RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in New South Wales

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

More states coming soon.
Car licence, Class C

Getting your licence in New South Wales

Knowledge test questions45
Pass mark41 correct
Knowledge test fee$58
Hazard Perception Test fee$58
Driving test fee$72
Learner licence$32

2026 fees. A P1 licence then costs $74 and a P2 licence $115.

Before you start driving

2
Learner licenceYes. Pass the knowledge test and an eyesight test. Drive with a fully licensed supervisor and L plates. Under 25: hold it at least 10 months.
Medical checkAn eyesight test at the service centre. A medical report only for some conditions.

Required lessons

2
Supervised practice (under 25)120 hours logged, including 20 at night. Up to 10 hours with an instructor count triple.
Safer Drivers Course (optional)Earns 20 bonus hours in your log book.

Good to know

8
Minimum age16 for a learner licence, 17 for a P1 provisional licence. A full licence after at least 3 years on P plates.
Licence validityUp to 10 years (1, 3, 5 or 10). 10 years only for ages 21–44.
Exam languagesOnline in English or Simplified Chinese. In person also in Arabic, Croatian, Greek, Korean, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.
If you failOnline knowledge test: unlimited attempts for one fee. In person, and for the driving test, you pay for each attempt.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits you to automatic cars until you move to P2 plates, unless a supervisor with a full licence is beside you.
New driversRed P plates for 1 year (max 90 km/h), then green P plates for 2 years (max 100 km/h). Zero alcohol on L and P plates.
Already have a licence from abroad?Licences from Australia's recognised countries are transferred without tests. Others pass the knowledge and driving tests. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Do the knowledge test online: one fee covers unlimited attempts.
  • Under 25, book a few lessons with an instructor early: up to 10 hours count triple in your log book.

Step by step

  1. Driver Knowledge TestOnline or at a service centre: 45 questions.
  2. Learner licencePractise with a supervisor. Under 25: 120 logged hours over at least 10 months.
  3. Hazard Perception TestA computer test of how you spot risks in traffic.
  4. Driving testWith a testing officer. Pass to get your red P1 licence.
  5. P plates1 year on P1, then 2 years on P2, then a full licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • To pass, you need at least 90% and no fail items. Going over the speed limit at any point is a fail item, including in 40 km/h school zones.
  • At a Stop sign, stop within 1 metre of the line, with no part of the car over it. Rolling stops are one of the most common reasons learners fail.
  • Check your blind spot before changing lanes, turning, reversing and pulling out from the kerb. Poor checks when pulling out cost many learners their test.
  • Indicate for at least 5 seconds before pulling out from the kerb or a parking space.
  • When parking, stop within 50 cm of the kerb without touching it. Mounting the kerb is a fail.
  • Bring someone with a full licence. If you fail, you can't drive home on your own.

Based on: Transport for NSW: Guide to the driving test ↗ · LTrent Driving School: Why learners fail in NSW (2024) ↗

Official links

NSW Government: Learner driver licence ↗NSW Legislation: Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2017 ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.