Road User Handbook PDF - Transport for NSW

Road User Handbook Transport for NSW nsw.gov.au Introduction The Road User Handbook covers the main road rules you need to know to drive legally and safely on NSW roads. It’s essential reading for anyone applying for a driver licence or learning to drive. This handbook is written in plain, easy to...

Road User Handbook Transport for NSW nsw.gov.au Introduction The Road User Handbook covers the main road rules you need to know to drive legally and safely on NSW roads. It’s essential reading for anyone applying for a driver licence or learning to drive. This handbook is written in plain, easy to understand language, so it is not a detailed version of road law. To access the current and complete set of Road Rules, visit legislation.nsw.gov.au This handbook will help you to understand your legal responsibilities on the road and learn safe driving behaviour. It also aims to prepare you for the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT), as well as other licensing tests. In this handbook, the words ‘must’ or ‘must not’ are used for rules you have to follow. The words ‘should’ or ‘should not’ are used when explaining safe and low-risk driving. This handbook is reviewed and updated periodically. For the latest version and to read it in community languages visit nsw.gov.au Also visit nsw.gov.au for bicycle rider, heavy vehicle driver and motorcycle rider handbooks. A free interpreter service is available if you need to take the DKT or Hazard Perception Test (HPT) in another language. Call 13 22 13 to arrange an interpreter. The statistics in this handbook are sourced from Transport for NSW 2014–2018, unless otherwise stated. Remember, we all have a responsibility to share our roads, use them safely and look out for each other. Road User Handbook 1  Contents Contents Sharing with other road users 71 Pedestrians 71 Bicycle riders 75 Motorcycle riders 77 Introduction1 Horse riders 79 Trucks and buses 80 Licences6 Stopping, giving way and turning 82 Getting your driver licence 7 Stop signs and stop lines 82 Licence classes 15 Give way signs and give way lines 84 Licence restrictions 19 Traffic lights 85 Medical conditions and disability 24 Roundabouts 91 Interstate and overseas licences 25 Intersections 98 Driving without a licence 28 Turning left and right 106 Learner driver supervisor 28 U-turns and three-point turns 112 Safe driving behaviour 30 Indicating114 Pedestrian crossings 116 Speed limits 32 Railway level crossings 120 Alcohol limits 39 Narrow bridges and roads 122 Drugs and medicines 43 One-way streets 123 Seatbelts46 Child car seats 49 Overtaking and merging 124 Mobile phones 54 Overtaking124 Digital screens and GPS 57 Merging and changing lanes 132 Fatigue 58 Motorways and freeways 134 Hooning and street racing 62 Negligent or dangerous driving 63 Safe stopping distance 64 Common crashes in NSW 69 2 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 3 Contents Contents Road lanes, lines and markings 140 Vehicle safety and compliance 185 Road lines and markings 140 Vehicle registration 185 Slip lanes 148 Number plates 187 Median turning lanes 149 Roadworthiness 189 Bicycle lanes 149 Vehicle safety features 190 Bus lanes 151 Towing 192 Tramways and tram lanes 152 Driving posture 193 Truck lanes 153 Your vehicle and the environment 194 Transit lanes 154 Ecodriving 194 Shared paths 155 Keep left or right 155 Penalties 195 Fines 195 Parking 156 Demerit points 196 No parking 156 Loss of licence 197 Restricted parking 160 Alcohol interlocks 198 Ways to park 165 Driver education courses 199 Vehicle impoundment 199 Warnings and road hazards 167 Prison200 Warning signs 167 Toll notices 200 Roadworks 171 Wildlife and livestock 173 Index201 Crashes 174 Breakdowns 177 Police and emergency vehicles 179 Funeral processions 179 Driving in poor conditions 180 Driving distractions 181 Lights and horns 182 4 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 5  Licences Licences Getting your driver licence To get a full (unrestricted) Car (C) driver licence, you need to go through three licence stages: Getting your driver licence is a journey. In NSW, it starts with getting your learner licence. Your learning is spread over 3 or 4 years to help build Learner licence (Ls) experience to become a safe and skilled driver. Provisional P1 licence (red Ps) A driver licence gives you freedom but also brings responsibility. It’s a Provisional P2 licence (green Ps). commitment between you and the NSW community to keep the roads safe Along the way, you need to pass three tests: for everyone. Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) There’s a set process and set fees for getting your driver licence. You must go through the process honestly and not bribe anyone or cheat Hazard Perception Test (HPT) along the way. Driving Test. When you get your licence, do not abuse or misuse it. If you do, you risk There’s a fee for each licence and test. heavy penalties. You may lose your licence and your freedom to drive. These licensing stages are called the Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) and it aims to help you become a safe and low-risk driver. It takes at least 4 years to get a full licence if you’re aged under 25, or at least 3 years if you’re over 25. Before you start, you must: be aged 16 or over have a residential address in NSW be able to prove who you are be medically fit to drive and able to pass an eyesight test. 6 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 7 Licences Licences 7 Steps to getting your driver licence Step 1: Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) The first step is to take the DKT. This test is often called the ‘learner’s test’ 1. Driver Knowledge Test because you need to pass it to get your learner licence. DKT Minimum age for this stage is 16 years old The DKT is a computer-based test about road rules and road safety. You have to answer 45 questions selected at random from 600 questions. To pass, you 90 2. Learner Licence (Ls) need to correctly answer: Minimum 12 months* 12 out of 15 general knowledge questions Valid for 5 years 29 out of 30 road safety questions (including traffic signs). Log book (120 hours*) Preparing for the DKT 3. Hazard Perception Test HPT Everything you need to know to pass the DKT is in this handbook. Study it Minimum 10 months on a learner licence* to give yourself the best chance to pass the test. Valid for 15 months You can also: 4. Driving Test take the online NSW Practice Test at nsw.gov.au DRIVING TEST Minimum age for this stage is 17 years old download the NSW Practice Tests app from the App Store or Google Play read the DKT questions at nsw.gov.au 5. Provisional P1 Licence get help from the Driver Licensing Access Program, if you’re Aboriginal or a disadvantaged person. Minimum 12 months Valid for 18 months You must pass the DKT honestly. If you cheat, you cannot re-sit the test for 6 weeks and must pay the fee again. 