Road To Solo Optimized Low Res

Road to Solo Driving

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LEARNING TO DRIVE • DRIVING TO LEARN

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Published by VicRoads60 Denmark Street, Kew, Victoria 3101

©Roads Corporation, Victoria, Australia 2000

First published 2000Crown© Copyright 2000Reprinted with amendments June 2008.

National Library of Australia cataloguing-in-publication data:Roads Corporation.Road to Solo Driving: Learning to drive – driving to learnIncludes index. ISBN 0 7311 9000 91. Automobile driver education –

Victoria – Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Traffic regulations –

Victoria – Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Traffic safety – Victoria –

Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Roads Corporation (Vic)

343.9450946

Several organisations have contributedto the preparation of this handbook, andtheir help is gratefully acknowledged.

This work is the copyright of VicRoads. Apart from uses permitted under the Copyright Act1968, no part may be reproduced by any processwithout written permission from VicRoads.

Road laws and legal requirements

Road laws change from time to time. Tests maychange accordingly. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the most recent edition of this handbook and any update sheets. If you are in doubt, check with any of the VicRoads Customer Service Centres listed on the inside back cover.

This handbook sets out various legal requirementsfor drivers. These are intended as a guide only. They do not purport to set out in full all of therequirements of the law.

For a complete knowledge of the road law, youshould consult the appropriate Acts and Regulations.Remember that ignorance of what the law says on aparticular subject will not be regarded as an excuseby the Courts.

Almost everything in this handbook applies to cardrivers. Motorcycle riders should refer to the VictorianRider handbook for further information. Much of theinformation also applies to pedal cyclists. The word‘driver’ is generally used to cover the different roadusers and to simplify the language. It does not meanthat one group is more important than the other.

The Road to Solo Driving handbookis designed to help you understandthe road rules, responsibilities andprepare you for the challenges ofdriving. You will need to read andunderstand the Road to SoloDriving thoroughly before sittingfor your learner permit test.

When you receive your learnerpermit you will be given theLearner Kit containing the twobooklets Guide for Learners withthe Learner Log Book, and theGuide for Supervising Drivers. TheGuide for Learners will help youmake the most of your practicesessions, get the essential drivingexperience you need, and keeptrack of your progress as you worktowards your Ps. It includes theLearner Log Book you must use toshow you have had enough drivingpractice to get a licence. It willhelp you structure your minimum120 hours of driving if you areunder 21 years of age.

Give the Guide for SupervisingDrivers booklet to your supervisingdriver.

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Road to Solo DrivingLEARNING TO DRIVE

DRIVING TO LEARN

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Learning to drive 33

• How do you learn to drive? 35

• Some facts about new solo drivers 35

• Practice is the best way 36

• Your supervising driver is there to help 39

• Put variety into your driving practice 41

• Traps along the road to solo driving 44

• Checking your progress 46

Managing risk 51

• Alcohol and drugs 54• Mobile phones 54• Speed 55• Fatigue 55• Seat belts 57• Vehicle maintenance 57• Managing driving risk 58• Your crash risk as a solo driver 59• Reducing your risk of a crash 60

The challenges of driving 27

• Facing the real challenges of driving 27• Some facts about driving 28• How complicated is driving? 29

• Why read this handbook 5• How to use this handbook 6• Ten steps to getting your licence 7• The Graduated Licensing System 22

List of contents

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4 Rules and responsibilities 65

• Alcohol 68• Drugs, medicine and driving 72• The law about seat belts 74• Speed limits 76• Road signs 80• Road markings 86• Traffic controls at intersections 93• Give Way rules 95• Turning 106• Freeways 114• Driving safely in tunnels 115• Sharing the road safely 116– Co-operative driving 116– Keeping your cool when driving 117– Sharing the road with other motorists 118– Sharing the road with pedestrians 123– Sharing the road with cyclists

and motorcyclists 127– Sharing the road with trams 129

– Sharing the road with buses 132– Sharing the road with police

and emergency vehicles 132– Sharing the road with trucks

and other heavy vehicles 133– Sharing the road with animals 135– Railway level crossings 136• Parking 138• Penalties 146• Legal responsibilities 149• Crash responsibilities 151• First aid after a crash 152• Test yourself questions 158

• Resources to help you 161• Index 164

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Road to Solo Driving is an innovative handbookfor new drivers.

As new drivers are three times more likely to beinvolved in casualty crashes than more experienceddrivers, this handbook will help you to become asafe driver and not a road toll statistic.

Road safety research has found that a major reason for new drivers being over involved incrashes is that they have not had a sufficient range of supervised driving experiences to be able to anticipate driving situations safely.

As a result when learners under 21 years of agewhen they take their probationary licence test theyare required to produce a Learner Log book toshow they have completed a minimum of 120 hoursof supervised driving practice, including at least 10hours of driving at night.

You will need to study this handbook before sittingthe learner permit and probationary licence tests.Once you have passed the learner test, you will begiven the Guide for Learners with the Learner LogBook and the Guide for Supervising Drivers. Thisforms the Learner Kit – a complete package forlearner drivers.

Use the handbook as you learn to drive. It will help support the partnership between you, yoursupervisor and your driving instructor.

The Victorian Government is committed toimproving road safety. Road to Solo Driving is one of the important initiatives which will helpachieve this goal.

Follow the advice in the Learner Kit, and you will be better prepared for safe solo driving in the future.

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Welcome to Road to Solo Driving!As you will find out, you need years of experience – not a fewdays, weeks or months – to learn todrive safely. It’s a long road andthere are no shortcuts.

This handbook is for all intending drivers and willassist you if you are going for a learner permit, aprobationary licence, or converting an interstate oroverseas licence to a Victorian licence.

You are the one in charge of your driving, butmany people are there to help you along the way.You will need their help because the best way tolearn to drive is with lots of practice. Every newdriver faces the same challenges and has to meetthem in the same way by practising drivingfrequently and making sure the practice has more variety.

Age requirements, driver licences, the GraduatedLicensing System, keeping a Learner Log Book,obligations, learner permits, P plates, demeritpoints, road rules, tests, Blood AlcoholConcentration: as a first-time driver, the ‘system’can be a bit confusing.

As you read Road to Solo Driving, things willbecome clearer. The aim of this handbook is tohelp you:

• prepare for the challenges of driving

• find out how you learn to drive

• manage and reduce your risks as a driver

• understand the rules and responsibilities of driving.

However, reading a handbook won’t make you abetter driver. The most important thing is how youchoose to use the information in it. We show youthe way, but in the end it’s up to you!

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Why read this handbook?

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This handbook is divided into four sections. Each is colour coded with a vertical band on the outside edge of each page.

The preliminary pages detail the ten steps togetting your licence and becoming a driver.

PART 1 looks at the challenges facing new solo drivers.

PART 2 covers the process of learning to driveand the importance of supervised driving practice.

PART 3 looks at the risks of driving and strategiesfor new solo drivers to manage these risks.

PART 4 details road rules and responsibilities.

A number of devices have been used to make iteasier for you to read and use this handbook.These include:

Definition box. Bold words highlighted in dark green are followed by a box containing the definition.

Hot tip. Next to this icon the text appearshighlighted in red to give a suggestion tohelp you along the way.

Road law. When there is a statement of road law,the word ‘must’ appears in bold type.

Fact file. The text in a yellow box is an important fact you should note.

Bold words highlighted in DARK GREEN, are followed by a box containing the definition.

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HOT TIP

How to use this handbook

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Get your copy of Road to Solo Driving1

Book your learner permit test2

3 Pass your learner permit test

Pay for and receive your learner permit4

Start learning to drive and driving to learn5

Book your probationary licence test6

Pass your probationary licence test7

Pay for and receive your probationary licence8

Continue learning to drive and driving to learn9

Receive yourfull driver licence and keep learning!

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Ten steps to getting your licence

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Get your copy of Road to Solo Driving

Make sure you have the latest edition of this handbook and take some time to read it thoroughly.

Once you are familiar with the information in thehandbook and know the road rules, you are readyto be tested for your learner permit.

Book your learner permit test

You must have turned 16 before you can be tested.

You can book your learner permit test by phone orin person.

You will be asked for your personal details such as your full name, date of birth, address and phonenumber. You will also be asked when and whereyou would like to be tested. Booking and test fees apply and must be paid at the time of booking.

To book by phone (Please have your credit card ready)

You will need to phone:

• 13 1171 Victorian calls

• +61 3 9854 2666 Overseas calls

• 1300 652 321 if you have impaired hearing or speech, and use a Telephone Typewriter (TTY).

STEP 2

Language options

When you go for your learner permit test oryour probationary licence test, you can choose to do the road law questions and theHazard Perception Test on the computer in any of the 20 languages available (for a full list, see page 21).

STEP 1

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You will be given an appointment number whichyou should write down so you can tell it to theVicRoads officer who tests you.

To book in person

Go to any of the VicRoads Customer ServiceCentres listed on the inside back cover of thishandbook.

Note: If you cannot keep your appointment, you must give VicRoads 24 hours notice to cancel yourtest. Otherwise fees will not be refunded unless youproduce a medical certificate or other supportingevidence. If you transfer your appointment, anadditional appointment fee will apply.

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Pass your learner permit test

When you go to be tested, bring:

• your appointment number

• evidence of identity and age, as set out on page 11

• payment for your 10 year learner permit if you pass the test.

If you have poor vision you are required to bringan eyesight certificate from an optometrist oropthalmologist (eye doctor). If you have a disabilityor illness that may affect your driving, you willneed to bring a medical report from your doctorstating that you are medically fit to drive. If you areunsure or would like advice, contact VicRoads forfurther information.

Once you hold a learner permit, you must tellVicRoads if you develop any medical condition thatmight affect your driving.

How will you be tested?

• You will read an eyesight chart to test your vision.

• You will do a computerised, multiple-choice test based on this handbook to test your knowledge of road law and road safety.

A sample computer test is available on theVicRoads website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

You can practise the full version of the learnerpermit test online to help you familiarise yourselfwith the structure and layout of the test.

The learner permit practice test can also beprinted.

STEP 3

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Evidence of IdentityBefore you sit for your learner permit or yourprobationary licence you must prove who youare and that you live in Victoria by taking certaindocuments to the VicRoads Customer ServiceCentre.

Only original documents are acceptable –photocopies of documents, certified or otherwise,are unacceptable.

Documents needed for evidence of identity

The list of acceptable documents is available from any VicRoads Customer Service Centre or from the VicRoads website:www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

You must provide:

1 A ‘primary evidence’ document such as anAustralian photo driver licence/learner permit,birth certificate, a passport (not expired by morethan two years) or an Australian naturalisation orcitizenship document; and

2 A ‘secondary evidence’ document to confirm thecurrent use of your name in the community.

This includes gas, telephone and electricity bills up to one year old, or Medicare, student identityand credit or account cards with banks, buildingsocieties and credit unions; and

3 Evidence of Victorian residence if this has notbeen shown on either the primary or secondaryevidence documents provided. If documentaryevidence cannot be provided, a referee statementsigned by a Victorian driver licence holder whohas known you for at least one year may beaccepted. The statement must include the nameand address of both the referee and the applicant.

One document must contain your signature. If your signature does not appear on any of thedocuments provided, you will need to present aletter from your employer, school principal or any person authorised to witness a statutorydeclaration, witnessing your signature.

If there is a difference in names between theprimary and secondary evidence documents you will need to provide additional documents such as a marriage certificate issued by theRegistrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages inAustralia or a Change of Name Registration.

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Pay for and receive your learner permit

Once you have passed the test, you will:

• pay for your learner permit, which is valid for 10 years

• have your photo taken for your learner permit

• be given a Learner Kit containing the Guide forLearners with the Learner Log Book, and theGuide for Supervising Drivers. The Guide forSupervising Drivers provides importantinformation and tips for supervising drivers.

If you are under 21 years of age you must completea minimum of 120 hours supervised drivingexperience including 10 hours of driving at night.You must bring the completed Learner Log Bookwith you when you go for your probationarylicence. This will be checked before you take thepractical drive test to make sure entries arecomplete and correct, with all necessary detailscompleted, including licence details and signaturesof supervising drivers.

The Declaration of Completion in the Learner LogBook must also be signed by both the applicant andthe supervising driver. The List of SupervisingDrivers must also be completed by all supervisingdrivers, including driving instructors. You will thenbe given your learner permit. Those aged 21 yearsor over are encouraged to use the Learner LogBook, but do not need to present it when they gofor their probationary licence.

Start learning to driveand driving to learn

When you have your learner permit, it is importantyou get as much varied and supervised practice aspossible. If you are under 21 years of age whenyou apply for your probationary licence you mustkeep the Learner Log Book and get a minimum of120 hours of supervised driving experienceincluding at least 10 hours at night.

