What is a Class C licence SA?

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Australian driving permit

The front and back of an ACT Driver Licence

Driver licences in Australia refer to the official permit required for a person to legally drive a motor vehicle in Australia. The issue of driver licences, alongside the regulation and enforcement of road use, are all managed by state and territory governments.[1]

As no Australia-wide licensing scheme exists, rules for the issue of licences vary by jurisdiction. Nevertheless, licences are generally recognised and valid in other states and territories. Since 1997, nationwide uniform arrangements have been in place for the regulation of full drivers licences for motor vehicles, as well as their renewal.[2]

Australia's lack of identity cards has led to driving licences becoming the de facto photo ID used in everyday situations. In 2017, the federal government proposed creation of a national drivers licence database that would involve state or territory governments handing over the identities of drivers in a stated bid to toughen national security laws. The national ID database would be used to monitor public events, but could be transferred to a national drivers licence system with agreement from the states.[3]

Classes of licences

All states and territories in Australia have a uniform driver licence system.[4]

The medical standards for drivers of commercial vehicles are set by the National Transport Commission and Austroads.

The driver of a vehicle carrying paying passengers (such as a school bus or tourist coach) is required to hold a driver licence depending on the size of the vehicle as well as a "Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Authority" which is issued by the state or territory Ministry of Transport.

Some states issue driver's licenses for particular transmissions only. Drivers with an automatic-approved license are not able to drive manual-transmission vehicles, whereas manual-approved drivers are able to operate both. States such as South Australia have no such differentiation, and can drive both regardless of which they learnt with.

Car licences – rules by jurisdiction

Terms

The official nomenclature for car licences varies in the states and territories, for example, "Driver's Licence" or "Driver Licence". However, "Driver's Licence" is most commonly used.

The official names for learners also vary, for example, "Learner Driver Licences" or "Learner's Permit", although they are commonly referred to as "L-platers".

GLS comparison

Australian Capital Territory

The driving age in the Australian Capital Territory is 17 years, but after obtaining a licence, a driver is subject to restrictions during a three-year probationary period.[citation needed]

The Road Ready course at a Road Ready Centre is a minimum of ten hours, during which an applicant learns the road rules, undergoes alcohol education and hazard perception training.

Alternatively, a provisional licence may be obtained by recording driving experience in the same logbook, with a supervisor who has held an open licence for 12 months for the class of vehicle used. The difference in using this method to obtain a provisional licence is that the logbook only records time spent driving, and not the learner's ability to drive. While no minimum number of hours are required, Learners are advised when obtaining their Learner's Licence, that 50 or more practical hours are recommended before attempting the practical test. Using this method, provided the driver has held their Learner's licence for at least 6 months, they may book with RTA for the practical driving test.

If the driver has obtained a licence in an automatic transmission vehicle, an "A" is placed on the licence which restricts the licence holder to driving automatic transmission vehicles for 12 months. To remove the restriction before 12 months, the provisional driver must pass the practical driving exam in a manual transmission vehicle.[5][6]

A Provisional Licence is valid for three years.[5] Provisional drivers must display red on white "P Plates" for three years unless: (a) they take an additional road safety program Road Ready Plus after six months of obtaining the Provisional Licence; or (b) they are over 26 years of age and held their licence for six months.[5] Provisional licence holders who have taken the Road Ready Plus (RRP) course, (commonly called a "P-off" course), or are over 26 years of age also get an additional four demerit point allowance. A "PC" condition is displayed on the licence, which indicates that the provisional driver can drive with "P plates not displayed".[citation needed] Provisional drivers must have a zero blood-alcohol limit.

New South Wales

The minimum driving age in New South Wales is 16 years.[7] The government introduced the Graduated Licensing Scheme in 2000 and therefore learners progress from a learner licence, to a provisional P1 licence, to a provisional P2 licence and finally to a full licence over an extended period of time.[7] After obtaining a licence, a driver continues to be subject to restrictions during a three-year probationary period.[citation needed]

These are ID cards issued for non-drivers by the Roads and Maritime Services.

