New driver disqualification laws in NSW were announced on 27 October 2017 with an aim to better protect the community and to keep repeat offenders and dangerous drivers off the roads.
A “tough but fair” approach
Attorney General Mark Speakman said that the reforms “give police greater powers to crack down on people who flout the law, while providing incentives for disqualified drivers to do the right thing”.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said “The reforms also deliver a clearer pathway back to lawful driving for disqualified drivers who comply with their disqualification and demonstrate they can be trusted. Lengthy disqualification periods – which can currently exceed 10 years – provide no incentive to return to lawful driving”.
What are the key changes?
The new laws will:
- allow police to confiscate number plates or vehicles on-the-spot for three or six months for repeat unauthorised drivers and those who commit certain serious driving offences
- allow the Local Court to lift the disqualification period for those who have been compliant with their disqualification period for two or four years. They can then reapply for a licence
- ensure those who have been convicted of driving offences involving death or grievous bodily harm will never be eligible to have their disqualification lifted
- introduce automatic and minimum disqualification periods for unauthorised driving offences and revise maximum imprisonment terms for unauthorised driving offences
- abolish the Habitual Traffic Offender Scheme
For more information please see driver license disqualification reforms
