A new “Safer Drivers Course” is being gradually rolled-out in NSW, and is intended to eventually become available in all areas of the state.
This course is NOT compulsory, but does have benefits for young learner drivers, who are able to take advantage of it.
Unfortunately it is NOT free. The Course costs $140 (June 2013) and is paid directly to the Course Provider, not Roads and Maritime Services/RTA.
The Safer Drivers Course is a two module theoretical and practical course designed for learner drivers under 25 years of age, and who have already completed 50 log book driving hours. The course aims to provide learner drivers with driving strategies such as speed management, gap selection, hazard awareness and safe following distances so that they are more prepared when they drive unsupervised after passing the practical test.
The course is intended to help learners identify risky driving situations and consider strategies to help in avoiding them.
Module 1: A three-hour facilitated group discussion on how to manage risks on the road.
Module 2: A two-hour in-vehicle coaching session with a coach and another learner to develop low-risk driving strategies.
Benefits of attending a Safer Drivers Course
20 hours of log book credit
After completing the Course, a learner will receive 20 hours of credit in their log book, meaning they only need to complete 100 hours of supervised driving outside the Course.
If they also do 10 hours of professional driving lessons, they’ll receive a further 20 hours of credit on top of the 10 hours driving they do during the lessons.
So:
The Safer Driver Course + 10 Hrs Professional Driving Lessons = 50 hrs credit, leaving just 70 extra hours needed to make up the 120 total hours required.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/gettingalicence/car/learners/learner-driver-initiative-qa.html