{"id":"nsw:sl-2016-0542","name":"Driving Instructors Regulation 2016","slug":"driving-instructors-regulation-2016","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"542 of 2016","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177511,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2016-0542-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Regulation","content":"#### 1 Name of Regulation\n\n1 Name of Regulation\n\n> This Regulation is the [Driving Instructors Regulation 2016](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2016-0542).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Regulation commences on 1 September 2016 and is required to be published on the NSW legislation website.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> This Regulation replaces the [Driving Instructors Regulation 2009](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2009-0448), which is repealed on 1 September 2016 by section 10 (2) of the [Subordinate Legislation Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-146).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Regulation—\n> > \n> > driving instruction means instruction given to a person for the purpose of teaching the person to drive a motor vehicle.\n> > \n> > driving instructor’s licence means a licence under the Act.\n> > \n> > motor bike has the same meaning as in the [Road Rules 2014](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2014-0758).\n> > \n> > the Act means the [Driving Instructors Act 1992](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1992-003).\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > The Act and the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Regulation.\n> \n> > (2) Notes included in this Regulation do not form part of this Regulation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Certain persons not driving instructors for purpose of Act","content":"#### 4 Certain persons not driving instructors for purpose of Act\n\n4 Certain persons not driving instructors for purpose of Act\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 4 (3) of the Act, the following persons, when providing driving instruction in the following circumstances, are not driving instructors for the purposes of the Act—\n> > \n> > > (a) a person who provides driving instruction that does not involve the use of a motor vehicle (such as in a classroom or by using a simulator),\n> > \n> > > (b) a person who provides driving instruction in a motor vehicle to the holder of a driver licence, if the holder—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) is already authorised by the licence to drive the motor vehicle unsupervised on a road, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) is not receiving instruction for the purposes of removing a condition from that licence.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of section 4 (3) of the Act, an employee or contractor of Transport for NSW or Service NSW who assesses or tests a person for the purposes of enabling that person to obtain or vary a driver licence is not a driving instructor for the purposes of the Act.\n> \n> **cl 4:** Am 2017 No 61, Sch 4.1 \\[1\\].","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Fees","content":"#### 5 Fees\n\n5 Fees\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of sections 11 (2), 30 (2) (b) and 59 (2) (a) of the Act, the fees set out in Schedule 1 are payable to Transport for NSW in respect of the services specified in that Schedule.\n> \n> > (2) Despite subclause (1), a certificate under section 46 of the Act may be issued without the imposition of a fee.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Production of driving instructor’s licence","content":"#### 6 Production of driving instructor’s licence\n\n6 Production of driving instructor’s licence\n\n> A driving instructor must not give driving instruction on any occasion to a person until the instructor has produced his or her driving instructor’s licence to the person and allowed the person time to examine the licence.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Improper use or care of driving instructor’s licence","content":"#### 7 Improper use or care of driving instructor’s licence\n\n7 Improper use or care of driving instructor’s licence\n\n> > (1) A person must not, in purported compliance with clause 6, produce a driving instructor’s licence that—\n> > \n> > > (a) has been altered, mutilated or defaced in any manner, or\n> > \n> > > (b) was not issued to the person, or\n> > \n> > > (c) contains any particulars which the person knows to be false or misleading in a material respect.\n> \n> > (2) A person who holds a driving instructor’s licence must not do any of the following in purported reliance on a driving instructor’s licence of a kind referred to in subclause (1)—\n> > \n> > > (a) act as a driving instructor in a motor vehicle,\n> > \n> > > (b) drive a motor vehicle,\n> > \n> > > (c) cause or permit a motor vehicle to be driven or stood.\n> \n> > (3) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, alter, mutilate or deface a driving instructor’s licence.\n> \n> > (4) A person must not lend or otherwise part with possession of his or her driving instructor’s licence.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"7A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Types of licences","content":"#### 7A Types of licences\n\n7A Types of licences\n\n> > (1) The types of licence are as follows—\n> > \n> > > (a) Type 1,\n> > \n> > > (b) Type 2,\n> > \n> > > (c) Type 2 endorsed,\n> > \n> > > (d) Type 3,\n> > \n> > > (e) Type 4,\n> > \n> > > (f) Type 4 endorsed,\n> > \n> > > (g) Type 5.