Northern Territory

The learner licence may be obtained at age 16. Learner drivers may not use a mobile phone and must be supervised by a full licence holder and may not drive faster than 80 km/h. After holding the learner licence for six months a provisional licence may be obtained. Once the provisional licence is obtained, it must be held for a minimum of 2 years before obtaining the full Northern Territory licence.[13]

Provisional drivers need to comply with all road rules and traffic laws and other restrictions: eg., the speed limit is 100 km/h, The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) must be a zero, provisional drivers are not permitted to use a mobile phone in any form whilst driving, including hands-free devices and texting. Accumulating five or more demerit points within a 12-month period will trigger action against a provisional driver.

Source: Northern Territory Department of Transport

Queensland

South Australia

To get a Provisional Licence (also called a probationary licence and commonly referred to as Ps), you must have held a learner's permit for at least 12 months, be at least 17 years of age or have an equivalent interstate or overseas driver's licence and be at least 17. If you had a learner's permit, you must also have a log book showing you have had at least 75 hours of driving experience (including a minimum of 15 hours of night-time driving), all of which must have been signed by the Qualified Supervising Driver. All applicants must pass a vehicle on-road driving test (VORT) or be signed off on several points by a driving instructor in a competency-based training course. Drivers are then issued with a P1 licence. P-platers must drive at a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h (even where the posted speed limit is higher), no alcohol or party drugs can in the system, and the driver cannot accrue more than 4 demerit points. They must also display red P plates (shown on left).

Drivers who obtain a P1 provisional licence on or after 4 September 2010 must not drive a high-powered vehicle if they are under the age of 25. High powered includes vehicles with engines of eight or more cylinders, vehicles with turbocharged or supercharged engines (excluding diesel powered vehicles), vehicles that have been modified to increase engine performance, nominated high-performance vehicles, and vehicles that are over a certain power-to-weight ratio. High-powered vehicle restrictions do not apply to drivers over 25 years of age. P plates of any kind are not displayed when on the P2 licence, and it is illegal to display P2 plates from other states.

Note: Drivers on their provisional or learners license follow their own state's imposed limits while driving in other states. While driving on a SA license in states with a provisional and learner license imposed maximum speed limit less than 100 km/h, drivers are able to still drive at 100 km/h, while local P and L platers are subject to their own state's restrictions, such as 90 km/h in New South Wales. This means that South Australian provisional or learner drivers may be pulled over more frequently than local drivers.[19]

Tasmania

Note: there are no vehicle restrictions in Tasmania.

Victoria

The minimum driving age in Victoria is 18 years. A learner can drive at the age of 16 under the supervision of a fully licensed driver since 1966. After obtaining a licence, a driver continues to be subject to restrictions during a 4-year probationary period.

'L' plates must be displayed while driving, and must not tow a trailer. There are no special speed or vehicle restrictions.

An applicant for a Driver Licence must have held a Learner's Permit for at least 12 months if the applicant is under 21 years at the time of applying; 6 months if the applicant is between 21 and 24 years; and 3 months for applicants aged over 25 years. If a driver obtained their Learner's Permit after 1 July 2007, and are under 21 years of age, they must have logged 120 hours of practice, including 20 hours at night.

Probationary drivers must drive with a zero BAC, and are not permitted to drive 'high powered vehicles' (formerly those powered at more than 125 kW/tonne or 3.5 litres/tonne; now all petrol turbocharged and supercharged cars and any car of more than 6 cylinders, refer below). If the driver was tested in an automatic vehicle, the driver will have an "A" condition applied to their licence and are not permitted to drive a manual transmission vehicle during the probationary period. The "A" condition can be lifted anytime during the probationary period(s) by taking the practical drive test in a manual transmission vehicle.

There are no speed restrictions, however trailers may not be towed except for work purposes. P1 drivers have a peer passenger restriction which sees P1 drivers only able to carry no more than one passenger aged between 16–21 years old (excluding family members; exemptions may also be allowed by VicRoads for other reasons) at any time. They must not use any form of mobile phone including hands-free.

The same P1 restrictions apply, except P2 drivers may tow trailers. As of 25 November 2013, P2 drivers must not use a mobile phone while driving, including hands-free phones. The peer passenger restriction does not apply to P2 drivers. They must display the white-on-green 'P-plates', rather than the red. If a person is over 21 when licensed they go straight onto the P2 licence for three years.

