i recieved a letter today from the Government reguarding
the new L/P plater law.this is what the letter says:
IF YOU BREAK THE ROAD LAWS YOUR L'S OR P'S WILL NOW
GO BACKWARDS
It is regrettable, but nonetheless true, that Learner and P-plate drivers
are more likely to be involved in crashes.
This makes sense- given the 'L' and 'P' drivers are our most inexperienced
and thus most vulnerable motorists.
This is why the Government introduced the graduated licensing scheme to
provide more structure and experience to trainee drivers.
What does this mean to you?
If you are disqualified or become disqualified from driving your permit or
license will regress- that is, go backwards. These laws will affect you when
when applying for your permit or license on or after Tuesday, 31 October 2006.
If you commit a driving offence, as outlined in the Driver's Handbook, you
will lose your license. In the past, if your license or permit was cancelled, you
could reapply upon conclusion of disqualification period.
However, under these new laws, when you reapply for a license or permit you will regress
to an earlier license stage. This means that you'll need to earn your license or permit
back, possibly at considerable cost and effort.
After disqualification Learner's Permit drivers go backwards to:
Passing the Learner's Permit Theory Test again, prior to being re-issued with a permit.
passing the Basic Ridersafe course if you are a motorcyclist.
holding the permit for a total period of nine months.
After disqualification P1 Provisional License drivers go backwards to:
applying for Learner's Permit (no theory test required).
passing a practical driving test again (Vehical on Road Test, Competency Based Training or Advanced Ridersafe), prior to being re-issued with another P1 license.
After disqualification P2 Provisional License drivers go backwards:
being issued with a P1 Provisional License.
passing the Hazard Perception Test again before regaining their P2 license.
These changes mean that 'L' and 'P' drivers who break road laws will be limited by learner
or provisional driver conditions and gain longer driving experience before they attain a full
license.
Those drivers who drive safely and don't break the road rules will not be affected by
these changes.
Finally , remember that many deaths and serious injuries that occur on the State's roads every
year are due to the 'fatal five'. Research shows that these driving activities can place you and
others in great danger and must be avoided. They are:
speeding- there is no excuse for speeding
drink or drug driving- this is zero tolerance for 'L' and 'P' drivers
lack of attention while driving- good drivers just drive
driving when tired or sleepy- Stop. Revive. Survive.
not using your seatbelt- because no trip is too short for a seatbelt.
Please take great care at all times when driving your vehicle.
For further information, please go to www.stopthink.sa.gov.au
Yours Sincerely
(signature)
REGISTRAR OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Note: On 31 October 2005, the Graduated Licensing scheme for new drivers was introduced.
This scheme created two levels of Provisonal License(P1 and P2) and required drivers to pass
a computerised Hazard Perception Test to progress from P1 to P2. Greater penalties were
introduced for disqualified drivers, including a night curfew for serious offenders to restrict
their driving activities between midnight and 5am. When announcing the Graduated Licensing
Sccheme, the Government indicated regression for offending novive drivers would be introduced
12 months later.
-----------------------------------
i The total nine months required to hold a learner's permit can include time a person previously
held a learner's permit.
ii P1 Provisional license must be held for a minimum period of 2 years.
iii P2 Provisional license must be held for a minimum period of 6 months after completing
Hazard Perception Test.
