Hi All,

Question from your experience could you help with below

I'm planning on making the big move as soon as visas app is processed I'm a long way off yet unless I can transfer with work.

My 16 year old daughter is coming with us Yippee (if you have read my previous treads)

She will be 17 in may this year and wants to learn to drive,

My question is do you think it would be easier, cheaper for her to learn to drive in the UK or OZ. I would like to buy her a car when we get over there so she has got some independence.

Thanks

XX

ooooh I was just about to post the exact same question!

I'm *ahem* 28 and still don't have a driving licence! I have taken lessons in the past so probably wouldn't need too many, but I can't decide whether it would be easier to just do it before I leave or to wait. Thinking about the expense more than anything - lessons are about GBP22.00 an hour here. Does anyone know how much they would be in Aus (Perth).

Any advice appreciated

Rach

Ive had a look on Driving instructors in australia. Im doing lessons just now and have my test this Friday :scared: I only have a few more weeks here to pass but im resigned to the fact that more than likely i will fail and i will have to learn in Australia. Do a search as there was a thread with some links on it a few weeks ago.

My husband has driven in his own country but needs to pass his test here.

As we will need a car ASAP in Oz, he is going to learn here and get it out of the way.

At least he can drive straight away.

Get them in the UK.

My BIL is a driving examiner in Australia, and he recommends the same. The tests are easy and the standard is fairly low in Aus, HE SAYS.


<waits for flack>

In NSW (not sure about other states) you'll still be a 'P' plater if your licence is less than 12 months old, or between 12months and three years - so the odds are you'll have to do a test of some sort anyway. I suppose it saves the yellow 'L' stage.

I just found out that in WA, if you're under 19, or have had your overseas licence for less than 2 years, you have to go on P plates. I can live with that.

The system for learning in WA seems a bit convoluted, so I think I'll get my licence here first, despite my phobia of driving in London

Hey peaches ... that's where I learnt to drive. If you can drive in London, you can drive anywhere!

I was a motorcycle courier while I was at college in the smoke .. next career step after that is stunt driver

I haven't driven there for a while until the other week. Everyone seemed so aggressive! Country living has turned me into such a driving wimp.

From personal experience, taking the test here or there is...well, neither here nor there really but I would recommend learning to drive in the UK. It is stressful enough learning to drive when you are familiar with the roads, surroundings and the manner in which other people drive if you aren't familiar with these things then it's added pressure...just a thought.

When I was 18 I went travelling for a year in Aus... The last thing I'd done in the UK was fail my driving test and so the first thing I did when I got to Aus was take my driving test!

It was absolutely fine. We drove out of the test area (in a western suburb called St Mary's - shudder) and I drove up the road. Then the guy instructed me to drive through the town area, turn around and drive back to the test area. I did, parked the car on his request and he told me I'd passed!

I don't know if it's still the same but hey, he was easily pleased! This was 1990 by the way.

Hi would look into rule that I heard that IF you've not held Full UK licence for at least 2 years then you'd need to take full test in Aus? so would be a waste going to the expense here then paying again there!

Just passed my driving test in Perth (age 36) Had lessons and 2 failed tests in UK and found it a lot easier here. My lessons were $35 an hour.

Jules

NO ITS NOT! Well not here in Cairns anyway! Our eldest is taking his first driving test next week I am doing a refreshers course to take mine asap as failed in the UK just before leaving.

My sons and my instructor have both told us that a 'few' years ago the test was 'easy peasy' like you say, literally just drive for 10-15 mins up and down the road and you would pass, basically you just had to prove you could 'steer' a car and that was it! Times have changed - for example - in Cairns there were NO roundabouts until a few years ago! Cane fields ruled! Traffic lights, road markings, or roundabouts, lane changing did not

The test in both our opinions and friends who have just taken it in Cairns is that is is just as 'painful' as in the UK. They have become really strict in the Queensland due to so many 'young people' fatalities in the past few years who have not long passed their driving tests! So we all have to suffer!

Just dont come over here thinking it is 'easier' to take test here cause you might be in for a big surprise! (probably depends on what state you are going to, I can only speak for Queensland ie Cairns) Personally, I am bloody dreading it as much here as I did in the UK 2 Years ago!!

Good luck - on Friday angel17796