Yep they state the date from when you lose it, it will read somthing like your P1 provisional Class C Driver licence will be suspended on from 30 september 2006, then go to the next paragraph and say when you get it back.
I am not even 18 yet and have lost my licence twice didn't have the money to take it to court the first time, got caught neg driving $300 and 3 points, one night out of town cop was in town, booked me for not dipping highbeam lights, $75 and one point, i was driving a mates car for him taking him home, was a VL and there standard lights are crap, especially compared to my skyline that i'm use to.
Next was comin home from tafe on the highway crap day, hour drive each way to and from tafe, caught 127 in 90 zone, am currently serving the 6 month suspension for that, knew i was in the wrong copped in on the chin, but need licence for job so will settle down for sure, but was $575 so left a nice hole in the pocket.
Unfortunately, living in a small town, can get targetted very easily from police people will contest this to the death but i can guarantee being a P plater in the town i live in you will be targetted for no reason, and jus finishing a traineeship in mechanics, having full knowledge of my car, i have proven police wrong and they don't like that.
All this discussion about only having so many years experience is all good and well, but nobody knows each persons background and there driving capabilities, because there will be people on here that wouldn't know what to do if a car got in a spin, i believe the P's test is too easy, should be compulsry to take some sort of defensive driving course if you don't have any background in rally programs etc that younger people can join.
But yes advice to everyone if you havn't lost your licence try to be sensbile because public transport and walking sucks hard.
Dave.