Status of certain demerit points recorded before 30 June 2008 97
Division 2 — Transitional provision for Transport Regulations Amendment (Road Traffic) Regulations 2024
Transitional provision for novice driver (type 1A) number of passengers restrictions 98
Schedule 1 — Classes of motor vehicles
Schedule 2 — Classes of authorisation to drive
Schedule 4 — Trailer towing limits
Limits for motor vehicle of class C or LR 101
Limits for motor vehicle of class MR 101
Limits for motor vehicle of class HR 101
Limits for motor vehicle of class HC 101
Schedule 5 — Motor vehicles that may be used to show relevant ability to control
Schedule 6 — Licence prerequisites for drivers’ licences
Schedule 7 — Notations to indicate certain conditions apply
Schedule 8 — Licence prerequisites for learners’ permits
Schedule 9 — Fees relating to drivers’ licences
Terms used 108
Notes
Compilation table 110
Defined terms
Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Act 2008
Part 1 — Preliminary
1. Citation
These regulations are the *Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014*.
2. Commencement
These regulations come into operation on the day fixed under the Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008 section 2(b).
3. Terms used
In these regulations —
Part Part 8 - Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 - Transitional provisions | Zoe
alcohol interlock offence means —
(a) an offence under RTA section 59(1)(a) or (bb); or
(b) an offence under RTA section 59A(1)(a) or (bb); or
(c) an offence under RTA section 63(1)(a) or (2) or 67AD(6); or
(d) an offence under RTA section 64(1), 64B(3) or 67AD(4), if the offender has, within the period of 5 years preceding conviction for that offence, been convicted of an offence —
(e) an offence under RTA section 64AA(1), 64B(1) or 67AD(2), if the offender has, within the period of 5 years preceding conviction for that offence, been convicted of an offence —
(f) an offence under RTA section 64A(1) or (4), 64C(4) or 67AC(4), if the offender has, within the period of 5 years preceding conviction for that offence, been convicted of an offence —
(g) an offence under RTA section 67(2);
another jurisdiction’s driving authorisation has the meaning given in regulation 59(1);
approved alcohol interlock means an alcohol interlock that the CEO has approved under regulation 69I;
axle means the axis of rotation of any of the wheels on which a vehicle is or may be driven, regardless of whether the wheel is power driven or freely rotating and regardless of the number of wheels rotating on that axis and, if 2 or more wheels have substantially the same axis of rotation or intersecting axes of rotation when the vehicle is being driven in a straight line, those wheels must be regarded as being on the same axle;
car licence means a driver’s licence that authorises the holder to drive a motor vehicle of class C;
Defence Force family member card means a card issued by the Department of Defence of the Commonwealth that identifies the holder as a member of the family of a current member of the Defence Force of the Commonwealth;
Defence Force member card means a card issued by the Department of Defence of the Commonwealth that identifies the holder as a current member of the Defence Force of the Commonwealth;
Department means the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008;
Department’s website means a website maintained by or on behalf of the Department;
disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence does not include being prevented under section 8 from being granted a driver’s licence and, in the context of a licence or authorisation to drive granted under the law of another jurisdiction or another country, the term does not include being prevented under a provision substantially similar to section 8 from being granted a licence or authorisation to drive under that law;
driving test means a practical driving assessment to indicate whether an applicant for a driver’s licence is able to control a motor vehicle that the licence would authorise the holder to drive;
electric personal transporter has the meaning given in the Road Traffic Code 2000 regulation 3(1);
electric personal transporter use area has the meaning given in the Road Traffic Code 2000 regulation 3(1);
electric rideable device has the meaning given in the Road Traffic Code 2000 regulation 3A;
external Territory has the meaning given in the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Commonwealth) section 2B;
foreign driving authorisation has the meaning given in regulation 60(1);
grant by way of renewal, referring to the grant of a driver’s licence, has the meaning given in regulation 38(4);
