AUTOMOBILES / Cars
A Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS)
exists in New South Wales. The GLS requires Learners
to acquire a combination of training, education and
practical experience in accordance with the requirements
of the Learner Logbook.
Extensive driving experience under varied conditions
is compulsory. This ensures greater opportunity for
training and experience under controlled conditions.
Driving experience must be signed off by the learner's
driver trainer or supervisor.
Under the GLS, new drivers are required to pass through
three licensing stages before obtaining an unrestricted
driver licence. These stages are:
Learner Licence
Provisional P1 Licence (Automatic or Manual)
Provisional P2 Licence
Drivers are required to pass four tests before finally
graduating to an unrestricted licence. The four tests
are:
- The computer-based Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) which
must be passed before obtaining a learner licence.
- The New Driving Test which must be passed
before graduating to a provisional P1 licence.
- The Hazard Perception Test (HPT) which must be passed
before graduating to a provisional P2 licence.
- The Driver Qualification Test (DQT) which must be passed
before graduating to an unrestricted licence.
The HPT and DQT utilise multimedia computer technology
to ensure that drivers have the necessary knowledge,
skills and attitudes for safe driving.
A driver who holds a provisional P1 licence will have
the licence suspended if he/she reaches a total of four
or more demerit points.
A driver who holds a provisional P2 driver licence
will have the licence suspended if a total of seven
or more demerit points is reached.
Learner's Licence - Before learning to drive a car you
must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
Study the Road Users Handbook issued by the Roads &
Traffic Authority (RTA)
- Pass a knowledge test. Click
here for details on the questions in the knowledge
test.
Click
here for a demonstration of the knowledge test
- Pass an eyesight test
- Obtain a green Learner's Licence
- Obtain a Learner Driver Log Book
A Learner's Licence costs $15 and is valid for 3 years.
The RTA Road Users Handbook provides detailed information
of the regulatory requirements.
There are RTA Motor Registries in metropolitan and
country areas where you can obtain your Learner Licence.
Click
here to find the locations.
TRUCKS AND BUSES
There are two options to obtaining your licence:
You can learn to drive heavy vehicles on your current
licence if the vehicle type is one for which you are
next eligible to apply. You must comply with any restrictions
on your current licence.
The following rules apply:
| Class LR |
|
| Class MR |
|
| Class HR |
You must hold at least a current
'Class C' licence. |
| Class HC |
You must be the
holder of at least a current unrestricted 'Class
MR' or unrestricted 'Class HR' licence. |
| Class MC |
You must be the holder of
at least a current unrestricted 'Class HR' or unrestricted
'Class HC' licence. |
Note: You cannot upgrade to any Heavy Vehicle Licence
while on a P1 licence. P2 licence holders cannot upgrade
to HC or MC. There are some different road rules for heavy vehicle
learner drivers - click
here to see details.
Competency
Based Assessment (CBA)
CBA is an attractive alternative way of getting a heavy
vehicle licence. Under CBA, your driving skill is assessed
by an RTA Accredited Assessor. There is no driving test.
If you are applying for a heavy vehicle licence, from
Light Rigid (LR) to Heavy Combination (HC) you can be
assessed under CBA. You will need a CBA Logbook, available
at Motor Registries and to make arrangements with an
accredited assessor.
Bus Driving - CBA Courses are also offered for bus
and coach driving.
MOTOR BIKES
The majority of NSW has compulsory training for motorbikes.
There are two levels - pre-learner and pre-provisional.
All learner enquiries and bookings should be made through
the RTA’s rider training booking and inquiry line.
Tel: 13 22 13 | 
