Katie is just really happy to have her P’s so she can go where she wants to go. Picture: Leon Johns
What will new South Australian P Plate laws really mean?
Importantly, the Learner driver age of 16 years, Learner Test, minimum 12 months on Ls and 75 hours requirements will all stay the same.
Hazard Perception Test will have to be passed before getting P1 license rather than between P1 and P2.
Passenger restrictions and Curfew will apply to all P1 drivers, not just those who have done the wrong thing.
Much bigger incentive to do the right thing, drive safely and move to P2 as soon as possible. The new restrictions do not apply to P2 licenced drivers.
Drivers must spend a minimum of 2 years on P2 licence.
Licence regression will go. No more ‘stepping back’. No more Theory Test or Driving Test to get Learner or P Plates back after disqualification.
No real change for Learners.
16 years is a good age to start. Young people can gain some independence around the time the need it most and generally have access to supervising drivers because they are still living at home.
12 months is enough time to gain reasonable experience with out being so long that every one loses focus on the process.
75 hours is a believable and achievable number which gives some level of preparation for solo driving.
Big changes for P1 drivers.
Curfew and only one ‘young’ passenger. There will be a lot of parents secretly very happy about this iniciative.
More incentive to move up to P2.
P2 drivers can drive their friends around and travel later at night BUT will have to be on P2 for an additional year.
More changes for Disqualified Drivers
Getting your licence back after disqualification will be much simpler. No more sitting the Test again or going back a step, just go in to Service SA and get your permit of licence back after the disqualification period.
When will it all start?
DPTI’s say they will let us know when all this comes into effect in their My Licence website.
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