\n> \n> > (2) It is a condition of a licence that the holder act as a driving instructor only in respect of the following vehicles—\n> > \n> > > (a) for a Type 1 licence—motor vehicles with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or less or a tractor or implement (but not a motor bike, motor trike or a vehicle seating more than 12 adults including the driver),\n> > \n> > > (b) for a Type 2 licence—motor vehicles—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) having a GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes but not greater than 8 tonnes, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) seating more than 12 adults (including the driver) and having a GVM not greater than 8 tonnes,\n> > \n> > > (c) for a Type 2 endorsed licence—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) motor vehicles for which the holder of a Type 2 licence may act as a driving instructor, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) motor vehicles having 2 axles and a GVM greater than 8 tonnes,\n> > \n> > > (d) for a Type 3 licence—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) motor vehicles for which the holder of a Type 2 endorsed licence may act as a driving instructor, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) motor vehicles having 3 or more axles and a GVM greater than 8 tonnes (including an articulated bus, but not including any other articulated vehicle),\n> > \n> > > (e) for a Type 4 licence—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) motor vehicles for which the holder of a Type 3 licence may act as a driving instructor, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) prime movers to which a single semi-trailer plus any unladen converter dolly is attached, and\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) rigid motor vehicles to which a trailer that has a GVM greater than 9 tonnes plus any unladen converter dolly is attached,\n> > \n> > > (f) for a Type 4 endorsed licence—motor vehicles other than motor vehicles for which the holder of a Type 1 licence or Type 5 licence may act as a driving instructor,\n> > \n> > > (g) for a Type 5 licence—motor bikes or motor trikes.\n> \n> > (3) In this clause—\n> > \n> > GVM has the same meaning as in the [Road Transport Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2013-018).\n> > \n> > implement means a motor vehicle that comprises an excavator, road grader, road roller, bulldozer, forklift truck or other machinery or apparatus and is not constructed on a chassis of a type normally used in the construction of a motor lorry.\n> \n> **cll 7A:** Ins 2019 (256), Sch 1.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions of licence","content":"#### 7B Conditions of licence\n\n7B Conditions of licence\n\n> A licence is subject to the following conditions—\n> \n> > (a) the licence does not authorise a person to act as a driving instructor in relation to a relevant class of motor vehicle unless the instructor also holds a driver licence for the relevant class of motor vehicle,\n> \n> > (b) if the licence is marked “restricted”—the licence does not authorise a person to act as a driving instructor for the holder of a learner licence.\n> \n> **cll 7B:** Ins 2019 (256), Sch 1.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Records to be kept by driving schools","content":"#### 8 Records to be kept by driving schools\n\n8 Records to be kept by driving schools\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 47 (1) of the Act, the proprietor of a driving school must keep, or cause to be kept, in a form approved by Transport for NSW a record of the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) the name of the school,\n> > \n> > > (b) the name of each person who is an owner of the school (that is, a person who has any share in the capital of the business of the school, or any entitlement to receive any income derived from the school, whether the entitlement arises at law or in equity or otherwise, and may include a proprietor, or a person having principal control, management and administration, of the school),\n> > \n> > > (c) the name of the person having principal control, management and administration of the school,\n> > \n> > > (d) the name of any other person who engages in the control, management or administration of the school,\n> > \n> > > (e) the name, driver licence number and driving instructor’s licence number of each driving instructor working for the school,\n> > \n> > > (f) the name, address and telephone number of each student who receives driving instruction from the school,\n> > \n> > > (g) the registration number of each motor vehicle used by the school to provide driving instruction,\n> > \n> > > (h) details of the comprehensive motor vehicle insurance policy in force (including the name of the insurer, the name of the insured, the number of the policy and the date on which the policy expires) in respect of each motor vehicle used by the school to provide driving instruction.\n> \n> > (2) The proprietor of a driving school must retain such a record for at least 5 years after the record is made.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Records to be kept by driving instructors","content":"#### 9 Records to be kept by driving instructors\n\n9 Records to be kept by driving instructors\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 48 of the Act, a driving instructor must keep in a form approved by Transport for NSW a record of the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) the name, driver licence number and driving instructor’s licence number of the driving instructor,\n> > \n> > > (b) the name of each driving school for which the driving instructor works,\n> > \n> > > (c) the name, address and telephone number of each student who receives driving instruction from the driving instructor,\n> > \n> > > (d) the driver licence number of each such student,\n> > \n> > > (e) the dates and times of theory and practical instruction for each such student,\n> > \n> > > (f) the registration number of each motor vehicle used for practical instruction by the driving instructor,\n> > \n> > > (g) if the driving instructor’s motor vehicle is hired solely for a driving test, the name, address and driver licence number of the person presenting for the test.\n> \n> > (2) The holder of a driving instructor’s licence must retain such a record for at least 5 years after the record is made.