Important changes to the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme for young drivers came into effect this week. 

Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon said changes to the NSW licensing system for young drivers would improve the way the scheme prepares new drivers to be safe on our roads.

“While we’ve seen a 50 per cent reduction in the number of young drivers killed on NSW roads since the introduction of the Graduated Licensing Scheme back in 2000, we believe more can be done to save young lives,” Mr Carlon said. 

“Young drivers are still over-represented in road crashes. Although P-platers only hold eight per cent of all driver licences in NSW, they make up 15 per cent of all fatalities.”

“We want to ensure novice drivers are equipped with the skills and experience they need before they start to drive unaccompanied – which is what these changes aim to do,” he added.
The changes to the Graduated Licensing Scheme include the requirement of learner drivers to complete the Hazard Perception Test before taking the driving test. 

Also, P1 drivers will no longer have to complete the Hazard Perception Test to get their P2 licence.
Moreover, the Driver Qualification Test is now removed for P2 Drivers, but P2 drivers are required to stay on their licence for an extra six months if they receive a suspension for unsafe driving behaviour.  

For more information about changes to the NSW Licensing system, visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/licence.