The rules will take full effect from late 2010, under the Graduated Licensing Scheme.

P-plate drivers make up more than 76,000 of road users and the measures are designed to ensure greater safety.

Premier Mike Rann said there was a strong community concern about young, inexperienced drivers getting behind the wheel of high-powered vehicles.

P-plate driver Josh Linde, Tailem Bend, said he was not fully supportive of the changes.

“It is not fair for drivers who like to have fast and nice looking cars but still drive safely,” he said.

“It is only some of the drivers who do the wrong thing, some drivers do obey the road rules.”

The initiatives will also include legislation to increase the supervised driving time required by learner drivers, from 50 hours to 75 hours.

Mr Rann said he also planned to increase the minimum time on a learner’s permit from six months to 12 months.

“This will mean learner drivers will gain more experience under the safest of conditions over a longer period, with a qualified supervising driver in the car with them,” he said.

The Government is hoping to strengthen the current curfew condition applying to drivers returning from a serious disqualification, by restricting them carrying passengers during the curfew time from midnight to 5am.

Mr Rann said six of the initiatives would require legislative change, but he planned to introduce, by regulation, in the new year a prohibition on learner and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function, including hands-free or blue tooth units, while driving.

Road Safety Minister Carmel Zollo said a draft bill would be prepared for introduction into State Parliament in the latter half of 2009.

P-plate changes for 2010

- Supervised driving time required by learner drivers from 50 hours to 75 hours.

- Increase the minimum time on a learner’s permit from six to 12 months.

- Curfew conditions apply to drivers returning from a serious disqualification by restricting them from carrying passengers during the curfew time from midnight to 5am.

- Prohibition on learner and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function, including hands-free or bluetooth units while driving.

- Introduce two demerit points to replace licence disqualification as a penalty for failure to display P-plates.

- Replace the current hardship appeal provision with an offer of a Good Behaviour Option, to reduce the burden on court time.

- Restricting P1 and P2 platers from driving high-powered cars.