To help you do this you should:

• keep reading this handbook

• read the Guide for Learners, and encourage your supervising driver(s) to read the Guide for Supervising Drivers

STEP 5

STEP 4


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• record and monitor your driving practice by recording the details in the Learner Log Book.

When you are learning to drive, you must:

• have an accompanying driver with you who has a full (non-probationary) car licence

• carry your learner permit whilst driving

• display L plates on the front and rear of your vehicle

• have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) (see pages 68 – 71 for more information)

• not use a mobile phone, hands free or hand held, or do messaging of any kind

• not tow a caravan, or a trailer

• drive a car only (not a bus or truck).

• drive a car only (not a bus or a truck).

Book your probationary licence test

To get your probationary licence, you must:

• have turned 18 years old

• have held a learner permit for a continuous period of at least:

❏ 12 months if you are aged under 21 yearswhen you apply for probationary licence

❏ 6 months if you are over 21 years of age butunder 25 years

❏ 3 months if you are aged 25 years or over.

If you are the holder of a motorcyclelicence or permit and have held this for 12or more months then these periods may bereduced.

• not be disqualified from driving in Victoria, in Australia or overseas

• pass a computerised Hazard Perception Testbefore a driving test can be conducted. (See Drive Test, page 16 - 17).

STEP 6

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC)is a measure of the amount of alcohol you have in your blood.

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• If you got your learner permit on or after 1 July2007 and you are under 21 years of age when youapply for a probationary licence you must produceevidence of having completed 120 hours ofsupervised driving (including at least 10 hours atnight) by presenting the Learner Log Book. Allnecessary details must be completed and eachentry signed. The Declaration of Completion mustbe signed by both the applicant and a supervisingdriver and the List of Supervising Drivers must becompleted and signed by all supervising drivers.

Incomplete or incorrect Learner Log Books will notbe accepted. You will not be able to take your testand all fees will be forfeited.

In the event that entries in the Learner Log Bookare found to be incomplete or incorrect, there areSIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES. The learnerwill lose their booking and test fees, and beprevented from taking the probationary licencetest for at least six weeks. You may be liable toHEAVY PENALTIES under the Road Safety Act1986.

You can book your test:

• by phone (see pages 8-9)

• in person (go to any of the VicRoads CustomerServices Centres listed on the inside back coverof this handbook).

Note: if you cannot keep an appointment you will needto give VicRoads 24 hours notice to cancel your test,otherwise fees will not be refunded unless you produce amedical certificate or other supporting evidence. If youtransfer your appointment, an additional appointmentfee will apply.

Pass your probationary licence test

You can be tested at any of the VicRoads CustomerService Centres listed on the inside back cover ofthis handbook.

STEP 7


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CONTINUOUS PERIOD means that the permit must not have been broken by a suspension or abreak in continuity such as allowing the permit to expirebefore regaining a new permit. It also refers to the period immediately before you apply for your licence.

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For your test, you or your driving supervisor orinstructor have to provide a registered,roadworthy car that is fitted with L plates.

You must bring:

• your appointment number

• your current learner permit

• your completed Learner Log Book whichincludes the completed Declaration ofCompletion and List of Supervising Drivers (ifyou are under 21 years of age, when you applyfor a probationary licence)

• payment for your probationary licence if you pass the test.

If you have a medical condition that may affectyour driving and you have not previously toldVicRoads, you must provide a medical certificatewhich states your fitness to drive. Once you hold aprobationary licence, you must tell VicRoads ifyou develop any medical condition that mightaffect your driving.

How will you be tested?• You will read an eyesight chart to test

your vision.

• You will do a computerised Hazard Perception Test to see how safely you respond to traffic situations.

• You will do a practical driving test to assess yourdriving skills (see Drive Test, page 16-17).

• If you got your learner permit on or after 1 July2007 and you are under 21 years of age whenyou apply for a probationary licence you must provide evidence of completing 120 hours(including 10 hours at night) of supervised driving in the correctly completed Learner LogBook. The Declaration of Completion must besigned by both learner and supervising driver,and the List of Supervising Drivers signed by alldrivers that supervised the learner.

The Hazard Perception Test

The Hazard Perception Test is designed to seehow safely you respond to traffic situations.

This test can be undertaken at the age of 17 years

For your test you must provide a registeredand roadworthy car.

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Note: If you cannotprove that you havecompleted 120 hours of drivingpractice including10 hours of nightdriving you will notbe permitted to sitthe test. Yourappointment andtest fees will beforfeited and youwill also have towait at least sixweeks before youcan take thelicence test.

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and 11 months. This test must be passed beforethe drive test can be conducted.

It will indicate how well you are able to observethe whole road environment and anticipatepotential hazards (see Practice is the best way,page 36).

For each item in the Hazard Perception Test, you will see a video of a traffic situation and begiven a driving task such as slowing down ormaking a turn.

You have to respond safely to each traffic situation.

For some items, there is a time when it is safe toperform the driving task; for these items youshould click a mouse button during the safe time.

For other items, there is no time when it is safe toperform the driving task; for them, you do not haveto click a mouse button.

Drive Test

The on-road driving test is designed to identifydrivers with the safe driving skills that develop withdriving experience. It will be difficult to pass thetest if you have not had enough supervised drivingexperience.

You need to be fully prepared before you come tosit for your test.

You will drive for about 30 minutes during the test andthe test route will include a range of driving conditionsand tasks. You will have to show that you can:

• control the vehicle correctly

• obey the road rules

• co-operate with other road users

• demonstrate acceptable safe driving skills.

During your test, your ability to drive safely inless demanding situations will first be assessed.This part of the test is to make sure that you havebasic car control and traffic skills. If you pass thispart of the test, you will then be assessed in abroad range of realistic traffic situations.

If you do something that is unsafe in the test, thetest will be stopped and you will fail.

A POTENTIAL HAZARD can be anything in the road environment that could present a danger or a risk while driving.

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Further information about the test will be availableat www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

If you are tested in a car that has dual controlsand your instructor holds a current DrivingInstructor Authority Number, you can have yourdriving instructor with you. Otherwise, only theVicRoads testing officer will be with you. Otherpassengers are not usually permitted.

If you are tested in a vehicle that is fitted withautomatic transmission you will be restricted todriving only vehicles that are fitted with automatictransmission during your probationary period. The only way this restriction can be removedearlier is by passing another drive test in a manual car.

If you hold a probationary licence and you areundergoing instruction or testing in a manualvehicle, you must display a yellow plate measuringapproximately 150mm by 150mm inscribed in

black letters with the words ‘Driver underinstruction’. Your P plates must also be displayed.

Pay for and receive your probationary licence

Once you have passed the test, you will:

• pay for your probationary licence

• have your photo taken for your licence.

You will then be given your probationary licence.

Continue learning to driveand driving to learn

Now that you are able to drive without asupervising driver or instructor, your real learning will begin! Having your probationarylicence will mean you have the minimum skillsrequired for driving solo. It will be up to you to improve your driving, and to drive safely and responsibly.

STEP 9

STEP 8

If a car has DUAL CONTROLS, it has additional pedal(s) on the passenger side for use by the accompanying driver.

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For those aged under 21 years when applyingfor a probationary licence:

You must hold your probationary licence for aminimum of 4 years, before you can be given yourfull driver licence. A full licence will not be given toyou until your probationary period is over.

From 1 July 2008 there will be P1 and P2probationary licences. The P1 licence period lastsfor a minimum of 1 year and if you have a gooddriving record you will progress to the P2 licenceperiod that lasts for a minimum of 3 years. Inaddition to obeying the rules that apply to alldrivers, when you are driving on a P1 probationarylicence, you must:

• display RED P plates on the front and rear of your vehicle (plates measuring approximately 150mm square bearing a white letter P on a red background)

• carry your probationary licence with you at all times

• have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) (see Alcohol, page 68)

• not drive a high powered vehicle (unless youare driving the vehicle during working hours atthe request of your employer or have beengranted a written exemption by VicRoads)

• not use a mobile phone, hands free or handheld, or do messaging of any kind

• not tow a caravan or a trailer (unless for work or if under instruction)

• not carry more than one passenger agedbetween 16 and 21 years of age

• drive only a vehicle fitted with automatic transmission if you were tested in a vehicle fitted with automatic transmission.

In addition to obeying the rules that apply to alldrivers, when you are driving on a P2 probationarylicence, you must:

• display GREEN P plates on the front and rear of your vehicle (plates measuring approximately 150mm square bearing a white letter P on a green background)


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• not use a mobile phone while driving

• have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) (see Alcohol, page 68)



There are severe penalties that may be applied for breaching any of these conditions, includinglicence suspension, fitting of alcohol ignitioninterlocks and severe penalties for drink driveoffences. A good driving record will be required to progress to a full licence.

A good driving record means you avoid havingyour licence cancelled or suspended, as well asavoiding any drink and/or drug driving offences.

For those aged 21 years or over whenapplying for a probationary licence:

You must hold your probationary licence for aminimum of 3 years, before you can be given yourfull driver licence. A full licence will not be given toyou until your probationary period is over.

From 1 July 2008 there will be P1 and P2probationary licences. If you are 21 or over youwill move straight to a P2 probationary licence.

In addition to obeying the rules that apply to alldrivers, when you are driving on a P2 probationarylicence, you must:

• display GREEN P plates on the front and rear of your vehicle (plates measuring approximately 150mm square bearing a white letter P on a green background)


• have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) see Alcohol, page 68)

• not use a mobile phone while driving

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A HIGH POWERED VEHICLE is a vehicle that has:

• eight or more cylinders

• a turbocharged or supercharged engine

• an engine that has been modified to improve itsperformance AND/OR

• is one of a certain number of high performance sixcylinder cars which include BMW M and M3, HondaNSX, Nissan 350Z, Porsche (all models) andMercedes Benz SLK350.

Vehicles excluded from these restrictions are:

• diesel powered turbocharged or superchargedvehicles (without engine performance modifications)

• nominated vehicles with low powered turbocharged orsupercharged engines, including Suzuki Cappucino2D Cabriolet Turbo 3 cylinder 689cc and DaihatsuCopen L880 TD 2D Convertible 4 cylinder 659 cc

• all models of the Smart car produced by MercedesBenz AND

• vehicles driven as part of the driver’s employmentand at the request of the employer.



There are severe penalties that may be applied forbreaching any of these conditions, includinglicence suspension, fitting of alcohol ignitioninterlocks and severe penalties for drink driveoffences.

A good driving record will be required to progressto a full licence. A good driving record means you avoid having your licence cancelled orsuspended, as well as avoiding any drink and/ordrug driving offences.

For more information about high poweredvehicles, visit VicRoads websitewww.vicroads.vic.gov.au or obtain aninformation sheet from any VicRoads CustomerService Centre.

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Receive your full driver licence

Before your P2 probationary licence expires, youwill be sent a notice to renew it. You will need totake the renewal notice to any photo point listed onthe accompanying pamphlet, pay the renewal feeand be photographed. You will then be issued witha full licence.

If you do not receive a renewal notice, it is stillyour responsibility to renew your licence by theexpiry date of your licence.

Language Options

When you go for your learner permit test or yourprobationary licence test, you can choose to do theroad law questions and the Hazard Perception Test onthe computer in any of the following 20 languages:

If you speak a language or dialect that is not onthis list, you can have an interpreter present duringthe test. If you are deaf, you can ask to have anAuslan interpreter present. Interpreters areprovided free of charge. When you book your test,just let the VicRoads officer know you need an interpreter.

STEP 10

Albanian

Arabic

Cambodian

Chinese (Mandarin)

Croation

English

German

Greek

Italian

Laotian

Macedonian

Polish

Romanian

Russian

Serbian

Sinhalese

Somai

Spanish

Turkish

Vietnamese

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The Graduated Licensing System

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During the first few months andyears of driving, new drivers aremore at risk of being killed or injuredin a crash than experienced drivers.

The Graduated Licensing Systemis one way of reducing this risk. Newdrivers are given progressive steps, inorder to reduce their exposure to highrisk situations as they move through thelearner permit and the P1 and P2probationary licence stages to earn their full driver licence.

The conditions of the System for thoseaged under 21 years when they apply fora probationary licence are in Table 1.The conditions of the System for thoseaged 21 years or over when they applyfor a probationary licence are in Table 2.

