Graduated Licensing System

Young drivers represent 13 per cent of licensed drivers yet they are involved in 26 per cent of all fatal crashes. To reduce the death and injury of young people on our roads, the NSW Government introduced a range of new initiatives on 1 July 2007. Visit the RTA website for full details.

Some of the changes are:

Licence suspension for any speeding offence for P1 drivers and provisional riders. As a P1 driver or provisional rider you will receive a minimum of fourdemerit points and have your licence suspended for at least three months if you speed on or after 1 July 2007. A fine is also payable.

A ban on all mobile phone use for learner, P1 drivers and provisional riders.
You must not use any function of a mobile phone while driving or riding. This includes phones in the hands-free mode or with the loudspeaker operating, or sending SMS (text) messages. The penalty for mobile phone use 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.
If you are under the age of 25 you must not drive between the hours of 11pm and 5am with more than one passenger under the age of 21. The penalty is three demerit points and a fine.
The RTA can grant an exemption from peer passenger restrictions if exceptional circumstances are demonstrated. Further information on how to apply for a passenger restriction exemption is available on the Application for Exemption: Peer-Passenger, One-Passenger or Prohibited Vehicle Condition (available to download from the box at the bottom of this page). An application fee will apply click here for details.

Changes to the display of L and P plates on vehicles. L or P plates may no longer be displayed from inside your vehicle. All learner and provisional drivers must clearly display their L and P plates on the front and back of the outside of the vehicle. The letters L and P on the plate must not be hidden. The penalty for incorrectly displayed plates is two demerit points and a fine.

Increased licence term and supervised driving hours for learner drivers. Learner drivers getting their licence on or after 1 July 2007 will need to hold their learner licence for a minimum of 12 months and complete at least 120 hours of supervised driving (including 20 hours of night driving) before they can apply for their P1 licence. Visit the RTA website for full details.