Learner drivers found driving unaccompanied will lose their licence under proposed new road safety rules.
Under current rules, learner drivers are issued with four demerit points when successfully gaining their learner plates. If they are found driving solo they are issued a $160 fine and lose one demerit point.
In the period May 2010 to May 2011, 13,824 infringements were issued to unaccompanied learner drivers and riders, with police voicing their concerns about road safety and the dangers to other drivers on the roads.
Currently learner drivers risk having their licence suspended if they accumulate four or more demerit points in a 12 month period.
In light of increasing police concerns, State Cabinet recently agreed to increase the penalties for learner drivers found driving unaccompanied from one demerit point to four demerit points.
Learner drivers will have their licence suspended and will risk delaying their application for a provisional licence.
Learners must be accompanied during their training by an adult who has held a current open licence of the same class for more than one year. The new rules will apply to all learners of all ages driving any type of vehicle.
The changes will come into effect in early 2012.