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DRIVER'S MINIMUM AGE

DRIVER'S ELIGIBILITY

DURATION

P1 PROBATIONARY LICENCE

L P P

• medically fit• evidence of identity

• eyesight test• knowledge test

• L plates displayed at front & rear of vehicle when driving• must carry learner permit whilst driving• accompanied by a driver who has a full car licence (non probationary)• zero BAC• no mobile phone use, hands free or hand held, or messaging of any kind• no towing a caravan or trailer • drives a car only (not a bus or truck)

• medically fit• evidence of identity• learner permit held continuously for a minimum of one year • Learner Log Book kept with a minimum of 120 hours supervised driving practice including 10 hours at night

18 years 16 years

10 years

• RED P plates displayed at front & rear of vehicle when driving• must carry licence when driving• zero BAC• no mobile phone use, hands free or hand held, or messaging of any kind• high powered vehicle restrictions• no towing a caravan or trailer (unless for work or if under instructions)• not carry more than one passenger aged between 16 and 21 years of age• if tested in an automatic vehicle, only drives a vehicle with automatic transmission

• GREEN P plates displayed at front & rear of vehicle when driving• must carry licence when driving• zero BAC• high powered vehicle restrictions• if tested in an automatic vehicle, only drives a vehicle with automatic transmission• not use a hand held mobile phone while driving

1 years (P1)

• Eyesight test• Hazard Perception Test

• Practical driving test

• good driving recordASSESSMENT

CONDITIONS

LEARNER PERMIT

• P2 probationary licence held for a minimum of 3 years (with no licence suspensions)

• P1 probationary licence held for a minimum of one year (with no licence suspension)

22 years

10 years (or 3 years on request)

FULL DRIVER LICENCE

19 years

3 years (P2)


(This test must be passed before the practical driving test can be conducted. This test can be undertaken at the age of 17 years and 11 months)

• good driving record

• under 0.05 BAC• must carry licence when driving if under 26 years of age• not use a hand held mobile phone while driving

The rules for driversmay vary fromstate to state,it is advisablethat youcontact theinterstateTransportAuthority tocheck ifadditionalrules apply.

The GraduatedLicensing Systemfor people who areunder 21 years ofage when theyapply for aprobationarylicence (on or after1 July 2008).

+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 23

DRIVER'S MINIMUM AGE

DRIVER'S ELIGIBILITY

DURATION L P

• medically fit• evidence of identity

• medically fit• evidence of identity• learner permit held continously for a minimum of 6 months if aged 21 to 24 years, or 3 months if aged 25 years or over

• eyesight test• knowledge test

• eyesight test• Hazard Perception Test (this test must be passed before the practical driving test can be conducted)• practical driving test

• accompanied by a driver who has a full car licence (non probationary)• must carry learner permit whilst driving• L plates displayed at front & rear of vehicle when driving• zero BAC• no mobile phone use, hands free or hand held, or messaging of any kind• no towing a caravan or trailer • drives a car only (not a bus or truck)

10 years

• GREEN P plates displayed at front & rear of vehicle when driving• must carry licence when driving• zero BAC• high powered vehicle restrictions• if tested in an automatic vehicle, only drives a vehicle with automatic transmission• not use a hand held mobile phone while driving

ASSESSMENT

CONDITIONS

LEARNER PERMIT

• probationary licence held for a minimum of 3 years (with no licence suspensions)

24 years

10 years (or 3 years on request)

FULL DRIVER LICENCE

21 years16 years

3 years (P2)


• good driving record

• under 0.05 BAC• must carry licence when driving if under 26 years of age• not use a hand held mobile phone while driving

The GraduatedLicensing Systemfor people who are21 years of age orolder when theyapply for aprobationarylicence.

24

+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 24

• Facing the real challenges of driving

• Some facts about driving

• How complicated is driving?

25

1+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 23

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 24

What is more

challenging

than driving?

Nothing!

27

1 The challenges of driving

“Nearly everybody I know has alicence. So, driving must be easy.”

Many people believe this is the case. Why should you practise when you think driving is so easy? Don’t be fooled into believing this is true.

FACING THE REALCHALLENGES OF DRIVINGNew solo drivers have often done very little driving.This can result in them having almost noexperience of the real challenges of driving. These challenges include:

• variety of traffic conditions – from light traffic in local streets to heavy peak hour traffic

• extremes in weather – rain, fog or icy conditions

• different driving manoeuvres – driving in roundabouts, making U-turns or turning at different types of intersections

• effects of the time of day on visibility – night driving or sun glare when driving at dawn or dusk

• unexpected actions of other drivers and riders – stopping quickly, merging or turning without warning

• types of roads – freeways, roads with trams or undivided main roads

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 25

• imperfect road surfaces – potholes, gravel orslippery surfaces

• handling any of these challenges when faced with distractions inside the car – radio, noisy passengers or mobile phones.

The worst time to gain this experience is when youare driving solo, on your own – with no supervisingdriver to give you advice or help. So make the mostof your time as a learner driver and don’t think thatyou can master the challenges of driving overnight– you’ll never really stop learning. Remember,being overconfident, especially as a new solodriver, can lead to making poor decisions when it counts.

SOME FACTS ABOUT DRIVING• In Victoria, there are several hundred thousand

crashes every year.

• These crashes are not ‘accidents’ – they are due to drivers making mistakes.

Not all driving mistakes result in a crash. Think about the mistakes you’ve seen drivers make without causing a crash:

– cutting off other cars

– not giving way

– misjudging gaps

– trying to overtake when it’s not safe

– just ‘not seeing’ other road users.

If driving is so easy, why do so many driversregularly make mistakes, sometimes resulting incrashes?

All young drivers face the same challengesbecause driving is complicated. It requires a lot oftime and effort to become a good driver.

Research has shown that a minimum of 120 hours ofsupervised practice as a learner, and restrictions onnew solo drivers for the first few years, can helpreduce the risk of a crash. This is why Victoria hasintroduced the Graduated Licensing System,including the mandatory 120 hours to be completedin the Learner Log Book by those aged under 21 yearsof age when applying for a probationary licence.

28

Getting where

you want

to be involves

more than

just driving

the car

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 26

HOW COMPLICATED IS DRIVING?You will mostlikely haveplayed one ormore ball games,such as football,netball,basketball orhockey. You willhave practisedfor many, manyhours trying toimprove yourskills. Learningto drive a car also requires lots of practice to develop your skills.

How complicated is driving a car when comparedwith playing a ball game?

29

With driving…With ball games…

The playing field or court looks the same each time you play – a regular size and marked out in a set way.

You usually play at a regular time, perhaps on a Saturday afternoon.

You often play with teammates and other teams of a similar age and ability.

Everyone has the same equipment and can run around the field or court at a similar rate.

Everyone has one aim – to score a goal or point – and so you can often predict the play.

Roads can vary enormously – ranging from busy city streets to country roads, from freeways to shopping centre car parks, from highways to local streets.

You can find yourself driving every day of the week, early in the morning, through the day and late at night…and in all weather conditions.

You’ll find people of all ages on the road – ranging from small children and teenagers, right up to the elderly. Skills and abilities will vary – an older pedestrian may not move as quickly as a teenager, a child on a bike may have little control.

Some are walking, and some are riding bikes or motorcycles. Others drive small cars, big cars, trucks or semi-trailers. Speeds can vary from a few kilometres an hour up to 110 km/h.

On the road everyone is headed somewhere different and may be thinking about things other than driving. The unexpected happens often.

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 27

Whether it is playing a ball game, a musicalinstrument, a computer game or activities likeinline skating, driving is much more complicated,demanding and far more dangerous.

Does it make any sense that people usually spendmore time practising sport, music or any otherpastime than they do practising behind the wheelin preparation for solo driving?

Even a common driving task like turning right atan intersection is very complicated:

• As you approach the intersection you will need to judge when to start slowing down, what your speed should be at various places on approach and whether you’ll need to stop completely.

• You will need to take the traffic around you into consideration. Are they changing lanes? Are the vehicles in front braking more than you?Are there pedestrians about to cross the road?

• Perhaps you will need to change lanes to do the turn. Is there a gap? When do you change? Do you need to slow down to let a gap ‘catch up’to you?

• Using your mirrors, doing headchecks, changing gears and using turn indicators need to all be done at the right times.

• Now you are faced with the challenges in the turn itself. Is this gap large enough? Is that vehicle approaching too quickly? Will they stop because the traffic light has changed?

Now imagine all of these things, and many othersas well, all needing to happen in a short length ofroad and a short period of time. Lots to think aboutand do.

A HEADCHECK means looking over yourshoulder to see things through the rear side windows – but don’t take your eyes off the road ahead for more thana second.

30

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 28

31

Given how complex driving is, it isimportant you prepare for the challenge!

Point to remember:

Prepare for the challenge1

OBSERVE THE TRAFFIC

Observe the traffic around you. Are other vehicles changing lanes or braking more sharply than you? Are there pedestrians about to cross the road?

JUDGE THE DISTANCE

Judge the distance between you and the vehicles in front and behind – before turning or changing lanes.

THINK AHEAD

Think ahead when you want to turn off or change lanes.Remember to indicate, do a headcheck and allow a big enough gap.

FIGURE 1

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 29

+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:29 AM Page 30

• How do you learn to drive?

• Some facts about new solo drivers

• Practice is the best way

• Your supervising driver is there to help

• Put variety into your driving practice

• Traps along the road to solo driving

• Check your progress

33

Learning to drive2

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 31

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 32

35

Understanding that driving iscomplicated is one thing, becominga skilled driver is another.

Lots of people can help you – yourdriving instructor, supervising driversand friends. But learning to drive ismostly up to you and the only wayto become a safe and skilled driver is by doing lots of supervised driving practice.

HOW DO YOU LEARN TO DRIVE?The more you do something, the better at it youget. Athletes, musicians and artists know there isno substitute for continued practice – refining andimproving skill and performance.

It is exactly the same with driving. How well youcan drive is limited to the amount of drivingexperience, you have – the more experience thesafer you will be.

Research shows that new solo drivers with about120 hours of learner driver experience have acrash risk that is 30% lower than new drivers with only about 50 hours of experience. This iswhy 120 hours has been set as the target for learners in Victoria.

SOME FACTS ABOUT NEW SOLO DRIVERSDrivers with little experience make all sorts ofmistakes – increasing the risk of a crash:

• They are less able than experienced drivers topredict possible problems. By the time theyhave recognised the hazard it may be too late.

• They tend to concentrate more on their basic driving skills than experienced drivers and canfind it hard to deal with unexpected events.

• They can be easily distracted from driving by things such as mobile phones, music or the radio, and passengers.

• They tend to watch the vehicle immediately in front rather than looking further ahead, to the sides and behind. So they may miss things thatcan warn of potential problems.

The only way

to learn to drive

is by doing lots

of supervised

practice

Learning to drive2

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 33

New solo drivers are more likely to be involved in:

• Crashes at an intersection when turning right in front of an oncoming vehicle going straight ahead, or being hit by a right turning vehicle. New solo drivers tend to misjudge gaps in the traffic.

• Crashes into the rear of another vehicle. New solo drivers are more likely to be in the vehicle that hits the one in front. These crashes are often caused through speeding, not scanning theroad ahead, and driving too close.

• Crashes that involve driving off the road. These crashes occur about twice as often on a straight section of road than on a curve. Speed is a main cause, but other factors also contribute such as: – failing to predict a possible problem on the

road ahead

– being distracted or a lapse in concentration

– poor vehicle control

– failing to adapt to a change in road or traffic conditions.

Also alcohol affects safety related driving skills ofinexperienced drivers compared to experienceddrivers.

PRACTICE IS THE BEST WAYEvery driving practice session really helps, eventhough you may not notice the small improvements:• your performance will get smoother• you will make better decisions• you will also get better at thinking about what

might happen on the road around you.

The right structure for your practice will help youmake sure you really are ready to drive solo by thetime you go for your licence test. There are fourstages you need to work through as a learner tobecome a safe driver:

• Stage 1 is all about controlling your car. It’s theshortest stage, and aims to get you to start, stopand steer safely in a quiet area without traffic.

• Stage 2 is about applying your new car-controlskills and looking out for other road users on quietroads with little traffic.

• Stage 3 takes longer and uses your Stages 1 and 2skills on busier roads and in more difficult drivingsituations. Now you start becoming a real driver.You learn to deal with traffic and other hazards tobecome safe in varied driving situations.

36

More supervised

practice equals

fewer crashes

later on

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 34

• Stage 4 also takes a long time and can be thelongest stage. It involves driving as if you’re asolo driver. You still have your Ls on the carand a supervising driver beside you, but you’lllearn to make most of the driving decisionsyourself. The aim is to build up lots of differentexperiences where you act like a solo driver.Then when you hit the road on your own you’llbe ready.

The Guide for Learners and the Guide forSupervising Drivers contains detailed advice aboutwhat you and your supervising driver need to do ineach of these four stages. You will be given thesebooklets when you pass the learner permit test.

Safe driving is about being ready for what mayhappenWhat happens in your head is more important thanhow well you control your car.

