From July 2025, all first-time drivers across Australia will be required to use vehicles fitted with government-approved GPS tracking devices, following new nationwide regulations announced this week. The system is designed to monitor learner and provisional drivers’ movements, driving hours, and speed compliance, in an effort to reduce risks involving young motorists.
The reforms, introduced after years of road safety campaigns, are being hailed as one of the biggest changes to driver training and monitoring in the country’s history. According to Transport Ministers, the aim is to provide greater accountability during the early years of driving, when statistics show accident risks are at their highest.
Why the Change Was Introduced
Road statistics released by the Australian Automobile Association revealed that drivers under the age of 25 are involved in a disproportionate share of serious crashes, particularly within their first two years behind the wheel. By mandating GPS tracking, authorities can ensure learners and P-platers adhere to their required logbook hours, while also detecting unsafe driving practices such as repeated speeding.
The system has been tested in pilot programs across New South Wales and Victoria over the past two years. Officials say the trials showed a noticeable drop in high-risk driving behaviours, with provisional drivers less likely to exceed the speed limit when aware their routes and speeds were automatically logged.
How the GPS Devices Will Work
The GPS tracking devices will be linked with state road authorities and integrated into digital learner logbooks. Data collected will include driving routes, distance travelled, time spent on the road, and compliance with speed limits. Parents and supervisors will also have access to the tracking information through mobile applications, making it easier to verify driving hours without disputes over logbook entries.
Authorities have stressed that the technology will only be used to ensure compliance and accountability during the probationary driving period. Once drivers graduate to full licences, the GPS requirement will be lifted. Privacy advocates, however, have raised questions about data storage and who can access the information.
Concerns and Criticism
While road safety groups have welcomed the introduction, some civil liberty organisations argue that mandatory tracking sets a precedent for over-surveillance. They warn that once implemented, similar monitoring could be expanded to all drivers in the future, creating what they describe as “a digital surveillance net on Australian roads.”
Others have raised concerns about cost, particularly for low-income families whose vehicles may not be compatible with the devices. The federal government has announced subsidies to help cover installation expenses, but exact funding details are still being finalised.
Government Response
In response to concerns, Transport Minister Catherine King emphasised that the data will be strictly safeguarded and used only for road safety purposes. “This is not about spying on young drivers but about protecting lives,” she said. “We know the first few years on the road are the most dangerous, and this technology provides an extra layer of safety.”
She added that early evaluations suggest the program could cut serious collisions among new drivers by up to 20 percent over the next five years, if effectively adopted nationwide.
What It Means for Learner Drivers
For learner drivers, the biggest change will be the shift from hand-written logbooks to automatic digital records. Parents will no longer need to sign off on hours manually, reducing the risk of falsified entries. The GPS devices will also make it easier to confirm whether driving included required night hours and varied road conditions, which are critical for passing tests.
Motoring experts believe the reform could prepare young drivers better for real-world conditions, while simultaneously instilling a sense of accountability from the start of their driving journey.