learner approved motor cycle means a motor cycle in relation to which an approval by the CEO under regulation 6(1) is in force;
moped means a motor cycle or motor carrier that —
(a) is designed so as not to be capable of a speed exceeding 50 km/h; and
(b) either —
(i) has an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cm3; or
(ii) is not powered by a piston engine,
whether or not it is also capable of being propelled by pedalling, but does not include a power assisted pedal cycle;
moped licence means a driver’s licence that authorises the holder to drive only a motor vehicle of class R endorsed with the condition N;
motor carrier means —
(a) a motor vehicle that —
(i) is designed to travel on 3 wheels; and
(ii) has an unladen mass not exceeding 1 016 kg; and
(iii) is designed with a significant portion of its steering mechanism and other controls similar to those of a motor cycle;
or
(b) a motorised wheelchair, except one that is designed so as not to be capable of a speed exceeding 10 km/h;
motor cycle means a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a permanent cab and cab roof and that —
(a) is designed to travel on 2 wheels or, with a sidecar attached, 3 wheels; or
(b) has 3 wheels arranged so that the axis of rotation of 2 wheels lies on the same straight line and each of those 2 wheels is equidistant from the third,
except that it does not include a motorised wheelchair and does not include a motor vehicle built or modified to be used primarily to carry goods or materials used in any trade, business or industry;
motorised scooter has the meaning given in the Road Traffic Code 2000 regulation 3(1);
motorised wheelchair has the meaning given in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 regulation 3;
new driver’s licence applicant means an applicant for a driver’s licence who —
(a) is a novice driver; and
(b) either —
(i) does not hold and has not previously held a driver’s licence; or
(ii) holds or has held a moped licence but no other driver’s licence;
novice driver has the meaning given in section 40(2);
novice driver (type 1A) has the meaning given in regulation 4(2);
prime mover means a motor vehicle having at least 2 axles and a GVM of more than 8 t, that is built to tow a semi‑trailer;
restricted motor cycle licence means a driver’s licence that authorises the driving of a motor vehicle of class R endorsed with condition E;
RTA means the Road Traffic Act 1974;
scheme commencement day means the day on which the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2016 regulation 3 comes into operation;
section means section of the Act;
semi‑trailer has the meaning given in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 regulation 3;
trailer has the meaning given in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 regulation 3.
[Regulation 3 amended: Gazette 19 Aug 2016 p. 3572‑3; 20 Sep 2016 p. 3969‑70; 28 Oct 2016 p. 4919; 3 Oct 2017 p. 5051; 19 Oct 2018 p. 4139; SL 2021/93 r. 4; SL 2021/59 r. 4; SL 2021/199 r. 4; SL 2022/147 r. 4; SL 2026/32 r. 4.]
4. Novice driver (type 1A)
relevant driving authorisation means —
(a) an Australian driver licence; or
(b) a foreign driving authorisation authorising the person to drive a motor vehicle other than solely for the purpose of learning to drive it.
(2) A person who is a novice driver is a novice driver (type 1A) unless the person has, for a period of at least 6 months or periods adding up to at least 6 months, held a relevant driving authorisation.
(3) When deciding whether a person who is a novice driver is a novice driver (type 1A), a period for which the person held a relevant driving authorisation must be regarded as not including any period for which the person, although holding a relevant driving authorisation, was excluded by law from driving under that authorisation.
5. Classes of motor vehicles defined
(1) Schedule 1 identifies the classes of motor vehicles to which these regulations refer.
(2) A description of a motor vehicle in Schedule 1 column 2 refers to a motor vehicle of the kind described, whether or not it is attached to a trailer that the motor vehicle may be used to tow according to Schedule 4.
6. Learner approved motor cycles
(1) The CEO may approve a motor cycle as a learner approved motor cycle if the motor cycle —
(a) is not a moped; and
(b) has a power‑to‑weight ratio that does not exceed 150 kW/t; and
(c) has an engine capacity that does not exceed 660 cm3; and
(d) is, in the opinion of the CEO, suitable to be driven by a person who holds a restricted motor cycle licence.
(2) The CEO may revoke or vary the approval of a motor cycle under subregulation (1).
(3) The CEO must ensure that a list of each motor cycle in relation to which an approval under subregulation (1) is in force is published on the Department’s website.