Being able to predict what may happen around you– as a driver – is an essential skill, which onlycomes with lots of experience. With theinformation collected through lots of practice andexperience, you begin to anticipate more and makebetter decisions as a driver.

This is known as hazard perception.

Hazard perception is the ability to:

• identify possible risks or dangers in the road scene around you

• assess the level of risk and predict what might happen

• respond in a way and in time to avoid or deal with these possible hazards.

Possible hazards can be the vehicles around you,such as:• the cars in front, behind and beside you• the motorcycle in the side street to your left• the truck double-parked up ahead• the car approaching in the overtaking lane five

car lengths behind you.

Possible hazards can also be:• pedestrians• cyclists• weather conditions• potholes in the road• traffic conditions• the tightness of a curve ahead• a blind crest on a hill.

37

HAZARD PERCEPTION is the ability to identify, assess, decide and respond to possible risks or dangers in the road scene around you.

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 35

Hazards can be anything in the road environmentthat could present a danger or a risk while driving.New drivers often don’t see or anticipate thepossible hazards around them.

Because possible hazards can be anywhere, youcan’t rely on just looking ahead and using yourmirrors. Regardless of how well you set up yourrear view mirrors, blind spots remain. These areareas behind the driver that can’t be seen usingonly mirrors, such as outside the rear passengerdoor on the driver’s side.

You can only see in these blind spots by movingyour head and quickly looking over your shoulder– this is called a headcheck (see headcheckdefinition, page 30). Do this as well as usingmirrors to make sure you see everything aroundyou, such as when reversing, changing lanes,merging or pulling out to overtake.

Be aware of your blind spots

As a driver, knowing exactly what is happeningaround you at all times is essential. Learn toconstantly scan and you will be in a better positionto anticipate hazards and respond in the best way.

38

FIGURE 2

You can

only check

everything out by

doing

a headcheck!

BLIND SPOT BLIND SPOT

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 36

Adjust your mirrors after you have positioned thedriver’s seat so that you can see clearly. Whenadjusted correctly there will be an overlap betweenthe view from your outside and inside mirrors.

Adjust your outside mirrors so that they just catch aview of the edge of the car. In some cars, a goodguide is to be able to see the rear door handle in thebottom corner of the side mirror.

YOUR SUPERVISING DRIVERIS THERE TO HELPDriving takes much more effort in the beginning,when you are learning. It is just not possible fornew drivers to be able to do all that is requiredwhen driving – that is why you have yoursupervising driver beside you. They don’t take theplace of professional driving instructors, butsupervising drivers such as your parents, canprovide the extensive practice opportunities youwill need. They are there to help you:

• with an extra pair of eyes to watch the road

• with some decisions

• as an early warning system – to help you anticipate potential hazards

• by being a sounding board – there are a lot of things to make decisions about.

Over time, and with lots of practice, as youprogress through the four stages of learning todrive, the role of your supervising driver willgradually change.

To SCAN means taking in the road scenearound you by looking ahead, to the sides and in rear view mirrors.

39

FIGURE 3

To get started, have

your first

few lessons with

a professional

driving

instructor

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 37

You will take more responsibility for your drivingand your supervising driver will do less.

To help your supervising driver, once you havepassed your learner permit test, you will be given the Guide for Supervising Drivers. Thisbooklet provides lots of advice and ideas forsupervising drivers on how they can help you with driving practice.

Your driving will develop with practice. In order toget lots of practice you need to enter a partnershipwith your supervising driver. This partnership isvital because you can only practise if yoursupervising driver agrees to let you drive.

It can be easy to find excuses for not getting theright practice you need, as you progress througheach of the four stages of learning to drive. InStage 1 you will need to plan specific practicesessions in quiet areas without traffic. As youprogress to Stage 2 you will drive around routesyou plan on quiet roads with little traffic. In Stage3 you will drive on busier roads and in moredifficult driving situations and begin to do morenormal day-to-day driving tasks. In Stage 4 youwill learn to make most of the driving decisionsyourself, but still with your supervisor beside you,and you need to build your experiences in as manysituations as possible.

Avoid excuses for not getting the practice youneed. In particular, when you are at Stages 3 and4 you need practice especially when the situationis challenging, such as when:

• traffic is heavy

• conditions are bad – possibly wet and slipperyat night

• the road is narrow with lots of curves.

Research shows that learner drivers with 120 hours of driving practice can reduce their risk of a crash during their first two years of solo driving by 30%compared with those who have only 50hours of driving practice.

40

You can see

the differences

between an

experienced and

an inexperienced

driver but the

only way to get from

one to the other is

with lots of

experience

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 38

Naturally, there will be times when it may not beappropriate for you to get behind the wheel. Youneed to build on your experiences gradually andnot try too much too soon. However, even thesetimes when you are not behind the wheel, can stillprovide you with opportunities for learning anddiscussion with your supervising driver. Make themost of being a passenger and develop yourobservation skills – think about how you woulddrive in these situations!

It is important that both you and your supervisingdriver feel comfortable with the type of practiceyou are getting. Gradually build up the challengesas you progress through each of the four learnerstages, rather than jumping in at the deep end.

The Guide for Learners and the Guide for Supervising Drivers uses goals to help you and your supervising driverwork out whether you are ready to

move to the next step in building your driving experience.

PUT VARIETY INTO YOUR DRIVING PRACTICEIf you got your learner permit on or after 1 July2007 you must keep a Learner Log Book as arecord of your supervised driving practice (if youare under 21 years of age when you apply for aprobationary licence).

You should use the Learner Log Book as a tool toplan the types of driving experience you need and tomake sure you get plenty of driving practice in avariety of conditions. It will also tell you at glancewhich types of driving experience and conditionsyou still need to focus on.

Driving involves so many different situations and conditions. It is important to encounter asmany of these as possible during your practicesessions. Increase both the amount and variety ofpractice to increase your chances to gain valuabledriving experience.

41

HOT TIP

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 39

The same stretch of road can present verydifferent challenges, depending on thecombinations of traffic and weather conditions,time of day and road users at a particular time. The only way to be sure you can deal with thesedifferent challenges is to practise often in lots ofsituations with your supervising driver.

Take every opportunity to practise for 10, 20, 30minutes, or an hour. Short frequent drives are farmore valuable than the occasional long drive, andat the start, shorter more frequent practicesessions are more productive and less stressful forboth the learner and the supervising driver.

Remember the more supervised practice you havein a wide variety of situations and conditions, thefewer crashes you are likely to have later on.

So, what do you need to do?…Practise often!

42

BUSY CONDITIONS

QUIET CONDITIONS

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 40

43

WET CONDITIONS AT DUSK

GLARY CONDITIONS AT NIGHT

The same location showing a variety of driving conditions

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 41

TRAPS ALONG THE ROAD TO SOLO DRIVING

As you progress with practice you may find thatyou seem to be picking things up quickly. Withdriving, appearances are often deceiving. It canappear that there is little left to learn after severallessons or a few dozen hours of practice – drivingcan seem easy. Don’t fall into this trap!

You feel better… before you do better!

You will continue to learn and improve for years to come.

So don’t be fooled – keep practising! You will keepgetting better even though you may not be awarethat your skills are improving.

Practice will build your confidence in yourself as asafe driver and this is a good thing. But don’tbecome overconfident!

You may see early signs of improvement in yourdriving quite quickly – these tend to be mainly incontrolling the car. What may have seemeddifficult or impossible the very first time – such asjust turning left – seems simple after a few lessonsor a few hours behind the wheel.

However, this is misleading. There is more todriving than just car control. Driving tasks youseem to master will continue to improve for sometime to come. Remember these tasks are only asmall part of becoming a competent driver. That iswhy it is recommended that you organise yoursupervised driving practice around the four stagesof learning to drive.

There are five different types of skills you need todevelop as a driver. The first one comes relativelyquickly, but the rest will develop over time withlots of practice:

1 Car control – steering, brakes, using pedals, buttons and other controls. These skills tend tocome relatively quickly and can make you thinkyou have learned it all!

44

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 42

If your brakes have failed:• pump on the brake pedal hard and fast• apply the handbrake carefully so the

vehicle doesn’t skid• if possible, change to a lower gear (even in an

automatic vehicle) and use your horn to alert other drivers

• try to steer the vehicle so that you avoid a severe collision.

2 Visual scanning – looking to the front, the sides, in the rear view mirror and taking notice of what is happening on the edge of your vision (peripheral vision). New drivers tend to look mostly to the front.

3 Thinking and responding – includes assessing hazards and judging distances between you and other cars. This takes lots of practice to develop.

44 Identifying and weighing up risks – recognising arisk and taking the right action to deal with it takes practice. New drivers don’t identify risks as quickly as experienced drivers.

5 Making decisions – deciding when to slow down and by how much, when to accelerate, what

speed is best for different conditions, when to change lanes or overtake. These and many other decisions need to be made every time you drive. The ability to make the right decisionsonly comes with experience and lots of practice.

If you have a tyre blowout while driving,remember to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, take your foot off the

accelerator and brake gently once you feel the vehicle is under some control.

Operation of Antilock Braking System (ABS)

In an emergency stop with ABS, keep firmpressure on the brake pedal. When ABS is

operating there may be a vibration or shudderingthrough the car and the brake pedal may pulsate.For ABS to work properly keep firm pressure on thebrake pedal.

To confirm if the car is fitted with ABS - check theowner’s manual or ask the owner. Visitwww.vicroads.vic.gov.au and search for ABS for moreinformation.

45

Some practice

may make you

good some of

the time.

Lots of practice

will make you

consistently good!

HOT TIP

HOT TIP

HOT TIP

+Part2v3 1/5/08 8:22 AM Page 43

CHECKING YOUR PROGRESSHere are some things to look at to check on yourprogress as you move through the four stages oflearning to drive.

Smoothness

As you become more experienced you will findyour driving changes from ‘clunky’ and ‘jerky’ to‘smooth’ and ‘fluid’ movements.

It doesn’t happen straight away, but it will happenwith continued practice!

Consistency

You will notice over time that your drivingbecomes much more consistent. The mistakes

you make – such as stalling, grating gears, hittingkerbs and running wide – will go from being onceevery trip…to once a day…to once a week.

Don’t make your aim just passing the licence test!Make your goal being able to drive in a consistentway without making lots of mistakes. This waypassing the licence test should be easier and youwon’t have to take the chance of making mistakesduring the test itself.

Speed Control

Over time and with increasing experience, yourability to control your speed on the road willimprove. In the early stages, it’s all black and white– accelerate to go and brake to slow down(‘on/off’ speed). This is shown by the red jaggedline in the graph on the next page.

46

car control visual scanning thinking andresponding

identifying andweighing up risks

making decisions

NEW DRIVER SK ILLED DR IVER

Smooth driving

minimises fuel

consumption,

exhaust

emissions to

the environment and

wear and

tear on

your vehicle

DRIVER SKILLS THAT DEVELOP OVER TIME WITH PRACTICE

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 44

Gradually, with increased experience, this willchange from the ‘on/off’ style to an ‘ease-on/ease-off’ style. This is shown by the curvy green line inthe graph.

Better speed control goes hand-in-hand with otherimprovements you will experience in your driving– as you continue to practise.

Low speed manoeuvres

When things are done more slowly there is more time for mistakes to be noticed.

Low speed manoeuvres are a good way to test your performance. In a safe place with no other traffic, try:

• reversing over an extended distance – in a straight line

• driving into and reversing out of an angled parking bay.

These are good ways to assess how you’re goingand can be a good indication of your level ofvehicle control.

Seeing the big picture!

With practice you will find that you will be able totake in more of what is going on around you. Youwon’t be focused just on what is happening on theroad immediately in front or behind you.

You will discover that you have already noticed thetraffic slowing way ahead or the car signalling to

Target speedEase-on/ease-off speed

On/off speed (accelerate to go, brake to slow)

TIME

SP

EE

D

Don’t just aim

at passing the

test, aim at

learning to

drive safely!

47

SPEED CONTROL OVER TIME

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 45

pull out from the kerb, before your supervisingdriver points it out. Gradually your supervisingdriver won’t need to point things out to you as often.

You will develop the skill to know where to lookand when to look. You will also develop the abilityto quickly work out the best way to respond todifferent situations.

Basically, you will start looking at the big picturerather than focusing only on smaller parts.

Anticipation!

As your driving experience increases you will findthat you are starting to think more about whatmight happen next – this is anticipation. You willfind that you begin to predict the chance of:

• a car in front stopping quickly in heavy traffic

• a pedestrian walking onto the road from between parked cars

• varying road surfaces and conditions

• other situations that can happen on the road around you.

Anticipation is about being ready to respond to asituation before it happens!

