No one under the age of 16 years can be issued with a learner's permit or driver's licence. Driving a motor vehicle on a road without having a current driver's licence or learner's permit is an offence that carries a fine of up to $750.

To obtain a driver's licence it is necessary to pass an examination on the road rules and be issued with a learner's permit, which stays in force for up to six months and can be renewed as often as necessary until sufficient skills have been acquired to pass a practical driving test. A learner driver can only drive when accompanied by a licensed driver, and 'L' plates must be attached to the front and back of the vehicle at all times.

The first licence issued is a provisional driver's licence. It cannot be obtained before the age of 16½ years and must be held for at least one year. An unrestricted licence cannot be obtained until 19 years of age. Provisional licence holders must have 'P' plates displayed on any vehicle driven by them. It is an offence for learner or provisional drivers to drive, or attempt to drive, a motor vehicle when they have had anything to drink. In other words, their prescribed concentration of alcohol must be 0.00. In addition they must obey other restrictions such as carrying their licence at all times, see traffic offences.