GEARED – Getting your Ls

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If you’re at least 16 years old, you’re ready to begin.

The first step is to pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT). But before you head off to Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) motor registry, you’ve got some preparation to do.

The first thing to do is read the Road Users’ Handbook and the pamphlet Getting your driver licence.

To help you out, the Road Users’ Handbook is available on the Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) website – including questions for you to tackle as you go through it. These are the kinds of questions that you’ll need to answer in the DKT.

Electronic versions of the handbook and the DKT have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Korean, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. The handbook – but not the test – is also available in Japanese.

Ready to go?

Heaps of people are doing licence tests all the time so you have to book. You can do this online, by phoning 13 22 13 or in person at any motor registry.

When you go to do your test you’ll need to take proof of your identity such as your birth certificate or passport, proof of signature and address, and be prepared to pay the fee. You’ll also have your eyes tested – for obvious reasons!

When you’ve passed

Congratulations – you are now an L plater. Learner licences issued from 1 July 2007 are valid for five years, giving you plenty of time to practice and get moving towards the next step – your P1 licence.

To make things absolutely clear, you are given a Learner Driver Log Book at the motor registry when you get your learner licence. The log book is your guide.

It’s for you and your supervising driver (a driving instructor, parent or whoever is teaching you) to record your driving experience. You have to log at least 120 hours of driving – over at least 12 months – before you can attempt the test to get your Ps.

It’s a good idea to have a close look at the log book to find out what’s expected of you. Learner drivers 25 years old and over are exempt from completing the Learner Driver Log Book.

To find out who can be your supervising driver go to Learning to Drive? Who's going to teach you?

Special rules

There are special rules for L platers. Make sure you get to know the following list because there are big penalties for breaking these rules, including loss of your licence.

L platers must:

Be supervised at all times by the holder of a full Australian driver licence.
Have L plates displayed conspicuously at the front and rear exterior of the car (or an L sign on the roof) when driving. L plates cannot be fixed on the window inside the car.
Observe a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h.
Not tow any other vehicle.
Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (in effect, this means you cannot drink before driving).
Not supervise another learner driver.
Only carry the number of passengers that can be properly seated in seats and restrained by approved seat belts or child restraints.
Only drive a vehicle with a seatbelt fitted to the driver's position and wear the seat belt.
Not drive with any passengers in or on the boot of the vehicle.

Learner no more

If you can say ‘yes’ to all the questions in the following list, then you’re ready to have a go at the Driving Test to get your P1 licence.

Have you logged at least 120 hours at the wheel?
Have you held your learner licence for at least 12 months?
Are you aged 17 or older?

Read more about getting your P1 licence.

TALK TO US

Here at GEARED, we love to read your comments and suggestions – even your complaints! You can send us questions, suggestions for articles... anything you like, to geared@rta.nsw.gov.au