6. Provisional P2 Licence Minimum 24 months** Booking the DKT Valid for 36 months Book and pay for your test at service.nsw.gov.au FULL 7. Full Licence When you book, you can choose which service centre you want to take the LICENCE Issued for 12 months, 36 months, 5 or 10 years*** test at. If you pass the DKT * Applies to under 25 year olds only. You get a temporary learner licence on the day you take the test. Your actual ** P2 drivers who receive a suspension for unsafe driving behaviour must stay on their licence learner licence is posted to you. You can also apply for a digital driver licence for an extra 6 months for every suspension they receive. *** 10 years applies to full licence holders aged 21 to 44 years. at service.nsw.gov.au A digital licence is optional and doesn’t replace the plastic card. 8 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 9 Licences Licences If you fail the DKT Step 3: Hazard Perception Test (HPT) Depending on availability, you can re-sit the test on the same day, or book The HPT is a computer-based test that measures your ability to recognise to do it another time. You have to pay for the test each time you re-sit it. and respond to road hazards. The test uses film clips of real driving situations. You respond by touching the screen to show what you would do, Step 2: Learner licence (Ls) for example, slow down or turn. Once you’ve passed the DKT and have your learner licence, you can start If you’re over 25, you can do the test as soon as you have your learner licence practising driving (with a supervisor who has a full Australian driver licence). and feel ready. If you’re over 25, you can go to step 3 as soon as you feel ready. You do not If you’re under 25, you need to have your learner licence for at least need to log any driving hours. 10 months before you can take the test. If you’re under 25, you need to start logging hours. Preparing for the HPT Your learner licence is valid for 5 years, so you can practice for as long as you need. If you need to, you can renew it for another 5 years by taking the DKT Visit nsw.gov.au to read more about the Hazard Perception Test and the test and paying the test and licence fees again. Hazard Perception Handbook. Logging driving hours Booking the HPT You need to log at least 120 hours of driving, including 20 hours at night, Book and pay for your test at service.nsw.gov.au before you can take the Driving Test. When you book, you can choose which service centre you want to take the To help you gain experience and log your hours, you can: test at. Do the Safer Drivers Course. This will help you develop hazard perception and safe driving skills. You get 20 hours log book credit once you complete If you pass the HPT the course. The next step is to prepare for the Driving Test and a provisional P1 licence. Have structured ‘3 for 1’ driving lessons with a licensed driving instructor. For every 1 hour lesson, the driving instructor can record 3 hours driving If you fail the HPT experience in your log book. Depending on availability, you can re-sit the test on the same day, or book Get support from the Driver Licensing Access Program, if you’re Aboriginal to do it another time. You have to pay for the test each time you re-sit it. or a disadvantaged person. Learner licence restrictions There are licence restrictions that you need to follow. Examples include always having someone with a full Australian driver licence supervising you when you’re learning to drive, zero alcohol and displaying your L plates. These restrictions are there to keep you safe as you develop your driving skills. 10 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 11 Licences Licences Step 4: Driving Test Step 5: Provisional P1 licence (red Ps) You need to pass the Driving Test to get your provisional P1 licence. If you do Once you’ve passed the Driving Test, you can apply for your provisional not pass the Driving Test within 15 months of passing the HPT, you must pass P1 licence. the HPT again before you can take the Driving Test. Once you have your P1 licence you no longer have to keep a log book or have The Driving Test is a practical, on-road test that you take with a Service NSW a supervisor in the car with you. As you drive on your own, you continue to testing officer. The test assesses your driving skills, decision-making and learn, build your driving skills and gain confidence. how you share the road with others. P1 licence restrictions You have to bring a suitable car to do the test. It needs to be registered, safe for road use and ready to drive. There are licence restrictions that you need to follow. Examples include the maximum speed you can drive, the vehicles you can drive and the number of If you’re over 25, you can book your Driving Test as soon as you’ve passed passengers you can take. These restrictions are to help keep you safe as you the HPT. develop your driving skills. If you’re under 25, you also need to have: had your learner licence for at least 12 months How long a P1 licence is valid logged at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including 20 hours As long as you follow the restrictions of your P1 licence, it’s valid for of night driving. 18 months. You can renew it (for a fee) for another 18 months if you want to. Preparing for the Driving Test When you can progress to a P2 licence Make sure you feel prepared and confident that you can pass before taking the test. Read A Guide to the Driving Test at nsw.gov.au to help you prepare. If you’re ready, you can apply for a P2 licence after 12 months. If your P1 licence is suspended, the 12 months is extended by the length Booking the Driving Test of the suspension, for example, by 3 months. Book and pay for your test at service.nsw.gov.au If your P1 licence is disqualified, you will need to reapply for a P1 licence When you book, you can choose which service centre you want to take the when your disqualification ends. This will re-start the P1 licence period and test at. you can apply for a P2 licence after 12 months. If you pass the Driving Test You can apply for your provisional P1 licence. If you fail the Driving Test If you fail the Driving Test, you can take it again after 7 days. You will need to book and pay for the test again. 