[Regulation 6 amended: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4139; SL 2021/93 r. 5; SL 2022/147 r. 5.]
Part 2 — Driver licensing
Division 1 — Drivers’ licences generally
7. Grant of driver’s licence
(1) The CEO may grant to a person a licence authorising the person to drive a motor vehicle on a road.
(2) A driver’s licence cannot be granted to a person other than an individual.
(3) A driver’s licence cannot be transferred to another person.
8. What a driver’s licence authorises
(1) The extent to which a driver’s licence authorises the licence holder to drive on a road depends on the class or classes of authorisation given in the licence.
(2) Schedule 2 column 1 designates each class of authorisation.
(3) A driver’s licence giving a particular class of authorisation authorises the licence holder to drive on a road —
(a) a motor vehicle the class of which has the same designation as the class of authorisation; or
(b) a motor vehicle of any other class shown in Schedule 2 column 2 for that class of authorisation.
9. Driver’s licence to be provisional in some cases
(1) The CEO must, when granting a driver’s licence in the circumstances described in subregulation (2), endorse it as a provisional licence.
(2) The driver’s licence granted to a person must be a provisional licence if the person —
(a) is a novice driver; or
(b) has not reached 19 years of age.
(3) The endorsement of a driver’s licence as a provisional licence ceases to have effect when the holder of the licence —
employment includes both paid and unpaid employment;
schooling means a course of education or training for which the person is enrolled.
(2) Except in the circumstances described in subregulation (3), a driver’s licence held by a person who is a novice driver (type 1A) does not authorise the person to drive a motor vehicle on a road during the period between midnight and the following 5 a.m. unless —
(a) the driving is —
(i) in the course of employment; or
(ii) for the purpose of travelling to or from employment and by the shortest practicable route for achieving that purpose; or
(iii) for the purpose of travelling to or from schooling and by the shortest practicable route for achieving that purpose;
and
(b) in the case of travel from employment or schooling, the travel commences as soon as is practicable after the employment or schooling ceases.
(3) Subregulation (2) does not apply if the holder of the driver’s licence is driving in the course of instruction as authorised by regulation 56(1) or (2).
[Regulation 10 amended: SL 2024/237 r. 6.]
11. Novice driver (type 1A) number of passengers restrictions
additional passenger, in relation to a motor vehicle, means each passenger carried in the motor vehicle other than the permitted passenger;
employment includes both paid and unpaid employment;
immediate family, in relation to a person, means a spouse, de facto partner, child, step‑child, grandchild, step‑grandchild, sibling, half‑sibling, step‑sibling, parent, step‑parent, grandparent or step‑grandparent of the person.
(2) In this regulation, despite the definition of passenger in the Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008 section 4, a passenger in relation to a motor vehicle includes a co‑driver of the motor vehicle.
(3) A driver’s licence held by a person who is a novice driver (type 1A) does not authorise the person to drive a motor vehicle carrying more than 1 passenger (the permitted passenger) on a road unless —
(a) at least 1 of the passengers is an experienced driver; or
(b) each additional passenger is a member of the person’s immediate family; or
(c) the person —
(i) is required to carry each additional passenger for the person’s employment; and
(ii) is carrying a document stating that fact signed by the person’s employer; and
(iii) if requested by a police officer, produces the document for inspection.
(4) For the purposes of subregulation (3)(a), a passenger in a motor vehicle driven by a novice driver (type 1A) is an experienced driver if the passenger —
(a) is authorised to drive a motor vehicle of the class that the novice driver is authorised to drive; and
(b) has held that authorisation for a period of, or periods adding up to, at least 4 years under —
(i) an Australian driver licence, other than a provisional licence; or
(ii) a foreign driving authorisation, other than a foreign driving authorisation that is substantially equivalent to a provisional licence.
[Regulation 11 inserted: SL 2024/237 r. 7.]
[12. Deleted: SL2020/91 r. 7.]
13. Trailer towing limits
The authorisation given by a driver’s licence to drive a motor vehicle includes authorisation to drive the motor vehicle while towing a trailer but only if the trailer is towed according to Schedule 4.
