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  2. Overview
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Changes for L and P plate drivers

20 November 2017
Learner Driver NSW Learner Driver and Instructor NSW

The new Graduated Licensing Scheme

From Monday 20 November 2017, you need to complete 6 steps to progress from a learner to a full licence:

  1. Pass the Driver Knowledge Test to get your learner licence

  2. If you're under 25, start supervised driving practice to work towards the 120 hours experience you need before you can sit your driving test. You also need to hold your learner licence for at least 10 months before progressing to step 3. If you're 25 or over, you can go straight to step 3.

  3. Attempt the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). This is a computer-based touch screen test that measures your ability to recognise potentially dangerous situations on the road and respond appropriately. If you're under 25 you need to hold your learner licence for at least 12 months and complete your 120 hours of supervised driving practice, including 20 hours of night driving, before moving to step 4. If you're 25 or over you can go straight to step 4 after you pass the HPT.

  4. Book and pass the driving test to get your provisional P1 (red) licence. You will need to hold your P1 licence for at least 12 months before you can progress to step 5.

  5. Apply to upgrade to a provisional P2 (green) licence. You need to hold your P2 licence for at least 24 months before you can progress to step 6.

    If you held a P1 licence before 20 November 2017 and have not yet upgraded to a P2 licence, you will need to pass the HPT after holding your P1 licence for 12 months.

  6. Apply to progress to a full, unrestricted licence.

    If you held a P2 licence before 20 November 2017 and have not yet upgraded to a full licence, you will need to pass the Driver Qualification test (DQT) after holding your P2 licence for 24 months.

Note: Provisional P2 drivers who receive a suspension for unsafe driving behaviour must stay on their P2 licence for an extra 6 months for every suspension they receive.

What if I already have my learner, P1 or P2 licence?

See FAQs about the changes to GLS for more information.

What is the reason for these changes?

The new changes to the NSW licensing system are designed to improve the way the scheme prepares novice drivers to be safe on the road.

The Graduated Licensing Scheme has proven to be successful since it was first introduced on 1 July 2000. The scheme takes drivers from their learner licence to full licence with restrictions and conditions that are designed to ensure they build their skills and knowledge so they understand risks and are safer on the roads. Since its introduction, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in the number of young drivers killed on NSW roads.

Book a driving lesson with the NRMA

Book online or  1300 696 762

How will these changes will affect me?

Learners

If you already have a learner licence, and you haven’t progressed to a P1 licence by 20 November 2017, you will need to pass the Hazard Perception test before you can book your driving test. Hazard Perception Test online bookings will be available for learners to book from 20 November 2017.

This applies to all learner licence holders, even if you’re 25 or older.

Under 25s: You need to hold your learner licence for at least 10 months before you can sit the Hazard Perception Test.

25 or over: You can take the Hazard Perception Test at any time before you book your driving test.

Remember the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) for learners does not last forever. If you wait more than 15 months without passing the driving test, you’ll have to do the HPT again.

P1

If you got your P1 licence before 20 November 2017, you'll need to pass the Hazard Perception Test before you can apply for your P2 licence. This applies whether you apply for your P2 before or after 20 November 2017.

If you renew your P1 licence you’ll still need to pass the Hazard Perception Test before you can apply for your P2 licence but only if you haven’t done one earlier.

You need to hold your P1 licence for at least 12 months before you can apply for a P2 licence.

P2

If you got your P2 licence before 20 November 2017, you will need to pass the Driver Qualification Test before you can apply for a full licence. This applies whether you apply for your full licence before or after 20 November 2017.

You are not subject to the extra 6 month period if your P2 licence is suspended.

If you renew your P2 licence on or after 20 November 2017 and are suspended for unsafe driving you will need to do an extra 6 months on your P2 licence before applying for a full unrestricted licence. P2 licences issued after 20 November do not need to do the DQT.