The use of Learner’s Permit, Provisional (P1 or P2) Licence with Food Delivery Service

Driving for delivery services is one of the most popular side hustles in Australia. The main reason is because of its flexibility, it’s useful for those who want to achieve short-term goals or for those who want to keep working while waiting to get a full-time job.

You can use any vehicle you have, including a bike which you certainly don’t need a licence to drive. But, if you intend to use a motorized vehicle (car, motorbike or scooter), there is one additional requirement: a driver’s licence.

There are three major players in Australia’s on-demand delivery platform, with Uber Eats leading the market, followed by Menulog and DoorDash. Each delivery platform has its own rules regarding the use of driver’s licences.

What is a Provisional Licence?

A provisional licence marks a transitional period where drivers are permitted to drive without supervision, but with certain restrictions and conditions. It’s often called a Ps or P plate licence.

In most states and territories across Australia, there are two stages of a provisional licence.

• P1 or Red P plates
• P2 or Green P plates

Rules and duration for each stage vary by state, as do limitations and conditions.

In Australia, P-platers are typically held by students, recent school leavers, and young adults. Many in this age group are attracted by the flexible work and easy requirements. On-demand delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash are a perfect fit.

However, not all gig delivery platforms allow P platers to be their delivery drivers due to legal, insurance, and safety-related reasons. Fortunately, there are still delivery platforms that allow it under certain conditions.

Delivering with Uber Eats on your P plate

One of the questions we often get is, Can you do Uber Eats on your P plates? Most of these questions come from individuals who are currently undergoing their red Ps or green Ps, but want to immediately earn additional income by delivering with Uber Eats.

In light of the fact that Uber’s on-demand delivery platform is very popular among Australians. This platform is the main choice for those who want to try a new side hustle as a delivery driver.

However, according to our findings, Uber is the most stringent company when it comes to licence requirements compared to competitors. The reason they implement this is because it creates a positive user experience and builds trust between the platform and customers.

Uber Eats Full Licence Requirements

Uber clearly mentions on their website that any provisional driver’s licences be it red or green plates, cannot be used to apply to become a delivery person. This also applies to those of you who still hold a learner’s licence, save your time and money, and don’t even think about signing up with this platform. Unless you choose a bicycle to deliver.

This is certainly a disappointment for Australians who want to be able to immediately earn additional income by becoming an Uber delivery person. As we know, we need up to three years on a provisional licence before we can apply for the full one.

Doing DoorDash on your Ps

On the DoorDash official website, the requirements say that one of the documents needed to become a Dasher is a Full Open Australian licence. Luckily, they also mention that it’s just optional for those who want to access certain delivery offers from a specific business.

This could mean they accept Ps for Dashers who deliver with a car. DoorDash didn’t specify which provisional licence they accept, whether it’s just red P or green P plates, or even both.

Become a Dasher using a Ps

After browsing around the driver community board, I found some interesting things from some of the drivers there. They said that they had no problems when signing up using Ps, especially a green P plate. DoorDash still approves their driver accounts, and they can still get delivery orders.

It seems that DoorDash is not very strict when determining driver’s licence requirements. However, now it seems that your chances of being approved are greater when you upload at least a P2 Provisional or Green P Plate licence. However, there are actually some Dashers who are currently delivering with a car, and they used red Ps (P1) documents when signing up.

As we know, Ps licence holders in several states have quite a lot of driving restrictions. So delivery platforms may be a bit worried that this limitation will interfere with the delivery people themselves in making deliveries.

But there’s no harm in trying, who knows, DoorDash has changed its minimum requirements to accept all more licences. Moreover, it’s free of charge to register as a Dasher, so nothing to lose.

Be a Menulog driver on your Ps licence

Menulog has a similar policy to DoorDash, on their official website, they state that Learners and P1 (reds) licences are not accepted to deliver with them. So we can conclude here that they only receive full unrestricted licences, overseas licences, and P2 Provisional licences (green plates).

Menulog Ps Requirements

This was confirmed by several people in the online driver boards, some drivers stated that they had no problem registering with green (P2) licences. So don’t worry about trying to register with them.

However, as a Ps holder, make sure you understand and comply with all restrictions related to the licence you currently have. This is to ensure your safety when you deliver with the platform.

International Licence as an alternative to Ps

In most states in Australia, a temporary visa holder such as an international student, is not required to have an Australian licence to hit the road. They can use their current overseas licence to legally drive across the country. In addition, they can also use it as one of the requirements to work with Uber Eats or other similar companies.

If you have both types of licences, some drivers suggest you choose an overseas licence instead of the provisional or learner’s permit when applying. Learn more about using an overseas driver’s licence to work with on-demand delivery platforms in Australia.

