Getting Your Learners License.

[Bathsheba]

I had one once but it expired after 10 years

Because of the heat and my Graves condition I am once again thinking about getting my license. Feeling very ambivalent about the whole process.

I have probably about 40 hours of driving under my belt under most conditions: night/rain etc... but that was over 6 years ago and mainly country driving. I really struggle with the idea of city driving.

I passed the last written test with flying colours so i'm not really worried about that. I also just found an online test that mimmicks the one you do which is great... it's through the RTA and you can do it as many times as you like.

I've never had lessons other than DH teaching me. I suppose I should do that.

Even when i do have my license I can see myself still using public transport the majority of the time... so much more hassle free especially when you have 3 kids with you. How on Earth do you all drive when it's just you and you have two figting kids in the back??? Isn't that more of a hazard than using a mobile phone?

Oh and how do you deal with other rude road users? The main thing that put me off going on to get my full license last time was the fact that there are sooo many bad, rude, impatient and unpredictable drivers on the roads. I quite enjoy the process of driving and but no way do i enjoy everyone around me driving so rudely like they are the only one on the road I just know that I am going to follow all the rules ad do 40km in a school zone during the desgnated times despite everyone else doing 60km... I'm just going to p!ss everyone off ugh ugh ugh.

If everyone saw driving as a priviledge and were more respectful i wouldn't be writing this thread... I just really doubt whether it's worth the risk, hassle and cost. i think i might just use taxis on hot days... so much cheaper over the course of the year when you factor in petrol, rego, servicing, new tyres etc.

Anyhow:

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
Did you have any dramas getting your license?
Have you had an accident?
If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear)

Please don't say "you won't know yourself" with the freedom etc. I can't put my personal freedoms over my concerns. If they introduced a law to say that ALL drivers had to resit a test every 5 years and safety was actually important to everyone then i would feel much better. As it is I don't see much concern for safety... it all just seems that people are doing whatever they can get away with.

Thanks for reading this bitter and twisted ramble if you have gotten this far!

[Astrolady]

Anyhow:

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
Did you have any dramas getting your license?
Have you had an accident?
If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear)

I have 3 kids in the back and not once do they fight. They are more taken in by what is going on around them. i.e other traffic, and looking at stuff.

Most worrying aspect about driving - Being in a major accident with the kids in the car
Did you have any dramas getting your license - Nope did my lessons with a qualified instructor in a manual car and had my license in 8 lessons
Have you ever had an accident - A few, but none have actual ever been our fault. A car careened into us while we were at a red-light, spinning our car around 90 degrees.

I was side swiped by a van coming out of a side street, he never checked his mirrors when pulling straight into my lane.

Andrew was in a 4 car pile up. He stopped before hitting the car in front but the car behind slammed into him. Lady in 4wd admitted to not paying attention.

Andrew was also in another pile up. Car in front hit brakes suddenly on a main road for no reason and Andrew had no where to go, as there was a car next to him. Kameron was in the car as well at the time.

None of the accidents have caused us or anyone else any injury.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear) - I probably would. It would be something you never forget.

As for other rude road users. Just ignore them. If people sit up your car's backside while you are doing 40km in a school zone or whatever, then that is their problem not yours. You're not the one that will get ticketed. If a car over takes us hurriedly and speeds off we usually say "Seeyou on the 6pm news" but to ourselves we don't wind the window down and yell it out LOL

[Nelle]

The most worrying aspect of driving for me? Probably the cost of petrol, or driving in places where the conditions are different. Parking at Christmas.

Nope, didn't have any dramas getting my licence, I had lessons until my teacher thought I was ready. I also went for my licence in a quiet place.

No I haven't had an accident. Well not a proper one. I've scraped a fence while parking at home once, a few things like that.

