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Learner licence

Provisional (P1) licence

Provisional (P2) licence

P1 and P2 vehicle and passenger conditions

Full licence

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Related links:

Motor registry locations

A guide for new drivers

Road Users' handbook

Licence fees

A guide to the Driving Test

Getting a car licence

Licence and registration warning

An organisation named UPMART currently claims that it can provide perpetual motor vehicle registration and 100-year driver licences.

Under NSW Legislation the RTA is the only vehicle registration and driver licensing authority in NSW.

> More information

Overview - from learner to full licence

There are seven steps you'll need to complete to progress from a car learner licence to a full licence. This section contains details on each of these steps.

The seven steps are:

  1. Pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) - get your learner licence.
  2. Hold your learner licence at least 12 months (for drivers under the age of 25) and complete 120 hours of supervised driving practice which includes 20 hours of night driving - log book records the driving experience.
  3. Pass the Driving Test - progress to a Provisional Licence - stage 1 (P1 licence).
  4. Hold your P1 licence for a minimum of 12 months.
  5. Pass the Hazard Perception Test - progress to Provisional Licence - stage 2 (P2 licence).
  6. Hold your P2 licence for a minimum of 24 months.
  7. Pass the Driver Qualification Test (DQT) - progress to a full licence.

Learners issued a licence prior 1 July 2007

If your learner licence is current as at 30 June 2007, you can attempt the Driving Test once you have held your licence for at least six months and completed 50 hours of log book practice but only until the expiry date of your licence. Note: drivers over 25 years of age are exempt from the licence tenure requirement but must still complete the required log book hours.

If you have not passed the Driving Test by the expiry date of your licence, you will need to renew your licence and complete a total of 120 hours log book practice (including 20 hours of night driving) before another test can be attempted. Previous log book experience will be recognised and counted towards the 120 hours.

You will also need to complete 120 hours of practice (including 20 hours of night driving) if your licence is cancelled and you re-apply after 1 July 2007 (as in the case of a disqualification). This means that you will need to have also held your licence for at least 12 months (if you are under 25 years of age) before the Driving Test can be attempted.

If you are transferring your interstate and overseas learner licence after 1 July 2007, you will be exempt from the 120 hours log book requirements if you pass the Driving Test. However, if you fail the test, you will be issued with a NSW learner licence and be required to hold your licence for 12 months (if under 25 years of age) and complete 120 hours of log book practice (including 20 hours of night driving) before a further test can be attempted. The RTA will recognise any log book hours recorded in your home state provided appropriate documentation is presented.

Those who are exempt from holding a log book include:

  • Drivers who have previously held a NSW or interstate drivers licence other than a learner licence.
  • Drivers who apply for a learner licence and have previously held an overseas licence other than a learner licence.
  • Holders of an overseas licence, other than a learner licence, who are issued with a learner licence after failing one driving test.
  • Aged drivers issued with a learner licence after failing an age driving test.
  • Drivers specifically exempted by the RTA.
  • Motorcycle rider learner licence holders.

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