Students who drive to and from school (with a Full or a Restricted Licence) may not carry passengers. This is because we know that carrying peers as passengers is risky for young drivers. Please note, it is not legal to carry siblings as passengers on a restricted licence.

This extract is from the AA Going Solo booklet

Driving with peer passengers

Remember: drivers with a restricted licence must not drive with passengers* unless there is a supervising driver (who has had their full licence for 2 years or more) seated in the front passenger seat. Restricted licence drivers cannot legally give lifts to their brother/sisters.

• Driving with a car full of peer passengers increases the chances of having a fatal crash by four times compared to driving alone
• Peer passengers can be particularly distracting because they often engage in demanding conversations, give last minute directions, and comment on things outside the vehicle
• Male restricted licence drivers often engage in risk-taking, such as showing off to their mates in the car
• If you hold a restricted licence, driving with passengers can result in a fine of $400 plus 25 demerit points**, or a fine of $1000 and 25 demerit points if you are summonsed to court.

*There are some exceptions e.g. for legal dependents

**If you accumulate 100 or more active demerit points in any 2-year period, your licence can be suspended for 3 months.

Suggestion to reduce the risks

Discuss with your son/daughter the importance of not giving or taking rides with other restricted licence drivers, especially if there are other friends in the car.

Please also note that restricted drivers who have an accident when carrying passengers will not be covered by their insurance. Please talk to students about the restrictions and why they exist.