12 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 13 Licences Licences Step 6: Provisional P2 licence (green Ps) Licence classes Once you’ve had your provisional P1 licence for at least 12 months, you can apply for a provisional P2 licence at service.nsw.gov.au This handbook is about getting a Car (C) licence. The vehicles you can drive with a C licence are below. P2 licence restrictions If you have a provisional P1 or P2 licence, there are restrictions on the There are still licence restrictions that you need to follow. Some are the same vehicles you can drive. as the P1 licence, but some are different, such as how many passengers you Other vehicles, such as motorcycles and heavy vehicles, need different can take and what you can tow. licences. You must have your C licence before getting these licences – except for Rider (R) licences. You also have to take tests, competency How long a P2 licence is valid assessments and medical checks. As long as you follow the restrictions of your P2 licence, it’s valid for 36 months. You can renew it (for a fee) for another 36 months if you want to. Car (C) licence When you can progress to a full licence Drivers with a C licence can drive vehicles: up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM) If you’re ready, you can progress to a full licence after 24 months. that seat up to 12 adults including the driver. If your P2 licence is suspended, the 24 months is extended by the length of the suspension (for example 3 months) plus an additional 6 months. This is to This includes: give you time to refine your safe driving skills and make sure you’re ready for utes, vans and some light trucks a full licence. tractors, and implements such as road graders If your P2 licence is disqualified, you will need to reapply for a P2 licence car-based motor tricycles (3-wheeled vehicles when your disqualification ends. This will re-start the P2 licence period and made from car components). you can progress to a full licence after 24 months. Drivers with a C licence must not carry passengers aged under 16 in a car-based motor tricycle. Step 7: Full (unrestricted) licence Once you’ve had your provisional P2 licence for at least 24 months, you can apply for your full driver licence at service.nsw.gov.au You can apply for a full licence for 1, 3 or 5 years, or 10 years if you’re aged between 21 and 44. Your driver licence gives you a great sense of freedom, but it comes with responsibility. Driving is one of the riskiest things we do on a daily basis. Make sure you keep up your driving skills and follow the road rules. 14 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 15 Licences Licences Rider (R) licence Heavy Rigid (HR) licence Riders with an R licence can ride any motorcycle, Drivers with an HR licence can drive C, LR and MR vehicles, as well as rigid scooter or motor tricycle. vehicles and articulated buses with: 3 or more axles and over 8 tonnes (GVM) a towing trailer up to 9 tonnes (GVM). Light Rigid (LR) licence Drivers with an LR licence can drive C vehicles as well as vehicles: over 4.5 tonnes (GVM) but not more than 8 tonnes (GVM) – for example, small delivery trucks Heavy Combination (HC) licence that seat more than 12 adults (including driver) Drivers with an HC licence can drive C, LR, MR and HR vehicles, as well as: and are not more than 8 tonnes (GVM) – for example, minibuses prime movers attached to single semi-trailers (plus any unladen converter dolly) with a towing trailer up to 9 tonnes (GVM). rigid vehicles towing a trailer over 9 tonnes (GVM) (plus any unladen converter dolly). Medium Rigid (MR) licence Drivers with an MR licence can drive C and LR vehicles as well as rigid vehicles with: 2 axles and over 8 tonnes (GVM) – for example, buses a towing trailer up to 9 tonnes (GVM). 16 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 17 Licences Licences Multi Combination (MC) licence Licence restrictions Drivers with an MC licence can drive C, LR, MR, HR and HC vehicles, There are restrictions you must follow when you drive with a: as well as: Learner licence (Ls) B-double or road trains Provisional P1 licence (red Ps) low loader dollies Provisional P2 licence (green Ps). low loader trailer combinations. These restrictions are in place to help keep you safe as you develop your driving skills. They also apply when you drive in another state or territory. If you do not follow these restrictions, you’ll get a fine. You can also get demerit points or even lose your licence. Other licences Restriction Applies to Once you have your full C licence, you can apply for a: Alcohol limit 90 Passenger Transport (PT) licence code (taxis, chauffeur-driven hire cars and rideshare vehicles) Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be zero. Driving instructor licence This means you must not have any alcohol in your system Tow truck driver certificate. when you drive. Once you have a licence for the class of bus you want to drive, you can apply Maximum speed limit 90 for a Bus Driver Authority. You can drive to a maximum of 90km/h. You must observe all speed limits below 90km/h. You can drive to a maximum of 100km/h. You must observe all speed limits below 100km/h. 18 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 19 Licences Licences Restriction Applies to Restriction Applies to Mobile phone use High-performance cars 90 You must not use a mobile phone while driving, even when You must not drive high-performance cars, such as those: you’re stationary, for example, stopped at lights or stuck in with a power to mass ratio greater than 130 kilowatts traffic. This includes: per tonne texting with significant modifications made to the vehicle’s engine phone calls that are listed as a banned high-performance vehicle. music Visit nsw.gov.au for the full list of banned emailing high-performance cars. social media using the internet There’s no restriction on learning to drive in a 90 maps high‑performance car. photography. Displaying L or P plates 90 The only time you can use your phone is to: You must clearly display plates on the front and back, show your digital driver licence when instructed by police or roof, of the exterior of the vehicle you’re driving. use wallet functions to make a transaction or show a Learners must display an L plate. voucher, but only in areas such as a car park, driveway or drive-through and if the vehicle is stationary. P1 drivers must display a red P plate. Number of passengers 90 P2 drivers must display a green P plate. You can carry only the number of passengers that you have seatbelts and approved and suitable child car seats for. The whole letter (L or P) must be visible. If you return to driving after being disqualified, you can only Secure your plates with a clip or holder so they do not carry one passenger at a time, for 12 months. fall off. This ensures they do not become litter and stay visible at all times. If you are aged under 25, between 11pm and 5am, only one of your passengers can be aged under 21. Location restrictions 90 Exemptions may apply. You must not drive in Parramatta Park, Centennial Park or Moore Park when in Sydney. There’s no location restriction. 