Regardless of how quick your reactions are youwill respond faster if you have anticipated the needfor action. You need to scan the traffic and roadenvironment all the time and expect theunexpected.

Remember you will be travelling at speeds up to 110 km/h – think about how importantanticipation is!

Gaining independence

You will notice a shift in how much you rely onyour supervising driver. At the start you reallyneed the extra set of eyes and a decision maker in the car with you, helping you out. Withincreasing experience, you will notice you aretaking more responsibility for your driving – but still with the back-up from your supervisingdriver if it is needed.

48

Most driving

shouldn’t be

surprising –

not because it

is boring, but

because the

surprises

have been

anticipated!

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 46

You can ‘measure’ this by thinking about:

• the amount of advice you ask for and get duringyour practice sessions – should I give way to the pedestrian?

• the ‘warnings’ provided – watch the red car!

• the decisions taken on your behalf – change lanes now because we have to turn right soon.

The changes will be gradual as you gain moreexperience through practice. Your aim should beto drive without relying on your supervising driver,long before you sit for your licence test.

Use the goals in the Guide for Learnersand Guide for Supervising Drivers as auseful way to monitor how you are

going. The more practice you do before drivingsolo the better prepared and safer you will be.Of course you will still keep learning whiledriving solo but make the most of your time as alearner driver!

Given the challenges of driving – variety and lots of practice is vital.

Remember to monitor the variety of drivingpractice you are getting through regularlyreviewing your Learner Log Book.

Points to remember:

Practise often2


49

Seeing

the big

picture only

comes with

experience

HOT TIP

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 47

+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 48

• Alcohol and drugs

• Mobile phones

• Speed

• Fatigue

• Seat belts

• Vehicle maintenance

• Managing driving risk

• Your crash risk as a solo driver

• Reducing your risk of a crash

51

Managing risk3+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 49

+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 50

Driving involves risk – a risk thatyou may crash and that you orothers may be injured or killed. Good drivers aim to reduce andmanage the risk.

The best way for new solo drivers to manage the risk is to be prepared. The more drivingexperiences you have with asupervising driver, the betterprepared you will be later as a solo driver.

You also reduce the risk by makinggood decisions and takingresponsibility for your behaviourwhen driving.

Certain factors have been shown toincrease the risk on the road:

• alcohol and/or drugs and driving

• speeding

• fatigue – driving when tired

• not wearing seat belts

• poor vehicle maintenance.

These are risk factors you can’tignore. You need to be responsiblefor your actions and make the rightdecision to manage these risks. It’s really up to you to drive withinyour limits.

53

The best way for

new solo drivers

to manage the

risk is to be

really prepared

3 Managing risk

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ALCOHOL AND DRUGSAlcohol, drugs and certain medicines reduce yourability to drive safely.

The mix of any of these together is even worsethan any one of them by itself. A driver who hashad just a few drinks and used some cannabis, willdrive as dangerously as a very drunk driver. Thesame is true for other combinations of alcohol,drugs and certain medicines.

As a learner or probationary driver you must stickto zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – noalcohol at all. There are absolutely no exceptionsto this rule.

There are severe penalties for learner andprobationary drivers who commit a drink driveoffence. This includes fitting of an alcohol ignitioninterlock for drink driving offenders caught with aBAC of 0.07 or more when they get their licence back.

It is important to remember that alcohol canremain in your system some time after you finishdrinking. Drivers often test above zero BAC in the morning after drinking the night before. More information on alcohol and road safety can be found on page 68.

Different drugs will affect you in different ways,but they all have a bad effect on your driving.

Many prescription and over-the-counter medicinescan affect your ability to drive safely. Find out whateffects the medicines you take may have on you.Don’t just rely on what your friends say – talk toyour doctor or pharmacist to find out more.

Don’t mix driving with alcohol or drugs (includingmedicines). To avoid the risks plan ahead:• organise someone to drive who stays alcohol

and drug free• stay over rather than drive home• arrange to be picked up by a friend or relative• use public transport or take a taxi.

MOBILE PHONESFor all learners and P1 probationary licenceholders (under 21 years when they get theirlicence) no mobile phone use is permitted, handsfree or hand held, or messaging of any kind.

P2 probationary drivers (21 years or over whenthey get their licence) and fully licensed drivers ofa vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or police

54

Zero

always

means

zero

+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 52

vehicle) must not use a hand-held phone while thevehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked.

SPEEDThere is a clear link between speed and crashes.The faster you go the greater your risk of having acrash. Speed is a factor in almost 20% of all fatalcrashes and about 30% of crashes involving onlyone vehicle – such as running off the road. It alsoincreases how serious a crash will be.

For new solo drivers speeding is even more risky.Going faster than other traffic reduces yourmargin for error. As a new solo driver it is difficultto do all the things you have to do:

• scanning the road• anticipating possible hazards• making the right decisions for each situation.

Speeding just makes these harder.

More information on speed can be found on pages 46 and 76.

FATIGUEDriver fatigue is also a major cause of crashes. It can:• cause you to fall asleep at the wheel

• slow your reflexes, and affect your attention and judgment.

For young drivers, fatigue is often the result ofhaving a busy lifestyle – parties, late-night jobs andstudying. It can happen when:

• you have not had enough sleep

• you have been driving for too long without a break

• you drive at times when you are usually asleep.

Be aware of how your lifestyle affects you – try toavoid driving when you are tired.

You might think that having coffee or taking a shortbreak will stop fatigue. Unfortunately this will nothelp for long – the only way to stop being fatigued isto get enough sleep.

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Stop and have a sleep if you notice any of the following:

• constant yawning

• starting to drift across the lane

• eyes closing or your eyesight getting fuzzy

• trouble keeping your head up

• speed is increasing or decreasing unintentionally

• can’t remember the last few kilometres of road

• day-dreaming.

Even a power nap of 15 minutes sleep can reduce your chances of having a crash.

To reduce the chance of fatigue:

• stop if you are tired and have a sleep

• don’t drive at times when you would normally be asleep such as between 1am and 6am

• ensure any medicines you take don’t cause drowsiness.

• On a long trip:

– get plenty of sleep before the trip

– share the driving whenever possible

– plan ahead and rest overnight

– take regular breaks

– don’t start a trip after a long day’s work.

Fatigue can be a side effect of using a range of substances – including alcohol.Fatigue slows you down in all sorts of ways – even very experienced drivers can’t drive if they are asleep!

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SEAT BELTSWearing a seat belt increases the chance ofsurviving a crash – provided it is worn correctly.

Wearing a seat belt is an important way ofmanaging risk not just for you as a driver, but for your passengers as well. Don’t just think about yourself – make sure your passengers also buckle-up!

Did you know that most crashes happen on shortjourneys? So wear a seat belt at all times even if it’sonly a trip around the corner. More information onseat belts can be found on page 74.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE• Tyre pressure and tread depth need to be

checked and maintained at safe levels. Tyreproblems are the most common cause of defectrelated crashes.

• Vehicles must be regularly maintained by anexpert.

• Prospective vehicle purchasers should checkthe safety rating of any vehicle they areconsidering to purchase. New and used carsafety ratings can be checked viawww.howsafeisyourcar.com.au. You can alsorefer to the Australiasian New Car AssessmentProgram (ANCAP) website www.ancap.com.auor brochure, and the ‘Buyer’s Guide to Used CarSafety Ratings’ brochure.Drivers will be fined if passengers under

16 years are not wearing seat belts or childrestraints. Passengers 16 years or older will be fined for not wearing seat belts.

57

Being in

control of your

driving can

also mean deciding

not

to drive

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MANAGING DRIVING RISKPractice prepares you to meet the demands ofdriving. Your ability to drive will improve withpractice. The more you do, the better you get.

However, managing the risks of driving is alsoabout choices:

• you can choose to drive more slowly

• you can choose to increase the space between you and the car in front

• you can choose to stay behind rather than try and overtake – especially if you’re turning off in a few kilometres

• you can choose to ease off a bit more when entering a corner.

You choose; you decide.

When you are licensed to drive solo – without asupervising driver – you can also choose when todrive and when not to drive. Remember there isstill a lot to learn.

You still need to build on your supervised drivingexperience after you have passed yourprobationary licence test. But do this gradually as you get used to the additionalchallenges of solo driving.

Give yourself a chance to ease into drivingsolo – perhaps you may not have a lot ofnight-time driving experience, so ease

into it as a solo driver and let your experience build up gradually.

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HOT TIP

Just after

you get your

licence…

the most

dangerous

time of all!

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YOUR CRASH RISK AS A SOLO DRIVERThe following graph shows the likelihood of beinginvolved in a crash resulting in death or seriousinjury. The likelihood of a crash is almost halvedafter 6 to 8 months of solo driving experience. It also shows that you will continue to improve for years after getting your licence.

DRIVERS INVOLVED IN CASUALTY CRASHESAFTER LICENSING

There are many reasons why the graph looks likethis including:

• poor preparation for solo driving

• limited practice as a learner

• taking unnecessary risks – being distracted, speeding, mixing alcohol or other drugs with driving.

The fact is that there are real and great dangers facing you as a new solo driver. The challenge for you will be just as great as it is for other new solodrivers. The choices you make during this time arevery important.

59

NUMBER OF MONTHS AFTER OBTAINING A LICENCE

NU

MB

ER O

F DR

IVERS

300

250

200

150

100

50

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36

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REDUCING YOUR RISK OF A CRASHThere are four simple strategies, which will help you through:

Strategy 1Slow down just a bit

Because you are still building your experience, youcannot expect to be able to anticipate as well asdrivers with more experience.

You may be young and have great reflexes, but thisis not enough to avoid a crash. You need to be ableto think ahead and respond in the right way.Relying on your reactions alone is a risky business.

It makes good sense to build in a bit of a buffer –to take the pressure off and give you just that littlebit more time. So, slow down a bit!

It means dropping your average speed by a fewkilometres per hour. You won’t notice going 2 or 3km/h slower – it certainly isn’t going to delay youin any way – but it will give you more time to reactto the unexpected.

Strategy 2Give yourself some space

Having a bit more room to move gives you thespace and time to overcome mistakes – includingmistakes made by other drivers! Give yourselfenough time to react by leaving plenty of distancebetween your vehicle and the vehicles around you.

It is similar to slowing down a bit – a slightly largermargin for error can make the difference betweenstopping in time and crashing.

60

The more

space around

your car, the

greater the

time you have

to take action

to avoid

hazards

FIGURE 4

Safety margin

The safety margin isthe space ahead,behind and to thesides of your vehicle.

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Following distance

The following distance is the space or gap betweenyou and the vehicle in front.

You must keep your vehicle a safe distance fromany vehicle in front of you. A safe distance shouldbe enough to allow time to slow down and avoidtrouble.

You should be at least two seconds behind thevehicle in front. You can check this by a simple test:

• Focus on a marker in the distance such as a signpost or tree and note when the vehicle in front passes the marker, then count the number of seconds before your vehicle passes the

same marker. Ask your supervising driver to also do this and compare your results.

If your count is not at least two seconds then you’re too close.

At least two seconds of time and the distance thisrepresents under ideal driving conditions arenecessary to give you time to react to any changeswhich may happen.

Often, you may need more than two seconds. This includes:

• when visibility is poor

• if conditions are dark

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FIGURE 5

2 seconds

+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 59

• if conditions are wet or slippery

• when you have a heavy load

• when the road is unmade.

You need to develop your judgement skills aboutwhat distance at different speeds represents twoseconds. This skill will only come with lots ofsupervised driving experience.

But remember, under any conditions that are lessthan ideal, a longer gap is recommended.

Strategy 3 Think ahead

Don’t get caught up just looking at the vehicle infront. Keep your eyes moving and scan the trafficscene. Look well into the distance, to both sidesand in your mirrors.

You don’t naturally look around like this. You willneed to practise and think about what all theothers on the road might be intending to do. Yoursupervising driver will be able to help you. You canalso use your time as a passenger to practise.

Plan your trips before you start out. Use adirectory to check out the route you will travel soyou know the way to go. Try using more familiarroutes wherever possible.

This helps to reduce your workload and stresswhile driving.

If you are driving a long vehicle (any vehiclewhich, together with its trailer, is at least 7.5 metres long) and you are following another long vehicle you must drive at least 60 metres away from it, except:

• in a built-up area (one with buildings next to the road, or street lights), or

• in a ‘Keep Left Unless Overtaking’ zone.

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Strategy 4Driving safely at night

Once you get your licence, ease into it and keepnight driving to a minimum, particularly in the firstfew months of solo driving. Not carrying morethan one passenger during the first year or so as asolo driver, especially at night, can also be a goodsafety strategy.

Keep your speed down, and you will have time toreact. You should be able to stop within thedistance you can see. In the country this will beyour headlight range.

