learning to drive in oz
 

well folks after 37 years and now in oz for 4 months i have decided it is time to learn to drive ....so for my 37th birthday the MIL bought me some lessons..
and today i had my first ever drive on the public roads.... i was slightly nervous at first but just thought what the hell i need to drive and went from being a bloody idiot with my arms everywhere over the steering wheel to doing preety well at 50k around the local area within an hour .......
what i wanted to add was how at ease i was with my instructor ... think the aussie attitude helps and also the price a lesson is $47 an hour with a long established firm on the gold coast ...... was wondering what the prices where for other people in different parts of oz for those considering taking the plunge and learning also
sir les :D

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Well done for finally taking the plunge!

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Sir Les

Hi - hats off to you!

I took my test and passed 1st time this year here in suuny Cairns as did our eldest son! Wont tell you how old I am or Bix when he took his :D

Anyway, we both paid $50 dollars per 1 hr lesson, average going rate here. A few are abt $2 cheaper but always fully booked!

Wait till you take your test - have to fork out a few more dollars then especially if you pass! The double lesson, the fee for the test, then, hopefully, the fee for your new drivers licence!!! All adds up to a tidy little amount :rolleyes: But worth it!

Have fun and enjoy as much as you can - glad i did it at long last!!!

Gill
:)

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

'on ya. At least you wont be bringing any "bad" UK habits on to the Aussie roads. :)

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

PMSL :D

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Personally, I cannot wait for Sir Les to pass his test as it will be bliss not having to drive him everywhere!

Sir Les's OH (Jonahs_mummy)
xxx

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

My sister had a learners licence in uk never sat behind a steering wheel sat a writen test in qld and was given an open licence how good was that :scared:

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

My daughter's learning here in Adelaide at the moment.

She's (I'm) paying $90 for 2 hour lessons, she's going down the log book route where the instructor signs her log book off when she's competent in each task listed.

She just applies for her licence when she's got everything signed off and has completed 50 hours of driving altogether (including practice with a qualified driver - ie me). No practical test required as she's proved her competence on the roads to her instructor.

Do the other states have this option?

Elaine M :)

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

I took the plunge too and passed 1st time :D Ive just turned 34 seems a fair few of us have waited untill we got out here to learn to drive, i never really needed to in UK as the public transport was brilliant over there, to think i use to moan about waiting 15mins for a bus, over here try every hr if your lucky! :eek: (Just like to add that is my only whinge about our newlife downunder ...untill the new trainline gets down here ofcourse).
I was only paying $40 hr for my lessons over here in WA.
Had lovely women instructor who made me feel really at ease anyone in the Mandurah area who wishes to have her number feel free to pm me :)
GoodLuck with your lessons!!!

Claire :)

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

I'm another who has to learn when I get to Aus, so thanks for all the info. Not looking forward to having to have L/P plates on the car for the next few yrs though!

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

If possible get your uk license before you go. Then you dont have to do the hours under the qualifed instructor. You will save a small fortune. As i say if its possible.

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Unfortunately there isn't enough time (we're leaving on the 19th November).

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

ah. best of luck in Aus. As I said earlier at least you wont bring any bad habits with you.

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Where abouts are you heading too?
In WA you have to do a theory test to get your Learners Permit then after you have passed your practical test you have to do a log book for 25hours...not sure when that's changing to longer hours if it hasnt done already! after you have completed the log book you then have to show P plates for 2 yrs :eek:
I have only taken an automatic test but plan to do a manual before my 2years are up and then i dont need to show the P plates for another 2yrs!!

Good luck
Claire :)

Forgot to add that you have to do a hazard perception test once you have completed log book too!

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

My daughter is learning to drive here in Perth $42 an hour!!! she is doing well and has recently changed her driving instructer, she now informs me she feels more confident with this one. He is booking her in for her 2nd stage soon, which means $90 for an hour before and a hour test plus written one, then she has to do 25 hours driving plus I think another written test at the end, then she has P plates for about 2 years.