20 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 21 Licences Licences Restriction Applies to Restriction Applies to Being supervised Manual or automatic cars 90 90 You must be supervised by a person with an appropriate You can learn to drive in either an automatic or a manual car. full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence (not a learner, If you passed your Driving Test in a manual car, you can drive provisional or overseas licence). They must sit next to you. either a manual or an automatic car. You do not need to be supervised. If you passed your Driving Test in an automatic car, you can The exception is if you passed your Driving Test in an only drive an automatic car, unless supervised in a manual automatic car and want to drive a manual car. car by someone with a full Australian driver licence. You do not need to be supervised. There’s no restriction: you can drive either an automatic or manual car. Supervising a learner 90 Trucks and heavy vehicles 90 You must not supervise or instruct a learner driver. You must not drive, or learn to drive, vehicles that need Towing a trailer 90 another class of licence, such as trucks and other You must not tow a trailer or any other vehicle. heavy vehicles. You can tow light trailers that weigh up to 250kg You can learn to drive the following vehicles that need a when empty. different class of licence: Light Rigid (LR) or Medium Rigid (MR) vehicles, as A red P plate must be on the back of the trailer. soon as you have your P2 licence. Full licence towing rules apply. Heavy Rigid (HR) vehicles after having held a P2 for at least 1 year. A green P plate must be on the back of the trailer. Motor tricycles 90 You must not drive car-based motor tricycles. 22 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 23 Licences Licences Medical conditions and disability Interstate and overseas licences When you apply for your driver licence, you must state whether you have a If you have a current interstate or overseas driver licence, you can use it medical condition or disability that could affect your driving. You also need to drive in NSW. The conditions and how long you can use it for depends to pass an eyesight test. on your circumstances. If you have a: Medical conditions Learner licence – You need to follow the conditions of your current interstate or overseas licence and NSW learner licence restrictions. For some medical conditions, such as epilepsy or cardiovascular conditions, you’ll need regular medical assessments to make sure you’re fit to drive. Provisional licence – You need to follow the conditions of your current interstate or overseas licence. If you develop a medical condition once you’ve got your licence, you must tell Full interstate licence – You must transfer to a NSW licence within Transport for NSW. This is because driving with a medical condition can put 3 months of living in NSW. yourself and other road users at risk. Failure to follow medical direction can Full overseas licence, with an Australian permanent resident visa – lead to losing your licence. You must transfer to a NSW licence within 3 months of living in NSW. Full overseas licence, with an Australian temporary resident visa and People with disability arrived on or after 1 July 2023 – You must transfer to a NSW licence within 6 months of living in NSW. Disability can have either a minor or serious effect on your driving ability. If Transport for NSW determines that a disability has a serious effect, you’ll Full overseas licence, with an Australian temporary resident visa and arrived before 1 July 2023 – You can drive using your overseas licence. need to take a test. This is to show your driving ability and see if you need any aids or vehicle modifications. You may have conditions placed on your Visit nsw.gov.au for information about transferring interstate or overseas driver licence, for example, only driving automatic vehicles. learner, provisional or full licence. As you get older Interstate and New Zealand licences As you get older, changes to your health may affect your ability to drive. You can drive in NSW using your interstate or New Zealand driver licence From the age of 75, you’ll need to pass a medical assessment and eyesight for up to 3 months, as long as: test every year to keep your driver licence. From 85, you’ll also need to take your licence is not suspended or disqualified a practical driving assessment every 2 years. Alternatively, if you no longer your licence is the correct licence class for the vehicle you’re driving require an unrestricted licence, you can opt for a modified (ie. local area) you follow NSW road rules licence, without the need for a practical driving assessment. your right to drive in NSW has not been withdrawn. To continue to drive in NSW after 3 months, you must transfer your licence to a NSW licence. You must do this within the 3 months. 24 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 25 Licences Licences Overseas licences (except New Zealand) Transferring your licence You can drive in NSW using your overseas driver licence as long as: When you transfer your interstate or overseas licence, you transfer to an Your licence is current and is not suspended or disqualified. equivalent NSW licence. Your licence is the correct licence class for the vehicle you are driving. Interstate or overseas licence NSW equivalent licence Your right to drive in NSW has not been withdrawn. You have an Australian permanent resident visa issued less than Learner licence Learner licence 3 months ago. You may be eligible to sit the You have an Australian temporary resident visa and you arrived before Hazard Perception Test and the 1 July 2023. Driving Test without getting a You have an Australian temporary resident visa and you arrived on or after NSW learner licence. 1 July 2023 and lived in NSW for up to 6 months. Before the end of the 6 months, you must transfer to a NSW licence. Driver licence held for less than Provisional P1 licence* 12 months If your licence is not in English, you must carry an International Driver Permit or a translation of your licence when driving. Driver licence held for more than Provisional P2 licence* 12 months but less than 3 years Once you have a NSW licence, your interstate or overseas licence is invalid. This is because in Australia you can only have one driver licence. Driver licence held for more than Full (unrestricted) licence* 3 years * Depending where your overseas licence is from, you may need to take the Driver Knowledge Test and the Driving Test. Penalties If you have an overseas licence and live in NSW on an Australian temporary visa, your right to drive will be withdrawn when: you arrived in NSW on or after 1 July 2023 and have lived in NSW for 6 months or more and have not transferred to a NSW driver licence your licence is suspended or disqualified in Australia or another country you exceed your equivalent licence demerit point limit you commit certain speeding, alcohol or other drug-related driving offences. 