NSW Mobile phone road rules 2016

Learner and provisional P1 (red Ps) drivers and motorcyclists

Learners and provisional P1 licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding.
This includes when waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic. You must be parked out of the line of traffic to use your phone in any way.

These laws encourage learner and P1 drivers and riders to concentrate on developing their vehicle control and hazard-perception skills.
Mobile phone use can distract novice drivers and riders from the driving task.

From 22 January 2016, learner and P1 drivers and riders penalised for illegally using a mobile phone (four demerit points) will exceed their demerit point threshold and face a three-month licence suspension.

Changes to help keep L and P plate drivers safer

From 1 December 2016, P2 licence holders will no longer be permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. P2 licence holders will have the same restrictions as learner and P1 licence holders.

1. Can I hold and use my phone when waiting at traffic lights, or stuck in traffic?
No. It is illegal to hold and use your phone at any time while driving or riding. If you want to hold and use your phone your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic.

2. Can I use my mobile phone for calls if it is on loudspeaker and in my lap?
No. It is illegal to have your mobile phone touching any part of your body, other than to pass it to a passenger.

3. Can I have my mobile phone in my pocket if I’m using Bluetooth to make or receive a call?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps).
You can use a mobile phone for calls if it does not require you to touch the phone in any way (e.g. via Bluetooth).
The rules allow your mobile phone to be in a pocket of your clothing.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

4. Can I listen to music on my phone if it is in a cradle?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps). You can use the audio playing function of a mobile phone as long as the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road, or the phone can be operated without you touching any part of it, such as via Bluetooth.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

5. Can I dial a number if my mobile phone is in a cradle?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps). You can use a mobile phone for calls if it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle. Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Consider if the call is urgent and the demands of the traffic before using your mobile.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

From 1 December 2016, P2 licence holders will no longer be permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. P2 licence holders will have the same restrictions as Learner and P1 licence holders.

6. Can I use the GPS function on my mobile phone?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps). You can use a mobile phone as a driver’s aid, such as GPS, as long as it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road. You cannot hold your phone to use the GPS function.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

7. Can I use a GPS device that is not a phone if I am a learner or provisional P1 licence holder?
Yes. A GPS device that is not a mobile phone is permitted for all drivers, as long as the device is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and does not obscure the driver’s view of the road. The device must not be placed in a location that will increase the likelihood of injury in a crash.

8. Can I send a text message if my mobile phone is secured in a cradle?
No. You cannot text at all while driving, whether or not your phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle.

9. What kind of cradle can I use for my mobile phone?
Your mobile phone must be in a mounting that is commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose.

10. Where can I attach a cradle to my vehicle?
The mounting must be fixed to the vehicle in the manner intended by the manufacturer. It must not obscure your view of the road (in front and to the sides), and must not be placed in a location that will increase the likelihood of injury to you or a passenger in a crash.

30/11/201613/01/2022

NSW Practical driving experience – Learner Driver Log Book

Research indicates that learner drivers who increase their supervised on-road experience can reduce their crash risk by 30 per cent, in the first two years of solo driving. Learner drivers under supervision have a very low involvement in crashes. It is only when they begin to drive solo that their involvement in crashes increases.

Your learner driver log book allows you and your supervising driver(s) to record your driving experience. Take care of your log book. If you need a replacement log book, you will need to attend a registry or service centre and pay a replacement fee.

You must log at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including a minimum of 20 hours of night driving, before you can attempt the driving test. Night driving hours are between sunset and sunrise.

Driving lessons with an instructor – 3 for 1

For every one hour structured driving lesson you complete with a licensed Driving Instructor, you can record three hours driving experience in your Log Book. A maximum of 10 hours of lessons will be accepted and recorded as 30 hours driving experience.

This doesn’t mean that driving lessons with an instructor are compulsory, or that you should stop having lessons once you reach the 10 hour limit, if you feel you’d benefit from more lessons.

Driving lessons at night (between sunset and sunrise) count for only one hour of night driving. The other two hours are added to your day driving hours.

Log it – Be sure to record these sessions in your Structured Lesson Record Keeper log book insert.

Exemptions
You do not have to complete a Learner Driver Log Book if you:

Are over 25 years old

Previously held a NSW or interstate driver licence, other than a learner licence

Previously held an overseas licence, other than a learner licence

Hold an overseas licence, other than a learner licence, and are issued with a learner licence after failing one driving test

Are specifically exempted by Roads and Maritime Services.