Western Australia

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (January 2019)

The driving age in Western Australia is 17 years. A learner can drive at the age of 16 under the supervision of a fully licensed driver. After obtaining a licence, a driver continues to be subject to restrictions during a 2-year probationary period.

[26]

Note: there are no vehicle restrictions in Western Australia.

Graduated demerit points

As of 1 December 2010, the Western Australian Government introduced a new Graduated Demerit Point system for Novice Drivers (which includes L- and P-plate drivers).[27] Under this system, a driver may accrue less than 4 demerit points within the first year of their provisional licence, and less than 8 points within the second year, before losing their licence. These limits include demerit points accrued before these 1- and 2-year periods.

Full driver's licence

The provisional licence automatically converts into a full driver's licence after the 2-year probationary period. Drivers with full driver's licences must drive with a blood alcohol content less than 0.05%, may accrue less than 12 demerit points before being disqualified, and may drive at up to 110 km/h (the maximum speed limit in the state). 'P' plate drivers may also drive up to 110 km /h, where permitted by the state.

WA has two classes of drivers licence: C which enables one to drive any vehicle weighing less than 4.5 tonnes C-A which enables one to drive any vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission and weighing less than 4.5 tonnes. Refer [28]

Double or nothing

Drivers who have accrued 12 or more demerit points can choose to continue driving on a 12-month Good Behaviour Period. If more than two demerit points are accrued during the 12-month period (even on different fines), the licence is lost for twice the original disqualification period; usually 6 months (3 months x 2).

Identification

See also: Identity documents of Australia

Australia does not have a national identity card, and driver's licences are commonly used as a means of photo identification. Photo cards are also available, especially for non-drivers. Beside identification, these may be used as proof of age for entry to venues which have age restrictions, such as premises where alcohol is sold.

Licences and photo cards are hologrammed, and contain a photograph, signature, the holder's address, and date of birth.

Electronic online identification can be (partly) established using a driver's licence for online applications for some services such as SIM card activation, and opening bank accounts.

The Australian Attorney-General's Department provides a document verification service that allows for validation of some licences.[29]

Many issuing authorities such as NSW allow for an online check of the validity of a driver's licence.[30]

Digital Driver Licences

New South Wales

The Digital Driver Licence[31] was first trialled in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Dubbo and Albury before being rolled out statewide in October 2019.[32] Under the system, Digital Driver Licences are available through the Service NSW app.[33] The app allows licences to show dynamic content including demerit points, expiry date, suspension details and licence conditions. Drivers will continue to receive a physical licence card for backup purposes in addition to interstate and overseas usage.

South Australia

South Australia became the first state to officially roll out digital driver's licences[34] via its mySA GOV smartphone app in October 2017.[35][36] The app allows licences to show dynamic content including demerit points, expiry statuses and licence conditions.[37]

Queensland

In 2020, Queensland trialled digital licences in the Fraser Coast Region.[38] During the Fraser Coast test, users reported a 94 per cent satisfaction rating.[39] The Queensland Government has announced plans to host another trial in Townsville in 2022[40] and a state-wide roll out in 2023.[41]

Overseas licences

With the exception of the Northern Territory and Victoria, visitors with a temporary visa (other than a permanent visa) from other countries are conditionally permitted to drive with their current overseas drivers licence for the length of their stay. Conditions vary for every state and territory. Generally, drivers must carry their overseas licence with them. A certified translation or International Driving Permit is only required if the licence is not in English, and the original licence must be carried regardless. In NSW, once a driver becomes a permanent resident a local licence should be obtained generally within three months.[42] In Victoria, a resident who is planning on staying for more than 6 months is not permitted to drive with an overseas licence for more than six months (calculated using the visa grant or Australia entry date, whichever is later).[43]

Interstate travel

Interstate visitors are permitted to travel on their current Australian or New Zealand licence. They must obey the local road rules of that state. The differences in state laws have generated much confusion to visiting drivers, with many pushing for uniform federal road rules.[44]