26 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 27 Licences Licences Alcohol and drugs Driving without a licence When supervising a learning driver, a supervisor must: You must always carry your licence when driving. have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) under 0.05 Police can ask to see your licence anytime. If you’re using a digital driver not have illegal drugs present in their system or be under the influence licence make sure your phone is charged and the screen is not cracked. of any drug. You can get a fine for driving without your licence with you or refusing to Police can breath-test a supervisor involved in a crash. show it when asked. If a supervisor is admitted to hospital after a crash, medical practitioners can Your licence must be: also take blood and urine tests. current (not expired, suspended or disqualified) Police can also test a supervisor who shows signs of being under the the correct licence class for the type of vehicle you’re driving influence of drugs, including prescription drugs. a NSW licence, unless you’re complying with the current requirements and The same severe penalties for alcohol and drugs that apply to drivers also conditions for interstate and overseas driver licences. apply to supervisors. Penalties for driving without the correct, current licence include large fines and prison, and increase for repeat offences within 5 years. You must not let anyone without a licence drive your vehicle. Safety first When you’re learning to drive, your supervisor is both a role model and a mentor. They should support and help you become a safe and Learner driver supervisor skilled driver. A learner driver must always drive with a supervisor sitting in the seat next When you start learning, you should practice simple skills, such as to them. steering, accelerating and braking. It’s best to learn these on quiet roads during the day. Once you’ve mastered those, you can move A learner can be immediately suspended if they drive without a supervisor. on to more difficult tasks on busier roads and in more challenging conditions. When you start practising at night, drive on roads you Supervisor requirements know well. Licence A supervisor must have a full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence. This means a driver with a learner, provisional P1 or P2, or overseas licence must not supervise a learner driver. Both the supervisor and the learner driver can be fined if the supervisor does not have a full Australian driver licence. 28 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 29  Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Learner, P1 and P2 drivers in casualty crashes NSW crash data shows that provisional P1 drivers are most likely to be involved in a crash. This graph shows the number of learner and Every year around 350 people are killed on NSW roads. Another 22,000 provisional drivers involved in crashes that have casualties and their are injured. months of driving experience. The major behavioural factors that contribute to deaths on the road are: 700 speeding 600 drink driving 500 drug driving Number of drivers 400 fatigue not wearing seatbelts. 300 200 The graph below shows the major behavioural factors for young drivers/riders (aged 17 to 25) involved in fatal crashes. 100 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 Young drivers/riders involved in fatal crashes Number of months driving 50 40 43% To make sure our roads are safe for all road users, it’s critical drivers 30 understand and practice safe driving behaviours and follow the road rules. You can reduce your chances of being in a crash if you: 20 22% follow the speed limits and drive to the conditions 17% do not drink or take drugs and drive 10 15% get enough sleep and be aware when you’re too tired to drive 0 Speed Illegal drugs Alcohol Fatigue make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt. Of the fatal crashes involving young drivers/riders aged 17 to 25: Your decisions can make a big difference to safety on the road. 43% involved speeding 22% involved the presence of illegal drugs 17% involved alcohol 15% involved fatigue. 30 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 31 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Speed limits Licence restrictions You must not drive faster than the maximum speed allowed by your driver Speeding is the number one killer on NSW roads. On average, it’s a factor licence, even when a speed limit sign is higher. in around 40% of deaths and 20% of serious injuries each year. Driver licence Maximum speed The rules Learner 90km/h Speed limits Provisional P1 90km/h On roads where there’s a speed limit sign, you must not drive faster than Provisional P2 100km/h that speed limit. Heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes (GVM). This includes 100km/h On roads where there’s no speed limit sign, you must not drive faster than LR, MR, HR, HC, MC licence classes the default speed limit: 50km/h in ‘built-up areas’ – areas with street lights and buildings next to Radar detectors and jammers the road less than 100m apart It’s illegal to have a radar detector or jammer in your vehicle. 100km/h for all other roads. A radar detector or jammer is anything that detects, interferes with or reduces the effectiveness of speed-measuring devices. Penalties Penalties for speeding include: fines demerit points (including double demerit points) loss of licence taking away your vehicle or number plates. The penalty increases the more you’re over the speed limit, and if you speed in school zones. Learner and provisional P1 drivers will go over their demerit point limit for any speeding offence and their licence will be suspended. 