Getting Your Learners License.

I know what you mean about escalators Bath - I still turn into Mrs Dither.

The other way of looking at the driving phobia thing is that it could make you a really careful, good driver. You know I'm petrified of driving too but when I failed my first test (because I gave way when I shouldn't have done) - the tester told me I was actually a really good driver and hadn't really lost any points till then which he had to give me an automatic fail on. So being slightly paranoid and alert to the dangers of being on the road could actually be an advantage. I know you're more worried about other drivers than perhaps your own abilities but there's absolutely nothing you can do about that.

Now DP is a confident driver but that doesn't mean he's a good driver IMO. He doesn't do anything dangerous but he's just not a very smooth driver whereas I can sniff danger a mile off and will gently start braking whereas DP will wait and then brake more heavily.

Hmmm, well I'm going to keep going with this because everything you are writing are things that have gone through my head in the last 6-7 years!

I kept telling myself... it's unsafe, I can't drive, it's not me it's everyone else, it's not everyone else it's me, I can't drive, I can't control a car, it's too big, I'm not coordinated enough, I'll hit the accelorator instead of the break and kill someone..........................

And YES what you are feeling is real.
BUT it's just layers and layers and layers of excuses (sorry, but it is, and I'm only saying it because thats what was true for me and well, you've said it yourself ;)). You need to cut through all those layers, and find out whats on the inside... what are you REALLY scared of?

Is it everyone else? Is it yourself?
Why aer you afraid of being in control of a car? Why are you afraid to LEARN? Because no you don't automaticaly know how to drive, you don't automatically know how to handle different situations. Yes, you feel completely uncordinated. And yes, you'll pull over and cry "I CAN'T DO THIS!!!!!!!!"
That's NORMAL. No one expects you to drive with the ****iness of a 16 year old. No one expects you to sit in the drivers seat and know how to react to new situations.

You know what I think you need Bath? I think you need to stop thinking, and just do it... Really, I think you're a lot like me, and you have too many peopled around you who see that you are a confident assured person who is aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and so they think if you say you can't do it then they think "oh, she really must not be able to..." ... someone needs to stand up and say, "no, maybe you don't know how to right now, but you just need to LEARN HOW, now go do it already!!!!!!!!". And then they need to make you...

You haven't posted in here in a while Bath, and I hope it's because I've given you some food for thought...? Gentle hugs :grouphug:

Thanks Leasha :hug: but I have decided to stop thinking about the whole issue until I see my Endocrinologist. I have decided to basically shut up about it LOL In my heart I feel confident that I will one day be a driver... but maybe when my thinking isn't clouded with the excess thyroid hormone that it is at the moment.

Update: Well we have returned from a long interstate road trip. Before we left I got my L's renewed. Hadn't driven in over 6 years though. First mistake was that we bought those L plates that attach to the inside of the car windows by static. I had already driven 50km before my BIL told me that was illegal and could have cost us $200 and the loss of 2 demerit points if I had been spotted by police. :doh: Why do they still sell them then????

It might have explained why I was intimidated by a p-plater though... maybe he didn't see my L-Plate and was wondering why I was doing 80 on a 100 zoned piece of road. It was at night and the road was windey. He tail gated me with his lights on high beam. I was almost blinded. It was horrible. I hadn't driven at night for over 10 years...

I didn't do any driving on the way back. Doing 80km in 100/110 zones was clearly annoying too many people. Anyhow... feeling pretty crappy about the whole thing but I know I have no choice but to persist.

Also DH got a speeding ticket because he was pinged doing 70km overtaking a large truck in an over taking lane on the outskirts of a country town... the truck was really long and he didn't see the 50 zone sign... he honestly thought it was a 70 zone. So $300 dollars later we are both feeling very negative about the whole issue.

With a possible relocation in the pipeline we basically cant afford for me to learn to drive using an instructor and we certainly can't afford for me to accrue any fines in the process of learning to drive or failing tests. So for the time being this is being put on hold once again... *sigh*

Just read in another thread that people on their Ls can't legally drive outside the state in which it was granted. Any thoughts on this? Also as a Victorian Learner Driver I must abide by the laws of any other state I drive in... Fair enough but why am I hearing this first in BB? Apparently there is no set speed limit for L players in QLD for example...

We also don't have rules about the type pf L plates we use in Qld.

I wonder if interior L plates are ok in Vic? or do they have to be external like in NSW...anyone know?

Have a look at the Vic Roads site - getting your Ls and then how to get your car learners permit. You can use the static plates they just must be visible.
Also I can see nowhere where there is a speed restriction in Vic while you are on Ls

Have a look on the Vic Roads website I guess?