If I killed someone, I'm not sure I'd give up driving. I'd probably drive around 10ks an hour in similar situations for the rest of my life though, like if it happened at a school. I think, that if you are as cautious as you sound that is unlikely to happen unless it's a completely unavoidable freak thing - for example, if you're going 35-40 in a school zone as opposed to how most people tend to think that 45-50 is acceptable, then I imagine you'd be able to slam on the brakes in time. I try to drive really slowly around schools and carparks.

You can also do a defensive driving course Bath - my dh did one, where they showed them how a car reacted in certain situations, what happens when the back slides out, what to do, how to react, to find where to limit of the car is, and so if your car slides on oil or excess water they're slightly more prepared. Perhaps that's worth thinking about once you have your licence for 6 months or so.

Also, when I first got my licence, I did a lot of night driving - did some shopping on a Thursday night where I could practice parking at a shopping centre, got a few groceries or takeaway at night.

[Jellyfish]

There are a few things that worry me. Imogen being upset and not being able to do much about it is heartbreaking and it is distracting but you just have to keep your eyes on the road until it is safe to pull over. Other drivers are a big concern but I don't let them push or intimidate me, I always go below the limit and have often been beeped for stopping at an orange light... which can be upsetting but it is their issue, not mine.

I didn't have any dramas getting my license. I have never had a road accident. I once backed into a pole but there was no damage.

I'm not sure what I would do if I was to accidentally cause a fatality. I don't think I could get back behind the wheel.

It is very normal to be nervous about driving. I'm not sure what I can say to reassure you. Being a safe driver does decrease your risk dramatically but nothing can negate them.

Just take it slow, there is no rush right?

[Bathsheba]

Thanks girls I'm just about to set off and do the school run on foot... it's warm outside but not as hot as earlier in the week.

Y'know I think I'll give it all a go... just to conquer the fear factor. I really loathe and avoid inconveniencing people which is my main demotivator... maybe if i get desperate enough with my illness i won't actually care as much.

My boys do actually fight in the back... they aren't really used to much car travel and i think they hate being strapped in for so long... they push and shove each other in their seats etc. It stresses DH out to the max... our teenage DD is no help at all and often makes it worse. *sigh*

I am quite co-ordinated... when DH and i play those Daytona games I beat him most times. I have a knack for corners LOL so I actually like driving... to me it's a bit like sewing. I just hate the attitude of most other drivers Maybe I need to be more compassionate and accpet people the way they are?

Thanks again though girls... just for listening.

[Stevie]

the most worrying part of driving to me is what other idiots are doing on the road. i know i can drive and i know i can handle my car, but can that idiot infront of me? KWIM hehe

i didnt have any dramasgetting my licence, and i only got it about 3 months ago so it was under these new stupid rules that they have.

Havent had an accident, but it does worry me that one day i might/will.

I think if i accidently killed someone through me driving like an idiot then yes, id stop driving maybe not forever but for a long time, if it was there fault, then probly not.

I drove for the first time with my baby in the car on the weekend, it was soo scary, but i got through it, the worst part os when she got upset there was nothing i could do, and i cant see her (she has to be in the middle) but its just the way it has to be and i know it will get easier when she gets older.

Good luck with your licence, im sure you'll be fine.

[helle]

What is the most worrying aspect of driving? How much it freaking costs is a bit of a downer. Most recenetly writting myself and baby off though. I have started getting these horrible flashes of clipping cars on the highway, and spinning into obvlivion and causing a bit of damage... I'm hoping it's me being a worry wart and not my subconscience warning me of something, but needless to say I won't be driving much once I start matleave/don't need to drive to work every morning!

Did you have any dramas getting your license? Nope, first shot after my 17th birthday. I lived/live out in the middle of nowhere with no public transport around so I had a bit of an incentive to get it quick unless I wanted to keep nagging Mum to drive me around

Have you had an accident? Yep, I hit a bus over taking it. Pulled in too early. If I wasn't driving a 1964 EH that's built like a brick ****house I'm pretty sure my brother and I would be dead.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear) God yes.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I can relate to a lot of things in your post Bath, especially after a near miss lately, only thing is that I've had my licence for almost 10 years.

