Major road rule changes coming into effect in 2025 across Australia
From lowering the age of getting your licence to discounting the cost of registration, there are several changes on Aussie roads expected in 2025.
As we head into 2025 things may be a little different on Australian roads with several new laws coming into effect around the country. Yahoo News has spoken to leading lawyer Avinash Singh to examine the changes coming into effect for drivers in several Aussie states.
Victoria set to lower age for drivers to get their P-plates
There is a big push in Victoria to get young drivers on the road as early as their interstate counterparts. Victoria is the only state where you have to be 18 before you can get your probationary licence.
State Nationals MP Gaelle Broad is behind the proposed bill to reduce the minimum P-plater age from 18 to 17. She says it will be a game changer for many Victorian families, allowing teens to get to work or attend courses more easily. “Young people, especially those living in rural and regional areas are at a disadvantage by not being allowed to access their provisional licence at the age of 17,” she said. The bill is yet to be introduced but it is likely the law will change during 2025.
Also on the cards for Victorian teens is a new drivers’ safety skills and basic vehicle maintenance course to be introduced at schools for Years 10 to 12.
NSW to change mobile phone rules for some new drivers
Expected to come into effect from early 2025 is a new rule to allow P-platers who are 25 years or older to use a mobile phone while driving if it is being used as a GPS navigational aid, and is mounted to the vehicle.
This will provide P1 & P2 drivers in NSW who are 25 years of age or older the same exemptions as full licence holders. Singh said the government appears to be using it as a trial to see if it leads to an increase in accidents or not.
“Interestingly, this exemption will only last for a year and is to be repealed 12 months after it comes into effect,” Singh told Yahoo News. If it doesn’t lead to more accidents the change will likely be made permanent.
An exemption to the requirement for electric scooter and bicycle riders to wear helmets is coming in for Sikhs who wear turbans. They will also be exempt from wearing helmets when riding motorbikes if they hold a full licence. An exact date for the change is yet to be set and Singh says the proposed bill has its opponents. “There has been criticism of this bill given the obvious safety issues it presents, and that it provides an exemption to Sikhs that others in the community do not have,” he said.
Also in NSW in 2025 it will become an offence if a person drives into floodwaters and is reckless as to the risk of death or injury to themself or another person. And NSW Police will be cracking down on drivers who buy and sell demerit points, with fines of up to $22,000 coming into play.
Western Australia increases fines if you go to court to contest penalty
Off-road vehicle owners will no longer be required to attend a Department of Transport licensing centre to register, renew or transfer those vehicle. This can now be done online. They will also no longer be required to provide a statutory declaration. Singh says there is concern it may open the door to a spate of fraudulent registrations and transfers.
Perhaps the most significant change coming for WA drivers in 2025 is increasing the penalty a court can hand down to $5,000, up from $1,000. Singh said there have been suggestions the increase in court imposed penalties is an underhanded way of deterring people from electing to go to court to contest road offences.
Queensland continues to offer discounted rego
As part of a state policy to reduce cost-of-living pressures registration fees for light vehicles, dealer plates, caravans will continue to be reduced by 20 per cent. The discount will apply to your next registration and started on September 16. Singh said while the reduced fees have been welcomed, there have been questions raised about why the reduction is only for a 12-month period.
South Australia to allow e-scooters to be ridden on roads
A bill will come into effect in 2025 in South Australia which allows the court to sentence anyone who commits a drink-driving or drug-driving offence, while a child is in the vehicle, to six months’ imprisonment. Drink driving offences in South Australia are usually dealt with by way of a fine and demerit points with no imprisonment imposed, making this a significant change.
A bill will also be introduced in early 2025 that will allow privately owned e-scooters and other personal mobility devices to legally be ridden on roads and in other public areas in South Australia. There will also be no requirement for e-scooters to be registered or for the rider to hold a licence.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
