How to Get Australian Driving License

Are you planning to get a driver’s licence in Australia but do not know where to start?.This article contains all the dos and don’ts that you’ll need in handy while preparing for your driving license in Australia.

Things to know before hand

Due to the high priority Australians place on road safety, the nation maintains extremely rigorous traffic rules and a zero-tolerance approach for any offence.

A driver’s licence (DL) is issued with 11 to 13 three-year-valid demerit points. Different DOTs have various detriments. A certain number of demerit points will be subtracted for each infraction of a traffic regulation. If you have zero demerit points remaining, your driving privileges will be revoked, and you won’t be able to reapply for three months.

Some foreign nations and jurisdictions are acknowledged by Australian state and territory driver licensing organisations as having similar licensing criteria to Australia.

Recognised countries: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the USA.

Depending on where you live in Australia, there is a minimum age requirement to obtain a driver’s licence. For further information, visit the government website for Australia.

Steps to get permanent driving licence in Australia:

Australia’s Departments of Transport follow a streamlined procedure for issuing driving licences. Below mentioned are the steps-

Step 1: Get a Learner’s licence

To get a learner’s licence, you must first pass an online test. Road safety-related multiple-choice questions will be included in this Australian drivers licence test. To pass the test, you need to receive an average of 80%.

You’ll be given a learner’s permit once you complete the online test. A learner’s licence must be obtained by everyone.

Step 2: PracticeDriving With Australian Regulations

It is advised that you learn and practise driving in line with Australian road rules and regulations before taking the Practical Driving Assessment.

Driving lessons are available from driving instructors. Every Australian city has a number of driving schools where you may learn to drive safely.

Step 3: Appear for Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)

Once you feel confident about driving, you can complete the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA). During your PDA, an examiner will be sitting next to you and instructing you on what to do. There are five sections in the PDA, and you must complete particular tasks in each of them.

Depending on how well you did in each area, the examiner will let you know at the end of the test whether you have been granted a licence or not.

Step 4: Get Red P or P1

You will need to practise driving with restrictions after passing your PDA, including maintaining a blood alcohol level of zero, a 90 kph speed limit, and the ability to tow trailers weighing up to 250 kg.

Additionally, P1 drivers only receive a small number of demerit points. Before progressing to the next level, P1 drivers need to hold onto their licence for a full year.

Step 5: Get Green P or P1

You will be given a Green P or P2 following a year of holding a Red P. You are only eligible for a specific number of demerit points as a P2 driver.

You can apply for a complete driver’s licence once you have your P2 licence for six months. P2 holders are also subject to restrictions, including a zero blood alcohol content and a 100 km/h maximum speed limit.

Step 6: Final step: full licence

You can apply for a full licence after six months of holding a Green P licence. You are able to drive at the top speed limit once you have received your complete driver’s licence. Additionally, you will have access to all demerit points with your full licence.

You will be given a full licence right away after passing the PDA if you have an overseas driver’s licence and have been driving for at least six years prior to application for an Australian driver’s licence.

Check out the following links for information on how to get a driving licence in the different states and territories of Australia:

Australian Capital Territory

Queensland