I dont like the way they drive here, no handbrake on at light etc, its all into first gear ready for take off!!! and dunno what happened to mirror, indicate ,manouver!!!!!

Very scary for a mother of a 16 1/2 year old!!!! :scared:

kath

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Yea i hear you about the scarey bit!!! Thankfully im on my P plates so dont have to sit next to my 16yr old whilst she is learning!!! :D :D
I just keep watching those grey hairs appear on the hubby :p

Claire

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Yeh me too, I let the old man take her out done it a couple of times and dont feel particularly at ease so to speak lol!!!, maybe after 20 years I'll let her run me back and forth to the bingo :D

Kath

BTW what happened to a cheap run around, she wants one but they all seem to be about friggin $6,000!!!! and they all drive their parents 4 x 4!!! (mind you I have got one and at least she can dent that one and hopefully she cant do 140k down the motorway, not quite the effect for a 16 1/2 year old lol!!!, but I have bought her pink car seat covers, wont be quite the same in my old Landrover lol!!!!)

Kath

p.s. if you see a youngish (34) with grey hair, its my old man, hes been taking her out again :scared: :scared:

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Tell me about it!!! we have been looking for a cheapy for ours too she's not driving mine i have just had mine in smash repairs as some kind person smashed a trolley down the whole side of my car..and now its been fixed it looks imaculate!
we have told her we will buy her a car when she gets a part time job to help pay for insurance and fuel ect...guess we can hold on to that money for while then the lazy bugger :p

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Mine works but she thinks the world and us owe her a bloody fortune!!!

Mm msaw that the other day in Woolies some old lady ran her trolley into the side of a car I said to my little boy really loudly "Oh My God look what that old dear did" she shrugged her shoulders and and walked away!!! and of course no-one to tell, did tell the girl in Woolies but she shrugged her shoulders and took a gulp of her water!!! I'd have been more than fummin coming out to that!!Tell me how many points is it for running a old crooney down?? lol!!!!

I gotta go to bed she out for a driving lesson tomorrow I need to sleep to forget lol!!!!
night night

Kath

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

It cost me $500 to get sorted, now i too scared to park it anywhere...let alone let the daughter anywhere near it :eek:

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

We're headed to Perth, so thanks for that extra info! In England you have to get a provisional license, a theory test and a hazard perception test too so not much difference really except for the log book and the P plates (which they're talking about bringing in here too apparently). I am looking forward to driving too.

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

I've had my licence for 25+ years but I'm afraid to drive on the left. Coming form North America I've always driven on the right. Hubby got the hang of it right away, but the first (and only) 2 times I drove I cut people off in the roundabouts. I think those driving lessons might be a good idea.

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

From what I've heard about Aussie's driving on roundabouts you've gone local!

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

wow theres loads of us in the same boat! I'm 35, birthday coming up in 3 weeks and am going to take the plunge and learn to drive as well. Do you need to get any form of licence or register for anything or just call up an instructor and start straight away?
Kelly x

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Go down to your RTA and do a written test and once you pass they will give you a learner licence. Once you have that just book your lessons and off you go. :)

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

oer missus, excuse my ignorance buts whats an RTA?

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Once my son gets his part time job (yeah right :rolleyes: ) then he will start his lessons ready to take his test when he turns 18 in March. He will have to do a hazard perception test before he gets his L plates. A friend took her test recently and said that the hazard perception test doesn't expect you to use your peripheral vision. She waited before overtaking a car as there was a young child about to walk into the road and got done for hesitating too long. When she mentioned it to the woman at the DVLA she said 'oh I don't think we have ever had anyone who looked at the sides of the road before ' :scared:
Nicky

Re: learning to drive in oz
 

Road traffic something :confused: thats what my oh calls it lol. If you have a look on the queensland transport it maybe tell you where you nearest one is to you :o sorry im crap lol



132380 Call this and they will give you the nearest office to you.