Changes mean fewer hours for L-platers Learner drivers will be able to drive up to 90km/h before going for their P-plates under new laws. LEARNER drivers will be able to go faster and complete fewer hours of supervised driving before going for their Ps under changes announced by the NSW government. Outlining reforms on Tuesday, Roads Minister Duncan Gay said L-platers will be allowed to travel up to 90km/h instead of 80km/h from July 1. Those who take part in a new Safer Drivers Course as well as professional lessons will also be able to cut their number of compulsory supervised driving hours from 120 to 80. Mr Gay said the changes were needed because the system was a "sentence on families across the state." "This ... will be done by putting in place proper training so young people aren't just doing the hours, they're being taught the proper rules in road safety," he told reporters in Sydney. Under the changes, if learners complete a four-hour safe driving course they can get 20 hours worth of credit towards their 120 hour logbook. Ten hours worth of professional lessons will continue count as 30 hours towards the logbook total. Learners would be able to accrue a maximum of 40 hours as credit, effectively reducing the logbook total from 120 to 80 hours, Mr Gay said. Mr Gay said the safer drivers course would be affordable and 60-80 per cent subsidised by the government, with the exact price to be announced in July 1, when the new rules take effect. Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendergast told reporters an affordable price for the new safer drivers course would be around $200. The changes follow recommendations made last year by the NSW Auditor General. A new list detailing the types of cars that L-platers can learn on will soon also be released, as young drivers can't learn on some cars with turbo- or super-chargers. Assistant Police Commissioner John Hartley denied the changes would lead to more young drivers dying on the state's roads. "This is a sensible solution to the problem of long driving hours for people who haven't got time for it," he said. It think it's a step forward for NSW.