Unfortunately, this type of licence doesn’t seem to be valid for all delivery platforms. From what I got from fellow drivers, right now Uber Eats and Menulog are still accepting overseas licences. Meanwhile, DoorDash has changed its policy and now only accepts Australian licences, whether it’s provisional or full.

Ubereats Overseas Licence Policy

The conditions are different for drivers who work in Victoria, because temporary visa holders are required to convert their licence to a Victorian licence. This applies to those who have lived or will be living in Victoria for 6 months or more.

If you are not a permanent resident of Australia, you are advised to always know the latest updates about your current state’s rules relating to overseas driver’s licences. Because the rules could have changed without you realizing it.

Mobile phone usage rules for P plater in every state and territories

Working as a food delivery driver undoubtedly requires you to take a look at your mobile phone more often. Whether it’s to accept delivery requests when they appear on the screen or to help you find the restaurant and customer address by using online maps apps like Waze or Google Maps.

Maybe you already know that every state across Australia has enacted regulations governing the use of mobile phones while driving or commonly known as Mobile Phone Road Rules. Using a smartphone while driving or riding can be distracting, increasing the driver’s chance of being involved in a crash.

Here’s a quick summary of some rules about mobile phone usage while driving that apply in several states and territories across Australia. You can also check out the link I’ve included to learn more.

Victoria

In Victoria, Ps holders who are usually younger or newer drivers have to stick to some pretty strict phone rules for safety. Using your phone while driving is a no-go. The good news? You can use navigation, as long as your phone is mounted and you’ve set the route before you start driving.

So if you’re doing deliveries, you’ll need to park first to accept the order and set the address on the navigation app before hitting the road again. Learn more about it at transport.vic.gov.au.

Queensland

Queensland’s a bit more relaxed compared to some other states. The strict no-phone rules only apply to Learners and P1 drivers under 25. If you’re on your P2s or you’re a P1 driver over 25, you’re allowed to use your phone hands-free, as long as it’s mounted properly. That covers things like maps, navigation, and managing delivery orders.

These kinds of rules are super helpful for delivery drivers, letting them stay on the move without needing to pull over just to check directions or accept a job. Learn more about the rules at www.qld.gov.au.

New South Wales

In NSW, if you’re on your P-plates, you’re not allowed to use your phone at all while driving, not even when you’re stopped at the lights or if it’s in a phone holder. The only time you’re allowed to touch your phone is when you’re fully parked and out of the traffic flow (though you don’t have to turn the engine off).

This includes using maps or GPS, which is a bit of a headache for delivery drivers on their Ps, since they’ll need to find their way around without navigation help. Learn more at www.nsw.gov.au.

Western Australia

In Western Australia (including Perth), if you’ve got a full licence, you’re allowed to touch your phone to make or take calls, as long as it’s mounted properly. Unfortunately, there’s not much clear info out there about the exact rules for P1 or P2 drivers.

But from what we can tell, it looks like things are stricter for P platers, so it’s best to play it safe and avoid using your phone while driving. Get a better insight about the rules at transport.wa.gov.au.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

In the ACT, Learners and P-platers aren’t allowed to use their phones at all while driving. So, no texting, social media, or even hands-free calls. The upside? You can still use GPS, as long as your phone is properly mounted.

Just make sure you’re safely parked and out of traffic before accepting orders or setting up your route. Find out the complete rules at cityservices.act.gov.au.

Tasmania

In Hobart and the rest of Tasmania, Learners and P1 drivers aren’t allowed to use their phones at all while driving. If you’re on a P2 or full licence, you can still use your phone through Bluetooth or voice commands.

Just like in most other states, though, you’ll need to pull over and park if you want to touch your phone, whether it’s to check the map or accept a delivery order. Check out the complete rules at transport.tas.gov.au.

Delivering without driver’s licence in Australia

Don’t have an overseas licence? There’s nothing wrong with registering using a bicycle (including an electric bike) because most platforms also accept this type of vehicle. The requirements for bikers are easier when compared to motorized vehicles.

For example, to sign up to deliver with a bike with Uber Eats, you don’t have to use a driver licence as a required document. You can use a Student ID or National ID as a substitute.

One of the advantages of this vehicle is that you will not have trouble parking, it is easier to work in the CBD area and more economical because it is not affected by the increase in fuel prices.

So, delivering using a bike is recommended for those of you who still hold a learner’s licence or red Ps. When the time comes, you already have a green Ps or even an unlimited/open licence, then you can apply to add a motorized vehicle by attaching your new driver’s licence.

Find out more about delivering with a bike, the pros and cons of using this vehicle, and also the pay rate for the biker vs using a motorized vehicle.