14. Recognition and effect of disqualifications in another jurisdiction
driver licence means any licence or authorisation that is an Australian driver licence.
(2) If under the law of another jurisdiction a person is disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence, that fact is recognised and as a consequence of the recognition the person is disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence.
(3) If under the law of another jurisdiction the driver licence that a person may hold or obtain is restricted, that fact is recognised and as a consequence of the recognition a driver’s licence held by the person does not authorise the person to drive on a road in this State to an extent that, because of that fact, the person would be prevented from being authorised to drive under the law of the other jurisdiction.
Division 2 — Eligibility to hold a driver’s licence
15. Minimum age for driver’s licence
(1) The minimum age that a person must have reached to hold a driver’s licence is —
(a) except as stated in paragraph (b), 17 years of age;
(b) for a moped licence, 16 years of age.
(2) Other provisions of these regulations may have the effect that, in some cases, a person cannot hold a driver’s licence until later than when the person reaches the age fixed by subregulation (1).
(3) This regulation does not prevent the CEO from waiving an age requirement in a particular case under regulation 22(2).
[Regulation 15 amended: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5051.]
16. Demonstrating ability to safely drive
(1) Before a person can hold a driver’s licence the person must have satisfied the CEO that the person can demonstrate, in accordance with regulation 16A, 16B, 16BA or 16C, sufficient ability to safely drive motor vehicles as the licence would authorise.
(2) Subregulation (1) does not prevent the CEO from being satisfied that a person can demonstrate sufficient ability to safely drive a motor vehicle —
(a) in the circumstances described, and on the basis described, in regulation 24(2); or
(b) in any circumstances, and on any basis, as the CEO sees fit.
[(3)‑(6) deleted]
[Regulation 16 amended: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5051; 19 Oct 2018 p. 4139.]
16A. New driver’s licence applicant: car licence for person under 25 years of age or restricted motor cycle licence
(1) This regulation applies to a new driver’s licence applicant for —
(a) a car licence if the applicant has not reached 25 years of age; or
(b) a restricted motor cycle licence.
(a) driving the motor vehicle on a road for at least 50 hours, including at least 5 hours of driving the vehicle at night (as defined in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012 section 3(1)), in the course of instruction by —
(i) a person who holds a licence issued under the Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors Act 1963; or
(ii) a person who may give driving instruction under regulation 43(2);
and
(b) making a record of the driving undertaken in compliance with paragraph (a) —
(i) signed by the person who gave the instruction; and
(ii) in a logbook approved by the CEO;
and
(c) having reached 16 years and 6 months of age, a test approved by the CEO and conducted not less than 6 months after the learner’s permit was granted in relation to the application, satisfying the CEO that the applicant has sufficient ability to recognise hazards on roads; and
(d) after completing the requirements set out in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) and having reached 17 years of age, satisfying the CEO that the applicant is able to control the motor vehicle.
[Regulation 16A inserted: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5052‑3; amended: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4140.]
16B. New driver’s licence applicant: car licence for person 25 years of age and over
(1) This regulation applies to a new driver’s licence applicant for a car licence if the applicant has reached 25 years of age.
(a) a test approved by the CEO and conducted not less than 6 months after the learner’s permit was granted in relation to the application, satisfying the CEO that the applicant has sufficient ability to recognise hazards on roads; and
(b) satisfying the CEO that the applicant is able to control the motor vehicle.
(3) An applicant wanting to satisfy the CEO under subregulation (2)(b) by means of a driving test must do so not less than 6 months after the learner’s permit was granted in relation to the application.
[Regulation 16B inserted: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5053; amended: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4140.]
16BA. New driver’s licence applicant: moped licence
(1) This regulation applies to a new driver’s licence applicant for a moped licence.
(a) having reached 15 years and 6 months of age, a test approved by the CEO, satisfying the CEO that the applicant has sufficient ability to recognise hazards on roads; and
(b) after completing the requirements set out in paragraph (a) and having reached 16 years of age, satisfying the CEO that the applicant is able to control the motor vehicle.
[Regulation 16BA inserted: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4140-1.]
