Do you want a Tasmanian driving licence?
In Australia getting a driving licence takes time, money and a lot of effort. The Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) Driving Program can help you at each step so you can get a licence safely and legally.
The MRC Tas Driving Program is for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds usually in their first five years of settlement in Australia.
To obtain your Learners Licence, you need to demonstrate that you have learnt the road rules by taking the Plates Plus knowledge course.
The Plates Plus course and Driver Knowledge Test can be completed online using a computer, tablet or mobile device. Participants can complete the training at home and work through the course at their own pace.
A standalone Driver Knowledge Test is also available at Service Tasmania for people who do not wish to complete the online course.
After passing the online Driver Knowledge Test, a new learner must visit Service Tasmania to complete the remaining identity, eyesight, medical declaration, photograph, signature and payment requirements before the learner licence can be issued.
Other information:
- New learner drivers normally complete the Plates Plus course and Driver Knowledge Test first. After passing, they must visit Service Tasmania to apply for their learner licence.
- Once the learner licence has been issued, they can begin professional lessons and legally supervised driving.
- The Hazard Perception Test is completed later, before the practical P1 driving assessment.
The Hazard Perception Test
The Hazard Perception Test is a separate online test completed through Plates Plus. It uses traffic scenarios to assess whether a driver can recognise developing hazards, identify safe gaps and respond safely.
To access the Hazard Perception Test, participants will need their date of birth and either their Tasmanian learner licence number or Client ID.
For new Tasmanian learner drivers, the Hazard Perception Test is normally completed later in the learner journey, before the P1 practical driving assessment.
Help with road rules and English
You can get support to learn the road rules and take your test by coming to the Car Café Fridays 10am at MRC Tas in Glenorchy. We can help you learn road rules with an interpreter and volunteers. This saves you time and money.
If you want help with this, visit Car Café or Youth Drop-in, and look at the events page for school holiday programs.
Library access and digital support
Participants who do not have a computer, internet access or confidence using online services may be able to use free computers and internet services at their local library.
Some libraries may also offer digital-skills assistance or volunteer support. Participants should contact their local library first to confirm what help is available.
Start with a driving instructor
To use the MRC Tas Driving Program you need to first learn with a driving instructor. After this, ask your instructor to give feedback to MRC Tas on:
- How you use the car’s controls (such as brakes, steering wheel and gears) to control its movement
- How you use the car’s controls and follow road rules without thinking about them
- Your early higher order driving skills (decision making, scanning and hazard perception)
Good feedback means that you can safely start driving practice with a volunteer in the MRC Tas Learner Driver Mentor Program (LDMP) vehicle.
Practice with a volunteer
You need a logbook of 80 hours of driving practice, including 15 hours of night driving. You also need to pass a hazard perception test.
Driving practice with a volunteer helps you continue to develop your decision making, scanning and hazard perception skills during these hours of practice.
When you think you have enough higher order driving skills to go for your P licence, it is a good idea to do a practice driving test with your driving instructor.
Paying for driving lessons
We can help you understand the different options you have. This can be saving, using a Centrelink advance, or a No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS). The minimum repayment for a NILS loan is $20/fortnight for your first 10 driving lessons. Some driving schools have cheaper lessons when you buy 5 or 10 lessons at one time.
If you want help with this, phone us on (03) 6221 0999 for information or an appointment.
Help to practice driving in the MRC Tas car with a volunteer
MRC Tas has special cars used for practice driving, which are e automatic, dual-controlled and insured. This is safer for you and for volunteers.
If you have your L1 licence, you can get a minimum of 10 free practice sessions with us. You need to pay for 10 lessons with a driving school first. Ask a driving instructor to fill this form out after your 10th lesson, and bring it to MRC Tas Tuesday Drop-in or Youth Drop-in.
If you have your L2 licence, you can get a maximum of 50 free practice sessions. You need to pass the L2 test first and bring your licence to Tuesday Drop-in or Youth Drop-in.
If you have an Overseas licence/learner licence, you need to ask a driving school to assess your skill level as either L1 program or L2 program. Ask a driving instructor to fill this form out after having a practice test, and bring to Tuesday Drop-in or Youth Drop-in.
Taking your driving test in an MRC Tas car
If you want to use the MRC Tas car for your driving test, you need feedback from a driving instructor that you’re ready to sit the test. Book a practice driving test with a driving school and ask the driving instructor to fill in this form, and bring it to Tuesday Drop-in or Youth Drop-in.
Help to answer any questions about driving
Phone: Call TIS for an interpreter 131 450 and then call MRC Tas (03) 6221 0999 to ask about driving. Email: driving@mrctas.org.au
Information about volunteering
Are you interested in becoming a Learner Driver Mentor? Do you have 2 hours a week to help our learners get their drivers licence? MRC Tas has 2 dual controlled cars, fully insured and we provide petrol too! Learner Driver Mentors provide on-road driving sessions to learner drivers eligible for the L1 or L2 program. Learner Driver Mentors work as a team directed by program coordinator, in collaboration with driving instructor, and driving assessors. To become a Driver Mentor you must:
- Hold a current full Australian car licence (either auto or manual)
- Be at least 25 years of age and 2 years on full licence (for insurance purposes)
- Obtain a National Police Check (we can help you with this)
- Obtain a Working with Vulnerable People Check (we can help you to register)
- Be willing and able to follow protocols for COVID-safe services
To enquire about volunteering with the MRC Tas Learn to Drive program, please email driving@mrctas.org.au
Thank you to the funders that support the MRC Tas Driving Program:
- The MRC Tas Driving Program Coordination – Tasmanian Government
- MRC Tas Settlement Services – Department of Home Affairs