What is the most worrying aspect of driving? That I might have an accident and hurt my DD, DP or myself
Did you have any dramas getting your license? Nope, my dad gave me lessons and I got my licence in a country town where the police officer takes you for the test because there's no transport dept.
Have you had an accident? No, I had a near miss a couple of months ago with DD in the car - I was going straight through a roundabout in the left lane on the edge of an industrial area when a huge road train coming from the left didn't stop at the roundabout. I had to swerve into the other lane, lucky there wasn't a car in it otherwise he would've sandwiched us. I still have anxiety about getting into the car sometimes but I am glad that I actually kept driving that day instead of calling DP to come and get us. It has made me so much more cautious and wary but I see that as a good thing - You have to be ready to react at all times.
If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear) I don't know, I would like to think not, but I imagine that it is something that would eat away at you.

Ultimately if you want to get your licence you need to do it for your own reasons and not because everyone else thinks it is a good idea. Good luck!

[Visitor7]

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
Being in an accident while the girls are in the car.

Did you have any dramas getting your license?
No. I had professional driving lessons with an instructor and got it first time.

Have you had an accident?
Yes. I feinted and hit a light post and the car flipped on to its roof. I was injured, and thankfully there was no-one in the passenger seat as that side of the car was crushed. It's taken 6 years (since the accident) and I now know why I feint and am able to manage it.
DH was in an accident where a taxi failed to give way to him and dh's bike ended up going through the side of the taxi van. He was seriously injured and received a compo payout.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear)
No idea. I would say now that I probably wouldn't give it up, but unless something like that was to happen, I'm really not sure.

Unfortunately there are bad drivers everywhere. You can't get away from it. A friend from high school was hit by a car as she walked on a footpath once. She was seriously injured and never walked again. So it's not just accidents that happen in cars on the road. Over time you learn how to block out the nuisance drivers. If you know you're doing the right thing by driving 40km in a school zone, then that's all that matters. If there is someone driving behind you getting angry at you because they want to break the law, then so be it. If it were me, I'd call the cops on them anyway.

[{sarah}]

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
Having an accident!!

Did you have any dramas getting your license?
Nope got my L's first go a little bit after my 16th birthday & P's on my 17th birthday.

Have you had an accident?
I was in the front passegner seat when a toddler was hit, we were going around 40km at the time as we had just come around a corner. The child was obviously injured, but thankfully he was not killed. I am very nervous driving on that stretch of road & won't drive it myself, only as a passenger, I'm pretty sure the driver during the accident doesn't either. The accident wasn't the driver's fault, the child ran between two cars & was going across the road to his dad, mum came running out of the shop chasing him. It was just one of those things, a horrible horrible accident.

I also had an accident on the freeway 9 years ago, where I stopped & the person behind me didn't, he was going aroun 90km & I was almost stationary. To this day I don't have the full range of motion I should in my neck & I can't lay on my right shoulder.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian would you give up driving?
Couldn't say.

[Dansta]

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
people hitting my car, on DJs side

Did you have any dramas getting your license?
No, which was good. got them on my 18th birthday. only drama i had was a person taking a corner too wide and i indicated the wrong way so i "pulled over" which impressed the instructor person.

Have you had an accident?
I've reversed into a poll in DH's car, on my Ls as well as a tap (the kind in the middle of front yards) in my old car.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear
I guess i'd really limit where i drove if that happend. i'm always worried about that happening in my street- we have a few 'hoons' here

Driving for me has been about listening to that little voice in your head (gut feeling maybe?) on my L's - whilest with an instructor i was at a set of lights turning right - the lights went yellow and he told me to drive though, i stoped and said no and sure enough if i had of gone, a car would have collected us both.

[~Kim~]

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?

Every other idiot on the road

Did you have any dramas getting your license?

No, but I got mine at nearly 20 - same reasons as you've listed

Have you had an accident?