16C. Other driver’s licence applicant
(1) This regulation applies to an applicant for a driver’s licence if the applicant is not a new driver’s licence applicant.
(a) in the case of a restricted motor cycle licence, a test approved by the CEO and conducted not less than 6 months after the learner’s permit was granted in relation to the application, satisfying the CEO that the applicant has sufficient ability to recognise hazards on roads; and
(b) in any case, satisfying the CEO that the applicant is able to control the motor vehicle.
[Regulation 16C inserted: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5053; amended: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4141.]
16D. Tests for recognition of hazards
For the purposes of regulations 16A(2)(c), 16B(2)(a), 16BA(2)(a) and 16C(2)(a), the CEO must approve a test applicable to an applicant for —
(a) a car licence; and
(b) a restricted motor cycle licence or moped licence.
[Regulation 16D inserted: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4141.]
17. How ability to control motor vehicle can be shown
(1) A person satisfying the CEO of an ability to control a motor vehicle of a kind described in Schedule 5 column 2 must be taken to have satisfied the CEO of the ability to control motor vehicles that is needed for a driver’s licence to authorise the person to drive a motor vehicle of the class specified in column 1.
(2) A person satisfying the CEO of an ability to control a moped must be taken to have satisfied the CEO of the ability to control motor vehicles that is needed for a moped licence.
(2A) Despite subregulation (2), the CEO cannot be satisfied of a person’s ability to control a moped by being satisfied of the person’s ability to control a motor carrier.
(3) A person satisfying the CEO of an ability to control a learner approved motor cycle must be taken to have satisfied the CEO of the ability to control motor vehicles that is needed for a restricted motor cycle licence.
[Regulation 17 amended: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5053; 19 Oct 2018 p. 4141; SL 2021/93 r. 6.]
18. Acceptable evidence of ability to safely drive
The CEO —
(a) may accept evidence, other than evidence obtained from a driving test, to demonstrate that the applicant is able to control a motor vehicle as referred to in regulation 16A(2)(d), 16B(2)(b), 16BA(2)(b) or 16C(2)(b); and
(b) may accept, from a body authorised by the CEO to give it, evidence about whether the applicant can demonstrate the ability referred to in regulation 16 to safely drive relevant motor vehicles.
[Regulation 18 amended: Gazette 3 Oct 2017 p. 5054; 19 Oct 2018 p. 4142.]
19. Evidence as to ability of drivers who are 80 or older to safely drive
(1) This regulation applies to the grant of a driver’s licence, whether by way of renewal or otherwise, to a person (the applicant) who has reached 80 years of age.
(2) Despite regulation 24(2), the CEO cannot be satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated the ability referred to in regulation 16 to safely drive motor vehicles as the licence would authorise solely on the basis that the applicant has previously held a driver’s licence or has previously satisfied the CEO of having that ability.
(3) The applicant must have demonstrated that ability within one year before the grant of the licence.
20. Demonstrating knowledge of traffic laws and safe driving techniques
(1) Before a person can hold a driver’s licence the person must have satisfied the CEO that the person can demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of the traffic laws of the State and of safe driving techniques unless under regulation 22(5) the CEO has waived the requirement to be able to demonstrate that knowledge.
(2) The CEO may require the person to demonstrate that knowledge by completing a theory test, by producing evidence of knowledge accepted under the traffic laws of another jurisdiction that the CEO accepts as being sufficiently similar to those of this State, or in any other way the CEO considers acceptable.
21. Driver’s licence a prerequisite for driver’s licence to drive particular vehicles
(1) The CEO cannot grant a person a driver’s licence authorising the person to drive a motor vehicle of a class specified in Schedule 6 column 1 unless the person has, for a period of, or periods adding up to, at least the amount of time specified in column 3, held —
(a) a driver’s licence described for that class in column 2; or
(b) any Australian driver licence or foreign driving authorisation that was substantially equivalent to a driver’s licence described for that class in column 2.
(2) The CEO may, in a particular case, grant a driver’s licence authorising a person to drive a motor vehicle of a class specified in Schedule 6 column 1 even though the requirement imposed by subregulation (1) is not complied with if, under regulation 22(6), the CEO has waived the requirement in that case.
