Defensive Driving is best described as; to save lives, time and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.
A Novice Driver is a person who has a Learners Permit of Probationary Licence, but has never held a full Licence.
If you are an experienced driver who has a Learner Permit for a motor bike, you are not counted as a Novice Driver, even if your full drivers Licence is suspended, cancelled, or expired.
Laws for Novice Drivers
Special laws apply to Probationary Drivers for example:
Having a zero blood alcohol concentration.
Having your Licence or Permit immediately suspended if you are caught with a blood alcohol concentration of .07 or more.
Having a tougher demerit points system.
Also if you are a P Plater you must:
Carry your Probationary Licence and show your P plates whenever driving.
Not drive a high powered vehicle (unless you get special permission to do this).
If you are a Learner driver you must:
Have an experienced driver next to you when driving a car and carry your Learners Permit.
Show your L plates whenever driving.
Since the 1st of January 2007 there are new rules for Learner and Probationary Drivers in Victoria.
They will affect you if you want to get a licence or if you are already fully licenced and under 26 years of age. Most of the changes also apply to motorbike licences.
If you are under 21 years and applying for a Probationary Licence you must have a :
Learners permit for at least 12 months.
At least 120 hours of supervised driving experience, and at least 10 hours of this driving must be done at night.
Other rules apply for older learner drivers.
The changes also mean that:
Learner and P1 Drivers cannot use a mobile phone at all (hand held, SMS or hands free) while driving.
Alcohol interlock devices will be fitted to first time drink drivers on a Probationary Licence and drink drivers under 26 years of age.
There are new restrictions on driving high powered vehicles for Probationary Drivers who got their licence after the 1st July 2007.
From the 1st of July 2008, Probationary Drivers under 21 years have a two-stage four year licence system. If you are under 21 you will have:
A P1 Licence (red P plate) for the first 12 months.
A P2 Licence (green P plate) for the next three years
It will take longer to get to the next stage of your Licence if you have a bad driving record