Street wise behind the wheel - keeping young drivers on the road

In this episode we speak with Jane Sanders, Principal Solicitor, The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre about what young drivers need to know about traffic law and how to deal with things that can take them off the road like fines, licence suspensions and licence disqualifications. Jane also gives her top tips for going to Court and dealing with the Police if pulled over. Below are timestamps for some of the key messages and links to resources talked about in the episode.

2:30       Information about The Shopfront and who they help

10:15    Which Court is my traffic matter heard in?

12:15    Traffic fines

14:00    Licence suspensions

19:15    Licence disqualifications

24:30    Going to Court for your traffic matter

29:15    Police Powers

The Shopfront – Factsheets about Traffic law

1 – Getting a driver licence in NSW

3 – Driving without a licence

4 – Licence suspensions and appeals

7 – Serious traffic offences and courts

Free legal help - Traffic Offences

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre - https://www.theshopfront.org/

Marrickville Legal Centre Youth Legal Service – Ask NALA – Traffic offences - https://www.mlc.org.au/services/youth/

Legal Aid NSW traffic offences guided pathway - https://traffic.guidedpathways.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Legal Aid NSW traffic publications – use hyperlink Driving: penalties, licences and insurance - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources

LawAccess NSW – Applying to remove your driver licence disqualification step by step guide - https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/representing/driving_offences_and_crime/driving_and_crime_after_court/SBSG_rem_d_disq.aspx

A second chance for Disqualified Drivers webinar – recorded Feb 2021 -  https://youtu.be/YEAGoeA6pi4

Fines and Work & Development Orders

Transport for NSW - Demerit points, penalties and offences on NSW roads - https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/roads/demerits-offences/index.html

Finefixer NSW guided pathway – https://nsw.finefixer.org.au/

Revenue NSW - Request a review of your fine - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/request-a-review

Nominate another driver if you weren’t responsible for the offence - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/nominate-someone-else

Legal Aid NSW Work and Development Order Service - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/work-and-development-order-service

Police Powers and Young People

Legal Aid NSW Street Smart publication - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/get-street-smart-under-18s-know-your-legal-rights

Youth Hotline – 1800 10 18 10 - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/criminal-law/youth-hotline

To organise a Legal Aid NSW Police Powers workshop at your service use this Request a Talk form - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/workshops/request-a-talk

Traffic offender intervention programs - https://localcourt.nsw.gov.au/local-court/sentencing--orders-and-appeals/sentencing-in-criminal-cases/traffic-offender-intervention-program.html

Legal Aid NSW Legal information for young people videos (created 2021). Available in English, Arabic, Dari and Swahili with or without captions- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLApA5ctFL2pWuf1BhCRAVU0Rje7oZvOTe

Editing by Tiffany Dimmack from Audiocraft

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529.