Despite the fact that Australia has a very good transport system and a well connected transport network; it is still very important to have your own vehicle in this huge country. This mean having a driver’s licence is absolutely necessary in Australia.
Australians give a lot of importance to road safety and this is the reason why Australia has very strict road rules and a strict policy for any kind of offense.
People often get worried about the strict driving assessment process in Australia but in fact, if you learn driving in a proper way and make that your habit, nothing can stop you from getting a licence easily in your first assessment attempt.
This blog will give you very simple guidelines which will help you to get a fair understanding of Australian Driving Licence, associated demerit point system, application process for a driver’s licence, tips to learn driving properly on Australian roads, assessment process for getting a driver’s licence etc. If you are well aware and prepared for a Driving Assessment, you’ll easily pass with good numbers.
Let us start with something basic about Australian Driver’s Licence and all that you should be aware of –
Department Of Transport (DOT) –
Every Australian State has its own Department Of Transport(commonly called as DOT) and these DOT are responsible for issuing driver’s licences. A licence issued by any of these DOTs is valid across all states in Australia.
Demerit Points –
When a Driver’s Licence (DL) is issued, it comes with 11 to 13 “demerit points” which are valid for 3 years. (This number varies for different DOTs)
During instances of violation of a traffic rule, a certain number of demerit points are reduced. Based on the severity of offence, the demerit points reduced vary from 1 to 6. During the long holidays demerit points allocated for type of offense are doubled.
If someone is left with 0 demerit points, the driving licence gets cancelled and the person will not be eligible to apply for new licence for the next 3 months.
Hence one has to be very very careful while driving on the road in Australia.
Prepare Your Application For A Driver’s Licence –
If YouHave An Overseas Driving Licence –
If you hold a licence of your country then you have to present a copy of it while applying for a learner’s permit along with other required documents for 100 point check.
Driving licence holders from non recognised countries are required to present a Driving Licence Verification Certificate with above documents. Click here to view the list of recognised countries.
In case your driving licence is not in English you’ll need to provide a certified copy of translation to the authority.
If You Do Not Have An Overseas Driving Licence –
You’ll need to provide the documents required for 100 point check while applying for a learners licence.
Read in detail about 100 point check.
How Will You Get A Permanent Driving Licence in Australia –
All of the DOTs have a streamlined process for issuing a driving licence. Below are the stages of getting a permanent driving licence.
Getting an Australian Driving Licence is a 6 Step process –
1. Get A Learner’s Licence –
To get a learner’s licence you have to appear for an online assessment. This test has multiple choice questions about the road safety. You have to get at least 80% correct answers correct. You’ll get a learner’s licence after passing an online assessment.Getting a Learner’s Licence is mandatory for all. There are approximately 30 questions in the test.
2. Learn Driving With Australian Rules And Practice –
It is recommended that everyone should learn and practice driving with Australian rules before appearing for Practical Driving Assessment. You can take lessons from Driving Instructors. In all cities of Australia, there are multiple driving schools available.
3. Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) –
Once you are confident about your driving and have understood the road safety rules, you can appear for Practical Driving Test(PDA). During your PDA an examiner will sit next to you and will ask you to follow the directions. PDA is divided into 5 sections where you’ll be asked to perform certain tasks in each section and at the end of the test based on how you have performed in each section examiner will tell you; if you have got the licence or not.
4. Get a Red P or P1 –
Once you pass your PDA you’ll have to practice driving with certain limitations like speed limit of 90 kmph, Zero blood alcohol content, towing trailers upto 250kgs etc. P1 drivers get only limited demerit points. P1 drivers must hold the licence for one year before progressing to the next stage.
5. Get a Green P or P2 –
You’ll get Green P or P2 after holding Red P for 1 year. P2 drivers get limited demerit points. After you hold P2 driving licence for 6 months, you will get full licence. P2 holders also have some restrictions like speed limit should not go over 100 kmph and blood alcohol level should be zero.
6. Get a Full Licence –
Once you complete 6 months holding Green P licence you’ll be eligible to get full licence. Once you get full licence you can drive with maximum allowed speed limit. With full licence you’ll be eligible to get all demerit points for your licence.
If you hold an Overseas Driving Licence and you have driven for minimum 6 years before applying for the Driving licence in Australia you’ll get Full Licence immediately after passing PDA.If you have an Overseas Driving Licence you can read more about getting a Driving Licence Verification certificate here.
Get in touch with your Chalo Australia Buddy, if you still have doubts about the process of getting the driving licence.
Note – Number of Demerit points, Format of online assessment and PDA, process of getting Full licence is similar in all states but numbers associated with these processes may vary please check the respective official Department Of Transport sites for accurate details.