Recognition of log book hours recorded in another state or territory

If you’ve held a learner licence in another Australian state or territory, Roads and Maritime will recognise hours recorded in an interstate learner driver log book, as long as you provide appropriate documentation.

Practice drives planner

The Practice drives planner is available for supervisors, parents and learner drivers to plan on-road driving experiences. The weekly calendar-style planner can be put up on the fridge or on the wall, so that everyone gets a reminder to negotiate dates and times for practice drives.

The planner can also stimulate discussion between the supervisor and learner driver about where to drive, and what skills to practice. It helps when negotiating and developing a driving partnership. Learning goals and learning content can be found in the Learner Driver Log Book.

Remember:

Plan for practice on a variety of types of roads with different levels of traffic
Ensure the learner driver is getting variety in the time of day
Make sure you plan some night drives, preferably later in the process.
Safer Drivers Course

The Safer Drivers Course helps young drivers on their Ls prepare for driving solo when they graduate to provisional licences.

The course teaches learners how to reduce road risks and includes ways to cope when you have your mates in the car or if you’re running late by developing safe driving behaviour.

It’s also designed to help you understand more about speed management, gap selection, hazard awareness and safe following distances, which your parents, supervising drivers or professional driving lessons may not have covered.

Earn credit hours

As well as becoming a safer driver, you can earn a bonus of 20 hours of log book credit once you complete the course, so you only need to finish 100 hours of supervised driving outside the course.

The course has been designed for a learner to attend once, and therefore, the 20 hours of bonus log book credit will only be deducted once.

If you also take 10 hours of professional driving lessons, you’ll receive a further 20 hours of credit on top of the 10 hours you drive during those lessons.

Learner driver Credit Supervised driving hours Logbook total
Safer Drivers Course 20hrs
10hrs of professional lessons 20hrs
Safer Drivers Course and 10hrs professional lessons 40hrs

Professional lessons totalling more than 10 hours will not provide additional credit.

More information

To complete a course, you must be on your Ls , aged under 25 and have completed at least 50 log book hours of driving.

The course costs $140 and includes a three-hour group discussion with other learners and a two-hour in-vehicle coaching session with another learner.

The course is available in almost 250 locations across NSW.

24/03/201613/01/2022

NSW Driving Test Common Mistakes

The officers agree that the big NSW Driving Test Common Mistakes are the small but important things like signalling – either forgetting to indicate or not doing it for long enough and observation – failing to check your mirrors or blind spots. Stop signs can also be troublesome, particularly when it comes to stopping before the line.

Signalling

Don’t just flick your indicator and drive off, you must signal for at a least 5 seconds before leaving a parking space or moving from a kerb. It is also important to signal at the right time because signalling too early, too late or leaving your indicator on can confuse other road users.

Blind spots

Not checking blind spots is another common error. You need to check your blind spots and mirrors when merging, changing lanes and during your manoeuvres. Drivers often forget to check their left hand side blind spot when turning left off wide roads. Think of it this way, if you could fit a car between the kerb and your car, a head check in your blind spot is required before turning left. You never know when something will be travelling up that part of the road. And don’t forget that an observation check is also required to confirm that it is safe to continue before moving off after being stopped at traffic lights.

Stop signs

A common mistake is not stopping at stop signs and just slowly rolling through. You have to stop the whole car behind the line at a stop sign and traffic lights. Stopping behind the line at traffic lights and then creeping forward does not count – you have to stay behind the line. You can move forward at stop signs when the view may be obscured, but only after you’ve come to a complete stop.

Judgement

Another problem is not selecting safe gaps in traffic. It’s a matter of judgement and experience. Sometimes learners will pull out and misjudge the speed of the car coming towards them or, if it’s a truck, you need to take into account that the truck takes longer to stop than a car.

Right turns

Be decisive, learners trying to turn right at lights can take too long to turn – there may be plenty of room but if you hesitate you can get into trouble.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/geared/your_licence/getting_a_licence/the_big_test.html

20/03/201613/01/2022

GIVE WAY RULES WHERE THERE ARE NO SIGNS NSW Australia

GIVE WAY RULES WHERE THERE ARE NO SIGNS NSW Australia
Some crossroads have no traffic lights or signs. Generally if you’re turning across
another vehicle’s path, you must give way.
When turning at an intersection, you (car A in following diagrams) must give way
to:
• Oncoming vehicles going straight ahead (diagram 1 below).
• Oncoming vehicles turning left (diagram 2 below).
• Any vehicle on your right (diagram 3 over the page).
If you and an oncoming vehicle are turning right at an intersection both cars
should pass in front of each other (diagram 4, over the page).
If other drivers do not give way to you, do not force them or yourself into a
dangerous situation.
You must also give way to any pedestrians at or near the intersection on the road
you are entering.