Ensure you get lots of practice driving at nightwhen you are driving with your supervisor.

Points to remember:

Drive within your limits andmanage the risk

3

Practise often2


Crash risk is higher at night, with half of allprobationary night-time crashes occurring onFriday and Saturday nights.

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• Alcohol

• Drugs, medicine and driving

• The law about seat belts

• Speed limits

• Road signs

• Road markings

• Traffic controls at intersections

• Give Way rules

• Turning

• Freeways

• Tunnels

• Sharing the road safely

• Parking

• Penalties

• Legal responsibilities

• Crash responsibilities

• First aid after a crash

• Test yourself questions65

Rules and responsibilities4

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67

4So what are the rules of driving? There is more to driving than just knowing the road rules.However, knowing the basic roadrules is essential.

As a car passenger, you should bewatching drivers and trafficpatterns, noticing mistakes otherroad users make.

In the diagrams shown in thissection, the vehicles are colouredgreen and red. In all cases, the red vehicle B must wait for thegreen vehicle A.

The rules listed here are only asummary of some of the road rulesmotorists must know. For moreinformation visit our homepage: at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au You can also purchase a copy of Road Rules – Victoria, or view therelevant Acts and Regulations online (see Resources to help you, page 161). Road law,

it’s more than

what you

know…it’s

how you use

it that is so

important

Rules and responsibilities

+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:48 PM Page 65

ALCOHOL

Learner and probationary

drivers must not drive with

any alcohol in their blood.

This zero BAC also applies

to all restricted motorcycle

licence holders, drivers of

taxis, buses and other

large vehicles, professional

driving instructors and

some full licence holders

who have previously had

a drink driving conviction.

All other full licence

holders must be less than

.05 BAC.

The effects ofalcohol on driving

Alcohol affected drivers:

• feel overconfident resulting in risk taking on the road

• are often unaware of the levelof their driving impairment

• have slower reflexes and muscle co-ordination making it less likely that the driver will be able to stop or swervein an emergency

• are less able to process information and make appropriate decisions as theirvision, hearing and brain are all adversely affected.

A driver who has been drinkingstruggles to accurately judgespeeds and distances and willoften fail to respond to potential

BLOOD ALCOHOLCONCENTRATION (BAC)is a measure of the amount of alcohol youhave in your blood. It is measured by thenumber of grams of alcohol in 100 millilitresof blood.

For example, a BAC of .05 means .05 grams or 50 milligrams of alcohol in every100 millilitres of blood.

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dangers in the trafficenvironment. The ability tocope with more than one thingat a time is greatly reduced (forexample, steer a course within alane, respond to traffic signalsand avoid a pedestrian whosuddenly steps onto the road).

What are the risks

RELATIVE CHANCE OFCRASHING AT VARIOUS BACS

The risk of being involved in acrash increases dramatically ifthe driver has been drinkingalcohol. The graph shows theaverage relationship betweenthe risk of having a crash andthe amount of alcohol in theblood. For inexperienceddrivers the risk at any BAClevel will be even higher.

Factors affecting BAC

Alcohol affects different peoplein different ways and can evenaffect the same person ondifferent occasions in differentways. You can drink the sameamount of alcohol on differentdays and have different BACreadings each time.

Some of the factors that lead toa different BAC include:

• gender – a woman drinking the same amount of alcohol as a man of a similar size will have a higher BAC

• body size – a person of small build will have a higher BAC than a larger person drinkingthe same amount of alcohol

• food consumption – food slows down the absorption ofalcohol so, if you have not had a substantial meal beforedrinking, you will reach a higher BAC more quickly

• rate of drinking and the typesof alcohol consumed – the quicker you drink and the greater the alcoholic content of the drink, the sooner you will reach a higher BAC

69

BAC (BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION)

RISK

OF A

CC

IDEN

TS

30

25

20

15

10

5

0.02 .04 .06 .08 .10 .12 .14 .16

+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 67

• general health – if you are in poor health, your liver is less effective in dealing with the alcohol you drink

• use of other drugs – combining alcohol with drugs increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes even if the alcohol is consumed in small doses.

The effect of alcohol can alsoexaggerate the mood you arein, and make you feel moretired if you are already tired.

Only time reduces your BAC level

Your body takes time to get ridof alcohol. No amount of coffee,exercise, cold showers, freshair or vomiting will help. Whilstthese may make you feel morealert, they don’t change the

amount of alcohol in yourbloodstream or speed up theprocessing of the alcohol byyour liver. The liver does this inits own time.

It is important toremember that if youhave a lot to drink the

night before, you are likely to stillhave alcohol in your blood thenext morning.

If you are having a party, helpyour guests to avoid drinkingand driving.

How to avoiddrinking and driving

• Plan ahead. It is more difficult to plan how to get home if you have had alcoholto drink – remember, your judgement will be impaired.

So work out your travel arrangements before you start drinking.

• Share a taxi with friends

• Take public transport

• Organise with a friend to taketurns driving. You and your friend will need to agree not to drink when driving

• Organise to stay the night.

• Arrange to be picked up by a relative or friend who hasn’t been drinking.

Public breath tester

You can measure your BAClevel by using a public breathtester. These are located insome hotels and are useful todetermine your BAC level. You would need to do this anumber of times to get an idea

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of what BAC your usual patternof drinking leads to, and howlong it takes for your BAC toreturn to zero. Do not attempt todo this if you are intending to drive.

If you drive after drinkingyour driving will suffer –so remember, the safest

BAC is zero even when you have afull licence.

Breath testing procedures

Police can request the driver ofa vehicle to undergo a breathtest at any time. There are manybreath testing stations or boozebuses patrolling Victorian roads.You may also be stopped bypolice in other vehicles andasked to undergo a breath test.Thousands of drivers arerandomly tested every week.

You will be asked to blow into asmall device. It will immediately

give an indication of the alcoholin your blood – if any. If youhaven’t been drinking there isno problem. If you have apositive result, you will beasked to do a second test onanother breath testing instrument.This reading will be used asevidence if you are over thelegal limit.

Drivers admitted to hospitalafter any kind of road crash arerequired to provide a breathtest or allow a blood sample tobe taken.

Penalties

The penalties for exceeding theBAC laws are tough - regardlessof whether you are a learnerdriver or a fully licensed driver.

Learner and probationarydrivers who record a BACreading between zero and .05

may have their permit orlicence cancelled for up to 6months. If their licence is notcancelled they will incur 10demerit points and the P1 or P2probationary period will beextended by six months. If theBAC is .05 or over this will resultin a loss of licence for at least 6months for a first offence.Probationary drivers with BAC of.07 and over will also have to fitan alcohol ignition interlock for aminimum of 6 months when re-licensed. Heavy fines can also beimposed.

REFUSING A BREATH TESTIS AN OFFENCE.

Your licence will becancelled and you will bedisqualified from driving forat least 2 years ifconvicted.

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DRUGS, MEDICINEAND DRIVINGMedicines and illegal drugsthat can affect safe drivingare detected in over 30% ofVictorian driver fatalities. In Victoria it is an offenceto drive a motor vehiclewhile impaired by a drug.Police have the power toundertake roadside salivatesting of drivers and riders,to detect the presence ofspeed (methamphetamine),THC, the active ingredientof cannabis, whichindicates recent cannabisuse, and ecstasy (MDMA).Driving with these drugs inthe blood or saliva is anoffence and penalties(including licence loss) willapply.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs such as ecstasy,cannabis (marijuana) andheroin can affect your ability tosafely control a vehicle.

Drugs like speed or ecstasy canmake you feel as if you are abetter driver. Unfortunately, asyour confidence goes up, yourdriving skills go down, makingyou a danger to yourself andeveryone else on the road.It is extremely dangerous whenthe effect wears off, as you arelikely to experience sudden,uncontrollable sleep.

Some illegal drugs presentspecial problems. Cannabis, forexample, can make you unableto respond quickly enough towhat other drivers are doing.This can have serious

consequences – for instance,having to stop suddenly or torespond to the actions of othervehicles or pedestrians. Yourability to concentrate andmaintain attention, makedecisions and to react tounexpected events is greatlyreduced. Important road signsmay be missed.

In an emergency situation, therisk of a crash is increased, andyour ability to avoid the crash isreduced. Combining even smallamounts of cannabis andalcohol causes much greaterimpairment than either one onits own.

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Medicines

Many prescription medicinesand some medicines boughtover the counter from apharmacist can impair yourdriving and increase the risk ofcrashes by affecting your:

• mood

• concentration

• coordination, and

• reaction time.

Some examples of prescriptionmedications that can affectdriving are:

• sleeping tablets

• muscle relaxants

• sedatives

• antihistamines (such as in hay fever or cold and flu medicines)

• some strong painkillers.

Not everyone will experiencethe effects of a drug in thesame way. When you startusing a new medicine whichmay affect your driving, it isbest not to drive until youunderstand and haveexperienced what effect itactually has on you. Mostmedicines have no effect onsafe driving. Your doctor orpharmacist will be able to giveyou advice about this.

How to reduce the risk of acrash when on medication

• Do not use alcohol with your medicines

• Keep to the prescribed doses

• Do not treat yourself with additional medicines or otherremedies. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist

• Do not use other people’s medicines

• Read the labels on all your medicines and heed their advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if the label on your medicine statesthat the medicine may cause drowsiness.

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If you’re out of

shape, your driving

will be

as well

+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 71

If you are worried aboutthe effect that yourmedicine has on your

driving, stop your driving – notyour medicine!

Stop driving and contact yourdoctor or pharmacist if yourmedicine:

• affects your reflexes

• affects your ability to concentrate

• makes you sleepy or drowsy

• gives you blurred or double vision.

If you have to continue to usemedication that affects yourdriving in some way, plan aheadbefore you drive, or usealternative transport such astaxis or public transport, or callon a friend to drive you.

THE LAW ABOUTSEAT BELTS

Wearing a seat belt is the

most effective measure for

reducing serious injury in a

crash. It is because seat

belts are so effective that

all drivers and passengers

must wear a seat belt or

appropriate restraint if

there is one available for

use regardless of where

they sit in the vehicle. This

includes children and

pregnant women.

Seat belts must be

securely fastened and

properly adjusted if they

are to do their job in a

crash. Never put more than

one person in a restraint.

Adult seat belts are not

designed to protect small

bodies in a crash. Children

need restraints that

specifically fit their size

and weight.

It is illegal to travel in the

load area of any vehicle

(for example a van or station

wagon) unless using a

properly constructed seat

and correctly fitting seat

belt or child restraint.

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Children

Drivers must ensure that:

• babies under one year old arecarried in an approved child restraint, correctly installed and adjusted to fit the baby

• passengers under 16 years are properly restrained by a seat belt or by a childrestraint suitable for their size and weight.

Child restraint guidelines:

• infant restraints are suitable for babies up to 9 or 12 kgs

• child car seats are suitable for children 8 to 18 kgs

• booster seats are suitable for children between 14 to 26 kgs

• child harnesses can be used without a booster until

children weigh 32 kg and arerecommended if children are using a lap only seat belt.

Restraint Fitting Stations can help you fit a child restraint.

Phone 1300 360 745 for the nearest location.

Restraints and air bags

A rearward facing restraintshould not be used if therestraint is in a position where it will be hit by an exploding air bag.

Children using forward facingcar seats or boosters in thefront seat of a vehicle should doso with the seat pushed as far

away from the dashboard aspossible.

It is safer for children to travelin the back seat.

If a vehicle has air bags in otherpositions, consult the vehicleowner’s manual for advice onpositioning restraints.

More information aboutchoosing and using restraintsand Restraint Fitting Stations is available from VicRoadsCustomer Service Centres and the VicRoads web site:www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

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Pregnant women

Seat belts protect both pregnantwomen and their unbornbabies. The belt will not harmthe baby if the lap part of thebelt is below the bulge, the sashpasses between the breasts andthe buckle is fastened down bythe hips. An unborn baby ismore at risk in a crash if a seatbelt is not worn.

SPEED LIMITS

Speed limit signs tell you

the maximum speed you

can drive in normal

conditions. You must

always obey them by not

exceeding the speed shown.

Built-up areas

The speed limit in a built-uparea is 50 kilometres per hour(km/h) unless signedotherwise.

A BUILT-UP AREA is where there are buildings and/or houses next to the road or there is streetlighting at intervals not over 100 metres apart for a distance of 500 metres or more.

Buckling up takes seconds – serious crashes take lives.

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77

Speed limited areas

There are other signs whichdesignate speed limits for wholeareas (networks of roads)which have a sign on each roadinto the area.

Freeways andcountry roads

The speed limit on freeways andoutside built-up areas in Victoriais 100 km/h unless signs tellyou otherwise. Some mainstreets in rural town centreshave 50 km/h speed limits.

