The restrictions surrounding learner and provisional drivers are different in each state of Australia.

In fact, the only thing that is the same throughout the country is the actual testing itself. All states require novice drivers to pass an eyesight test, a computer based theory test and a practical assessment in order to progress to their provisional license. Oh and of course they are prohibited from having anything above a 0.0 per cent blood alcohol concentration.

Everything else varies from state to state. That includes speed limits, the number of supervised hours and curfews.

Driving interstate can cause some issues for learner and provisional drivers because technically they have to abide by the laws of the state that they received their license in, so these varying rules can sometimes become confusing.

Here's a guide to the rules and regulations in each state.

Tasmania

Unlike other states, Tasmania only recently implemented L1 and L2 licenses, which are broken into 3 and 9 month instalments. The idea was to incorporate a mixture of theory and practical to increase a young person's chance of becoming a safe driver.

While there is no need for a logbook to track all the hours, the state government does recommend at least 50 hours of driving.

As stated by Transport Tasmania, if you are a learner or P1 license holder in a 90km/h zone you are able to drive at that speed. If, however you are in a 110 km/h zone, you can increase your speed to 100 km/h. This is apparently so that novice drivers can gain experience at different speeds.

When it comes to penalties, a P1 license holder can expect to be sent back to the L2 stage if they lose their license twice. After that it turns into a bit of an ordeal to get back your provisional license. The P plater would have to re take the driver knowledge test, keep their L2 license for a month and then pass the practical driving assessment, again!

Speed Limit: 100km/h speed limit

Mobile phone: No specific hands free ban

South Australia

While in some ways progressing through the different driver's licenses in South Australia might seem easier than in other states, the restrictions in place during your provisional years are pretty strict.

For starters, a supervising driver has to have had their license continuously for 2 years. That means they can't have any recent disqualifications or suspensions.

Then, there are two ways for a learner to move onto their P plates, either pass a driving test like in other states or complete a series of driving sessions with a competency based trainer.

While a lot of states enforce a curfew on young drivers, in SA P1 drivers can't drive at all between midnight and 5am, so no late night Macca's runs!

When it comes to speeding however, the government is a little bit more lenient. If a provisional driver is caught driving less than 10 km/h over the speed limit, they won't face an immediate license suspension. Instead they will be slapped with fines and demerit points as per normal.

Speed Limit: 100km/h

Mobile phone useage: Can't use any hands free technology

Passengers: No more than one passenger aged between 16 and 20

Western Australia

Given that Western Australia is a fairly large chunk of land, it's understandable that some young drivers are exempt from having to undergo a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) if they don't live within 100km of a computer with a HPT.

Before that though, learners have to undergo a minimum of 25 supervised driving hours. 25 to be exact. The testing system is a little bit tedious though, after the initial 25 hours, drivers will have to pass a practical driving assessment, followed by another 25 hours then eventually pass the HPT.

In total young drivers will spend about 3 years going from learner to fully licensed driver.

WA differs from some states when it comes to enforcing a strict speed limit for provisional drivers, both P1 and P2 drivers can travel up to the signed speed (110 km/h).

Speed limit: 110km/h

Curfew:  Can't drive between midnight and 5am for the first 6 months of P1 license

Restricted access:  Kings Park is off limits for learner drivers

Supervisor: Supervising driver must have held a license continuously for 4 years  

Northern Territory

The system for learners and provisional drivers in the Northern Territory is fairly straight forward.

Drivers can get their learners permit at 16, hold that for at least 6 months before undergoing a driving assessment test and then spend two years as a P1 driver.

There isn't a set amount of supervised hours a learner must complete but the state government recommends 20 hours to be a competent driver and an additional 80 to be a safe one.

Speed Limit: 100 km/h speed limit

Costs: Free license renewal for safe drivers

Mature age: Over 25's only have to hold a provisional license for 1 year

Queensland

Queensland is one state that strictly enforces 100 hours of logged, supervised driving for drivers under the age of 25. If you are over 25 though there is a logbook exemption and instead you must hold your license for 12 months.

Just like in Western Australia, QLD doesn't set speed limits for provisional drivers but passenger restrictions are enforced. This has been particularly difficult for provisional drivers living in towns bordering NSW since their P plate speed limit is 90 km/h.

Between 11pm and 5am the one passenger you are allow has to be over 21 years old.

Speed limit: 110km/h

Logbook: Have to submit their logbook for approval days prior to driving assessment

Mobile phone useage: No hands free devices allowed

International drivers: QLD is very strict with what overseas drivers are allowed to claim as driving experience

ACT

The Australian Capital Territory provisional licensing system emphasises heavily on education rather than restriction.

From the age of 15 years 9 months' students take part in the Road Ready program that is taught in schools and once they pass this initial test they can go on to the driver knowledge test.

While your learner's permit is valid for two years, the minimum is six months before drivers can move onto their P plates.

Through the Road Ready program teenagers will already have ten hours of practical driving, more is obviously recommended but not required.

Drivers also have two options when it comes to the practical assessment. They can either choose to do a standard government test like in other states or a series of competency based driving tests with an accredited instructor.

That's not it when it comes to driver education in the ACT though. Some P platers also opt for yet another course (Road Ready Plus) so that they are able to forgo wearing P plates as a reward for being a safe driver.

Speed limit: 110km/h

Mobile phone useage:  No hands free devices

Mature age: Drivers over 25 don't have to comply with the three-year provisional driver rule

NSW

Learner drivers in NSW can get their license at 16 and are required to complete 120 logged hours, 20 of those being night driving hours.

The state government is aware that it is difficult for a lot of young people to build up that many hours so the 3 for 1 incentive was created. For every hour a learner driver spends with an accredited driving instructor, they can count it as three in their logbook.

They also give learners a little bit longer, with the learner license valid for up to 5 years before having to re sit the driver knowledge test.

NSW isn't all bad though, provisional drivers are able to drive with one passenger under 21 between 11pm and 5am.

When it comes to speed, the state government believe that restricting how fast learner and P platers can drive is the best option. Learners and P1 license holders are limited to 90 km/h and P2 holders can go 100 km/h.

Speed limit: 90km/h (L and P1), 100km/h (P2)

Mobile phone useage: No hands free devices

Restrictions: Cannot drive in either Parramatta or Centennial Park

Identification: Can't use suspended license as a form of identification

VICTORIA

Victoria has the longest probationary period for any state, with drivers spending one year with a P1 license and 3 years with a P2. That means while in some states you can receive a full license at 19, in Victoria you'll still be 3 years away.

But you won't have to abide by any set P plate speed limit, as even learner drivers are able to drive according to the signed speed limit.

Another thing that Victroria takes seriously is peer passenger restriction; unless you are driving a sibling, as a P plater you are limited to one person aged between 16 and 21 at any time.

Speed limit: 110km/h

Costs: Free license scheme for drivers with a clean driving history

Logbook: 120 hours of supervised, logged driving

Interstate drivers: Enforces that interstate learners abide by their road rules when travelling within the state

Do you think it would ever be possible to have a national system in place for learner and provisional drivers? Tell us in the comments below.