Driving lessons in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are crucial for new drivers to learn skills and gain confidence to pass the driving test. Professional driving lessons in Sydney include guidance from qualified instructors covering all aspects of driving needed for the test. This blog discusses the question ‘how many driving lessons are required by law in NSW and ACT?’
Understanding the driving licensing process
Obtaining a driver's license in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) involves several steps to ensure that drivers are prepared for driving. Below are the steps involved in the process:
New South Wales (NSW)
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Pass the Driver Knowledge Test
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Complete the learner logbook
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Pass the Hazard Perception Test
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Pass the driving test to obtain a Provisional P1 License
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Progress to a Provisional P2 License
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Advance to Full Driver's License
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
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Pass the Road Rules Knowledge Test
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Complete the learner driver logbook
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Pass the Hazard Perception Test
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Pass the Practical Driving Assessment
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Get Full Driver's License
Importance of driving lessons in NSW
Enrolling in professional driving lessons with an accredited driving instructor can teach you essential driving skills more effectively than a non-professional driver. These help new drivers become more confident behind the wheel. Professional lessons also help you to complete the log book faster.
NSW driving lesson requirements
Follow these guidelines to get a driving licence in NSW.
You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Learner License.
120 hours of supervised driving which should include 100 hours of general driving and 20 hours of night driving.
You must drive under the supervision of a fully licensed driver who has held an unrestricted license for at least 12 months.
You must record your driving hours in the official Learner Driver Logbook or use the digital logbook app.
You are supposed to display L plates while driving.
You can take the Hazard Perception Test after holding a learners licence for 12 months.
After passing the HPT, learners can book the Driving Test to obtain a Provisional License.
In NSW, every learner should complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving. You can take supervised driving with a fully licensed driver or an accredited driver.
ACT driving lesson requirements
Follow these guidelines to obtain a driving licence in ACT.
You must be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply for a Learner License.
100 hours of supervised driving which should include 90 hours of general driving and 10 hours of night driving.
You must drive under the supervision of a fully licensed driver who has held an unrestricted license for at least 4 years.
You must record your driving hours in the official ACT Learner Driver Logbook or use the digital logbook app.
You are supposed to display L plates while driving.
After completing the Hazard Perception Test, learners can book the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) to obtain a Provisional License.
How do the requirements differ?
Minimum age to obtain a driving license in NSW is 16 years while the minimum age to apply for a driving license in ACT is 15 years and 9 months.
Supervised driving in NSW requires a total of 120 hours with 20 hours of night driving. Supervised driving in ACT requires a total of 100 hours with 10 hours of night driving.
In NSW, professional lessons can count as extra hours (3-to-1 rule), which is not applicable to ACT.
NSW has a two-stage provisional system (P1 and P2), whereas ACT has a single provisional stage.
NSW requires a fully licensed supervisor with 12 months' experience, while ACT requires 4 years' experience.
In this blog we have answered the question “How many driving lessons are required by law in NSW & ACT?” Actually it’s not the number of driving lessons that counts but the hours that an individual spends driving with a fully licensed or accredited driver. For that you can join the best driving school in Sydney and complete the required hours with a professional instructor. If you have any doubts regarding the law, you can consult with the driving authorities.