Newly licensed driver plate
[3] Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) first commenced in Australia in the mid-1960s with New South Wales introducing learner and provisional licences on January 4, 1966.
In all states, newly licensed drivers are required by law to display P-plates for varying lengths of time.
After a period of one year, provisional drivers must then pass a hazard-perception test to move from red to green P-Plates, where previously only a 3-year duration was required.
New restrictions also prevent any under-25, Queensland provisional licence-holder from carrying more than one passenger under the age of 21 who is not an immediate family member, between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am.
In Hong Kong, a person is allowed to apply for a learners' licence for private cars, light good vehicles, motorcycles and motor tricycles once he or she has reached 18 years old.
The L-plate is printed red on a white background with an alphabet "L" and a Chinese character "學", which literally means "learning".
The letter L should be at least 15 cm (6 in) high and appear as red on a white background, in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the vehicle.
A fluorescent tabard displaying an 'L' on the rear is now required for motorcyclists using a provisional licence or learner permit.
[8] The new measures were introduced in an effort to improve road safety, and will be followed by the introduction of 'tiered licensing', with harsher rules applying to those holding a full licence for less than two years.
From 1 August 2014, a person granted a first full driving licence must display N-plates (Novice) on the vehicle for a period of 2 years.
The legal requirements for an N plate are that it is not less than 15 centimetres (6") high in red on a white ground, in clearly visible vertical positions to the front and rear of the vehicle.
Trimming of N plates generally occurs due to a perceived ‘embarrassment’ of them or the driver is driving a modified vehicle that they do not want attention drawn to.
It has to be fixed in a corner of the rear window, and there are lower limits on plate's size and width of the letters.
In Malaysia, only cars approved by driving schools may be driven by Learner Drivers after passing the theory test.
They are subject to the Kejara demerit system, where those accumulating 10 points or more during the 2-year probationary period may risk their licences to be revoked.
The P-plate design is similar to its L-counterpart, except that the background colour is red and the letter P is white.
Driving school cars sport a permanent blue and white "L" plate with the word prácticas 'practice' in red.
After learners have passed a driving test for the appropriate vehicle, they may opt to display green P-plates (P for probationary) (in England, Scotland or Wales) to show that they have less experience than other drivers.
In Germany, a usually red plate displaying the word Fahrschule (driving school) is placed on the vehicles during instruction.
[20] In Czechoslovakia,[needs update] a white L on a blue field, similar to the Swiss one, had been used, but many driving schools have stopped using them recently,[when?]
In Finland, a white triangle (equilateral with 16–25 cm sides) is required in the back of a vehicle used to give driving instruction.
Between 1972 and 1996, new drivers were limited to less than 80 km/h (50 mph) in the first year, and had to use a white round "80" plaque (colloquially kahdeksankympin lätkä) in the rear window or as a sticker on the back of the vehicle.
