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New South Wales Learner Logbook Hours: Complete 2026 Guide
NSW learner drivers need 120 documented hours behind the wheel before they can sit the practical driving test. That’s 100 hours during the day and 20 after dark. Here’s how the requirements work and how to get through them.
NSW learner requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total logbook hours | 120 |
| Daytime hours | 100 |
| Night hours | 20 |
| Minimum learner age | 16 |
| Minimum learner period | 12 months |
| Supervisor minimum age | 21 |
| Licensing authority | Transport for NSW |
Night driving rules in NSW
Night driving in New South Wales counts from sunset to sunrise. The hours shift with the seasons — in winter (June-August), sunset can be as early as 5 PM. In summer (December-February), it might not get dark until 8:30 PM or later.
Winter is actually the best time to rack up night hours. Darkness comes early, so you can start an evening session straight after school or work and still be home at a reasonable time.
Plan to start about 30 minutes before sunset so you get comfortable in fading light. 20 hours sounds like a lot, but at one or two evening sessions per week you’ll finish within a couple months.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and hold a full (not provisional) licence.
They sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and must be ready to take over if needed. Zero blood alcohol — your supervisor can’t have any alcohol in their system while you’re driving on your Ls.
Instructor bonus hours in NSW
New South Wales offers a 3-for-1 instructor bonus. Every hour you drive with a licensed instructor counts as 3 hours in your logbook, up to a cap of 10 actual instructor hours (30 logbook hours credited).
That’s a big deal. 30 hours knocked off your total from just 10 hours of professional instruction. Most learners should max this out — it saves time and the instructor hours tend to be higher quality practice anyway.
Book your instructor lessons early in your learner period. The bonus hours give you a head start, and the skills you pick up from a professional will make your supervised sessions with family more productive.
Safer Drivers Course
On top of the instructor bonus, you can earn 20 extra logbook hours by completing the Safer Drivers Course. It’s a group workshop that covers hazard perception and risk management. Combined with the instructor bonus, that’s up to 50 hours you don’t have to drive yourself. Worth doing.
Speed restrictions
Learner drivers in NSW are limited to 90 km/h, regardless of the posted speed limit. Keep an eye on your speedometer on highways where the limit is 100 or 110 — you’ll need to stay in the left lane and be aware of faster traffic.
Age exemption
If you’re 25 or older, NSW exempts you from the logbook requirement. You’ll still need to hold your Ls for the minimum period, but you don’t need to log the full 120 hours.
How to plan your 120 logbook hours
You’ve got a 12-month minimum learner period. If you spread your hours evenly across that time, that’s about 2 hours a week. Completely manageable.
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steady (60 weeks) | 2 | 1 hour | ~60 weeks |
| Moderate (30 weeks) | 3-4 | 1 hour | ~30 weeks |
| Intensive (20 weeks) | 5-6 | 1 hour | ~20 weeks |
Consistency matters more than marathon sessions. Two hours spread across the week builds better habits than a single 4-hour block on Sunday.
Night hours are 17% of your total. Don’t leave them all until the end — mix in one evening session per week from the start and they’ll be done well before you finish your daytime hours.
Max out your instructor bonus early. Those credited hours take a real chunk out of your total and let you focus the rest of your time on areas that need work.
How NSW compares to other states and territories
New South Wales has one of the highest logbook requirements in Australia. Here’s how all states compare:
| State/Territory | Total Hours | Night Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 120 | 20 |
| VIC | 120 | 20 |
| QLD | 100 | 10 |
| ACT | 100 | 10 |
| TAS | 80 | 15 |
| SA | 75 | 15 |
| WA | 50 | 5 |
| NT | None | N/A |
See all state requirements for the full breakdown.
Tracking your logbook hours
Tracking 120 hours on paper works until you lose the book. Or forget to log a drive. Or can’t read your own handwriting three months later. Moda logs every session, breaks it down by day and night, and shows you exactly how far through NSW’s requirements you are. When it’s time for your practical test, export your logbook as a PDF.
How many logbook hours do you need in NSW?
New South Wales requires 120 total supervised logbook hours. 20 must be at night and 100 during the day.
What counts as night driving in NSW?
Night driving in New South Wales is defined as sunset to sunrise. The exact times vary by season and location. You need 20 hours of night driving in your logbook.
How long do you need to hold your Ls in NSW?
You must hold your learner licence for at least 12 months in New South Wales before you can sit the practical driving test.
How old do you have to be to get your Ls in NSW?
You can apply for your learner licence in New South Wales at age 16.
Who can supervise a learner driver in NSW?
Your supervisor must be at least 21 with a full licence (not provisional). They must have zero blood alcohol concentration while supervising.
Does NSW offer an instructor bonus for logbook hours?
Yes. New South Wales offers a 3-for-1 instructor bonus. Each hour with a licensed instructor counts as 3 logbook hours, up to the cap specified by Transport for NSW.
Does NSW accept a digital logbook?
Transport for NSW accepts printed logbook records. Moda exports your logbook as a PDF that meets NSW’s format requirements. Print it and bring it to your practical test appointment.
How long does it take to finish 120 logbook hours?
At 2-3 sessions per week, most learners finish in 40 to 60 weeks. With the instructor bonus and Safer Drivers Course, you can reduce the total significantly.
Calculate your remaining hours
Enter the hours you've already completed to see what's left.