Novice drivers

Why novice drivers must display novice plates. 

You must display novice plates (N-plates) on your vehicle for two years after receiving your first driving licence.  This allows you to gain the experience required to become a safer driver. Our research tells us that novice drivers are most likely to be killed on our roads in the first two years after passing their test due to their inexperience.

Novice drivers 

For a period of two years after receiving your first driving licence, you are considered a novice driver. There are special conditions that apply to novice drivers during this period: 

• you must display N-plates on your vehicle for the first two years
• you cannot act as a sponsor or accompanying driver for a category B learner driver
• a lower blood alcohol concentration threshold applies (20mg)
• a lower threshold of seven penalty points leading to disqualification usually applies to novice drivers. 

FAQs on Novice drivers and novice plates