32 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 33 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Speed limit signs Shared zone Speed limit signs show you the maximum speed you can drive in good A shared zone is where pedestrians, bicycles and conditions. Slow down in poor conditions. other vehicles can share the road safely. Regulatory speed signs Shared zones have a speed limit of 10km/h. You must not drive faster than this speed limit. You must also Regulatory speed limit signs have a white give way to any pedestrian in a shared zone. This background with the speed limit in a red circle. Shared Shared zone. zone ends. includes slowing down and stopping, if necessary, You must not drive faster than the speed limit to avoid them. shown on the sign. School zone You must not drive faster than 50km/h. A school zone is the area around a school between a ‘School zone’ sign and an ‘End school zone’ sign. Variable speed limit signs You must not drive faster than the speed limit in a These are electronic signs placed in tunnels and school zone on school days during the times shown on motorways and bridges where the speed limit on the sign. School days are published by the NSW changes based on the road conditions. You must not Department of Education. go faster than the speed limit shown on the sign. Every school has at least one set of flashing lights, Local traffic areas which operate during school zones times. ‘Dragon’s A local traffic area is an area of local streets with teeth’ are also painted on the road to make school a speed limit of 40km/h. zones more visible. The lower speed limit means greater safety for all The school zone ends, road users and more peace and quiet for people the speed limit is now living in the area. 60km/h. High pedestrian activity areas High pedestrian activity areas have a speed limit of 30km/h or 40km/h. This lower speed limit improves safety in areas with high levels of pedestrian activity, such as busy central business district zones and small suburban 40km/h high pedestrian activity area. shopping strips. 34 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 35 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour School bus stop zone Areas without speed signs A school bus stop zone is the area between a ‘School Default speed limits apply on roads without speed limit signs or roads with bus stop zone’ sign and an ‘End school bus stop zone’ an end speed limit sign. sign. This area is where school buses stop to drop off or pick up children. If you’re driving in a school bus stop zone and see a bus with flashing lights on the top, you must not pass The speed limit in a school bus stop zone or overtake it in any direction at more than 40km/h Reduce speed is 40km/h when bus while the lights are flashing. End speed limit sign. State limit 100km/h to conditions. lights flash. applies, drive to conditions. Buses with flashing lights Advisory speed signs At any time when you are travelling in the same Advisory speed signs are not regulatory signs. They direction as a bus with a ‘40 when lights flash’ sign on show the recommended maximum speed to safely the back and the lights on top are flashing, you must drive when there are hazards, such as curves, bends not overtake it at more than 40km/h. This is because and crests. the bus is picking up or dropping off children who Flashing lights on the may be crossing or about to cross the road. The advisory speed is for average vehicles in good top of a school bus. driving conditions. You should drive at a slower speed if the conditions are poor. Road work speed limit signs Advisory speed signs have a yellow background. Roadwork signs alert you to the start and end of An advisory speed sign is usually used with a roadworks and the speed limit for that area. You must warning sign. not go faster than the speed limit shown on the sign. The speed limit is 40km/h for roadworks. 36 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 37 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Safety first Drive to road conditions Even if you’re driving at or below the speed limit, you may be driving too There’s no such thing as safe speeding fast for road conditions such as curves, rain, heavy traffic or night-time. Speeding means driving over the speed limit or at a speed unsafe for the road conditions. Some people consider that going over the speed limit by 5 to 10km/h is ‘acceptable’ speeding. This is a dangerous way to think. Research has Alcohol limits shown that even a small increase in speed can lead to a big increase in Alcohol affects your driving. It puts your safety and the safety of your your chance of a crash. passengers and other road users at risk. Even if your passengers encourage you to, do not go over the speed limit. Drink driving is one of the major causes of death on NSW roads. Speeding increases the risk of death or injury The rules A small difference in speed can make a large difference to the risk of death or serious injury. If a car collides with a pedestrian at 50km/h, Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) the impact is twice as likely to kill the pedestrian than if the car had Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be under the legal limit been travelling at 40km/h. when driving. Speed cameras reduce the risk and severity of crashes The legal limit depends on your driver licence or vehicle type: Speed cameras are proven to change driver behaviour and reduce road trauma. Driver licence or vehicle type BAC There are four types of speed cameras in NSW: Learner 0 Provisional P1 1. Mobile speed cameras are moved around the road network and Provisional P2 can detect speeding anywhere and any time. Full (unrestricted) licence (C) or (R) Under 0.05 2. Red-light speed cameras capture both red-light running and Fully licensed driver from interstate or overseas speeding across multi-lanes at high-risk intersections. Public passenger vehicles (for example, Under 0.02 3. Fixed speed cameras are in high-risk locations such as tunnels buses, coaches, taxis, rideshare vehicles and or areas with a history of severe crashes. chauffeur‑driven hire cars) 4. Average speed cameras measure the average speed of heavy Heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) over 13.9 tonnes vehicles over long distances. Vehicle and trailer combinations with a gross Play your part in keeping our community safe. Slow down to save lives. combined mass (GCM) over 13.9 tonnes Dangerous goods vehicles 38 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 39 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour It’s impossible for you to estimate your own BAC, even if you think you know how many drinks you’ve had. Your size and weight, how tired you are, and Penalties variation in alcohol servings can all affect your BAC. There are severe penalties for driving over the legal alcohol limit or The only way to be sure you’re under the limit is to not drink alcohol at all. under the influence of alcohol, or refusing a blood or breath test. Driving under the influence of alcohol Penalties can be fines, loss of licence, prison or an alcohol interlock on You must not drive under the influence of alcohol. your vehicle. The penalty depends on how much you’re over the limit and whether it’s a first or repeat offence. If you think you might be under the influence, do not drive. If you drink alcohol while driving, you can get a fine and demerit points. Drinking alcohol