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Compulsory comprehensive motor vehicle insurance","content":"#### 10 Compulsory comprehensive motor vehicle insurance\n\n10 Compulsory comprehensive motor vehicle insurance\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 54C (3) of the Act, a comprehensive motor vehicle insurance policy required by section 54C (1) of the Act—\n> > \n> > > (a) must provide cover of at least $5,000,000 against any liability for damage to property caused by or arising out of the use of any motor vehicle to which the policy relates, and\n> > \n> > > (b) must indemnify each person for the time being receiving driving instruction or undertaking a driving test by means of or in connection with any such motor vehicle in relation to any damage (including any excess payable on a claim) arising out of the use of the motor vehicle, and\n> > \n> > > (c) must be maintained with a corporation authorised under the [Insurance Act 1973](http://www.legislation.gov.au/) of the Commonwealth to carry on insurance business.\n> \n> > (2) Transport for NSW may exempt a person from compliance with section 54C (1) of the Act.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duplicate driving controls","content":"#### 11 Duplicate driving controls\n\n11 Duplicate driving controls\n\n> > (1) The holder of a driving instructor’s licence must not use a motor vehicle to give driving instruction unless the motor vehicle is equipped with duplicate driving controls of a type approved by Transport for NSW.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.\n> \n> > (2) This clause does not apply—\n> > \n> > > (a) in the case of a motor bike, or\n> > \n> > > (b) in any case in which a motor vehicle is provided by a person undergoing driving instruction, or\n> > \n> > > (c) in any case in which the use of a particular motor vehicle has been approved by Transport for NSW in writing, or\n> > \n> > > (d) to any motor vehicle exceeding 4.5 tonnes manufacturer’s gross vehicle mass, or\n> > \n> > > (e) to an implement within the meaning of the [Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2017-0451).\n> \n> **cl 11:** Am 2017 No 63, Sch 4.14.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Service of documents on approved electronic addresses","content":"#### 11A Service of documents on approved electronic addresses\n\n11A Service of documents on approved electronic addresses\n\n> An electronic address (other than an email address) specified by the person being served of a kind approved by Transport for NSW for documents of the kind concerned is prescribed for the purposes of section 58 (1) (f) of the Act.\n> \n> **cl 11A:** Ins 2017 No 61, Sch 4.1 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Saving","content":"#### 12 Saving\n\n12 Saving\n\n> Any act, matter or thing that, immediately before the repeal of the [Driving Instructors Regulation 2009](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2009-0448), had effect under that Regulation continues to have effect under this Regulation.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Fees","content":"# Schedule 1 Fees\n\nSchedule 1 Fees\n\nclause 5(1)\n\n| Type of fee | Fee |\n| Application fee for a driving instructor’s licence under the Act, section 11— |  |\n| (a) if the licence is issued subject to a condition that the licence holder complete a course in driving instruction within a specified time, or | $69 |\n| (b) otherwise | $225 |\n| Note—An application for a licence includes an application for a renewal of a licence under the Act, section 23. |\n| Fee for the issue of a duplicate driving instructor’s licence under the Act, section 30 | $33 |\n| Fee for the issue of a certificate under the Act, section 46 | $38 |\n\n**sch 1:** Subst 2017 (240), cl 3; 2018 (318), cl 3; 2019 (239), cl 3; 2021 (137), Sch 1.1\\[2\\]; 2022 (339), Sch 1.1; 2023 (550), Sch 1. Subst 2024 (263), Sch 1. Am 2025 (308), Sch 1.\n\n**whole Regulation:** Am 2021 (137), Sch 1\\[1\\] (“the Authority” and “The Authority” omitted wherever occurring, “Transport for NSW” inserted instead).","sortOrder":15}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, the regulation appears to have remained focused on its original purpose of regulating driving instructors in NSW. The frequent annual amendments are consistent with routine fee updates rather than substantive expansions or contractions of scope. No evidence of scope drift is apparent from the version history provided."},"complexity_factors":["The actual substantive content of the regulation is not included in the provided text — only metadata and navigation elements are visible, limiting full analysis","Multiple amendments over time (12 versions since 2016) introduce some complexity in tracking the current state of the law","The regulation sits under a parent Act (implied — likely the Driving Instructors Act 1992 NSW), meaning you must read both documents together to fully understand obligations","Staged repeal mechanism under the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 adds a procedural layer to understand","Likely contains fee schedules that change annually, requiring regular checking for currency"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets the legal rules for professional driving instructors and businesses that provide paid driving instruction in New South Wales, covering qualifications, licensing, fees and conduct that affect instructors and, indirectly, learner drivers. It has been amended several times and is scheduled to automatically expire on 1 September 2026, so instructors and applicants should watch for a replacement or changes before that date."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation appears consistent with its original purpose of operationalising the Driving Instructors Act 1992. The 2019 amendments adding licence types (7A) and conditions (7B) expanded the detail of the regulatory framework but did not fundamentally alter the scope – they remained within the Act's subject matter of regulating driving instruction. The 2021 amendment replacing 'the Authority' with 'Transport for NSW' was purely administrative."