Young drivers wanting the freedom of a full Australian driver’s licence are being slammed with rising upfront costs.
And it is not just government fees hitting hip pockets.
According to new research from EzLicence, Aussies can be left out of pocket by $558 to $1356 across Australia when factoring in tests, lessons, and other additional fees.
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It doesn’t help that Australia has one of the toughest licensing systems in the world, with novice drivers forced to log hours of driving and wait up to five years to get their full licence.
As a result, many learners maximise their hours with six professional lessons before getting their full licence.
Taking a driver’s training course with a qualified instructor can significantly boost logbook hours by crediting learners with extra hours for each lesson completed.
For example, NSW, QLD and ACT offer a 3-for-1 scheme, giving drivers an additional three hours of credit for every hour spent with a qualified instructor.
South Australia stands as the most expensive overall at $1,356.49, the only state to surpass the $1,000 mark. At the same time, Victoria remains the cheapest at around $558 or $527 after the safe driver discount is applied — a discount that awards drivers who maintain a clean driving record.
Outside of South Australia and Victoria, the cost of getting a full licence continues to vary widely across the country. Northern Territory motorists pay around $641, while Queensland drivers face one of the highest costs at about $957.
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New South Wales drivers pay approximately $940 to progress to a full licence, compared with $898.61 in the ACT, $822.54 in Western Australia and $692.95 in Tasmania.
EzLicence sales manager Ross Rivalland said lessons remained a crucial investment in road safety despite the costly price tag that might accompany them.
“When you look at the full picture, it becomes clear that the cost of getting a licence in Australia is driven far more by driving lessons than by government fees alone,” Mr Rivalland said.
“While lessons are a significant upfront expense, they help build confidence behind the wheel, improve the chances of passing the test on the first go and can reduce the risk of accidents or costly retests later on.”
When driving lessons costs are not included in the bill, the final price comes down drastically.
The total cost for a young driver in South Australia, without the 6 lessons, is halved to $675, while in Victoria it drops to just over $100.
Driving experts at EzLicence are still encouraging young learners to take professional lessons, as it could save the potential cost of resitting tests.
