for P1 drivers, displaying red P plates with the 90 km per hour sign is optional.
- Do you need a green P Plate with 100 in a circle displayed on it? Although the speed limit for P Platers is 100 km per hour for P2 drivers, displaying green P plates with the 100 km per hour sign is optional.
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in NSW? You use red P plates in NSW for the first 12 months of driving and then show green P plates for 24 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in NSW? See the official New South Wales P1 licence page and P2 licence page for more info.
In QLD
For new P Plate drivers in QLD, you will get a P1 licence and the P1 licence colour in QLD is a red-letter P Plate with a white background. You will start on a provisional P1 licence and you’re required to “display your P plates so the letter P can be clearly seen at the front and rear of the car (rear only for motorcycles) from 20m away”.
After 12 months, you will progress to a P2 licence and the P2 licence colour in QLD is a green-letter P Plate with a white background. You’re required to “display your P plates so the letter P can be clearly seen at the front and rear of the car (rear only for motorcycles) from 20m away”.
QLD FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in QLD? You use red P plates in QLD for the first 12 months of driving and then show green P plates for 24 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in QLD? See the official Queensland P1 licence page and P2 licence page for more info.
In ACT
For new P Plate drivers in ACT, the P Plate licence colour for the first 12 months is a white-letter P Plate with a red background. You will start on a red P Plate licence and you’re required to “display on front and rear of the vehicle in a way that is easily visible for other drivers. The plates must be the correct colour and size (155mm by 155mm) and the full letter must always be visible. Plates specifically designed to be displayed in the front or rear windscreen may be used. However, a slanted windscreen is not suitable for displaying plates as the plate will face up, towards the sky, and won’t be easily visible to other drivers. Other options, such as magnetic plates, plate display brackets and plate clips are also available.”.
After 12 months, you will progress to green P plates and the colour in ACT for 2 years is a white-letter P Plate with a green background. You’re required to “display on front and rear of the vehicle in a way that is easily visible for other drivers. The plates must be the correct colour and size (155mm by 155mm) and the full letter must always be visible”.
ACT FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in ACT? You use red P plates in ACT for the first 12 months of driving and then show green P plates for 24 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in ACT? See the official Australian Capital Territory ACT learners and provisional drivers page for more info.
In VIC
For new P Plate drivers in VIC, the P Plate licence colour for the first 12 months is a white-letter P Plate with a red background. You will start on a red P Plate licence and you’re required to “show red P plates that can be seen from at least 20 metres away, on the front and back of your vehicle. A P plate must be 150mm x 150mm in size”.
After 12 months, you will progress to green P plates and the colour in VIC for 2 years is a white-letter P Plate with a green background. You’re required to “show green P plates that can be seen from at least 20 metres away, on the front and back of your vehicle. A P plate must be 150mm x 150mm in size”.
VIC FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in VIC? You use red P plates in VIC for the first 12 months of driving and then show green P plates for 24 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in VIC? See the official Victorian Vicroads P Plate page for more info.
Blue P Plates? In Victoria, the Drive Skills 4 Life team runs a program with a white-letter P Plate with a blue background. As described on their website, “Recognising that road rules have changed since many parents first got their licences, and their driving skills may become habitual, the Blue P program supports parents through the process and removes barriers for young people who may feel challenged in gaining their licence. The Blue P program helps the driver and their support person through the whole process starting out with a drive skills refresher lesson with a parent or carer before embarking on dedicated and personalised lessons with their learner driver, and ongoing check-ins with parents for supervisory guidance available outside of lessons.”. Technically, this program is offered to drivers on their L Plates and standard L plates for Victoria (yellow background, black letter) should be displayed.
In TAS
For new P Plate drivers in TAS, you will get a P1 licence and the P1 licence colour in TAS is a red-letter P Plate with a white background. You will start on a provisional P1 licence and you’re required to “display red on white P plates and ensure your P plates can be seen from the front and back of your car”.
After 12 months, you will progress to a P2 licence and the P2 licence colour in TAS is a green-letter P Plate with a white background. You’re required to “display green on white P plates and ensure your P plates can be seen from the front and back of your car”.
TAS FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in TAS? You use red P plates in TAS for the first 12 months of driving and then show green P plates for 24 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in TAS? See the official Tasmanian Plates Plus page for more info.
In SA
For new P Plate drivers in SA, you will get a P1 licence and the P1 licence colour in SA is a red-letter P Plate with a white background. You will start on a provisional P1 licence and you’re required to “have P-plates clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motor bikes). Minimum size is 145mm x 145mm”.
After 12 months, you will progress to a P2 licence and the P2 licence colour in SA is a green-letter P Plate with a white background. You’re required to “have P-plates clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motor bikes). Minimum size is 145mm x 145mm”.
SA FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in SA? You use red P plates in SA for the first 12 months of driving and then show green P plates for 24 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in SA? See the official South Australian MyLicence page for more info.
In WA
For new P Plate drivers in WA, the P Plate licence colour for the first 6 months is a white-letter P Plate with a red background. You will start on a red P Plate licence and you’re required to “display white on red P plates”.
After 6 months, you will progress to green P plates and the colour in WA for 18 months is a white-letter P Plate with a green background. You’re required to “display white on green P plates”.
WA FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in WA? You use red P plates in WA for the first 6 months of driving and then show green P plates for 18 months.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in WA? See the official Western Australian Department of Transport page for more info.
In NT
For new P Plate drivers in NT, the P Plate licence colour for the full 2 years is a white-letter P Plate with a red background. You will start on a red P Plate licence and you’re required to “display red on white P plates”.
NT FAQs
- What is the difference between red and green P plates in NT? You only need red P plates in NT for the full 24 months of your provisional licence.
- Where do I access the government information on what colour P plates I need in NT? See the official Northern Territory Government licence page for more info.
