Getting a NSW driver licence

What you need to do to go from learner driver to P-plater to a full driver licence in NSW.

Getting your learner licence (L plates)

The first step to getting your driver licence in NSW is to get your learner driver licence (L plates).

With a learner driver licence you can drive on NSW roads when accompanied by a fully licensed driver.

You can apply for a learner driver licence if you:

• are 16 years of age or older and
• have passed the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT).

The Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)

The DKT tests your knowledge about road rules and safety.

You can take the test:

• online as part of the DKT online learning course, or
• in person at a Service NSW Centre.

DKT online has interactive lessons about road rules and safety.

To prepare for the DKT in-person test you can:

• read the Road User Handbook and
• take practice tests.

DKT fees

If you take the test as part of DKT online, you will pay one fee when you go to apply for your licence.

If you do the DKT in person you will pay for each test attempt. If you fail the test in person, you still need to pay the fee.

Note: You may be eligible to take the DKT for free if you are:

• required to operate a class LR, MR, HR or HC vehicle and are employed by or volunteer with the:
  • State Emergency Service (SES)
  • NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), or
  • NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA).

  After passing the DKT

  Once you have passed the DKT you need to go to a Service NSW Centre to apply for your learner licence. You’ll need to:

  • prove your identity
  • take an eyesight test
  • get your photo taken for your licence card
  • pay the fee.

  After getting your learner driver licence

  If you're under 25 years of age, you'll need to

  • hold your learner driver licence for a year
  • record your driving time in a Learner Driver Log Book. The log book can be on paper or an app.
  • log the required driving hours to be eligible for the next step in getting a NSW driver licence – getting your P1 (provisional) licence.

  If you are 25 years of age or older you can proceed to getting your provisional P1 licence when you are ready.

  Getting your provisional P1 licence

  Getting your provisional P1 licence (red P plates) is the next step towards becoming a fully licensed driver in NSW.

  With your provisional P1 licence you can drive without a supervisor, but you must obey certain restrictions and conditions. There are also restrictions around passengers travelling with P1 drivers.

  To apply for your provisional P1 licence you’ll need to pass 2 tests, in order:

  1. The Hazard Perception Test
  2. The driving test.

  The Hazard Perception Test (HPT)

  Before you can take the driving test you must pass the computer-based HPT. It tests your ability to recognise potentially dangerous situations on the road.

  If you’re under 25 years of age you can take the HPT after you’ve held your learner licence for 10 months. If you’re 25 or older you can take the test at any time.

  • book the HPT at a service centre
  • pass the driving test within 15 months of taking the HPT or you'll need to take the HPT again.

  The driving test

  If you're under 25 years of age you must have held your learner licence for 12 months and logged the required hours of driving time before you can take the driving test.

  If you are 25 or older and have your learner licence you can take the driving test whenever you're ready.

  Once you have passed both the HPT and driving test you can apply for your provisional P1 licence.

  Getting your P2 provisional licence

  After you've held your provisional P1 licence for at least 12 months you can apply for a provisional P2 licence (green P plates).

  You can apply for your provisional P2 licence online or apply in person at a service centre.

  Your provisional P2 licence:

  • is subject to certain conditions and restrictions
  • is valid for 36 months
  • can be upgraded to a full driving licence after 24 months.

  Getting your full licence

  After you have held your provisional P2 licence for 24 months you can apply for your full licence.

  You’ll need to visit a service centre to:

  • prove your identity
  • pass an eyesight test
  • pay the licence fee.

  Converting licences and heavy vehicle licences

  Converting an interstate or overseas licence

  If you move to NSW you can use an existing interstate or overseas licence for up to 3 months. After that you must apply for a NSW driver licence.

  • Transfer a probationary interstate driver licence
  • Transfer an interstate driver licence
  • Transfer an overseas driver licence

  Heavy vehicle licence (LR, MR, HR and HC)

  Before you can drive a heavy vehicle you need to have the appropriate licence for the class of vehicle. You can then drive any class of vehicle below your licence class, with the exception of motorcycles.

  • Apply for a heavy vehicle licence (LR, MR, HR and HC)
  • Apply for a heavy vehicle licence (multi-combination only)
  • Request a replacement or cancellation of a Heavy Vehicle CBA Learner's Logbook

  Related links

  • Getting a car licence – Transport for NSW
  • Digital Driver Licence
  • Renew a NSW Driver Licence
  • Driver education and driver training for school students
  • NSW Safer Drivers Course
  • Centre for Road Safety: Aboriginal projects
  • Older drivers, riders and road users