ACT New Provisional Licence System

By Ben
General

As you may be aware the ACT Licence System is changing on Jan 1, 2020.

We have taken this information from the Justice department web page to help with those frequently asked questions.

 

If you have a Learner Permit issued before Jan 1, 2020 there are no changes.

For new Learner Permit holders you will need to complete the required logbook hours.

10 hours with our accredited trainers will count for up to 30 hours of your logbook.

 

These packages can give you up to 30 hours of logbook credit

 

 

What is changing on 1 January 2020?

A number of changes to the ACT’s Driver Licensing Scheme for learner and provisional drivers will commence on 1 January 2020. These changes include

  • Required driving hours for learners:
    • If you are under 25 when you are issued with your learner licence you must undertake a minimum of 100 supervised driving hours, including a minimum of 10 hours at night-time.
  • If you are 25 or older when issued with your learner licence you must undertake a minimum of 50 supervised driving hours, including a minimum of 5 hours at night-time.
  • Introduction of a mandatory Hazard Perception Test.
  • Introduction of a two staged provisional licence:
    • a red P plate for the first 12 months (P1) with late night peer passenger restrictions.
    • A green P plate for the remaining 2 years (P2). If you are 25 or older when you are issued with your provisional licence, you will be a P2 for the entire 3-year provisional licence period.
  • Reduced demerit point threshold for learner drivers from 12 points to 4 points.
  • A provisional driver will no longer be able to increase their demerit point threshold or be exempt from displaying P-Plates.

A total mobile device ban for all learner and provisional drivers commenced on 1 July 2019 and was the first stage of the reforms.

Q: If I travel interstate as a learner or provisional licence holder, what licence conditions will apply to me?

A: In most cases the conditions of your licence will travel with you into other jurisdictions. For example, the peer-passenger restrictions and requirements to display your p-plates when driving will still apply to you if you cross the ACT border. However, other states and territories may have different road rules that specifically apply to learner and provisional drivers (such as reduced speed limits). It’s best to check ahead with the state or territory you’re planning to travel to.

Q: I currently have a learner licence, what do the changes mean for me? 

A: If you currently hold a learner licence or obtain your learner licence prior to 1 January 2020, you won’t need to adhere to the conditions of the new scheme (such as the minimum 100 hours of supervised driving). However, if you renew your learner licence after 1 January 2020 you will need to satisfy the new eligibility requirements to obtain a provisional licence. Any of those requirements that you satisfied on your earlier learner licence will be recognised.  

Q: I currently have a provisional license, what do the changes mean for me?

If you currently hold a provisional licence or obtain a provisional licence before 1 January 2020, the new scheme does not apply to you.

That said, if you renew your provisional licence after 1 January 2020 you will be held to the licence conditions of the new scheme.

After 1 January 2020, a provisional driver will no longer be able to increase their demerit point threshold through attending a provisional driver training course (such as P-Off).  If you have completed the course prior to 1 January 2020, you will keep your incentives (even if you take your certificate of completion into a Service Centre after 1 January 2020).

 

Keep on top of any further updates via the department website.

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