20/03/201613/01/2022

Seatbelts and child restraints NSW Australia

Seatbelts and child restraints NSW Australia
SEATBELTS
EVERYONE IN A VEHICLE MUST WEAR A SEATBELT
Everyone in a vehicle, the driver and all passengers, must wear a correctly fitted
and adjusted seatbelt when they are available. A passenger must move to a seat
with a seatbelt rather than sit in one without a seatbelt. If the vehicle does not have
seatbelts fitted, passengers must sit in the back if a seat is available. Passengers
under the age of 7 are not permitted to travel in the front seat without a child
restraint or seatbelt, even if the back seat is full.
It is illegal for a learner or provisional licence holder to drive when not wearing
a seatbelt or carry passengers who are not wearing a seatbelt or using a child
restraint. Learner or provisional licence holders cannot carry passengers if there
are not enough seatbelts.

It is illegal to drive with people in the boot or on the vehicle.

CHILD RESTRAINTS
There are legal requirements for children aged under 16 years to use a seat belt or
an approved child restraint. Drivers must ensure children are restrained in devices
suitable for their age and size. Children up to the age of 6 months must be secured
in an approved rearward facing restraint device. From 6 months up to 12 months a
child may be in either an approved rearward or forward facing restraint device.
Children from 12 months up to 4 years must be in an approved forward facing
child restraint. Children under 4 years must not be in the front row of a vehicle
with 2 or more rows of seats.
From 4 years to under 7 years, an approved child restraint or booster seat must be
used. Children from 4 to under 7 years can only sit in the front row of a vehicle
with 2 or more rows, when all other seats are occupied by passengers under 7 years
old.
Approved child restraints must be properly fastened, adjusted and anchored. All
child restraints should be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Look in your car manual for the location of anchorage points for child restraints.

WHAT TYPE OF CHILD RESTRAINT TO USE
Child restraints are available in a range of styles to suit children of different sizes.
Restraints are available for children up to 32 kg and/or 10 years old. All child
restraints should be professionally fitted by an Authorised Safety Restraint Fitting
Station, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. When purchasing a
child restraint look for the sticker certifying the child restraint meets Australian
Standard AS1754. When a booster seat is used, it must be used with either an
approved lap and sash seatbelt or an approved child safety harness.
SEATBELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS IN TAXIS
Taxi drivers can be fined and given demerit points for every unrestrained passenger
they carry under 16 years of age. Unrestrained passengers aged 16 years and over
travelling in a taxi also receive a fine.
When travelling in taxis, a child under 12 months of age must use a suitable
child restraint. Taxis have anchorage points for your child restraint and some taxi
companies will supply a child restraint if you request one when booking a taxi by
phone. Approved restraints have the Standards Australia label.
EXEMPTIONS
Taxis: Currently, taxi drivers do not have to wear a seatbelt although they are
strongly advised to do so for their own safety.
Medical conditions: In rare circumstances an adult or child may obtain a doctor’s
certificate to say they cannot wear a seatbelt because of a medical condition or
body shape. This certificate must
• be dated and issued on the practitioner’s letterhead
• state the reason for which the exemption is requested
• state the date on which the exemption expires, an exemption should
not exceed one year from the date of the certifcate issued.
This certificate must be carried at all times while travelling unrestrained in a
vehicle, otherwise both driver and passenger will be fined and the driver will get
demerit points.
Reversing: A driver reversing a vehicle does not have to wear a seatbelt.
Tow Trucks: When an appropriate child restraint is not available for use in a tow
truck, a child under 1 year old is allowed to sit on the lap of another passenger
who is not in the front row of seats (if the tow truck has two or more rows of seats).

