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Your driving school or driving instructor may have already made you aware of new changes made to the laws that govern learner drivers but for those yet to get their learner license, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest changes in the law and restrictions that apply to having a learner license.
The large majority of motorists on our roads drive safely every day on our Australian roads and do so in accordance with the law. Unfortunately, statistics show that learner drivers under the age of 20 represent a large portion of people involved in motor vehicle accidents. This is more to do with lack of experience than any other factor.
Because learning to drive can be a difficult yet exciting time for new drivers, the Australian government has introduced new changes to the learner license that apply from the 28th of September, 2009.
The first change is that learner drivers are now included in the demerit point scheme in Australia. This was done to encourage younger people to take a serious approach to driving and will assist in reducing accidents related to speeding and other accidents related to breaking the rules of the road.
If you’re a learner driver, it’s important you speak to your driving instructor or driving school about these changes if they have not already discussed them with you. Because you’ll want to ensure you keep your license and become a safe and responsible driver, it’s best you go over the follow changes so you understand how the demerit point scheme works and any restrictions that may now apply to you as a learner driver.
The changes include;
- If a learner driver receives 4 or more demerit points in a 3 year period, their license will now be suspended for a period of 3 months
- Minimum 4 demerit points received on a learner driving for a speeding offense
- Essentially any speeding offense will result in a loss of license for 3 months
In addition to these new rules, there are a few clauses which include;
- 6 month suspension for those drivers speeding 45km/h or more above the legal speed limit
- Ability for police to confiscate a learner license if the driver is driving alone or 30km/h over the legal speed limit.
If you’re a responsible learner driver, these changes will have no affect on you but it’s still important to be aware of the changes. You can discuss the changes with your driving instructor or driving school.
You can read more about the demerit point system at this website.