Bath I've had a couple. No biggies my most recent one was backing into a telegraph pole I was so cross!!!
However I started my working life as an Emergency Nurse in a major Sydney hossy, then moved to peadiatric trauma theatre, then to the cops. I've been to/presided over/looked after the results of more MVAs than I care to even imagine. I've heard every excuse for breaking the rules and written plenty of tickets to boot.
My best advice is never let your guard down. Don't be frightened, be confident in YOUR driving - but not to the point of believing it will never happen to you.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear)

No.

Bath, driving is a great skill to have. Even if you never use it, you would kick yourself if an emergency ever came up and you couldn't when you needed.
Have faith in yourself. The rules are there to protect, not irritate, so if you are doing the right thing, everyone else can just stick it. Don't worry too much about the other drivers. They are irrelevant to your life. If they get cross and swear/carry on - more fool them that they wasted energy on that when they could have just kept driving.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks again everyone.

If an emergency came up and the only choice to save a life was to drive I would even if I didn't have my license. I can actually drive. If we were doing an interstate trip and DH had a heart attack and we were in the middle of nowhere I wouldn't hesitate to drive to the next house/village. In all my years i have never "needed" to drive but I can drive. If a person gets injured or is desperately ill we call the ambulance, that's what they are for. So that argument doesn't really sway me.

Kim: I agree though it's a great skill to have. So if i do it I'll do it because I want to be as well educated as I can be in all aspects of life. I am a big believer in conquering fears.

Psychologically i have a barrier. It is the impeding other people thing. I was raised with humilation and shame at being a "ball and chain". My mother was very impatient. If I am in somebodies way i will do almost anything to get out of it. I get so incredibly nervous if i am in somebody's way because I expect attack. I am highly observant to this end. I will however stick up for the rights of my children. I know that my 6yo hates the heat just as much as I do and for HIM I would learn to drive.

[aussienic]

I have had my learners now for over 10 years :blush: I went for my test once and failed. I am yet to get up the courage to go again. (so nervous)

I do however drive at least 1-2 times a week. I find turning up the music drowns out the kids but seriously if they bug me to much I pull over and tell them off. I refuse to let them distract me., Dh also does this and he has been driving since he was 17 (34 now)

My biggest fear is either hitting someone or getting into a crash which for some reason I would find more embarrasing then anything. So far I have done nothing more then accidently drive to far forward and nudged a pole in a car park.

People keep telling me I won't know myself with my license and while I agree and really want my license it bugs the absolute crappers out of me.

[ladybird11]

Being a traffic educator in SA Police I always advise members of the public (young and old) of a few 'life saving tips'...I hope it doesn't come across that I'm typing stuff you already know, but this is just what I ramble on about at work every day .
This is just a shortened version.

1) Assume every other road user is an idiot (props to my Dad for teaching me this one, but I never really got the idea of this until I was driving a Police car at high speed with lights and sirens to distract every other road user ). In these days it is safe to assume other drivers are on drugs or alcohol - I have SA stats to back this up. But how do you know someone else driving near you is fatigued, under the influence (even on certain over the counter medication) etc? You don't. I tell ppl to imagine that if the car in front is going to slam on its brakes - would you be able to stop your's in time?

2) Just because you have a green light - you should still make sure the intersection is clear before entering it; you never know who is on their mobile phone or not paying attention for whatever reason.

3) Watch for cars and trucks that are carrying loads or towing. By law not one load should move AT ALL whilst being towed. I have been to many crashes where loads have shifted etc and ended up flying at the cars behind them. If you're driving near one such vehicle, keep extra safe and increase your following distance from them.\

4) If you've been abused or harrassed by another driver - pull into a service station or fast food outlet. Most of these places have video surveillance and / or are very busy, so much safer to go to (as opposed to driving into your own driveway and showing the person where you live).

5) Is your vehicle roadworthy? Check tyres for legal tread and brakes pads too. You could be the safest driver in the world but without these vitals in working order you leave yourself open to crashes.

