NSW Driving Test: 25 Zones and the 90% Pass Mark

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The NSW Driving Test is a practical on-road test over a set course of 25 zones, with a Service NSW testing officer marking you on five skills. To pass you need at least 90 per cent and no fail items. It costs $72 per attempt from 1 July 2026, and passing gets you your red P1 licence. This guide covers eligibility, booking, what to bring, how the score sheet works and what the officer looks for in each skill.

Key facts

Minimum age 17. Under 25: 12 months on your Ls, 120 logged hours (20 at night) and a current HPT pass.
25 or older: only a current HPT pass is needed.
Set course of 25 zones, scored on 5 key performance indicators.
Pass: at least 90 per cent with no fail items.
Fail: wait at least 7 days before your next test.
Log book app: submit at least 48 hours before the test.
Safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and traction control must stay on.
Fee: $72 each attempt (from 1 July 2026). Change or cancel at least 48 hours ahead or you may lose the fee.

Who can book the NSW Driving Test?

	Under 25	25 or older
Age	At least 17	No extra requirement
Time on learner licence	At least 12 months	None
Log book	120 hours including 20 at night, 20 learning goals, signed Declaration of Completion	Not needed
HPT	Passed within the last 15 months	Passed within the last 15 months

If you are short on hours, see the NSW learner log book guide for the Safer Drivers Course and 3 for 1 lessons.

Booking

Book and pay online through Service NSW (myRTA), on 13 22 13 or at a service centre.
To change or cancel, do it at least 48 hours before the test, or the fee may not be refunded or transferred.
Book only when you can drive safely without a supervisor. You can stay on your Ls as long as you need.

What to bring: checklist

Your learner licence (proof of identity).
A completed licence application form.
Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive or for the eyesight test.
Payment or a concession card for the P1 licence fee if you pass. Some centres take cards only.
Under 25: your completed paper log book, or your log book app hours submitted at least 48 hours before.
A person with a full driver licence. If you fail, they must drive the car away.
A registered, roadworthy car (see below).

Car requirements

The officer checks the car before you start. Your test is terminated, and the fee is not refunded, if the car:

is unregistered, or unsuitable for safe use
has indicator lights (including side repeaters) or brake lights that do not work, or are dirty or discoloured
has unsatisfactory tyres, damaged wheel rims or missing wheel nuts
has a cracked windscreen that blocks the view (minor cracks are fine) or a damaged mirror that distorts vision
has no working lap-sash seatbelt for the testing officer, or no head restraints (cars built after 1 January 1972)
has sharp edges from body damage or excessive fluid leaks underneath
has a front passenger door handle or window switch missing or not working
has an operational dual accelerator (dual brakes, if fitted, must work)
has any device that can record the test, such as a dashcam recording images, sound or position
is a convertible whose roof cannot be put up when asked

Secure loose objects. If the car has park assist, it must be switched off for the reversing manoeuvres. Reversing cameras and sensors are allowed, but you must still check mirrors and look around.

On the day

Arrive at least 15 minutes early and park in the Driving Test parking area.
Report to the concierge or counter and hand over your log book.
The testing officer calls you. Ask any questions now.
Signing the score sheet starts the test. From then on, any outside advice is a fail item.
Only you and the officer are in the car (sometimes a monitoring officer who is checking the testing officer).
The officer directs the route but cannot coach you.
Back at the centre, wait inside while the result is calculated. You get a test report with your score and notes.

How the NSW Driving Test is scored

For each of the 25 zones, the officer marks five key performance indicators:

Code	Skill	What you must show
S	Speed management	A 3-second gap or more, 1 to 2 car lengths when stopped, slowing when vision or side space is limited, keeping up with traffic flow
P	Road positioning	At least 1 m buffer from parked and oncoming vehicles, moving left on crests and curves, correct lanes at intersections, accurate manoeuvres
D	Decision making	Safe, legal gaps, clearing intersections 3 seconds before other vehicles arrive, observation checks
H and R	Responding to hazards	When a hazard (H) is present, responding (R) by covering the brake, slowing or buffering away
C	Vehicle control	Smooth use of controls, posture, signals, steering

A tick means the requirement was shown; a circle means it was not. Your percentage comes from these marks. A single fail item (such as speeding or failing to give way) means you fail, however high your score.