while driving You must not drink alcohol while in your vehicle and driving, even if your BAC stays below your legal limit. Random breath tests (RBT) Safety first You must not refuse an RBT by the police. Alcohol affects your ability to drive Police can stop you anytime and test your BAC by asking you to speak or Even if you feel unaffected, as few as one or two drinks will affect your blow into a breath-testing device. Police can also breath test any driver reaction, judgement and ability to drive. involved in a crash. Alcohol is a depressant. It reduces your ability to drive safely Blood and urine tests because it: slows your brain functions – you cannot respond to situations, You must not refuse a blood or urine test if asked to take one after a crash. make decisions or react quickly If you’re involved in a crash that’s fatal (or likely to be fatal), police can arrest reduces your ability to judge speed (yours and others) and your you to take blood and urine tests. distance from other cars, people or objects If you’re admitted to hospital after a crash, medical practitioners can take gives you false confidence – you may take greater risks because you think your driving is better than it really is blood and urine tests for the police. makes it harder to do more than one thing at a time – while you concentrate on steering, you could miss things like traffic lights, cars and pedestrians makes you drowsy – you could fall asleep at the wheel. 40 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 41 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Alcohol increases crash risk Drugs and medicines The more alcohol you have in your blood, the higher the risk of being in Any drugs including illegal drugs, prescription and over-the-counter a crash. medicines can affect your driving and put the safety of passengers or other road users at risk. They can also change your behaviour, causing you to take On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights around 50% of fatal risks you usually would not consider. crashes involve alcohol. Crashes involving drink driving are generally more serious. If you think you might have illegal drugs in your system or be under the influence of any other drug or medicine, do not drive. It’s safest not to drink any alcohol The simplest way to drive safely is not to drink at all if you intend to The rules drive. After a heavy night of drinking you may still be over your legal alcohol limit for much of the next day. It can take more than 18 hours Presence of illegal drugs for your BAC to get back to zero. You must not drive with the presence of illegal drugs in your system. There’s no way you can speed up the rate at which your body gets Drugs can remain in your system for a long time after you’ve taken them. rid of alcohol. Black coffee, a shower or a large meal will not work. Police can test any driver or supervisor in NSW for four common illegal The only thing that reduces your BAC is time. drugs through Mobile Drug Testing (MDT): If you’re planning to drink, make sure you organise a way to get home ecstasy without driving. cannabis cocaine methamphetamine (including speed and ice). If you think you might have illegal drugs in your system, do not drive. Driving under the influence of drugs or medicine You must not drive while under the influence of any drug, including illegal drugs, prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines. If you think you might be under the influence of a drug or medicine, do not drive. 42 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 43 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Drug testing You must not refuse drug testing by the police. Safety first There are two ways to test for drug driving. Illegal drugs increase your crash risk 1. Saliva (oral fluid) test Safe driving needs clear judgement and concentration. You have to Police can randomly stop and test the saliva of any driver for the presence react quickly to changing situations on the road. Illegal drugs cause of illegal drugs. You’ll need to wipe a test stick down your tongue to check changes in the brain that can impair your driving ability and increase if you have illegal drugs in your system. your risk of having a crash. Stimulants such as ecstasy, cocaine or methamphetamine can make 2. Blood and urine test you think you’re driving better than you actually are. They can also Police can also stop and test drivers who show signs of being under the make you drive aggressively and take more risks. influence of a drug, including prescription drugs. Police will do a sobriety Heroin and other opiates such as morphine, codeine and methadone assessment – a test to determine if you’re affected by drugs. If you fail, you can make you drowsy and cause you to react more slowly. can be arrested and taken to hospital to give samples of blood and urine for drug testing. Cannabis can cause you to react more slowly, alter your perception of distance and time and your ability to make the right decisions. If you’re involved in a crash that’s fatal (or likely to be fatal), police can arrest you to take blood and urine tests. If you’re admitted to hospital after a crash, Other illegal drugs also affect your driving. Do not drive if you’ve taken medical practitioners can also take blood and urine tests. any illegal drugs. Blood and urine tests cover a large range of drugs and medicines that can Medicines can affect your ability to drive impair drivers. Medicines can affect your ability to drive safely. They can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, poor concentration, slower reaction times and changes in behaviour. Penalties Some medicines that can affect driving are: pain killers Drug driving is a serious offence. If you drive with illegal drugs present in your system, you can get a fine and lose your licence. medicines for blood pressure, nausea, allergies, inflammations and fungal infections Penalties are even heavier if you drive while under the influence of a tranquillisers, sedatives and sleeping pills drug, including illegal and prescription drugs. You can get a fine, lose diet pills your licence and even go to prison. cold and flu medicines. 