In the Passenger Seat

14/08/2025

FAQ: Does a Driving Instructor Vehicle Need a Centrally Mounted Handbrake?
Question:
We just received a phone call from a ex-student who asked 'Does my driving instructor vehicle need to have a centrally mounted (old-style) handbrake, or is an electronic push-button handbrake acceptable?'
Answer:
The requirement depends on if you intend to be in the vehicle during your students drive test:

If you do NOT intend to be in the vehicle during the drive test then the car has a centrally mounted handbrake that is accessible to the person in the front passenger seat, example: the testing officer. This is known as a solo test whereby the student uses a non-dual controlled vehicle for their driver test.

In a dual control vehicle (a vehicle in which the driving instructor sits in the front seat of the vehicle), an accessible centrally mounted handbrake is NOT required.
This means that modern vehicles with electronic push-button handbrakes can be used for driver training, providing that the driving instructor is present during the drive test.
Source: VicRoads – Drive Test for a Victorian Driver’s Licence

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24/10/2024

From the Guardian:
US investigates 2.4m Tesla self-driving vehicles after reported collisions.

Road safety agency opens evaluation over reported collisions in low visibility

24/10/2024

From the Guardian:
AA calls for ban on new drivers under 21 carrying passengers of similar age in UK

Motoring organisation estimates introduction of graduated driving licences would save at least 58 lives a year

24/10/2024

The NHVR has invested in 40 mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera devices to automatically detect the number plates of passing heavy vehicles. This will allow Safety Compliance Officers to better detect and interrupt potentially high-risk behaviour and unsafe practices by heavy vehicles on Australian roads.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is boosting heavy vehicle safety across Australia’s freight network with the use of mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, soon to be deployed in all NHVR jurisdictions.

24/10/2024

Revised arrangements for transition of overseas car and motorcycle licenses to Australian licences.

Austroads has released new arrangements for the transition of overseas issued driver and motorcycle rider licences to Australian licences. The arrangements provide for more streamlined conversion of licences from certain countries, in some cases, without any additional testing requirements.

24/10/2024

Victorian Road Safety Camera Commissioner 2023-24 Annual Report now available.

The Road Safety Camera Commissioner Annual Report 2023–2024 has been tabl

24/10/2024

NSW Gov will investigate the Average Speed Camera Trial safety dividend.

Previously, average speed cameras have only been used in NSW to monitor the speed of heavy vehicles. Road safety benefits will be evaluated when a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles is conducted from next year.

27/06/2024

From the ACRS newsletter and Yahoo news:
As authorities grapple with how best to combat the rising number of deaths on our roads, new technology in South Australia has detected a whopping 70,000 drivers using their phones behind the wheel in less than two months. The first mobile phone detection cameras were rolled out there in January as part of a $16 million plan to reduce fatalities on roads caused by driver distraction.

The shocking footage captured of distracted drivers in just a two month period amounts to $45 million in fines.

22/04/2024

From the Austroads Newsletter, we recommend subscribing for the full story.
We have received a number of enquiries from driver licensing authorities, health professionals and drivers about the application of the “exceptional cases” criteria for seizures and epilepsy contained in Assessing Fitness to Drive. We sought advice from Professor Ernest Somerville, who is a longstanding contributor of expertise in the development and implementation of the Standards and sits on the Austroads Implementation Advisory Group.

22/04/2024

Part of a post from the Austroads Newsletter 23/04/24: (We recommend subscribing to Austroads for thorough information.

No changes to fitness to drive requirements for people diagnosed with autism.

Recent publicity relating to the management of driver licensing for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has raised concerns among drivers, potential drivers, their families and health professionals.
This statement from Austroads clarifies how neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD are intended to be managed according to the national Assessing Fitness to Drive standards.
What are the reporting requirements for people with autism spectrum disorder?
For all health conditions and disabilities, if the symptoms of a condition are likely to impact a person’s ability to drive safely, they are obliged to report this to the licencing agency in their state or territory. This is a requirement of state and territory road safety laws throughout Australia.
The range and severity of ASD symptoms vary considerably. Some people diagnosed with ASD will not have symptoms that impact their ability to drive safely. A diagnosis of ASD or another neurodevelopmental disorder does not compel a person to report.
• Adults who are diagnosed with autism and who hold a licence, are not required to report the diagnosis if their symptoms are not likely to affect their capacity to drive safely.
• Novice drivers and those learning to drive who are diagnosed with autism are not required to report the diagnosis if their symptoms are not likely to affect their capacity to drive safely.

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03/03/2023

Riotact has posted the following article:
One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted?
I doubt if anyone from our industry will be surprised to read more than 1300 offences were captured from just three cameras in the first seven days. Read the article here:

Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras have already identified more than 1300 offences in the space of seven days. Between…