School speed zones

Lower speed zones are beingintroduced outside all Victorianschools.

Permanent 40 km/hspeed limitsoutsideschools onmost 50 km/h roads.

Time based40 km/hspeed limitsoutsideschools on 60 km/h and 70 km/hroads.

On roadswhere thespeed limit is80 km/h orabove, 40 km/h and60 km/h

static or electronic variable signswill be used to alert drivers to thelower speed limit.

Shared zones

Shared zones have a speed limitof 10 km/h or as indicated onthe Shared Zone sign. In ashared zone, drivers must giveway to pedestrians.

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78

Safe speeds fordifferent needs

There is no one best speed.Speed limit signs tell you themaximum speed you must notdrive beyond. You have to decidewhat is a safe speed within thespecified limit.

Here are some factors youshould consider.

Unpredictable surfaces

The risk of losing control of avehicle can increase as a resultof deterioration in the road suchas potholes, wheel ruts orgrooves, slippery surfaces andloose gravel. Always try to beaware of the road surfaceconditions and if necessaryadjust your driving techniqueand speed according to theconditions.

Light or heavy traffic

If there is a lot of traffic, slowdown to the average speed ofeveryone else and watch out forhazards. Pedestrians often weavethrough cars stuck in peak hour‘crawls’.

Shops, parked cars and people

Where there are shops, thereare people and cars. Electronicvariable signs at selected stripshopping centres indicatereduced speed limits at high risktimes. Be alert. Children can runout from between parked cars,and parked cars can pull outfrom the kerb suddenly. Watchyour speed, slow down and tryto anticipate what others may do.

Green lights can change to red

A green light may turn redbefore you enter an intersection,so drive at a speed that will allowyou to stop.

Country roads and animals

When you see animals –beware. They are unpredictableand can wander or dart onto theroad. Farmers often move sheepor cattle and you need to slowdown while you are passing (seeSharing the road with animals,page 135).

The time of the day

It can be difficult to see the roadahead when you are driving intobright sunlight at dawn or dusk.You will need to slow down.

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Wear sunglasses and use the sunvisor in your car.

Weather conditions

Driving in heavy rain, frost orsnow can be very dangerous – itmay be difficult to see and roadsmay be slippery. You need toslow right down, or in somecases, pull over off the road andwait for the conditions toimprove. You may need to usehazard warning lights or rear foglights while parked. (see Drivingin dangerous conditions orsituations, page 121).

Take care when mist or fogaffects visibility.

Curving roads

Slow down before entering acurve or bend, then accelerate a little to drive out. It can bedangerous to brake in a curve orbend; you may lose control ofyour vehicle.

Slippery roads

Slippery roads can be caused byrain, mud, frost or ice. Not allareas that are slippery when wetare signposted – watch out forothers. Rain makes all roadsslippery. When rain first begins,oil and dirt are washed to thesurface. Until further rainwashes these away, skidding canoccur. Slow down and alwayskeep your distance from thevehicle in front in poorconditions of any sort.

Road works

At roadwork sites the number oflanes is often reduced to protectroad workers. Temporary speedlimit signs are erected to guidetraffic through the work site atsafe speeds. All drivers mustobey the speed limits.

Dirt roads

Dust from oncoming vehiclesmay conceal unexpectedhazards, such as other vehicles,a dip or corner. Dirt roads canbecome very slippery when wetor corrugated. Mud thrown ontowindows can reduce visibility.Slow down and drive at a speedappropriate for conditionsbecause road holding is reducedand stopping distances aregreater.

Road edge

If you need to move a wheel offthe bitumen, such as whenpassing an oncoming vehicle ona narrow road, don’t panic.Pulling the wheel quickly to getback on the road may lead toover correction and potential lossof control. Slow down, brakegently if needed, take your timeand steer normally back onto thebitumen when safe to do so.

79

If the vehicle in

front of yours stops

suddenly, and you

are travelling too

fast or too close –

you will not be

able to avoid

a crash!

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80

How quickly do youthink you can stop?Speed makes a big difference to your ability to stop. If youdouble your speed, you coveralmost 4 times the distancebefore you stop.

This makes a significantdifference to your chance ofbeing involved in a crash.

ROAD SIGNS

Road signs are there to

provide information to help

keep you and others safe

on the road.

Regulatory signs

These signs tell you what youmust or must not do. You arecommitting an offence if youdisobey these signs. They areusually black and white,sometimes with red indicatingdanger or a restriction.

You must keep left

However, some regulatorysigns are black and yellow:

Beware – pedestrians crossing

At 60 km/h you may cover up to 67 metresbefore you can stop.

At 100 km/h you may cover up to 142 metresbefore you can stop.

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81

Follow these traffic signs

These are signs showing whichdirection you must, or mustnot take.

You must not turn left

You must not enter this road

You must turn left

Stop and Give Way signs

These signs enable drivers toget through intersections andother places safely (see Givingway to vehicles at intersections,page 97).

Hand held signs

Hand held signs are often usedat work sites. They may also befound at school crossings.

Be prepared to obey the sign.

You must stop

Keep left unless overtaking

Where this sign is shown, or onmulti-lane roads where thespeed limit is over 80 km/h,you must not drive in the rightlane unless overtaking anothervehicle, turning right, making a U-turn, avoiding an obstruction,or when traffic is congested.

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82

Warning signs

These signs alert you ofpossible danger ahead. Theyare usually yellow diamondshapes with black words orsymbols. Take notice of theadvice these signs give. Itusually means slowing down.

Curves and bends signs

Curves and bends signs tell youwhat to expect – from simplecurves, to winding sections andsharp bends.

A normal bend

Sharp bends

A winding section of road

Intersection Warning signs

Intersection Warning signs areused to warn you of the type ofintersection ahead, particularlywhen the intersection isdangerous or difficult to see.

An INTERSECTION is where two or more roadsmeet and where vehiclestravelling on different roads might collide.

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83

There are many types ofintersections.

Cross-road intersection

T-intersection

Staggered side road junction

Intersection control warning signs

Traffic lights ahead

Stop sign ahead

Roundabout ahead

Changing road layout

End of divided road

Two lanes are for oncoming traffic

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84

Advisory speed signs

Advisory speed signs aresometimes used with otherwarning signs.

The advisory speed sign showsthe maximum speed that is safeto drive in good conditions.

Advisory speed sign used withcurve warning sign

Changing conditions

Hollow/dip in the road

Slippery when wet

Gravel road

Railway level crossings

When approaching railway levelcrossings – slow down and beprepared to stop.

Rail crossing ahead

Uncontrolled crossings ahead

Uncontrolled rail crossing onside road

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85

Pedestrian signs

These signs warn drivers ofpedestrians crossing the road.

Pedestrians crossing

Children crossing

Road work signs

These are usually temporarysigns warning drivers to slowdown and drive carefullybecause there are road worksahead. Consider the safety ofroad workers whenapproaching road works.

Left lane ends, prepare to move(merge) into another lane

Slow down and be prepared to stop

Workers on the road ahead

You may proceed slowly

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86

Direction signs

These standard green signswith white lettering arecommon throughout the State.They give information such asroad names, destinations alonga route and distances to thedestinations.

ROAD MARKINGS

It is important to be able

to ‘read’ the white or

yellow markings on the

road. Road markings can

create regulatory

requirements which you

must obey and are there

to provide a safer driving

environment.

Centre of the road dividing lines

Many roads are painted withbroken white lines and singlecontinuous lines in the centre ofthe road.

Single continuous dividing lines

FIGURE 6

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87

Broken white lines

In Figures 6 and 7 you mustkeep left of the lines and driveas close to the left side of theroad as you can. You may crossthese lines to enter or leave theroad, but only overtake if theroad ahead is clear.

Double continuous white lines

You must always keep left ofthese lines. Do not cross themto overtake or to turn. Youmust not park opposite doublecontinuous lines.

Double white lines with a broken line closer to you

You may cross these lines toovertake, or to enter or leavethe road, but only overtake ifthe road ahead is clear.

FIGURE 7 FIGURE 9FIGURE 8

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88

Double white lines with acontinuous line closer to you

You must always keep to theleft of these lines. Do not crossthem to overtake or to turn.You must not park opposite thecontinuous line side.

Lane markings

Broken white lines separating lanes

Broken white lines separatelanes of traffic going in thesame direction. You may changelanes if you signal, and if it issafe to do so. Remember, youmust give way to any vehiclealready in that lane. You mustdrive with your vehiclecompletely within a lane.

FIGURE 10

FIGURE 11

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89

Overhead lane signals

If overhead lane signals are inuse, travel in the lanes overwhich there is a green or whitearrow. You must stay out oflanes with a red X.

Roads without marked lanes

Where there are no lanemarkings, if there are two ormore lines of traffic travelling inthe same direction, you maychange from one line of trafficto another if you signal, and if itis safe to do so. However, youmay only pass another vehicleon the left side when it isturning right.

Special purposelanes

Special purpose lanes includebicycle lanes, bus lanes, transitlanes and tram lanes. Signsand/or road markings are usedto set aside lanes for specialvehicles. If specified on thesigns other vehicles may usethese lanes. Drivers must keepout of these lanes during thetimes marked on the signs or, ifno time is specified, at all times.However, you may travel inthese lanes for up to 100 metres(up to 50 metres in a bicyclelane), only when necessary todo so, to enter or leave theroad, or to avoid an obstructionor turning vehicle.

Some examples of specialpurpose lanes are shown on page 90.

FIGURE 13

FIGURE 12

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90

Tram lanes For trams and public buses only.(See Sharing the road withtrams, page 129).

Bus lanes

For buses and other vehicles as specified on a sign.(See Sharing the road withbuses, page 132).

Bicycle lanes For cyclists only, and forparking unless prohibited bysigns. If you need to turn leftfrom the road, you may drivealong the bicycle lane for notmore than 50 metres only if it isnecessary to do so. You shouldbe courteous to cyclists. Youmust give way to cyclists in abicycle lane, and only move intoa bicycle lane when it is safe to do so.

Transit lanes

During times specified onthe signs, transit lanes are for buses, taxis, motorcycles, trams and vehicles carrying two or more people (T2 sign), or three or more people (T3 sign).

You may drive in atransit lane for no morethan 100 metres if it is

necessary to make a turn.HOT TIP

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Traffic lane arrows

Arrows are painted on the roadat some intersections. They tellyou the direction traffic in eachlane must go. If two directionsare shown, you may go eitherway. You must not go in adirection other than thatindicated by the arrows.

Arrows may also be applied tobicycle lanes. Sometimes a‘head start’ area is provided sothat cyclists can be seen bydrivers when stopped at redtraffic lights.

Painted trafficislands

Traffic islands are sometimespainted on the road before aright turning lane. You candrive over the painted island or stop to wait on it, as long asthere are no double linesoutlining the island on the left,but you must give way to anyvehicle in a turning lane orentering a turning lane from amarked lane (see Figure 15 onpage 92).

You should not enter thepainted island to turn right ifthe traffic is not banked up.

91

FIGURE 14

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92

Red vehicle B must give way togreen vehicle A

Give Way linemarkings – with or without Give Way signs


(See Giving way to vehicles atintersections, page 97).

Stop line markings – with or without Stop signs

Red vehicle B must give way to

green vehicle A


FIGURE 15

FIGURE 16

FIGURE 17

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93

TRAFFICCONTROLS ATINTERSECTIONS

Traffic lights

Red means you must STOP. Do not enter the intersection.

Yellow means STOP unlessyou are unable to do so safely.

Green means you may enter the intersection, but only if youdo not block the intersection.

Half of all crashes happen at intersections. Stay alert and obey theintersection rules.

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94

Traffic lights with arrows

Traffic lights with arrows maketurns easier. If the arrowpointing in the direction youwant to go is red, you muststop; if the arrow is green youmay proceed in the direction itis pointing if it is safe to do so.

You must not turn right

You may turn right

You may turn left

Traffic lights for trams, buses and bicycles

Some traffic lights signal awhite T or B on a blackbackground. These are used for trams and buses at someintersections. Some traffic lights may have red, yellow and green bicycle lights for useby bicycles. Other road usersmust wait for the normal green light.

Tram may go. Bicycle may go.You must wait. You must wait.

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95

Pedestrian signals

Turning vehicles must alwaysgive way to pedestrians who arecrossing the road they areturning into (whether or notthere is a green ‘walking figure’facing the pedestrian).

Traffic control signs

Stop and Give Way signs areused for safety control at manyintersections and other places.


GIVE WAY RULES

There will be many times

when you are driving that

your path crosses that of

other road users. When this

happens, one or more of

the people involved must

give way in order to avoid

a collision.

