South Australia is introducing new laws on 28 July 2014 to help prepare young people for a lifetime of safe driving. The major change will be the introduction of a night driving and passenger restriction for all P1 drivers under the age of 25.
Families should be aware that the new restrictions will directly impact the way in which student car pooling takes place at St Patrick’s Technical College.
Following is a summary of these new restrictions, however all families are encouraged to visit www.mylicence.sa.gov.au to familiarise themselves with the changes.
Night driving restriction
From 28 July 2014, holders of a P1 licence aged under 25 must not drive between midnight and 5am, unless they have a qualified supervising driver seated beside them or they meet one of the exemption criteria below:
- driving to and from work or driving in the course of employment;
- driving to and from education / training or driving in the course of education / training with a school, university, TAFE, apprenticeship or other training provider;
- driving to and from formal volunteer work, or driving in the course of performing volunteer work;
- driving to participate in sports, artistic, charitable, religious or scientific activities; or
- a police or emergency services officer on duty.
Learner motorcyclists under the age of 25 without a P2 or full licence for a car will also be subject to the night driving restriction.
Passenger restriction
From 28 July 2014, holders of a P1 licence aged under 25 must not carry more than one passenger aged between 16 and 20 (excluding immediate family members) unless they have a qualified supervising driver seated beside them or they meet one of the exemption criteria below:
- driving in the course of employment; or
- a police or emergency services officer on duty.
An exemption from the passenger restriction will not be available for any other purpose, including education and training.