Wol

Last year we hired a car in Sydney for a couple of weeks, used National because they only had a $300 excess.

Would you believe it - for the first time ever when hiring I managed to reverse into a concrete support and did $1300 woth of scraping! They relieved me of the $300 and that was that.

Usually not so lucky.

National!

sally1968

Hi Mash.

You say that they have changed the rules in SA. Does this mean that we no longer have to take a practical test? I really hope so!

Sally

mashiraz

Hi Sally,

Well that's what 2 other people said a week or so ago, I think it was Ruffy who failed, then made appointment to retake practical and was told no need to bother...

Not sure if they've updated this on the TransportSA website though.

Tell you what, sit it for the fun of it! Hahaha

Theory is fine if you learn the give ways (need 8 out of 8) then 28 ot of 40 other questions. We read the Hanbook, tested each other, did the test on the website and both got 38 out of 40. Some rules are different than UK..

Good luck
Mash

Ceri

If you had read my statement correctly you'd have seen I was taking the mick out of the "unsafe" laws here, tongue in cheek. I'm fully aware of you can take on the left if it is safe to do so. I've been driving here for the past 6 years.


Nothing worse than some idiot who sits in the right hand lane chugging along .. ie not turning , just holding up everybody (incidentally I find it's woman that are the worst offenders) .. and I am forced to overtake on the left (which any safe driver will actually realise the dangers of this..)
cheers.

cresta57

I passed my Qld test last week like Ceri says it's very easy I've been here for a couple of weeks now and passed after reading the book for a few evenings. Yep there are some crazy rules and driving here is just like competing in the Le Mans somedays.
Still not bought a Ute though

Ceri

I think I need an armoured personal carrier some days.. I wonder if the army has got one going spare?

P.S I found out what my hubby got wrong.. the roundabout sign.. he said it was roundabout, there was another answer there ... which meant give way to all on roundabout.

His words "bl**dy stupid gits... that's bl**dy obvious you give way to all on the roundabout "

I've told him to try it again and try and think simple/child like

Anyway .. yes it's very simple the theory test.. I'm still winding hubby up about failing (he's one of the safest driver I know) ..lol, he hates failing at anything.

Cheers

downunderpom

I love being able to overtake on the left! I always used to get really wound up driving in the UK with selfish roadhogs who'd jam up the overtaking lane(s), not letting anyone past, doing 20mph under the limit. 'But I'm going to turn right in 10 miles - I need to be in this lane....' Pah!

Now I just smile, cruise past inside them, and thoroughly enjoy my driving.

ABCDiamond

Ceri
Are you sure about this ? I'm not discounting what you say, just worried as I have gone past the three month rule, and don't fancy taking a practical test.

cresta57

I'm sat in the library at the moment and it says in the "keys to driving in QLD" that you only need to take the theory test [page 39 foreign driver licence] there's no mention of a practicle should you outstay the 3 month rule though it could be covered elsewhere in the book.
check out the web page on:
www.queensland-holidays.com.au/driving

ABCDiamond

I must try to think more like you,
I still can't get used to them sticking on the right.

Even when they are joining a road, some of them will wait at the intersection, ignoring the empty left lane, and wait for a gap in the right lane, before coming straight out.

Those of you who haven't been here yet, will know what I mean when you get here.
Its worse in NSW, but becoming more noticeable in QLD, probably following the increasing NSW migation to QLD.


Cresta, Thanks for that link, I will see if I can find anything on it.

Ceri

Pretty sure.. well I got away with it. I've been driving in Aus just over 6 years, 4 years on a business visa, two on PR.. only now, I went and got my licence.
I think the key to it is look dizzy/flustered.

If they ask why you have not taken your test earlier (they didn't ask me), just say you've been travelling in and out of the state. Only now you have settled (residing) into your state (Qld or where ever you are).

The girl behind the counter did not even look at my PR visa, I gave her my passport (I held it open on the back page for her - my photo and passport number, I didn't really want her to see my visa page) , my over 18 card (which I got 6 years ago) and that was it.. she handed me the paper test (no computers in our P.O) I sat down ticked the questions.. she marked them,took a mug shot of me, waited five minutes.. paid for my licence and that was it. One QLD licence.

Cheers

faye_gillan

Hiya,

After watching an immigration video from "Outboud Publishing" we were surprised to learn that we shall need to take another driving test to get and OZ Licence.

We are immigrating to Newcastle, NSW - do we need to get this straight away? Is it similiar to the UK driving tests, is there a theory test also?

Cheers

FayenPaul
Ozzie Wannabies

ABCDiamond

It is just a theory test. (99.9% sure of that)

And you are supposed to get it within 3 months of arriving in the state you go to. Otherwise you can be done for driving without a valid licence.

Each State has its own Driving licence, and if you move states, then you need to change licence, again within 3 months.

But once you have any Australian State licence, you can just swap it for any other state at no cost.

faye_gillan

Thanks,

That doesnt sound too bad then. Think we could both pass the practical. Do you know what costs are involved?

Cheers

ABCDiamond

I think it was $15. I'll find out again soon, I have to try again