Interstate visitors on their L or P plates must follow the license conditions set of their home state rather than conditions placed upon license-holders of the state which they are visiting i.e, a driver holding an SA provisional license who is visiting New South Wales is able to legally drive at 100 km/h, whereas a NSW provisional driver is restricted to 90 km/h.[19]

Drivers who move interstate must apply for a new driver's licence within three to six months of moving depending on the state they are moving to.[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] Unless a driving test is required, there is no charge for a conversion from a current interstate licence. Usually, licences are converted in the same day, to the same or equivalent class, or, in the case of the conversion of a non-GLS licence to a GLS system, a P1 or P2 licence is issued, depending on the length of time that the holder of the licence has been driving. The licence may need to be confirmed by obtaining a letter from the interstate licence issuing authority (on their letterhead) confirming the licence details (including first issue date) and status.

Drivers moving states may be eligible to upgrade their licence class, due to the varying age rules that apply in each state. For example, a Victorian learner driver who moves to NSW may be eligible to sit the driving test to obtain a P1 licence. However, drivers who are under 18 will not be able to obtain the same licence class in Victoria, where one must be at least 18 to do so. Another example is a Victorian over 25 moving to Tasmania, SA, QLD or WA will be able to obtain a full licence after having held their Ps for 12 months in Victoria despite the fact that the probationary period for over-21-year-olds in Victoria is 3 years.

Interstate commercial driving jobs

Most states do not allow a person to have an interstate commercial driving job if the person does not "reside" in that state. For example, a person with a Queensland Driver's Licence and Driver's Authority[53] (a variation of the wording Driver's Accreditation) cannot obtain a commercial driving job in South Australia[54] unless that person registers a "residential" address in South Australia, even though they may not live there, and swap over the Driver's Licence and obtain a new Driver's Accreditation.

Suspension or cancellation of licence

Main article: Point system (driving) § Australia

Each state has a demerit points system that leads to the suspension of a driver's licence if the demerit point threshold is reached. The rules vary, but road authorities share information about interstate offenses.

In all states, drivers holding a full, unrestricted licence will be disqualified from driving after accumulating 12 demerit points or more within a three-year period, except in New South Wales, where drivers are allowed 13 points in a three-year period. Those who can prove they are professional drivers are allowed an additional point. The minimum suspension period is three months, plus one further month for every extra four demerit points beyond the licence's limit, with a cap in most states of five months (for 8 points or more over the suspension trigger; e.g. 20 points or more on a full licence). An alternative to initially accepting the suspension, a driver can apply for a "good behavior" period of 12 months. In most states, drivers under a good behavior period who accumulate one or two further points (except in Victoria, which does not allow any further offences) have their licence suspended for double the original period.

Most states also provide for immediate suspension of a licence, instead of or in addition to demerit points, in certain extreme circumstances. These generally include offences for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or for greatly excessive speed.

In some circumstances, driver's licences can be cancelled, either immediately or by court order, such as for anti-social driving activity, popularly known as hooning.

Drivers on their learner's or provisional license who accrue more than 4 demerit points can sometimes enter a "good behavior" system, in which they are given a license with 1 maximum demerit point for a certain amount of time.

