New Licence Conditions FAQ 20 Nov 2017 | LTrent

New Licence Conditions FAQ 20 Nov 2017

New Licence Conditions FAQ From 20 Nov 2017

I'm a learner driver and eligible to complete a Driving Test before the changes on 20 Nov 2017, do I have to pass a Hazard Perception Test (HPT)?

If you pass a driving test before 20 Nov 2017, you will need to pass the HPT when progressing from P1 to P2 Licence.

I'm a learner driver and will be eligible to complete a Driving Test after 20 Nov 2017, am I required to pass a HPT first?

Yes, you will need to pass the HPT first and then you can complete the Driving Test after. The HPT will be available to book online from the 20 Nov 2017.

I'm a learner driver and failed my Driving Test. I want to rebook my test after the 20 Nov 2017, do I need to pass the HPT first?

Yes, you will need to pass the HPT before completing another Driving Test if it is booked after 20 Nov 2017.

I have my L's and wish to book my HPT before 20 Nov 2017. Why can't I book?

The HPT bookings will only be available from the 20th of November 2017 where the legislation changes are effective. Learners must pass the HPT before attempting the Driving Test.

I have a driving test booked for 20 Nov 2017 but have not completed the HPT. Am I not able to book the HPT until the 20th, what should I do?

It would be recommended to move the Driving Test booking to a later date, so that you will have adequate time to complete the HPT. Service NSW will provide more information closer to 20 Nov 2017 for those who have the Driving Test on that day.

I had my Learner's licence prior to November 20. What are the new rules that apply to me?

Before you attempt the Driving Test, you will need to pass the HPT before you can attempt the Driving Test. In order to do the HPT, you must have held your learner’s licence for 10 months, unless you are over 25. If you are over 25, you may attempt the HPT at any time, prior to your driving test.

If you pass the Driving Test before the 20th of November 2017, you will need to hold your P1 Licence for 12 months and pass the HPT to progress to your P2 Licence.

How long is the HPT valid for?

15 months

I have had my P1 licence before the 20th November 2017, what are the new rules that apply to me?

You will still need to do the HPT to progres to your P2 licence.

Once you have your P2 licence, these new rules will apply to you.

  • You will progress to your full licence without doing the DQT after 24 months (if you have not been suspended)
  • If you have been suspended on your P2 licence, you will have a 6 months suspension added to your P2 tenure

I have had my P2 licence before the 20th November 2017, what are the new rules that apply to me?

If you have had your P2 licence for 24 months and you want to get your full licence, you will need to pass the DQT.

However, if you renew your P2 licence after 20th November 2017, then you can get your full licence without doing any tests. The new suspension and tenure extension will be applied to you as well.

I have renewed my P2 licence before the 20th November 2017 and have held my P2 licence for over 24 months, can I simply upgrade after 20th November?

No, if you have renewed before the 20th November, you still are under the old requirements. You will need to pass the DQT before upgrading to your full licence.

I sat my driving test prior to 20th November 2017, and was issued a P1 licence. I returned after the 20th of November with my Overseas licence to upgrade to an unrestricted. Am I required to do my HPT?

Please follow the current information for drivers from recognised and unrecognised countries.

I am an overseas driver with 1 year of driving experience. When I transferred my licence I was given a P1 licence, but have never done a HPT or driving test. How do I get my P2 licence?

You must pass the HPT before getting your P2 licence.

I am an overseas driver. I have completed a DKT and have a driving test booked, why do I need to do an HPT?

The new licence conditions begin on the 20th of November 2017, which requires everyone who wants to attempt the driving test to pass an HPT first.

If a P2 driver on the new scheme receives a suspension, how much longer will they need to be on their P2 licence?

The P2 driver will need to sit the suspension first and then 6 months will be added to their tenure.

For example, if a suspension is 3 months and they receive an additional 6 months tenure increase, the driver will be on their P2 licence for an extra 9 months. (3 months where they aren’t eligible to drive due to their suspension, and 6 months when they are able to drive once their suspension is over.)

Could I have my P2 licence extended for more than 6 months?

Yes, you will have your licence tenure extended by 6 months for each suspension you receive. If you have multiple suspensions, you will have multiple tenure extensions as well.

Suspensions could be served separately or consecutively depending on the circumstance of the offence(s).

What driving offences will result in a suspension and 6 month tenure on a P2 licence?

P2 drivers will have their licence suspended if they have exceeded their demerit point threshold of 7 points or commit a serious road safety offence, such as travelling 30km/h or more over the speed limit.

Will all suspensions on a P2 licence add an additional 6 month tenure?

No, the 6 month additional tenure won’t be applied for suspensions due to fine default or medical reasons. Tenure will be paused until the suspension is lifted.

Do disqualifications on a P2 licence result in an additional 6 month tenure extension?

No, current rules apply. Tenure restarts from the reissue of the P2 licence.

Does the new suspension scheme affect P1 licence holders?

No, the new scheme affects P2 licences issued after the 20th of November 2017.

Why are P1 licence holders not affected by the new suspension scheme?

The tenure extension has been implemented to replace the DQT for P2 drivers only.

Research by the RMS has shown that a driver’s record is a better predictor of possibilities of a future crash than the performance in the DQT.

Why is the Driver Qualification Test being removed? Won't this mean that novice drivers are getting less preparation?

Research by the RMS has shown that a driver’s driving record is a better predictor of possibilities of a future crash than the performance in the DQT. This is why the Centre for Road Safety are changing the law so that P2 drivers who are suspended for unsafe driving behaviours will remain on their P2 licence for an extra 6 months for each suspension.

Why is the Hazard Perception Test being moved to the end of the learner phase?

The first 6 months of being on your P1 licence is the highest risk period for young drivers. P1 drivers are 10 times more likely to have a crash than a learner driver.

Do the November 2017 changes apply to motorcycle licence holders too?

No, Transport for NSW will review the motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme in 2017/18. It is a key action in the NSW Motorcycle Safety Action Plan 2017-19. Amendments to the motorcycle GLS will be based on the recommendations from the review.

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Need To Do A Practice Driving Test?

We’ll take you around your test centre to make sure you pass your test first go. Find a suitable lesson time online and get started!