NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey, has announced the launch of a digital learner driver logbook, designed to be a more current alternative to the current paper version.
The paper logbook has been a mainstay for NSW learner drivers since the introduction of a graduated licensing scheme in 2000. Ms Pavey said ‘This move is about bringing the logbook experience into the digital age’. It’s also about helping parents and relatives of learner drivers to track driving hours automatically using apps.
NSW learner drivers are currently required to log 120 hours of driving practice before progressing to the next stage of attaining their license. The 120 hours can now be logged and submitted electronically using one of three apps: Licence Ready, Roundtrip and L2P to Road and Maritime Services.
Of the three apps, only RoundTrip is iOS only, though they are currently working on an Android version of their app and are taking expressions of interest in those looking to beta test it.
Road and Maritime Services ran a trial of the digital logbooks for 100 NSW learner drivers in Western Sydney and in regional NSW earlier this year to ensure quality and adherence to legislative requirements for learner drivers.
The new apps have been built to ensure they do not distract learner drivers or their supervisors while driving and ensure learners abide by all applicable road rules relating to the use of mobile phones in vehicles. Some of the features that have been built into the apps include a ‘set and forget’ feature where learners can start their logged drive on the app before getting in the car, and it will record their drive in the background.
Other features include:
- Verify a learner’s valid licence
- Verify a supervisor/instructor valid licence
- Electronically submit their digital log book to RMS when at their local Service NSW centre.
In addition to logging hours and verifying details, the apps make use of GPS tracking, automated weather conditions, profile set up as well as summary dashboards. When not driving learners can also make use of extra features such as video learning content, goal setting and lesson planning.
Learner drivers can try out the two available apps on Android now, or wait for the third to become available.
And VicRoads are still twiddling their thumb. Victoria, the Backward State.