How Do I Get My Full Licence In NSW?

Ever found yourself wondering, how do I get my full licence in NSW? Getting your full licence is an exciting rite of passage and one that involves many stages over a course of four years. This process is referred to as the Graduated Licencing Scheme and has been devised by the NSW Government to reduce the prevalence of collisions that occur in new and learner drivers.

It includes attaining your learner licence, P1 provisional licence and P2 provisional licence before securing your full NSW drivers licence. 

On this journey, you’ll not only learn the ins and outs of road rules in NSW, but you’ll also gain the tools to navigate a car safely and confidently. 

While four years may seem like a long time, it allows you to gain invaluable practice and experience on the road, giving you the best chance possible to secure your NSW drivers licence.

So, how do you get your full licence in NSW? In this guide, we’ll run you through each stage, discussing what it includes and how to pass it with flying colours.               

How do I get my learner licence in NSW?

The first step on your exciting journey to getting your full licence in NSW is obtaining your learner licence.  

To get your learner licence, you must be 16 years or older and sit a theory test known as the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT). 

This test assesses your understanding of the road rules and must be passed in order to secure your learner licence. It includes 15 general knowledge questions and 30 road safety questions.

In order to pass, you must get 12 of the 15 general questions right, and 29 of the 30 road safety questions right. 

Because the margins are so tight for the DKT, it’s important you take your time and read each question carefully until you’re confident in your answer. 

At EzLicence, we offer FREE practice driver knowledge tests to help you nail your DKT on the first go. Our questions are based on the real test and you can practice as many times as you like.

If you aren’t feeling confident in your knowledge of the road rules, the NSW Government offers a comprehensive road users’ handbook that covers everything you need to know.

Once you’ve successfully passed your DKT, your eyesight will then be tested to ensure your vision is clear enough to navigate the roads safely.

Then, all that’s left to do is to pay the associated costs, prove your identity and you’re done! You’ll be able to drive under the supervision of someone with a full Australian licence and sport your bright yellow ‘L’ plates. 

The best part? You’ll be one step closer to getting your full licence in NSW.

Ready to apply for your learner licence? Click here.

How do I get my P1 provisional licence in NSW?  

The next step in getting your full licence in NSW is securing your P1 provisional licence, also known as your red Ps. Once you’ve got your red Ps, you’ll be able to drive unsupervised so long as you adhere to a range of restrictions.

Alongside the general NSW road rules, you’ll also be required to:

• Keep your red ‘P’ plates up every time you drive
• Maintain a BAC of 0%
• Refrain from using a phone while you are behind the wheel (even if the car is parked)
• Avoid using a high-performance car 
• Ensure each passenger is wearing a functioning seatbelt
• Avoid driving above the speed limit of 90km/h.

For a comprehensive list of all the restrictions you must adhere to on your P1 provisional licence, you find them here. 

In order to apply for a P1 licence you must be at least 17 years old and have held a learner licence for at least 12 months. 

If you’re a learner driver under 25, you’ll have to complete and log 120 hours of driving time in your learner logbook, including at least 20 hours of night driving, in order to go for your red Ps.

If you're a learner driver that is 25 year of age or older, you are able to attempt the Hzard Perception Test and driving test when you're ready. You will not need to complete a logbook.

Tip: Did you know you can fast-track your logbook hours? Find out all about NSW’s driving incentives here.

Once you’ve logged enough hours and you’re feeling confident in your driving ability, you’ll then need to sit a hazard perception test and complete one further eyesight test.

When it comes to passing your hazard perception test, preparation is key. Make sure to give yourself the best chance of passing as possible by reading through our tips and tricks here.

Lastly, you’ll then need to sit your driving test. 

Did you know just over half the learner drivers who sit their driving test pass? A large number of learner drivers find themselves needing to repeat their driving licence twice, even three times!

Try avoiding these common mistakes and instant fails. Most importantly, consider taking driving lessons before you sit your test. 

At EzLicence, our capable driving instructors are best placed to teach you the road rules and guide you through the driving process safely and compassionately. 

If you haven’t taken a driving test before but are interested, here’s what you can expect on your first one.

Want to apply for your P1 licence? Click here.  

How do I get my P2 provisional licence in NSW?

A lot of learners ask us how to get their green Ps in NSW, and for how long they have to be on their red Ps. If these questions have been on your mind, let’s dive in.

The last step before getting your full licence in NSW is obtaining your P2 provisional driver licence. This licence is known as your green Ps.

Similar to being on your red Ps, this licence allows you to drive unsupervised with a range of restrictions that are similar to those of a P1 licence.

The main difference in restrictions is that you’ll be able to drive at a maximum speed of 100km/h, and you’ll be able to tow a trailer that surpasses the weight of 250 kg. You can read the full list of restrictions here.

If you’re wondering how to get your green Ps or P2 licence in NSW, the process is quite simple. 

You’ll need to have been on your P1 provisional licence for 12 months. Once this time has passed, you’ll need to prove your identity and pay the associated fees. 

You can apply for your P2 licence here.

How do I get my full licence in NSW?

Now for the exciting transition from your P2 licence to your full in NSW!

Getting a full licence in NSW allows you the ultimate freedoms. You’ll be able to drive a car unsupervised on the road without the restrictions that apply to P1 & P2 licence holders.

Thankfully, this step in your driver licence journey is the easiest. You’ll no longer need to prove your competency on the road or your knowledge of the road rules. 

At this point, all of your driving skills should be second nature, and you should be capable of driving confidently and safely.

So, when can you get your full licence in NSW? In order to be eligible for a full licence, you’ll need to have been on your P2 licence for at least 24 months. 

Once this time has lapsed, you’ll be required to take one further eye test, pay the associated costs and then you’re good to go. 

You can apply for your full drivers licence here.

How much is it to get a drivers licence?

Let’s crunch the numbers, shall we?

When it comes to how much a driver licence costs, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, each driver licence comes with its own associated cost.

A learner licence is $26; your P1 provisional licence is $61; and your P2 provisional licence is $96. 

In order to be able to get your full licence in NSW, you’ll need to spend a total of $183.

Then, there comes the cost of a full driver licence. This will depend on how many years you’d like your licence to be valid for. If you’d like a ten-year driving licence, that’ll cost $362; but if you only want a three-year driving licence, you’ll only have to pay $144.

If you opt for a ten-year licence, you’ll be spending a total of $545 on your driver licence combined!

Have more questions about how to get your full licence in NSW? Visit our Support page or flip through our informative blogs.