Seatbelts and child restraints NSW Australia

20/03/201613/01/2022

SPEED CAMERAS NSW Australia

SPEED CAMERAS NSW Australia
Speed camera support enforcement conducted by NSW Police. They are proven
to change driver behaviour and reduce road trauma.
There are four types of speed cameras used in NSW to encourage drivers to
comply with the speed limit – mobile, red-light speed, fixed and point -to point.
All speed cameras are regularly tested to ensure they are measuring speeds
accurately and fine revenue raised from speed cameras goes directly towards
improving road safety.
MOBILE SPEED CAMERAS
Mobile speed cameras are moved around the road network and are used statewide,
on all types of roads, at all times of day. Like police enforcement, the exact
location of mobile speed camera enforcement is unpredictable.
RED-LIGHT SPEED (SAFETY) CAMERAS
Red light speed cameras are capable of detecting both red light and speeding
offences and are used at high risk intersections. They improve safety by reducing
crashes caused by red-light running and speeding
FIXED SPEED CAMERAS
Fixed speed cameras are used at locations with a crash history or that are identified
as high risk – including blackspots, school zones, tunnels and motorways.
POINT-TO-POINT CAMERAS
Point-to-point speed cameras work by calculating a driver’s average speed between
two points. If the average speed is higher than the posted limit, a speeding
infringement may be issued.

20/03/201613/01/2022

SCHOOL BUSES in NSW

SCHOOL BUSES
Be particularly careful when passing stationary buses from 7am–9.30am and 2.30–
5pm. This is when children are travelling to and from school.
SCHOOL BUS LIGHTS
Buses use signs and orange flashing wigwag lights to
warn you that they are picking up or setting down
school children. The lights begin to flash when the bus
stops and the doors are opened. They keep flashing for
about 30 seconds after the doors close and continue
even after the bus moves off. You must not drive past
the bus in the same direction at more than 40 km/h
while the lights are flashing as there may be children
crossing or about to cross the road.
SCHOOL BUS HEADLIGHTS
When buses are dropping off or picking up school children their headlights will
also flash. Be careful when approaching a bus with flashing headlights as there may
be children crossing or about to cross the road.

20/03/201613/01/2022

Basic driving techniques

Basic driving techniques
The key to good driving technique is smoothness, and the
secret to smoothness is good preparation.

DRIVING POSTURE
When you first get a car take the time to adjust the seat and controls to suit your
height and build. Correct driving posture reduces fatigue, improves your control
and allows the safety features of the vehicle to operate effectively.

SEATBELTS
For seatbelts to work effectively they should be adjusted ‘low, flat and firm’.
• Low – placed below your hips to fully secure your body weight.
• Flat – no twists, turns or folds.
• Firm – about every 15 minutes when you drive pull the belt firm to remove any
slack.

AIRBAGS
Airbags are a supplementary restraining system (SRS) designed to be used in
conjunction with seatbelts. To get the most benefit from the driver’s airbag the
steering wheel should be adjusted low, facing the driver’s chest rather than the face.

BRAKING TECHNIQUE
Correct braking is done in two stages, first put light pressure on the brake pedal
and pause (set up the brakes), then progressively apply the necessary braking
pressure (squeeze).
Two-stage braking (set up and squeeze) improves braking effectiveness, reduces
the likelihood of skidding and provides better control.
Harsh or excessive braking pressure may cause skidding and a loss of control,
particularly on wet or gravel roads.

STEERING TECHNIQUE

There are two main steering techniques, ‘push/pull’ and ‘hand over hand’.
Regardless of which method is used some general rules apply:
• Steering must be smooth and progressive.
• Reduce speed before steering and wait until the vehicle begins
to straighten before accelerating.
• When steering keep both hands on the outside of the steering wheel and
thumbs along the rim.

ELECTRONIC DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEMS
ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS)
Antilock braking systems control braking force to prevent the tyres from skidding
under heavy braking or when braking in slippery conditions. Some ABS systems
cause the brake pedal to pulse or shudder when activated and although this may
feel disconcerting, braking effort must be maintained if the situation requires a
quick stop.

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS (TCS)
Traction control systems stop the driving wheels spinning by reducing engine
power or temporarily applying the brakes. This allows the car to accelerate
smoothly, even on slippery surfaces.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Electronic stability control detects if a vehicle is not responding correctly to driver
steering input. The system selectively applies the brakes to individual wheels or
changing engine power, ESC helps the driver to maintain their intended direction.

EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST (EBA)
Emergency brake assist detects an emergency brake application. It provides
emergency braking assistance and automatically increases the force being applied
to the brakes to minimise the stopping distance.
It is also known as “Brake Assistto the brakes to minimise the stopping distance. It is also known as “Brake Assist
System” (BAS).

Electronic driver assist systems will not prevent a loss of control
or crash if the physical limits of the vehicle are exceeded.

29/11/201513/01/2022

NSW – DRIVERS HOLDING OVERSEAS LICENCE

DRIVERS HOLDING OVERSEAS LICENCE

If you have a current overseas licence and a permanent resident visa, you are
allowed to drive or ride in NSW on your current overseas licence for a maximum
of three months after arriving in Australia.
To drive with your current overseas licence during the three-month period, you must
not be disqualified from driving or riding and your licence must not be suspended or
cancelled.
You must obtain (not just apply for) a NSW licence within this three-month
period if you wish to continue to drive or ride.

Please note that if your overseas licence is not in English, you must also carry your
International Driving Permit or an English translation with your licence when
driving.

Getting a NSW licence

You must be aged 17 years or over to get a NSW driver licence. If you hold an
overseas licence to drive or ride (including a learner licence) and want to get a
NSW licence, you must go to a registry or service centre and:
• If your licence is in English, present your overseas licence.
• If your overseas licence is not written in English, provide:
– Your overseas licence and an official translation from the NSW Community
Relations Commission or the Commonwealth Department of Immigration
and Citizenship (DIAC).
– Where extra licence information is required (for example, about the first issue
date or the validity period of the licence or where the type of vehicle authorised
to be driven or ridden is not shown) a letter from a relevant consulate or
diplomatic office.
• If you cannot produce your overseas licence, provide:
– A letter from the overseas licence issuing authority confirming your licence
details and status, or,
– A letter from a relevant consulate or diplomatic office, based on information
received from the overseas licence issuing authority, confirming your licence
details and status.
Any letter provided to confirm licence details or status should be in English or
have an official English translation as described above.
Before you first attend the registry or service centre, you may wish to obtain a
letter from the driver licence issuing authority (on its letterhead), or from your
relevant consulate or diplomatic office, confirming your licence details, including
the first issue date.

You must also:
• Prove your NSW address.
• Prove your identity.
• Pass an eyesight test.
• Pass a knowledge test for each class of licence required.
• Pass a driving test for each class of licence required.
• Provide documents proving the first issue date of your licence, if it is not displayed on the licence.
If you fail the driving test, your visiting driver privileges will be withdrawn. To
continue driving in NSW you must then get a learner licence that will allow you to
drive (while supervised by a person who has an Australian full licence) and then go
for another driving test.

Recording overseas licences
Under Australian licensing laws only one licence can be used for driving in
Australia. Before a NSW licence will be issued, you must present your overseas
licence so that the details can be verified and recorded. Your overseas licence will
be returned to you unmarked.

Exemptions from tests
You may be exempt from some tests if:
• You have, within the last five years, held an Australian driver licence which can
be verified by the issuing authority, or,
• You hold a current New Zealand driver licence, or,
• You are applying for a Class C (car), or,
• Class R (rider) licence and you hold a current overseas rider licence, or one that
expired within the past five years, from a country recognised as having comparable
licensing standards to Australia.
Note: Roads & Maritime reserves the right to require a driving or riding test. A licence may
not be issued unless Roads & Maritime is satisfied that the overseas licence is valid.

What NSW licence you are eligible for
The length of time you have held an overseas car or rider licence will determine
the type of licence that you are eligible to hold.
• If you have held your overseas car or rider licence for less than
one year, you will only be eligible for a P1 licence.
• If you have held a car or rider licence for more than one year but less than
three years, you will only be eligible for a P2 licence.
• If you have held a driver or rider licence for more than three years,
you will be eligible for a full licence.
To apply for a class of licence other than one you already hold, you must pass the
appropriate knowledge test and driving test (taken in a vehicle of that class).

TEMPORARY OVERSEAS VISITING DRIVERS
From 18 April 2008, new licensing rules apply to visiting drivers who want to
obtain a NSW licence for the first time.
Information for visiting drivers can be found on our website or in the brochure
Guide for international drivers.

road_users_handbook-english

29/11/2015

NSW Driving Test Pass

Hi Cameron

Campbell passed his P test today with flying colours. He had Brian as his examiner, a very competent gentleman. Thanks you and best regards for all of the work you have done for both ours kids, cheers Alister.