Criminal lawyer Jahan Kalantar has warned NSW P-plate drivers that they are at risk of losing their licence to what he describes as an “insane” road rule that prevents them from using their phones for navigation purposes.

Under NSW law, P1 and P2 licence holders are unable to use their phones for any reason, including maps, regardless of whether the phone is handheld, in a phone holder or being operated hands-free.

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Kalantar warned his followers on social media that the rule catches out many mostly young drivers, who end up losing demerit points as a result. Illegal phone use while driving in NSW results in a $423 fine and loss of five demerit points, rising to $562 and 10 demerit points if the offence occurs in a school zone.

“If you are a P1 or P2 licence holder in NSW you cannot use your phone for navigation. You’re not allowed, it’s not allowed. You will lose your points, you will likely lose your licence,” Kalantar said. 

“I know it’s unfair, I know it sucks, but you cannot have it attached to [Apple] CarPlay, you can’t have it attached to anything. You can’t have it and use it at all. In fact, it’s probably best if your phone is away, turned off, in a pocket. 

“I know that that means that you probably have to use, like, a Gregory’s [street directory] or if you’re lucky enough to have a built-in nav system in the car, you use that. But you cannot be using your car as a navigation aid, you can’t have it [your phone] connected to your car, it can’t be out. 

“This is for any P1 or P2 car holder. It’s insane and it’s unfair but it’s the law. And so many P1 and P2 drivers have lost their licence because of this rule, don’t be another example of it.”

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NSW drivers on full licences are allowed to use their phones for navigation via maps or apps as long as it is in a phone holder. Victoria allows P-platers to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on their mobiles, but they cannot scroll or input information through the screen. 

In Queensland, P1 drivers under the age of 25 cannot use their phones for any reason. P2 licence holders, and P1 drivers aged over 25, are allowed to use navigation apps on their phone as long as they are operating them hands-free. 

South Australia allows P2 licence holders to access Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as long as they don’t look at the screen, but P1 drivers are banned from doing so. Western Australia allows drivers of all classes to use the software.