44 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 45 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Drivers are also responsible for making sure: Read the labels on your medication to determine whether it could each passenger is sitting in their own seat that’s fitted with a seatbelt affect your driving. If there’s a warning label that tells you not to drive, (they must not share the seat or seatbelt with another passenger) follow that advice. each passenger is wearing a properly secured and adjusted seatbelt or is in an approved child car seat suitable for their age and size there are not more passengers in the vehicle than it’s designed to carry Examples of warning labels on medication. no-one travels in an area of the vehicle not designed for passengers, ©Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Reproduced with permission 2020. for example, the boot, the floor, the tray of a ute or in a trailer or caravan Some labels say a medicine may affect your ability to drive. If you’re passengers do not travel with any part of their body outside the vehicle. not sure, get advice from your doctor or pharmacist, and do not drive It’s also the responsibility of passengers aged over 16 to: until you’ve done so. sit in their own seat and wear a properly secured and adjusted seatbelt Do not mix drugs and alcohol not travel in an area of the vehicle not designed for passengers While you should never drink drive or drug drive, it’s even more not have any part of their body outside the vehicle. dangerous to take drugs while drinking alcohol, or to combine drugs. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The effects Exemptions are unpredictable. Never drive if you’ve mixed drugs, or if you’ve taken drugs while drinking alcohol. Drivers with a full (unrestricted) licence do not have to wear a seatbelt when they are: reversing their vehicle driving a garbage or delivery vehicle travelling below 25km/h and need to Seatbelts get out regularly. Passengers travelling with a driver with a full licence do not have to wear a Each year, around 30 people are killed and 90 are seriously injured on NSW seatbelt if they are: roads because they were not wearing a seatbelt. These deaths and injuries can be prevented by wearing a seatbelt properly. getting or giving urgent and necessary medical treatment in a garbage or delivery vehicle travelling below 25km/h and need to get out regularly. The rules All drivers, including learner, provisional P1 and P2 drivers, and their Wearing a seatbelt passengers may be exempt from wearing a seatbelt if they have a medical condition and are carrying an appropriate medical certificate. Drivers must wear a seatbelt while driving. Drivers must not have any part of their body outside the vehicle. Where possible, passengers exempt from wearing a seatbelt, or in a vehicle that does not have seatbelts fitted, should sit in the back seat. 46 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 47 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Penalties Child car seats If you drive while not wearing a seatbelt, or fail to make sure that your Children aged under 7 years must use an approved suitable child restraint passengers are wearing a seatbelt, you will get a fine and demerit when travelling in a vehicle. A child restraint is a forward‑facing or rear- points. Double demerit points also apply. facing child car seat (also referred to as a baby car seat or baby capsule) or a booster seat. In addition to the driver, passengers aged over 16 will get a fine for not wearing a seatbelt. They can also get a fine for travelling with any part To be approved, child restraints must meet Australian/New Zealand of their body outside the vehicle. Standard AS/NZS 1754. The rules Suitable child car restraint Safety first The driver is responsible for children aged under 7 years being secured by an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size. Seatbelts save lives Children up to the age of 6 months must use a rear-facing child car seat. You’re much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash if you Children aged between 6 months and 4 years must use either a rear-facing do not wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts double the chance of survival and child car seat or a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. reduce the risk of injury in a crash. Children aged between 4 and 7 years must use a forward‑facing child car During a crash, wearing a seatbelt is the most effective way to prevent seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat. the driver and passengers from being thrown around in the vehicle, Children aged 7 years and over who are too small to use a seatbelt should being thrown out of the vehicle, or hitting each other. use an approved booster seat or an anchored safety harness. The suggested Wear your seatbelt properly minimum height for using a seatbelt is 145cm or taller. For a seatbelt to work, you should adjust it ‘low, flat and firm’: low – placed on your hips to fully secure your body weight flat – no twists, turns or folds firm – regularly pull the belt firm to remove any slack. 48 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 49 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Fitting child car seats Child car seats must be properly fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes adjusting the seat tightly and attaching it to an anchorage point designed for a child car seat. It’s recommended that child car seats are fitted by an Authorised Restraint Fitter or at an Authorised Restraint Fitting Station. Fitting booster seats Booster seats must be used with either a standard lap-and-sash type seatbelt or an approved child safety harness. Never use a booster seat with a lap seatbelt alone. Up to 6 months 6 months to 4 yrs Booster seats heavier than 2kg must be anchored to an anchorage point. Approved rear facing child car seat. Approved rear or forward facing child car seat. Children in the front seat Children aged under 4 years: must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats can sit in the front seat of a vehicle with only one row of seats, but must use an approved child car seat suitable for their age and size. Children aged between 4 and 7 years must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats, unless the available seats in the back row are occupied by other children aged under 7 years. They must use an approved child car seat suitable for their age and size. 4+ years 145cm or taller Approved forward facing child car seat Suggested minimum height to use or booster seat. adult lap‑sash seatbelt. 50 Road User Handbook Road User Handbook 51 Safe driving behaviour Safe driving behaviour Exemptions Safety first Travelling in a tow truck After a crash or vehicle breakdown, a child aged under 12 months can travel Children in child car seats are less likely to be injured in a tow truck. or killed If a suitable child car seat is not available, they can sit on the lap of another A child who is in an approved child car seat suitable for their age passenger. If the tow truck has two or more rows of seats, they must sit in and size is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than one the back seat. who is not. The Child Restraint Evaluation Program independently tests child Travelling in a tax