In the Passenger Seat

23/07/2026

Just a share from Austroads:
Licence holders from 12 overseas jurisdictions to get a faster path to an Australian licence:

Australian licensing authorities have agreed to recognise driver licences issued by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea and Taiwan. These changes are not yet in effect. Each Australian state and territory will introduce them progressively over the coming months, with recognition expected to commence from late 2026.

Once in effect in a given state or territory, eligible licence holders from these jurisdictions will be able to transfer to an Australian licence without further testing. Because start dates will vary, licence holders should check when the changes take effect in their state or territory before applying.
This brings the total number of overseas jurisdictions to 40, in addition to New Zealand, which is covered under separate trans-Tasman licensing arrangements.

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01/05/2026

Just a share from the incredible NRSPP.
Fact Sheet: Driving in Heavy Weather....
It may just help break up your lesson delivery.

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.