Licence conditions and requirements

If you pass your probationary drive test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you can only drive vehicles with an automatic transmission during your probationary period. This condition is displayed as an ‘A’ condition on the driver licence card.

At the end of your probationary period, you can drive vehicles with a manual transmission without having to do another driving test provided the condition is not required due to a medical condition or impairment.

If you are required to drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission due to a specific medical condition, the condition will apply regardless of whether you are a probationary driver or not. This condition will be displayed as a ‘V’ condition on your driver licence and/or learner permit card.

Removing the A - Automatic transmission condition

If you have a probationary licence with an ‘A’ automatic transmission condition, the only way you can have this condition removed is to pass the drive test in a vehicle with a manual transmission.

When you have passed the drive test and paid the licence variation fee you will be issued with a replacement driver licence card that has the ‘A’ automatic condition removed.

To book an appointment to take a drive test, call 13 11 71 or visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. Note: This drive test can’t be booked online.

Go to driver licence and learner permit fees for more information about fees.

When learning to drive in a manual vehicle, you must have someone with an appropriate driver licence for that vehicle sitting beside you and display 'Driver Under Instruction' plates as well as your 'P' plates on the front and back of your vehicle. Driver Under Instruction plates must be 150mm x 150mm with black lettering on a yellow background.

It is also available in these languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese (Mandarin)
• Turkish
• Vietnamese.

Go to the drive test to learn more.

Synchromesh transmission

When applying for a heavy vehicle licence, if you were tested in a vehicle fitted with a synchromesh transmission you will:

• have a synchromesh (B) condition placed on your licence, and
• only be permitted to drive a heavy vehicle with a synchromesh or an automatic transmission, and
• if you were a holder of a probationary driver licence with an automatic condition, the A condition will be removed and the synchromesh (B) condition will be applied to your licence

If you already hold a Victorian, interstate or New Zealand heavy vehicle licence which does not have a B restriction, then a B restriction will not be imposed.

Removing Synchromesh transmission restriction

If you wish to drive non-synchromesh vehicles (commonly known as crash boxes, constant-mesh or ‘Road Ranger’ gears) and hold a driver licence with a 'B' condition, you will have to be re-tested in a vehicle fitted with that type of transmission.

If you get your automatic bus and truck driver licence while you hold a manual car driver licence, the synchromesh (‘B’) condition will apply immediately.
Contact an accredited provider to book in your test to remove the B condition.

An E condition will apply during the restricted period of getting your motorcycle licence. During this time you must follow all motorcycle licence restrictions

This condition is shown as an E on the driver licence card.

You will only be allowed to drive a vehicle with an alcohol interlock fitted. This condition is shown as an I on the driver licence and/or learner permit card.

It is an offence for a Victorian licence/permit holder to breach an alcohol interlock condition. This offence also applies to interstate licence/permit holders who breach their interstate alcohol interlock condition while driving in Victoria.

Note: Where a person holds a driver licence and/or learner permit that is subject to an alcohol interlock condition, the person may drive a motor vehicle that is not fitted with an alcohol interlock:

• When the person is undergoing a driving assessment that is supervised by a commercial driving instructor and conducted in a dual controlled vehicle; or
• When the person is undertaking driving lessons that are supervised by a commercial driving instructor conducted in a dual controlled vehicle.

If you pass your motorcycle learner permit or licence skill assessment on a motorcycle fitted with an automatic transmission, you can only ride a motorcycle fitted with an automatic transmission. This condition is shown as an N on the driver licence card.

This also applies to overseas licence holders who are required to complete the motorcycle learner permit or licence skill assessment to be issued with a Victorian motorcycle learner permit or licence.

Removing the condition

If you have a motorcycle learner permit or licence with an automatic transmission condition, you can have this condition removed by passing the ride test on a motorcycle with a manual transmission. Call a Training and test provider to make a booking to be retested.

This condition will apply if you wear corrective lenses during a VicRoads eyesight test or you provide a report stating you are required to wear corrective lenses when driving. This condition is shown as an S on the licence and/or learner permit card.

Adding the condition

This condition may be added to your licence and/or learner permit at any time by notifying VicRoads that you now wear glasses or contact lenses or by providing a medical or eyesight report from an eye care practitioner advising that corrective lenses are necessary when driving.

Removing the condition

The condition can be removed at any time by providing a report from an eye care practitioner advising VicRoads that corrective lenses are no longer required when driving.

This condition will apply if you have been notified by VicRoads that specific driver aids or vehicle modifications are required for you to drive. Examples include:

• left foot accelerator
• hand controls
• need to wear prosthesis etc.

This condition is shown as a V on the licence and/or learner permit card.

If a V condition applies you will need to carry a letter detailing the condition whilst driving.

This relates to any condition that you have been notified of by VicRoads.

Examples include:

• no night driving or driving restricted to specific times
• radius or specific route restrictions.

This condition is shown as an X on the licence and/or learner permit card.

If an X condition applies you may need to carry a letter detailing the condition whilst driving.

You must not drive a motor vehicle if there is any concentration of alcohol present in your blood or breath and you must carry your driver licence card at all times while driving or in charge of a motor vehicle.

This condition is shown as a Z on the driver licence card.