Australian Capital Territory
Road Transport (General) Driver Licence and Related Fees Determination 2012
Disallowable instrument DI2012–83
made under the  
Road Transport (General) Act 1999, section 96 (Determination of fees, charges and other amounts)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 96 of the Road Transport (General) Act 1999 authorises the Minister to determine fees, charges and other amounts payable under the ACT road transport legislation.

This disallowable instrument has the effect of determining fees, payable in advance, for driver licence and related transactions under the road transport legislation. 

The fee for a five-year full driver licence is aligned with the corresponding fee charged in NSW which is an increase of approximately 2.6%.  The alignment of the ACT fee for a five year driver licence with NSW is designed to encourage ACT residents to obtain an ACT driver licence rather than trying to obtain a cheaper driver licence in NSW.  If the ACT fee for a five year driver licence was increased by 3.5% there is a risk that some ACT residents may attempt to obtain a driver licence in NSW by using a false address, thereby compromising enforcement of the road transport legislation.

All other fees have increased by the Wage Price Index of 3.5%, rounded down to the nearest ten cents.  

The instrument provides for a new fee for a 1 year learner motorcycle licence to reflect amendments by the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Regulation 2012 SL 2012-16.  Previously a learner motorcycle licence was issued for 2 years, the same as a learner licence for a car.  Following a review of learner motorcycle arrangements it was determined that allowing a motorcycle rider to hold a learner licence for 2 years could permit poor riding habits to develop and become entrenched.  The review recommended a reduction in the validity of a motorcycle learner licence from 2 years to 1 year and the introduction of pre-provisional rider training before a novice rider progresses from a learner licence to a provisional licence.

Column 1 of schedule 1 lists the item number.  Column 2 of schedule 1 describes the service or other matter in relation to the fee payable.  Column 3 of schedule 1 lists the fee payable on or before 30 June 2012.  Column 4 of schedule 1 lists the fee payable on or after 1 July 2012.

This determination is a disallowable instrument and must be presented to the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after its notification pursuant to section 64 of the Legislation Act 2001.