New South Wales

Motorists in Sydney's CBD and surrounds will notice reduced speed limits when they return to work this week following the introduction of the city's new light rail network. In an effort to ensure safety around the recently launched routes, new speed limits came into effect on December 1, 2019, with reductions of up to 20 kilometres per hour in some areas.

Motorists in NSW can now download a digital copy of their licence and it will be deemed a legal form of identification on the roadside and to get into pubs and clubs. However, there are some handy tips worth knowing so you don’t end up with a fine. For starters, the display on your phone can’t be obscured by a cracked screen – and if your phone battery is flat you still need to produce a physical licence.

Harsher penalties for New South Wales drink and drug drivers come into force on May 20, with drivers facing instant licence loss for even 'low-range' offences. Update: This story has been updated, as the laws come into force on May 20. It was originally published with the headline: 'NSW passes tougher drink driving penalties'. The opening par has been adjusted.

Labor in New South Wales has proposed new targets and funding to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption, calling for 25 per cent of government fleet vehicles to be EV by 2025. The state opposition has also committed $10 million over three years to electric vehicle infrastructure, called for reformed planning regulations to encourage charging infrastructure in residential apartment blocks, and promised $1 million for a public awareness campaign to communicate the technology's benefits.

New South Wales motorists will need to slow to 40km/h as they pass emergency services on the side of the road, as part of a road rule trial kicking off on September 1. Drivers moving in both directions on undivided roads are impacted by the rule, and face a $448 fine and three demerit points if they don't comply. Only once they're a 'safe distance' past the emergency vehicles can motorists accelerate back to the speed limit.