6) Observations, observations, observations. I look at the wheels on cars stopped at intersections to make sure they're not moving at all; I look under cars parked on the side of the road to make sure I can't see a little pair of legs waiting to cross the road - kids are unpredictable at times; If the car behind me is too close, I take my foot off of the accellerator so they back off (brake lights tend to make ppl angry lol).

As for kids screaming in the back, if its disturbing you to the point you've gotta take your eyes off the road - pull over to the curb before sorting the issue out. Safety first. I've been to hundreds of crashes, some real tear jerkers too.

Be confident in yourself and your driving ability. Not sure if in your State they have defensive driving courses? But if so that may help you with your confidence too.

[squidipa]

Anyhow:

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
Did you have any dramas getting your license?
Have you had an accident?
If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear)


Thanks for reading this bitter and twisted ramble if you have gotten this far!

What is the most worrying aspect of driving?
for me everyone else on the road when silly ppl pull out in front of you. I dont like driving where i dont know if possible.

Did you have any dramas getting your license?
no i did not i got it first time after about 8 lessons. I didnt feel i was ready yet put my instructor said i was obviously i was.

Have you had an accident?
I have been a passenger in a car and it has rolled a crossed a highway due to a blow out on the wheel when changing lanes, i have been the passenger of a car parked and a lady reversed into me and partner. YEARS ago! About 6 months ago i was driving and an elderly man tried to turn left when he was unable he was in the right hand lane and me was in left lane he grazed the size of my car.


If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? (<--- that is my worst fear) I think at the time i woudl say yes but honestly i wouldn't let that create my future i would force mys elf back to driving.


We us public transport alot fo the time its convenient and cheaper, yes less stress sometimes. locally we use car tho. I have 4 kids and i have strict rules int he car no loud noises and no screaming bouncing thumping or anything distracting Like waving arms around or ill leave ya on the side of the road.

Hubbie is form country and is learning to drive at moment and yeah very different he find to the country if he can do it so can you.

there will always be idiots on the road and ppl we see or in our daily lives but i wont let their actions confine me or mold me.

[Netix]

What Leesa said!

I am always looking for a 'way out' when I drive.... ie, if that car stops suddenly, have I got enough room to stop... etc, etc.

In terms of 'impeding on others" Bath, you kind of have to ignore the fact that there's someone behind you. Yes, you have to be aware of what they're doing (following too close or whatever), but they're just 'there', don't let it feel like they are there to push you along, iykwim.

What is the most worrying aspect of driving? Being unable to prevent or avoid an accident that affects my children. I couldn't live with that.

Did you have any dramas getting your license? I locked my keys in the car when I pulled up to Vicroads to do my driving test.

Have you had an accident? Yes, extremely minor (I had right of way, p-plater in a kingswood sped through a give way sign). The only damage to my little Laser was the front indicator lense was literally ripped off the car. If I hadn't of looked down the side street, seen the reflection of moving light on houses and braked, the other guy would have ploughed into my door and more than likely killed me. I kid you not.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? No. I don't think I would, but I know it would always affect me. I love driving, its my release. One of my happy places (the other involves a car, but we weren't driving it ), my nirvana. In my favourite car, its my bliss.

[sloane]

What is the most worrying aspect of driving? you know what, this is something i've never really thought about. i guess nowadays it's the thought of having an accident with DS in the car

Did you have any dramas getting your license? none, got it first try. mum & dad insisted on driving lessons with an instructor because they felt if they taught me i would learn their bad habits.

Have you had an accident? yep, when i was 19 & in my first year of driving. a guy did a right hand turn in front of me. i ended up with a broken nose, puncture wound in my hand & generally a bit shaken up & got carted off to hospital in an ambulance. he ended up uninjured but with a fine from the cops. i had no trouble getting straight back in the car & driving again. not my car unfortunately because it was written off. that's about 16 years ago now.

If you accidentally killed a pedestrian (say a child suddenly stepped out infront of you) would you give up driving? i don't know. i think it's tough to say one way or another. i hope i never have to find out the answer.