Australian law attempts to protect all road users by setting out strict rules before you are allowed to drive, and subsequently throughout your driving career. The Road Traffic Act in each State and Territory comprehensively covers all areas of road use; you should be insured, licenced, and your vehicle must pass the relevant road transport guidelines and registration each year before you are allowed to drive on a public road. When you buy car insurance, you have a choice of the type of car insurance level of cover you can acquire. Compulsory third party cover is automatically provided when you licence your vehicle and pay for its registration each year, however this is only includes covering your liability for third party injury or damage to another person. It does not cover damage to your vehicle, another party`s vehicle or damage to property.
There are certain exceptional circumstances, whereby you may not require insurance, such as if your car is stored in a garage and declared as legally off-road. However, for the vast majority of people, driving an unlicensed vehicle will result in a driving conviction. At present, the penalties for driving an unlicensed vehicle can include fines as well as loss of points on your drivers licence and may vary dependant upon the State or Territory you reside in, the worst case is you may be detained by the police depending on the circumstances and your previous driving record. Third party insurance cover although compulsory only apply`s to a registered and licenced vehicle, so if you are driving an unlicensed vehicle then you do not have third party insurance cover and if involved in an accident you will become personally liable for any damage or injury caused to the other party involved.
Statistically, one in five new drivers are most likely to have an accident in their first year of driving. To help reduce this number, the State and Territory Governments have created a tiered system for being granted your drivers licence. This begins with your learners permit or (L`S) requiring you to be at least 16 years old and must successfully pass a car learner permit test. If looking to apply for a motorcycle riders licence you need to be at least 18 years old and you will need to pass the required tests. Once you have your learners permit you are permitted to drive whilst being supervised at all times. Once you have turned 18 you can get your P1 licence as long as you have logged a required a minimum number of hours, you can achieve your P2 licence once you have been on a P1 licence for a 12 month period and have met all requirements. You will receive your full drivers licence once you have been driving as a P2 driver for the required minimum period and met all requirements. This probationary period is designed to discourage new drivers from committing driving offences, which are the main cause of accidents on Australian roads. If you commit a certain number of driving offences within this probationary period your driving licence will be annulled and you must resit your driving tests and meet any requirements.
For more details see:
> Statutory Insurance Requirements