What the examiner looks for in each skill

Observation

Head checks before changing lanes, leaving or returning to the kerb, merging, reversing, turning, joining traffic and leaving the inside lane of a multi-lane roundabout.
Look over your shoulder through the rear window when reversing.
Turn your head to check before moving off at traffic lights and level crossings.

Speed management

Keep at least a 3-second gap; 4 or more in poor conditions or at night. Drop back if someone cuts in.
Slow down if you cannot see 5 seconds ahead on curves and crests.
Ease over speed humps without a jolt.

Road positioning

At a stop line, stop completely, within 1 m of the line and not over it.
Stay 1 m clear of parked cars and oncoming traffic where possible; keep 1 m from the centre line on blind crests and curves.
On multi-lane roads use the right lane only to overtake or turn right.
Keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn right.
Finish turns in a permitted lane. Signal left when leaving a roundabout.

Decision making

Choose gaps that do not make other drivers brake or swerve.
Do not reject safe gaps or stop at intersections when it is clearly safe. Hesitating like this may fail you.
Stop on yellow unless braking suddenly might cause a crash.

Responding to hazards

Respond before you reach the hazard: cover the brake, ease off, slow down, or move away from it.
Typical hazards: cars waiting to pull out from the left or right, cars waiting to turn across you, stopped traffic blocking your view.

Vehicle control

Both hands on the outside of the wheel (hand-over-hand or pull-push).
Seatbelt low, flat and firm. Seat, head restraint and mirrors set up before you start.
Signal for at least 5 seconds before leaving the kerb or a parking space.
No rolling back on hills; correct park brake use; no over-revving.

Manoeuvres and fail items

You will be asked to do some of: a kerbside stop, a hill start, a 3-point turn and a parking manoeuvre. The measurements and all 19 fail items are in NSW Driving Test manoeuvres and fail items.

Test terminated: reasons unrelated to your driving

A required item is missing or the car fails the checks above.
Your log book is incomplete or not submitted correctly.
You are suspected of having taken alcohol or drugs.
You offer a bribe, plead, threaten or keep asking the officer to ignore errors.
A crash happens, whoever is at fault, or the car breaks down.
You are too ill to drive safely, or the weather makes driving too demanding.

The fee is generally not refunded when a test is terminated.

After the test

Pass: pay $74 for your P1 licence. The guide suggests letting your supervisor drive home, as many new drivers find it hard to concentrate straight after. Your P1 rules are in NSW learner, P1 and P2 restrictions.
Fail: you get general comments, not a lesson. Rebook (at least 7 days later) at the counter or online. You do not need more log book hours.
Think the test was unfair? Contact the manager of the test centre.

Overview of every stage: learning to drive in NSW. Still to sit the HPT? See the NSW Hazard Perception Test.

Common questions

How long is the NSW Driving Test?

Transport for NSW does not publish a set duration. The test is a fixed course of 25 assessment zones plus the manoeuvres.

Can I use my own car or an instructor’s car?

Either, if it is registered, roadworthy and meets the checks. In an instructor’s car, the dual brake must work and the dual accelerator must be disabled. If the officer has to use the dual controls, you fail.

Can I use a car with a dashcam?

Not if it can record the test. A car with equipment that can record images, sound or position is unsuitable and the test will be terminated.

Can I do the test in an automatic?

Yes. On P1 you may then drive only automatics, unless supervised in a manual by a full licence holder. The restriction ends on P2.

Do I need to turn off AEB or other safety systems?

No. Safety systems such as AEB and traction control must stay on. Park assist must be off for reversing manoeuvres.

How soon can I retake the test after failing?

You need at least 7 days between the failed test and the next one.

Sources

Transport for NSW, “A Guide to the Driving Test” (nsw.gov.au)
NSW Government, “Driving Test” (nsw.gov.au)
NSW Government, “Licence and test fees” (nsw.gov.au)
Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)

NSW Driving Test: 25 Zones, 90% Pass Mark and How It Is Scored