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Australia traffic law report

Source agencyBureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE)

Last updatedFebruary 12, 2026

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Key findings

Theory test pass rate is ~70% (2023, State transport authorities (aggregate estimate))
Road fatalities: 1,300 deaths in 2024 — Up 3.3% from 2023 (1,266 to 1,300)
~900,000 tests administered per year by Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics
Most challenging topic: Speed Limit Rules (22% fail rate)

Quick facts

DKT format (NSW)45 questions, need 41 correct (91%) to pass

State variationEach state/territory has its own test format — no national driving test

Supervised hours120 hours required (NSW, VIC), 100 hours (QLD), 50 hours (WA)

Pass rate rangePractical pass rate ranges from 35% (WA) to 75% (VIC) by state

Speeding enforcement3+ million speeding infringements issued across Australia in 2024

Left-hand trafficDrives on the left, same as UK and Japan

Test statistics

Pass rate65% or higher50–64%Below 50%

Theory test pass rate

~70%State transport authorities (aggregate estimate) (2023)

Practical test pass rate

62%EzLicence national average (30,000+ tests, Jan 2022 - Dec 2023) (2023)

Tests administered per year

~900,000Transport for NSW + state estimates (2022)

Speed limits

Urban50 km/h (40 km/h school zones)

Rural / national roads100-110 km/h

Motorway / highway110 km/h (up to 130 km/h in NT)

Most challenging topics

1. Speed Limit Rules
22% fail rate
Varying limits by road type, school zones, and roadworks
2. Vehicle Equipment Use
20% fail rate
Headlights, indicators, fog lights rules and requirements
3. Night Driving
19% fail rate
Visibility rules, headlight use, and safe following distances at night
4. Intersections
18% fail rate
Right-of-way at roundabouts, T-intersections, and uncontrolled crossings
5. Parking & Stopping
17% fail rate
Distance from intersections, fire hydrants, bus stops, and rail crossings

Road safety

Road fatalities1,300 deathsBITRE Road Trauma Australia (2024)

TrendUp 3.3% from 2023 (1,266 to 1,300)

Penalties & fines

Speeding: AUD 123 (0-10 km/h over) to AUD 2,520 (45+ km/h over) in NSW; penalties doubled in school zones
Driving under influence: BAC 0.05% (full licence), 0.00% (learners/P-platers); high-range: AUD 3,300+ fine, 12-month suspension, up to 18 months jail
Points system: 13 demerit points in 3 years = suspension (most states); learners/P1: 4 points triggers suspension (NSW)
Mobile phone use: AUD 423 fine + 5 demerit points (NSW); AI-powered detection cameras deployed

Recent law changes

2024
Tom's Law (WA): Red P-plate drivers limited to one passenger; hundreds of high-pedestrian roads reduced to 40 km/h
2025
AI-powered phone/seatbelt detection cameras deployed nationally
2025
25 km/h passing rule (SA) for stationary breakdown vehicles with flashing amber lights

Sources & methodology

All statistics in this report are sourced from official government agencies and publicly available data. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government testing agency.

Data last verified: 2026-02-12

Primary sources

Test statistics · 2023State transport authorities (aggregate estimate)Road safety data · 2024BITRE Road Trauma Australia Official regulatory bodyBureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE)

Cite this report

AutoviaTest. (2026, February 12). Australia traffic law report: Driving test statistics. https://autoviatest.com/en/traffic-law-reports/australia

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Australia Driving Stats

Theory pass rate~70%Practical pass rate62%Motorway speed limit110 km/hRoad fatalities (2024)1,300 deaths

Source: AutoviaTest | CC BY 4.0

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