(3) A reference in subregulation (1) or Schedule 6 column 2 to a driver’s licence authorising a person to drive a vehicle does not include a driver’s licence that authorises the person to drive the vehicle only when learning.
(4) Subregulation (1) does not apply to the granting of a moped licence or a restricted motor cycle licence.
[Regulation 21 amended: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4142.]
22. Waiving certain requirements in special cases
parental responsibility has the meaning given in the Family Court Act 1997 section 68.
(2) The CEO may in a particular case waive the requirement in regulation 15(1) that a person holding a licence must have reached the age fixed in that provision if —
(a) denial of a licence would occasion undue hardship; and
(b) the requirements of subregulation (3) or (4) that apply are satisfied.
(3) If there is a person who has parental responsibility for the applicant for the licence residing in the State, a person who has parental responsibility for the applicant must have consented in writing to the licence being granted.
(4) If there is not a person who has parental responsibility for the applicant for the licence residing in the State —
(a) a person who has parental responsibility for the applicant must have consented in writing to the licence being granted; or
(b) an employer or intended employer of the applicant must have confirmed in writing that the licence is considered essential for the purposes of the applicant’s employment.
(4A) The CEO may in a particular case waive the requirement to demonstrate sufficient ability to safely drive a motor vehicle in a test referred to in regulation 16D if denial of a licence would occasion undue hardship.
(5) The CEO may in a particular case waive the requirement in regulation 20(1) that before a person can hold a driver’s licence the person can demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of the traffic laws of the State and of safe driving techniques if denial of a licence would occasion undue hardship.
(6) The CEO may in a particular case waive the requirement imposed by regulation 21(1) if denial of a licence would occasion undue hardship.
[Regulation 22 amended: Gazette 19 Oct 2018 p. 4142.]
Division 3 — Applying for grant or variation of driver’s licence
23. Applying for driver’s licence
(1) A person who wishes to obtain a driver’s licence may give to the CEO a written application for a driver’s licence.
(2) The application must be made in a form approved by the CEO and give details of the authorisation sought.
(3) The CEO may require the applicant to provide evidence sufficient to satisfy the CEO of the applicant’s identity and residential address.
24. Grant of licence
(1) Unless prevented by a road law from doing so, the CEO may, on payment of the fee payable under Part 7, grant the applicant a driver’s licence if satisfied that the applicant —
(a) has reached the minimum age fixed by regulation 15(1), unless the requirement to reach that age has been waived under regulation 22(2); and
(b) can demonstrate the ability referred to in regulation 16 to safely drive motor vehicles as the licence would authorise; and
(c) can demonstrate knowledge of traffic laws and safe driving techniques as required by regulation 20, unless the requirement to be able to demonstrate that knowledge has been waived under regulation 22(5).
(2) The CEO may, when granting a driver’s licence by way of renewal, be satisfied as required by subregulation (1) wholly or partly on the basis that the person has previously held a driver’s licence.
25. Some grounds for refusing to grant driver’s licence
The CEO may refuse to grant a driver’s licence to a person if the CEO has reason to believe that the person —
(a) is not of good character; or
(b) suffers from a mental or physical condition (which may include a dependence on drugs or alcohol) that is likely to, or treatment for which is likely to, impair the person’s ability to control a motor vehicle; or
(c) is disqualified under a foreign law, as defined in section 15(1), from being authorised to drive; or
(d) should not hold a driver’s licence because of the number or nature of the person’s convictions for —
(i) offences under any road law; or
(ii) offences under laws referred to in paragraph (c) that are similar in substance to offences under any road law.
[26. Deleted: Gazette 13 Nov 2015 p. 4663.]
27. Allocated times for driving tests
allocated time means —
(a) the date and time appointed by the CEO under subregulation (3) for a particular applicant to attend for a driving test; or
(b) if the CEO changes the date and time appointed for a particular applicant to attend for a driving test — the new date and time;
specified extenuating circumstances has the meaning given in regulation 27B(1)(b);
specified number of hours has the meaning given in regulation 27B(1)(a).
