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How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Driver's Licence in Australia?

The cost of getting your licence goes well beyond the test fee. Between learner permit applications, knowledge tests, professional driving lessons, and the practical test itself, most Australian learners spend between $2,000 and $4,500 before they hold a provisional licence. Use our calculator to estimate the total cost in your state.

Learner driver at an intersection during a driving lesson in Sydney

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5 lessons30 lessons
$50/hr$100/hr
Use instructor's car for test (+$50)

account_balanceNew South Wales Government Fees

Learner Licence Application
$29.00
Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)
$52.00
Driving Test (per attempt)
$82.00
P1 Provisional Licence (17 months)
$55.00
Government subtotal$218.00

Source: service.nsw.gov.au

Estimated Total Cost

Government fees$218.00
15 lessons @ $75/hr$1,125
Instructor car for test$50
Total
$1,393
savings

1Stop saves instructors money

On a commission platform, your instructor loses ~$225 to the platform (20% of lesson fees). On 1Stop, they keep 100% — which means they can offer you better value.

Fees shown are approximate as of early 2026. Check your state transport authority for current pricing. Calculator is for illustration purposes only.

table_chartGovernment Fee Breakdown by State

New South Wales

Learner Licence Application$29
Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)$52
Driving Test (per attempt)$82
P1 Provisional Licence (17 months)$55
Total$218

Victoria

Learner Permit$26
Hazard Perception Test$25
Driving Test$55
P1 Licence (3 years)$83
Total$187–$387

Queensland

Learner Licence (incl. test)$193
Practical Test$76
P1 Provisional Licence (3 years)$181
Total$449

Western Australia

Learner Permit$21
Theory Test$21
Practical Driving Assessment$54
Provisional Licence$51
Total$147–$393

South Australia

Learner Permit$50
Theory Test$38
VORT Practical Test$37
P1 Licence$52
Total$177–$340

schoolHow Many Professional Lessons Do You Really Need?

There is no legal minimum number of professional driving lessons in any Australian state. However, most driving instructors and road safety experts recommend between 10 and 20 hours of professional instruction, supplemented by extensive supervised practice with a family member or friend.

The Australian Government's Keys2Drive program provides one free lesson with an accredited instructor for every learner driver — a great starting point that also teaches your supervising driver how to coach effectively.

In New South Wales, each hour of professional instruction with a qualified instructor counts as three hours in your logbook (up to a maximum of 30 logbook hours). This "3-for-1" rule means 10 professional lessons can contribute 30 of the required 120 logbook hours, significantly reducing the overall time to reach eligibility.

Research consistently shows that learners who invest in adequate professional instruction have a significantly higher first-attempt pass rate, which ultimately saves money by avoiding retest fees ($55–$82 per attempt) and the cost of additional lessons to address weaknesses.

savingsHow to Save Money on Driving Lessons

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Compare prices on 1Stop

1Stop is free for learners. Browse verified instructor profiles, compare hourly rates, and read genuine student reviews before booking.

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Book multi-lesson packages

Many instructors offer 10–15% discounts when you book a package of 5 or 10 lessons upfront. Ask about package pricing before committing.

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Use the Keys2Drive free lesson

Every learner is entitled to one free professional lesson through the Australian Government's Keys2Drive program. Don't leave money on the table.

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Maximise supervised hours

The cheapest practice is with a parent or guardian. Use professional lessons to learn technique, then consolidate skills with free supervised drives.

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Choose automatic

Automatic lessons are typically $5–$10 cheaper per hour, and most learners need fewer lessons to become test-ready. Unless you need manual, go auto.

schedule

Avoid peak times

Some instructors charge slightly more for weekend or after-school slots. Booking weekday mornings can save you money per lesson.

quizFrequently Asked Questions

How much do driving lessons cost on average in Australia?expand_more
Driving lessons in Australia typically cost between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on your location, the instructor's experience, and whether you choose automatic or manual transmission. Metropolitan areas tend to be slightly more expensive than regional centres. Most learners take between 10 and 25 professional lessons.
What is the cheapest state to get a licence?expand_more
Western Australia and Victoria have the lowest government fees when using government-run test centres, with total fees starting from around $147 and $187 respectively. However, total cost depends heavily on how many professional lessons you take and whether you use a private assessor for your practical test.
Is it cheaper to learn automatic or manual?expand_more
Learning automatic is generally cheaper because lessons are slightly less expensive (many instructors charge $5–$10 less per hour for auto), and learners typically need fewer lessons to reach test-ready standard. However, an automatic licence restricts you to automatic vehicles until you pass a manual test.
Can I reduce the cost by doing more supervised hours?expand_more
Yes. The more practice you get with a supervising driver (parent, guardian, or friend with a full licence), the fewer professional lessons you may need. In NSW, each hour of professional instruction counts as three logbook hours, so a strategic mix of paid and supervised practice can save hundreds of dollars.
Are there any free driving lesson programs?expand_more
Yes. The Australian Government's Keys2Drive program offers one free driving lesson with an accredited instructor for every learner driver. Some community organisations and charities also offer subsidised lessons for disadvantaged learners. Check with your local council or community centre for available programs.

Key Facts: Cost of Getting Your Licence in NSW

  • Total NSW government fees for a driver's licence are approximately $218 (learner permit $29, DKT $52, driving test $82, P1 licence $55).
  • Professional driving lessons in Sydney cost between $80 and $100 per hour on average.
  • Most instructors recommend 10-20 hours of professional lessons before the driving test.
  • The total estimated cost of getting a licence in NSW is $1,200 to $2,500 including lessons.
  • The Keys2Drive program provides one free professional driving lesson for every Australian learner.
  • NSW offers a 3-for-1 bonus: each hour with a professional instructor counts as 3 logbook hours.

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Last updated: April 2026. Government fees sourced from state transport authority websites.

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