Overseas drivers spared tough new rules until next year
A tough new rule forcing temporary visa holders to get NSW drivers licences after three months has been delayed amid a Covid-led testing backlog.
NSW
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A crackdown on foreign drivers using overseas licences to escape heavy penalties has been delayed amid concerns of a surge on drivers sitting tests.
The government announced in June that it would move to close a loophole allowing foreign drivers to rack up multiple infringements which are never recorded against their driving record, by forcing them to get a NSW licence after three months.
The new rules were supposed to be in place from November, but The Daily Telegraph can now reveal that the crackdown will not take effect until July next year.
The change will be implemented by Service NSW, which blamed a Covid-led driver testing backlog for the delay.
“Service NSW will implement these changes, which have been agreed with Transport for NSW to be introduced mid next year. This is because the changes will result in significantly more drivers needing testing,” a spokeswoman said.
Delaying the crackdown means the government will forego $53.5 million in revenue the measure was supposed to raise this year.
It will also mean that for another eight months, temporary visa holders with overseas licences will be able to continue breaking the law without those infringements being lodged against their records.
Thousands of foreign drivers have had their overseas driving privileges revoked for bad behaviour on the roads since 2020.
Under the delayed crackdown, drivers from “recognised countries” will be able to convert their licences. But more than 100,000 drivers from “non-recognised” countries will need to sit a test.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said his agency was working with Transport for NSW to close the loophole.
“They are currently working through a significant backlog of driver testing caused by Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021,” Mr Dominello said.
“The new rules for international licence holders are expected to commence mid next year.”
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Tara McCarthy said the change will be “enacted” next month but will take months to come into effect.
“Transport will continue to work with Service NSW on how best to implement these changes,” she said.
“In the development of this regulation, the NSW Government is considering all implementation impacts.”
Labor’s roads spokesman John Graham accused the government of botching the crackdown.
“Maintaining high standards for driver training is common sense,” he said.
“It appears that the implementation has been delayed and bungled. We want an assurance that drivers won’t slip through a loophole while Service NSW gets this scheme up and running.”
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Originally published as Overseas drivers spared tough new rules until next year
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