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple licence types (7 categories) with overlapping and hierarchical vehicle classifications requiring cross-referencing between clauses 7A and 7B","Nested definitions and external references – 'GVM' and 'implement' defined by reference to other legislation (Road Transport Act 2013, Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017)","Conditional exceptions in clause 11 (duplicate driving controls) with 5 separate exemption categories including weight thresholds and vehicle types","Extensive record-keeping obligations in clauses 8 and 9 with 8 separate data points for schools and 7 for individual instructors","Insurance requirements in clause 10 with three separate mandatory coverage conditions plus an exemption power","Amendment history scattered throughout (clauses 4, 7A, 7B, 11, 11A, Schedule 1) indicating evolutionary complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Regulation sets out the detailed rules for driving instructors and driving schools in New South Wales. It works alongside the *Driving Instructors Act 1992* (the main law) to specify practical requirements like licensing, fees, insurance, record-keeping, and vehicle safety standards.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Driving instructors** – anyone who teaches people to drive motor vehicles for money\n- **Driving schools** – businesses that employ or engage driving instructors\n- **Learner drivers** – people receiving professional driving instruction\n- **Transport for NSW** – the government agency that administers the system\n\n**Key things the Regulation covers:**\n\n- **Types of licences** – There are 7 different instructor licence types (Type 1 through Type 5, with some \"endorsed\" variants), each allowing instruction in different vehicle classes based on size, weight, and configuration (for example, Type 1 covers standard cars; Type 5 covers motorbikes)\n- **Showing your licence** – Instructors must physically show their licence to students before each lesson and let them examine it\n- **Record keeping** – Both individual instructors and driving schools must keep detailed records of students, lessons, vehicles, and insurance for at least 5 years\n- **Insurance** – Instructors must have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance covering at least $5 million for property damage, and the policy must protect students from damage costs\n- **Vehicle safety** – Instruction vehicles must have duplicate driving controls (like dual brakes) approved by Transport for NSW, with exceptions for motorbikes, heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, and student-owned cars\n- **Fees** – Sets out charges for licence applications ($225 standard, or $69 if a training course is required), duplicate licences ($33), and certificates ($38)\n- **Who isn't covered** – Classroom instructors, simulator trainers, and government employees who conduct driving tests aren't considered \"driving instructors\" under this law\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis Regulation protects learner drivers by ensuring their instructors are properly qualified, insured, and accountable. It creates a paper trail for every lesson, ensures vehicles are safe, and prevents unqualified people from charging money to teach driving. The tiered licence system means you can't teach someone to drive a semi-trailer just because you know how to drive a hatchback."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation replaces the earlier Driving Instructors Regulation 2009 (commencement noted in cl 2) and preserves regulatory coverage of instructor licensing, fees, records, insurance, vehicle controls and enforcement. The instrument itself does not state an expansion or contraction of subject‑matter scope; it continues to regulate the same categories of actors and activities with detailed operational rules (see cl 2 and cl 12)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple licence categories with vehicle‑class rules and endorsements (cl 7A)","Licence conditions linking instructor rights to holding corresponding driver licences and ‘restricted’ markings (cl 7B)","Specific record‑keeping and 5‑year retention obligations for schools and instructors, in a Transport for NSW approved form, with penalties (cl 8(1)–(2), cl 9(1)–(2))","Mandatory minimum comprehensive insurance cover and indemnity obligations (cl 10(1))","Operational requirements for vehicle equipment (duplicate controls) with listed exemptions (cl 11(1)–(2))","Obligations to produce licences and prohibitions on altered, lent or false licences with penalties (cl 6, cl 7)","Fees prescribed and an explicit exception for one certificate (cl 5(1)–(2); Schedule 1)","Administrative discretions and approvals vested in Transport for NSW (approval of forms, vehicle approvals, electronic address types, power to exempt) (cl 8(1), cl 11(2)(c), cl 11A, cl 10(2))","Cross‑references to multiple Acts and regulations that affect meaning (cl 3(1), cl 7A(3))","A saving/transitional clause preserving prior acts under the repealed Regulation (cl 12)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Regulation sets rules for NSW driving instructors: licence types and conditions, record‑keeping, fees, compulsory insurance minimums, required vehicle controls, and penalties for non‑compliance. It applies to driving instructors, driving schools and Transport for NSW, which approves forms, grants exemptions and collects fees; the direct costs fall on licence‑holders and schools (fees, insurance, equipment, administrative records), while enforcement uses civil penalties and licence conditions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/driving-instructors-regulation-2016","history":"/api/acts/driving-instructors-regulation-2016/history","analysis":"/api/acts/driving-instructors-regulation-2016/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/driving-instructors-regulation-2016/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/driving-instructors-regulation-2016/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/driving-instructors-regulation-2016/documents"}}