(2) The payment of the relevant fee under Part 7 payable for an application for a driver’s licence entitles the applicant to a driving test at an allocated time.
(3) The CEO may appoint a date and time for the applicant to take the driving test.
(4) The CEO may change the allocated time either at the request of, or with the consent of, the applicant.
(5) A request by the applicant to change the allocated time must be made at least the specified number of hours before the allocated time.
(6) However, the CEO may change an applicant’s allocated time even though the applicant’s request is not made within the time fixed by subregulation (5) if the CEO is satisfied that 1 or more of the specified extenuating circumstances prevented the applicant from —
(a) attending at the allocated time; or
(b) requesting within time that the allocated time be changed.
(7) If an applicant fails to attend at the allocated time for a driving test to which the applicant is entitled under this regulation, the applicant must pay the relevant fee under Part 7 payable for an additional driving test before being entitled to a driving test.
(8) However, the CEO may reduce, waive or refund, in whole or in part, a fee payable by a person under subregulation (7) if the CEO is satisfied that 1 or more of the specified extenuating circumstances prevented the applicant from attending at the allocated time.
[Regulation 27 inserted: SL 2026/32 r. 5.]
27A. Cancellation of driving tests
specified cancellation circumstances has the meaning given in regulation 27B(1)(c);
specified extenuating circumstances has the meaning given in regulation 27B(1)(b).
(2) This regulation applies if —
(a) an applicant attends at the allocated time (as defined in regulation 27(1)) for a driving test to which the applicant is entitled under regulation 27(2); and
(b) the CEO is satisfied that 1 or more of the specified cancellation circumstances apply to the applicant.
(3) The CEO may refuse to conduct the driving test and cancel the allocated time.
(4) The applicant must pay the relevant fee under Part 7 payable for an additional driving test before being entitled to a driving test.
(5) However, the CEO may reduce, waive or refund, in whole or in part, a fee payable by a person under subregulation (4) if the CEO is satisfied that 1 or more of the specified extenuating circumstances were the cause of the specified cancellation circumstances.
[Regulation 27A inserted: SL 2026/32 r. 5.]
27B. CEO must specify matters for r. 27 and 27A by published notice
(1) The CEO must, by notice published on the Department’s website, specify —
(a) a number of hours (the specified number of hours), which must be at least 48, that are the specified number of hours for the purposes of regulation 27(5); and
(b) the circumstances (the specified extenuating circumstances) of which the CEO may be satisfied under regulation 27(6) or (8) or 27A(5); and
(c) the circumstances (the specified cancellation circumstances) of which the CEO may be satisfied under regulation 27A(2)(b).
(2) The CEO —
(a) may, by notice, amend or replace a notice (an original notice) published under subregulation (1); and
(b) must publish on the Department’s website —
(i) in the case of an amendment notice — the amendment notice and a version of the original notice that incorporates the amendments; or
(ii) in the case of a replacement notice — the replacement notice.
[Regulation 27B inserted: SL 2026/32 r. 5.]
28. Varying driver’s licence
(1) The holder of a driver’s licence may give to the CEO a written application for the variation of the licence.
(2) The CEO may, on an application under subregulation (1) or if it is for any other reason appropriate to do so, by notice in writing given to the licence holder vary a driver’s licence.
(3) If the variation sought in an application under subregulation (1) would extend the licence holder’s authorisation to drive, before making the variation the CEO must be satisfied that the person would be eligible to hold the licence as varied and that it would be appropriate to make the variation sought.
(4) Before varying a driver’s licence in a way that would suspend or cancel any authorisation that the licence gives, the CEO must have regard to the principles in regulation 41 that apply to the cancellation or suspension of a driver’s licence, and regulation 41(2) and (3) apply as modified for the purpose of helping the CEO to decide whether to make the variation.
(5) The kinds of variations that can be made under subregulation (2) are not limited to those to which either subregulation (3) or (4) is relevant.
29. Surrender of driver’s licence
(1) The holder of a driver’s licence may, by notice in writing given to the CEO, surrender the licence.
