Edition 47, July 2007

New licensing conditions for L and P drivers and riders in NSW


On 1 July 2007, the NSW Government introduced a range of initiatives in an attempt to reduce the road toll. The initiatives are a response to young drivers' and riders' involvement in 26 per cent of fatal accidents, while comprising only 13 per cent of the total number of licensed operators.

The changes include:

  • Licence suspension for any speeding offence by P1 drivers and provisional riders. Offenders will receive a minimum of four demerit points, have their licence suspended for at least three months, and be fined.
  • Banning all mobile phone use by learner, P1 drivers and provisional riders. No mobile phone functions can be used while driving or riding including hands-free mode, with the loudspeaker operating, or sending and receiving SMS (text) messages. The penalty is three demerit points and a fine (or four demerit points if the offence occurs in an operating school zone).
  • Peer passenger restrictions for P1 drivers. Persons aged under 25 years must not drive between 11 pm and 5 am with more than one passenger under the age of 21. The penalty is three demerit points and a fine. An exemption may be available if exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated, but an application fee will apply.
  • Changes to the display of L and P plates on vehicles.  Plates may no longer be displayed from inside the vehicle but must be clearly mounted on the front and back exterior sides. The letters on the plate must not be hidden and the penalty for incorrect display is two demerit points and a fine.
  • An increase in the term of the licence and supervised driving hours.  Learner drivers obtaining their licence on or after 1 July 2007 must hold it for a minimum of 12 months and complete at least 120 hours of supervised driving (including 20 hours of night driving) before applying for their P1 licence.

For more information visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing  

This page was generated on 26 August, 2009

Tag cloud Tags: driver licensing,NSW. Click here to view the tag cloud.