newsNo, Australia’s P-plate laws aren’t being changed by the Federal GovernmentAI-written articles from overseas sources have gone viral online with false information about P-plate law changes in Australia.Jordan Hickey13:3809 May 20250comments+6 PhotosNewly licensed Australians have been targeted inviral AI-generated content claiming extensive law changesare comingfor all P-plate drivers.Articles from overseas sources – which appear to use generative artificial intelligence content – have received attention with false claims the Albanese Labor Government will immediately change P-plate laws.The Federal Government does not create or amend road rules, with each state and territory in Australia responsible for its own laws, including those applicable to provisional licence holders.MORE:What cars can P-platers drive in Australia?+6 PhotosSource: @perfnic via TikTokOne Australian TikTok user, @perfnic, has accumulated over 1.5 million views and 150,000 likes on their video claiming the false information as fact.The false claims made in articles viewed byDriveinclude an extension for red P1 drivers across Australia to 18 months, a curfew between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am, a GPS navigation and hands-free mobile phone ban for all P-platers, and a 150-hour requirement for learner drivers.It is also falsely claimed that fines and demerit points for certain offences would be increased for P-plate drivers caught doing the wrong thing.Western Australia was the most recent state to announce actual changes to its P-plate laws, with aone-passenger limit for red P-plate driversintroduced from December 1, 2024, similar to existing rules in other states.MORE:Western Australia introduces new P-plater laws+6 PhotosP1 drivers in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania were already limited to driving with no more than one passenger aged between 16 and 20, or 16 and 21, with some exceptions, while the rule applies in NSW, Queensland and the ACT between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.A curfew between midnight and 5:00 am applies to P1 drivers in Western Australia and South Australia, which applies for the first six and 12 months after receiving their licence, respectively – but not in any other state or territory.Each state and territory has unique laws regarding mobile phone usage for P-plate drivers, among other rule differences, such asrestrictions on driving certain vehiclesin some jurisdictions but not others, and at what age learner drivers can graduate to a provisional licence.For instance, green P2 licence holders in Queensland are permitted to make hands-free phone calls – but not P1 drivers – while all P-platers in New South Wales must not use a mobile phone for any purpose, includingApple CarPlay, Android Autoor Bluetooth for music and navigation.MORE:Opinion – We need to discuss the brutal reality of road trauma with our kids+6 PhotosPenalties for breaking the law are also determined by each state and territory.Basic road rules are set out in the National Transport Commission's Australian Road Rules model law, but each Australian state and territory must copy the rules into their own legislation, which can differ.The Australian Road Rules model law provides no national guidance on restrictions for P-plate drivers.6 ImagesPreviousNextJordan HickeyNews JournalistJordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.Read more about Jordan Hickey