The NSW driving test

Before you can book

• Under 25: you're at least 17, you've held your Ls for 12 months, logged 120 hours including 20 at night, and passed the Hazard Perception Test.
• 25 or over: you've passed the HPT. You don't need a log book.
• You must pass the driving test within 15 months of passing the HPT, or sit the HPT again.
• Using the log book app? Submit it at least 48 hours before your test.

How the score sheet works

The officer marks you in each of the 25 zones against five things: speed management, road positioning, decision making, responding to hazards and vehicle control. A tick means you showed what was needed. A circle means you didn't.

You need a score of at least 90% and no fail items. Breaking a road rule or following too closely counts as high-risk driving, and you won't pass however good the rest of your score is. Afterwards you get a copy of the score sheet with notes on what to work on.

Common fail items

• Not stopping correctly at a stop line: your final position must be within 1 m of the line with no part of the car over it.
• Not giving way at intersections, at pedestrian crossings or when merging and changing lanes.
• Going over any speed limit, including 40 km/h school zones, the learner limit and roadworks.
• Following too closely. The guide expects at least a 3-second gap, and 1 to 2 car lengths when stopped.
• Repeatedly missing head checks for blind spots, or repeatedly not signalling.
• Parking more than 1 m from the kerb, on the lines, or more than 7 m from the car in front in the reverse park.
• Rolling back more than 500 mm when moving off, or needing the officer to step in.

The car and what to bring

If something on the car can't be fixed in time, the test is terminated, the fee isn't refunded and you pay again to rebook.

• Your learner licence, a completed licence application form and your glasses if you need them.
• Under 25: your log book with 120 hours and the Declaration of Completion signed by a supervisor.
• Payment or a concession card for your P1 licence, $74 as of October 2026. Some centres take cards only.
• A registered, roadworthy car: working seatbelts, headrests and lights, legal tyres, no windscreen cracks, no broken mirrors and no sharp body edges.
• Safety systems like autonomous emergency braking and traction control must stay on, but you must show you can drive safely without relying on them. A car with equipment that records the test isn't allowed.
• Someone with a full licence, because if you fail you can't drive the car away yourself.

On the day and after

Arrive at least 15 minutes early, park in the driving test area and hand your log book to the concierge or counter. Signing the score sheet starts the test. Only you and the officer are in the car, though a monitoring officer sometimes sits in. The officer won't coach you.

Pass, and you pay for your P1 licence at the counter. Fail, and you get general feedback, then you wait at least 7 days before your next test. You can book again before you leave or later online.