See also

• Australian state and territory issued identity photo cards

References

1. ^ Department of Infrastructure and Transport (1 February 2012). "Driver Licensing". Department of Infrastructure and Transport. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
2. ^ National Driver Licensing Scheme policy
3. ^ Labor backs Australian national drivers licence scheme
4. ^ NSW Roads and Maritime Services (22 February 2012). "Licence classes". NSW Roads and Maritime Services. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
5. ^ a b c d e "ACT Driver Licences" (PDF). Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Road Transport Authority. December 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
6. ^ a b "Getting P's". Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Road Ready. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Roads and Maritime Services (July 2013). "Getting your driver licence" (PDF). New South Wales, Australia. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
8. ^ a b c "Learner licence". New South Wales, Australia: Roads and Maritime Services. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
9. ^ "Section 23 of Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2008". NSW Legislation. NSW Government. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
10. ^ "Section 108 and 110 ofRoad Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2008". NSW Legislation. NSW Government. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
11. ^ "A new way to get your licence - Getting a licence - Your licence - GEARED". 18 August 2021.
12. ^ Know the Rules, Mobile phone road rules.
13. ^ "Road Users Handbook - Northern Territory Transport Group - NT Government - Australia". www.transport.nt.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
14. ^ Organ Donor Register – Medicare Australia
15. ^ "Work Licences".
16. ^ "Licence types, classes and conditions | Driver licensing".
17. ^ a b c "My Licence – Pre Learner". Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. Government of South Australia. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
18. ^ a b c "My Licence – L Plater". Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. Government of South Australia. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
19. ^ a b "Frequently asked questions". mylicence.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
20. ^ "Novice: Continue to Drive Safely and Legally". Department for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. Government of Tasmania. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
21. ^ "Novice: General". Department for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. Government of Tasmania. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
22. ^ "About demerit points". 7 October 2021.
23. ^ "About prohibited vehicles for P plate drivers". 23 August 2021.
24. ^ "Road to Solo Driving" (PDF). Victoria, Australia: Vicroads. September 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
25. ^ "Interstate & New Zealand drivers licences : VicRoads". Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
26. ^ JR. "Learn to drive (my first licence)". www.transport.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
27. ^ Department of Transport – Graduated Demerit Points Archived 12 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
28. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
29. ^ "Document Verification Service | Attorney-General's Department". Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
30. ^ "Driver Licence Check".
31. ^ "NSW Digital Driver Licence | Service NSW". www.service.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
32. ^ Grubb, Ben (28 October 2019). "You can now use your smartphone as ID in NSW. Here's how". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
33. ^ "Service NSW Mobile App | Service NSW". www.service.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
34. ^ "Digital driver's licences to become available in South Australia via a security-smart app".
35. ^ "mySA GOV".
36. ^ "South Australian Driver's Licences to go Digital - DPTI - Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure South Australia". dpti.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
37. ^ "mySA GOV: Appvation - Mobile App Development & Websites in Adelaide". www.appvation.com. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
38. ^ "Digital Licence App". Queensland Government. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
39. ^ "Queensland finally set to roll out a digital licence app. Here's how it will work". 7NEWS. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
40. ^ "Queensland licences one step closer to going digital". Ministerial Media Statements. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
41. ^ "Queensland locks in 2023 for digital driver's licence rollout". iTnews. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
42. ^ "Visiting or moving to NSW".
43. ^ "Rules for temporary and permanent visas holders". Vicroads. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
44. ^ NSW Interstate Learners
45. ^ WA Department of Transport (1 May 2012). "Apply for a WA driver's licence (interstate licence holders)". WA Department of Transport. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
46. ^ NT Department of Transport (2012). "Transfer Interstate Licence". NT Department of Transport. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
47. ^ Government of South Australia (2011). "Driving with an interstate licence". Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
48. ^ NSW Roads and Maritime Services (23 April 2012). "Interstate drivers". NSW Roads and Maritime Services. Archived from the original on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
49. ^ VicRoads (14 June 2012). "Interstate & New Zealand learner permits & drivers licences". VicRoads. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
50. ^ ACT Road Transport Authority (30 May 2011). "When you move to the ACT". ACT Road Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
51. ^ Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (28 May 2010). "Driving in Queensland with an interstate issued licence". Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
52. ^ Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (23 July 2012). "Transferring an interstate licence". Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
53. ^ Queensland Government. "Passenger transport driver authorisation". Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
54. ^ "Taxi and passenger transport Driver accreditation for large or small passenger vehicles". South Australian Government. South Australian Government. Retrieved 17 September 2017.

External links

• South Australia Department for Transport
• How To Get Your Learner Licence
• The Roads and Maritime Service of New South Wales
• A ‘Demonstration’ Driver Knowledge Test for Learner Drivers
• Driver license practice tests AU
• Road Users Handbooks (PDF)
• Getting Driver's Licence in NSW(Infographic)
• Handbook summaries and practice tests for all NSW licence tests
• Handbook summaries and practice tests for all Victorian licence tests
• Handbook summaries and practice tests for all Queensland licence tests
• Handbook summaries and practice tests for all Western Australian licence tests
• Interactive Driver Knowledge Test (All Questions)

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