ETA: Had a look. No restriction in Vic on internal L plates (Displaying L &P plates : VicRoads=)

Vic:
All learner permit holders will be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:
•must display L plates on the front and rear of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 20 metres
•must be accompanied by an experienced driver at all times while driving. (see Experienced driver section below)
•must have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at all times while driving
•must carry learner permit at all times while driving
•must not use a mobile phone, including hands free, hand held and messaging while driving
•must not tow a trailer or vehicle
•if you are under the age of 21, you will be required to complete a minimum of 120 hours (including at least 10 hours at night) of driving with an experienced driver before you take your licence test. You must record these hours in an official Learner Log Book which must be signed by you and your experienced driver
•if you are under 21 years of age, you must hold your learner permit for at least twelve months
•if you are 21 years of age or over but under 25 years of age, you must hold your learner permit for at least six months
•if you are 25 years of age or over you must hold your learner permit for at least three months

Nsw:
•Be supervised at all times by the holder of a full Australian driver licence.
•Have L plates displayed conspicuously at the front and rear exterior of the car (or an L sign on the roof) when driving. The letter L on the plate must not be hidden.
•Observe a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h.
•Not tow any other vehicle.
•Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration ( this means you cannot drink before driving). It is also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs.
•Not supervise another learner driver.
•Only carry the number of passengers that can be properly seated in seats and restrained by approved seat belts or child restraints.
•Only drive vehicles that have a seat belt fitted to the driver's position and you must wear the seat belt.
•Not use any functions of a mobile phone including hands free devices

Qld:
When learning to drive, you must:
•clearly display L-plates at the front and rear of the vehicle
•be accompanied by a person who holds and has held an open licence for the class of vehicle you are learning in (for example, automatic or manual), for at least one year
•carry your learner licence with you and show it to a police officer when asked to do so
•obey any conditions stated on your learner licence
•comply with the no alcohol limit (0.00) if you are under 25 years of age and the general alcohol limit (below 0.05) if you are 25 years or age or over. Drink driving offences carry monetary fines and disqualification periods
•not drive under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs
•not use a mobile phone. Passengers and supervisors are also restricted from using a mobile phone in loudspeaker mode while the car is being driven.


SA:
Drivers with a learner’s permit must:
•not drive a motor vehicle unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver
•not drive a motor vehicle or attempt to put a motor vehicle in motion when there is any concentration of alcohol in your blood or the presence of THC (Cannabis), Methylamphetamine (Speed) or MDMA (Ecstasy) in your blood or oral fluid (saliva)
•display the prescribed L-plates so that they are clearly visible from the front and the rear of the vehicle
•not exceed any speed limit by 10km/h or more (exceeding any speed limit is an offence)
•not exceed 80 km/h at any time (but you can drive up to 100 km/h if accompanied by a motor driving instructor, in a clearly marked driving school vehicle which is fitted with a dual brake pedal)
•carry your current learner's permit at all times when driving.
L and P1 drivers are also banned from using any type of mobile phone function while driving. This includes using hands-free mode and Bluetooth technology, loud speaker operation and text messaging.


NT:
1. Zero blood alcohol concentration.
2. Not to exceed 80 kilometres per hour unless under the direct supervision of an instructor conducting an approved training program.
3. Must display L plates clearly visible to the front and rear on cars, and to the rear only on motorcycles.
4. Must be accompanied (in the passenger seat) by a fully licensed driver (not provisional) at all times whilst driving (for cars only).
5. Must not carry pillion passengers (for motorcycles only).
6. Must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked. All mobile telephone use including hands-free operation is prohibited whilst driving/riding for the duration of the learner period.
7. Under the NT Demerit Points Scheme (DPS) all drivers are subject to a points action trigger of 12 demerit points in 3 years. Additionally, Learner, Provisional and overseas licence holders are also subject to a points action trigger of 5 demerit points in 1 year.

Tas:
ALWAYS practice with an appropriate supervisor. If you break this law, you'll lose your licence and pay a fine. Check out here to see who is an appropriate supervisor
ALWAYS display your L-plates on the front and back of the car. If you break this law, you'll lose demerit points and pay a fine. Remember, if you lose 4 demerit points, you'll lose your novice licence
NEVER drive over 80 km/h (even when speed limit signs display a higher limit)
NEVER drive with ANY alcohol in your body. If you break this law, you'll have to appear in Court to face a Magistrate who will impose a penalty - the minimum penalty is losing your licence and paying a fine and you'll have to start the learner stage all over again
NEVER tow another vehicle or trailer
ALWAYS carry your licence when driving. If you break this law you'll have to pay a fine.

Can't find anything specific on WA, it's scattered all around the site but its similar to the other states.

Thanks Leasha! Often i am on my mobile phone while browsing here and the Vicroads site isn't very readable.

But wow! You wouldn't want to be a learner sharing the driving on a trip around Australia!!! Sooo confusing.