New South Wales P-platers will be forced to abide by strict new regulations in a move designed to curb the mounting death toll of young drivers in the state.

Both red and green P-plate drivers will be banned from using hands-free mobile phones from December, while other changes starting next year include the deferment of a full licence if caught speeding.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay told Fairfax Media on Sunday that 21 young drivers had died in crashes involving P-plate drivers in NSW so far this year.

All mobile phone use will be banned for all P-plate drivers from December. Photo: AAP

“That is more than a rugby team that won’t come home because of accidents which could have been avoided,” he said.

Young drivers will have their restricted P-plates extended by six months for every speeding offence or other driving infringement.

Also included in the changes is the scrapping of the Driver Qualification Test, which is a current requirement for green P2 licence-holders to move to a full licence. P-2 drivers will instead need to demonstrate a good driving record. 

“That is more than a rugby team that won’t come home because of accidents which could have been avoided,”
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Grey

And the Hazard Perception Test that red P1 drivers must pass under the current scheme to progress to a P2 licence will be brought forward.

Drivers will need to pass Hazard Perception Test before they can be awarded their P-plates and begin driving unaccompanied.

P2 licence-holders are presently allowed to use mobile phones for calls and audio only provided the phone is securely mounted or an automated audio device is used.

Under the new rules, all P-platers will be banned from using a mobile phone for any reason while driving or riding.

The announcement of the changes come just two days following the death of a teenage P-plater, who died after hitting a tree in the Hunter Valley on Friday.

P-plater fatalities are proportionally higher than for drivers with full licences. Photo: ABC

Across Australia, P-plate driver deaths are disproportionately higher than for drivers on full licences, at roughly twice the rate of fatalities.

Fatal crashes involving young drivers increased to 233 across Australia last year after decreases from 2003 to 2014.