(2) The driver’s licence ceases to have effect from the time the notice is given to the CEO or a later time, if any, specified in the notice unless it expires or otherwise ceases to have effect sooner.
(3) Before the end of the period of 14 days after the driver’s licence ceases under subregulation (2) to have effect, the person who surrendered the licence must —
(a) return the driver’s licence document to the CEO; or
(b) notify the CEO in writing that the driver’s licence document has been lost, stolen or destroyed.
(4) If the holder of a driver’s licence surrenders it under this regulation and complies with subregulation (3), the CEO may refund a part of the fee paid for the licence.
(5) The amount of the fee paid that is refunded must be a proportion of any component the amount of which depended on the duration of the licence granted, and the proportion must be based on the number of whole days for which the licence initially granted is of no effect because of the surrender.
[Regulation 29 amended: Gazette 19 Aug 2016 p. 3573 and 3574‑5.]
Division 4 — Driver’s licence documents
30. Issue and form of driver’s licence document
(1) The CEO must issue a licence document to the holder of a driver’s licence as evidence of the authorisation given by the licence.
(2) The document must be in a form that the CEO considers suitable, and different forms may be used for different circumstances.
(3) The document may consist of 2 or more components, which together constitute the licence document.
31. Replacing driver’s licence document
(1) If a driver’s licence document is lost, stolen, destroyed or there is any other good reason for it to be replaced, the CEO must issue a replacement licence document to the licence holder, on the licence holder’s request and payment of the fee payable under Part 7.
(2) The CEO may require that the licence holder provide a photograph and signature for use on the replacement document before the document is issued.
(3) If the driver’s licence document to be replaced can be produced by the licence holder, the CEO may require that the licence holder return it to the CEO before the replacement document is issued.
(4) If the driver’s licence document to be replaced is not returned to the CEO before the replacement document is issued, the CEO may require that the licence holder return the document replaced if it subsequently comes into the licence holder’s possession.
(5) A person must comply with a requirement under subregulation (4).
(6) A document issued under this regulation becomes the licence document.
[Regulation 31 amended: Gazette 19 Aug 2016 p. 3574‑5.]
32. Return of driver’s licence document to CEO
(1) The CEO may, by written notice, require a person to return to the CEO within the period specified in the notice (the specified period) a driver’s licence document issued to the person if —
(a) the person has been disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence; or
(b) the person’s driver’s licence is suspended or cancelled; or
(c) the CEO needs the document in order to correct or replace it or to otherwise change it for any other reason.
(2) A person must comply with a requirement under subregulation (1).
(3) Subregulation (2) does not apply if, within the specified period, the person notifies the CEO in writing that the driver’s licence document has been lost, stolen or destroyed.
[Regulation 32 inserted: Gazette 19 Aug 2016 p. 3573.]
Division 5 — Other provisions about drivers’ licences
33. Conditions on licences
(1) If, when considering an application for the grant of a driver’s licence, whether or not by way of renewal, the CEO thinks that the driver’s licence should not be granted except on conditions, the CEO may grant the licence on conditions.
(2) The CEO may at any time vary a driver’s licence under regulation 28 so as to revoke or vary a condition of a driver’s licence or impose a condition on a driver’s licence.
34. Procedures about conditions
(1) The imposition, variation or revocation of a condition is not effective until the CEO gives the licence holder written notice that the condition has been imposed, varied or revoked, giving full details of what has been done and explaining its effect.
(2) When imposing a condition the CEO must record on the licence document either —
(a) the condition in full; or
(b) a notation in Schedule 7 column 1 to indicate that a condition described in column 2 applies to the licence; or
(c) the notation “V” to show that a condition applies to the licence to the effect that the licence holder must not drive a motor vehicle unless it is fitted with certain appliances as described in detail in a notice that has been given under subregulation (1) to the licence holder; or
(d) the notation “X” to show that a condition applies to the licence, not being —
(i) a condition that is recorded on the licence document in full; or
(ii) a condition because of which a notation is recorded under paragraph (b) or (c).
(3) When referring to a condition described in Schedule 7 column 2 that condition may be identified by the designation that is the same as the notation in Schedule 7 column 1 for that condition.