Here are some everyday

driving situations when

you will be required to

give way.

To GIVE WAY means that if there is a danger that your vehicle couldcollide with another vehicle, person or animalyou must slow down andstop if necessary to avoid acollision. If you arestationary, you must remainstationary until it is safe toproceed.

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96

Giving Way toPedestrians

There are a number of drivingsituations when you must giveway to pedestrians.

At pedestrian crossings

You must give way to anypedestrian on a pedestriancrossing, and you must notovertake another vehicle which has stopped at apedestrian crossing.

At intersections

When turning left or right atany intersection (except aroundabout), you must giveway to any pedestrians crossingthe road you are turning into.

In slip lanes

You must give way to anypedestrians in a slip lane.

At children’s crossings

(See Sharing the road withpedestrians, page 123).

On the footpath

When entering the road from adriveway or adjacent land, youmust give way to pedestrians on any footpath, path or naturestrip you cross to enter the road. You must also give way tobicycles or other vehicles on thefootpath, path or nature strip.

This also applies when leavingthe road to enter a driveway oradjacent land.

A SLIP LANE is an area of road for vehicles turning left that isseparated, at some point,from other parts of the road by a painted island or traffic island.

FIGURE 18

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97

In shared zones

In a shared zone shared by bothvehicles and pedestrians, youmust give way to pedestrians(see Speed limits, page 76).

At Stop or Give Way signs orlines not at intersections

You must give way not only to vehicles, but also to anypedestrian at or near the sign or line. This would includepedestrians as well as bicyclescrossing in front of you on ashared path.

When making a U-turn

You must give way to allpedestrians as well as vehicleswhen making a U-turn.

At tram stops

When passing a stopped tramyou must give way to anypedestrians crossing betweenthe tram and the left side of the road.

Giving way tovehicles atintersections

Stop or Give Way signs orlines at an intersection

After stopping at a Stop sign orline, or when facing a Give Waysign or line at an intersection,you must give way to anyvehicle in, entering orapproaching the intersectionexcept:

• a vehicle making a U-turn

• a vehicle turning left using a slip lane

• an oncoming vehicle turning right if that vehicle is also facing a Stop or Give Way sign or line.

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98

Red vehicle B must stop and give way to green vehicle A,which is not facing a Stop orGive Way sign

Giving way atintersections (exceptT-intersections orroundabouts)

If there are no traffic lights orsigns or lines at an intersection,you must give way to anyvehicle on your right.

In Figures 20 to 23, red vehicle B must give way to green vehicle A

When the law refers to VEHICLES, this includes not only motor vehicles but also horses being riddenand bicycles.

The Give Way rules applyequally for these smallervehicles.

You could be charged just the same for failing to give way to a horse being ridden or abicycle as for failing to give way to a truck!

FIGURE 19

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99

If you are turning right at anintersection without trafficlights or signs or lines, youmust also give way tooncoming vehicles goingstraight ahead or turning left(except if they are turning in aslip lane) as well as any vehicleon your right.


FIGURE 20 FIGURE 22

FIGURE 21FIGURE 23

FIGURE 24

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100

Giving way at T-intersections

T-intersections may notalways form a regular T

The Give Way rule is the samefor all T-intersections. Whenyou enter the continuing roadfrom the road that ends, youmust give way to vehiclestravelling along the continuingroad.

These diagrams show how togive way at T-intersectionswithout lights or signs, or whentraffic lights have failed or areflashing yellow.

In Figures 25, 26 and 27, the red vehicle B mustgive way to green vehicle A

A T-INTERSECTION is where two roads meet and one of them ends.

FIGURE 26

FIGURE 27

FIGURE 25

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When you turn right from the continuing road into the road that ends, you must give way to oncoming vehicles

The red vehicle must give way to the pedestrian

Some T-intersections aremodified so that the continuingroad goes round a corner. The road that ends is marked by a continuity line and Give Way or Stop lines or signs.In Figure 30, the red vehicle B is leaving the continuing road toenter the road that ends at theintersection. The red vehicle Bmust give way to the greenvehicle A.

101

FIGURE 30FIGURE 28 FIGURE 29

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102

Giving way atroundabouts

When entering a roundabout,you must give way to:

• all vehicles already in the roundabout

• all trams entering, or approaching the roundabout.

Take care to look out formotorcyclists and cyclistsalready in the roundabout whomay be harder to see.

A roundabout sign FIGURE 31

Always give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. In this diagram, the red B vehicles must give way to the green A vehicles. Enter only when there is a safe gap in the traffic.

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Cyclists and animal riders

In a roundabout, cyclists and animal riders have the option ofturning right from the left lane,but they must give way todrivers exiting the roundabout.

Giving way ondivided roads

When a two-way road is dividedby a median strip, a Give Wayor Stop sign applies to thewhole of the intersection.

The red vehicle B must give

way to the green vehicle A.

A MEDIAN STRIP is adividing strip on the road designed toseparate vehicles travelling in oppositedirections.

A ROUNDABOUT is an intersection with a roundabout sign at each entrance, a central island and one or more marked lanes, or lines of traffic, all of which have vehicles travelling in the same direction.You must always keep to the left of the central island.

103

FIGURE 32

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Turning from adivided road

When turning from a dividedroad, you must obey the signson the road you are turningfrom. Normally a vehicle in the same position as the redvehicle B could continue if it issafe to do so. However inFigure 33 the red vehicle B isfacing a Stop Here On RedSignal sign, therefore it muststop until that signal is green. If there is no sign, you mustgive way to traffic when enteringa road from a break in themedian strip after turning.

Other drivingsituations when you are required to give way

U-turn

When making a U-turn youmust give way to all othervehicles and pedestrians.

Entering the road

Whenever you enter the roadfrom a driveway or adjacentland, you must give way to allvehicles and pedestrians.

Entering the traffic stream

Whenever you enter the trafficstream from a parked position,or through a break in a medianstrip, you must give way to allvehicles travelling on the road.

104

FIGURE 33

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Changing lanes

Whenever you change lanesfrom one marked lane or line oftraffic to another, you mustgive way to vehicles already inthat lane or line of traffic. Thisincludes whenever you crossover any broken line marked onthe road which indicates that alane ends, for example whenmerging into freeway traffic.

Make a headcheckwhenever you arechanging lanes or pulling

out from the kerb, but don’t takeyour eyes off the road ahead formore than a second.

Zip merging

If you are on a road wherethere are no lines marked andthe road is such that two rowsof vehicles must merge intoone, you must give way to anyvehicle which has any part of itsvehicle ahead of yours. This iscalled zip merging. Note: ifyou cross any lines marked onthe road, then you are not zipmerging but changing lanes,and must give way accordingly.

Red vehicle B must give way to the green vehicle AWhen two lanes of

traffic merge into one and there are no lanemarkings, this iscommonly known as ZIP MERGING.

105

HOT TIPFIGURE 34

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Police directions You must always followinstructions from a member ofthe Police Force or authorisedperson rather than any othertraffic control signal or rule.

Remember, road userscan make mistakes aboutwho should give way.

Never assume the other driver hasseen you or will give way to you.Always make eye contact, andproceed carefully.

TURNING

Plan your turns well in

advance. Move into the

correct lane long before

you need to turn.

Use the indicators to

give other road users

plenty of warning.

Making turns

Signalling your moves

Always use your indicators tolet others know you are aboutto turn or change lanes.

The signal must be given forlong enough to warn others that you are about to changelanes or direction. You mustsignal for at least 5 secondswhen moving from a stationaryposition at the side of the road or from a median stripparking area.

106

HOT TIP

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Making right turns

To make a right turn you must:

• approach the intersection as close to the centre of the road as possible

• turn just right of the centre of the intersection.

Right turns on multi-lane roads

On some multi-lane roads,arrows painted on the road willshow you if right turns may alsobe made from other lanes.

If road markings indicate how aturn is to be made, you mustmake a turn as indicated by theroad markings.

Making left turns

To make a left turn you mustapproach the intersection as close to the left side of the roadas possible, but keep clear ofany bicycle lane.

Where there is a slip lane, youmust turn using the slip lane(see slip lane definition, page 96).

107

FIGURE 36

FIGURE 37FIGURE 35

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Left turns on multi-lane roads

For a multi-lane road, arrowspainted on the road will showyou if left turns may also bemade from other lanes. Butlook out for cyclists on yourleft who may be goingstraight ahead.

If road markings allow turnsfrom more than one lane, it is

advisable that you stay in thesame lane as you go from oneroad to the other.

Exception to the turning rules

Trucks or vehicles over 7.5 metres long displaying a Do Not Overtake Turning Vehiclesign may use more than onelane to turn (see Sharing theroad with trucks, page 133).

Hook turns

Hook Turn signA driver turning right at anintersection with traffic lightsand a Hook Turn sign mustturn right by making a hookturn as shown in Figure 40.

Hook Turn signs are found at someintersections in CentralMelbourne. The signs may be at the side of theroad or hung from tramwires, so be alert inchecking for these signs.

108

FIGURE 39

FIGURE 38

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To make a hook turn, you must:

1 Approach and enter the intersection from as near as possible to the left.

2 Move forward, keeping clear of any marked foot crossing, until your vehicle is as near as possible to the far side of the road that you are entering.

3 Remain at the position reached under Step 2 until the traffic lights on the road you are entering have changed to green.

4 Turn right into the road and continue straight ahead.

109

Wait here until the lights in the street you are entering have changed to green

Turn and continue straight ahead

You must be in the left lane to make a hook turn. Indicate that you are turning right

Doing a hook turn – turning right from the left lane

FIGURE 40

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U-turns

When making a U-turn you must:

• have a clear view of traffic ineither direction

• complete your U-turn withoutdisrupting other traffic

• signal your intention for a reasonable time

• give way to all other vehicles and pedestrians.

Where there is no median, it is advisable that the U-turn bemade from the left side of theroad. Remember to watch out for traffic approaching from behind you.

You must not make a U-turn:

• over double lines or where there is a No U-turn sign,(if the sign is not at an intersection continue on until you reach an intersection before you make a U-turn)

No U-turn sign

• at an intersection where there is a No U-turn sign

No Right Turn sign

• at a No Right Turn sign unless there is a U-turn Permitted sign.

A cyclist may make a hook turn at anyintersection – not just at hook turn intersections.

110

FIGURE 41

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Where there is a median, the turn must be made from the right lane.

Turning and one way roads

Turning from one-way roads

When turning left or right froma one-way road into a two-wayroad, you must turn from aposition close to the side youare turning towards.

Turning into one-way roads

When turning left or right froma two-way road into a one-wayroad, it is advisable to turn intothe nearest lane.

111

FIGURE 42FIGURE 44

FIGURE 43

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Making turns atroundabouts

A roundabout is considered tobe a special type of intersection,so different rules apply. TheGive Way rules on page 102explain what you must do whenentering the roundabout andwho should give way.

Sometimes roundabouts havemore than one lane. You needto follow these rules aboutturning left or right or goingstraight ahead.

Decide before you enter theroundabout if you are going to

turn right, left or gostraight ahead.

Turning left Approach in the left lane andstay in that lane.

Signal a left turn on yourapproach to the roundabout andkeep the signal on until youhave left the roundabout.

Going straight ahead Approach the roundabout in theleft or right lane.

Drive in the same lane throughthe roundabout.

Do not signal on your approachto the roundabout, but ifpracticable, signal left as you exit.

Turning right

Always approach theroundabout in the right lane.

Drive close to the centre of theroundabout and follow the rightlane as you leave.

Signal a right turn on yourapproach, and signal left, ifpracticable, just before the exityou are turning into, keepingthe signal on until you have leftthe roundabout.

Three point turnA three point turn is used to turnyour car around on a road whichis not as wide as your car’sturning circle. When making athree point turn you must:• put your left signal before

stopping at the kerb

• put on your right signalbefore leaving the kerb

• look in both directionsbefore commencing the turn

• proceed across the road tothe opposite kerb

• look in both directions alongthe road before reversing

• look in the direction of travelbefore and during reversing

• after reversing, look in bothdirections before moving off

Cyclists and animal riders may make a right turn from a left lane.

112

HOT TIP

FRONT

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Where arrow(s) are marked on the road before or in a roundaboutyou must drive in thedirection of the arrow(s).Make sure you obey them.

113

FIGURE 45

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FREEWAYSAs freeway speeds areoften high and the traffic is heavy, there are specialrules that apply whendriving on a freeway.

Entering a freeway• Adjust your speed as you

drive along the entry ramp to match that of the freeway traffic.

• Clearly indicate your intentions.

• Give way to traffic onthe freeway.

• Where there is a large enough gap, merge smoothlywith the freeway traffic.

Exiting a freeway

• Watch for signs that tell you that you are approaching an exit ramp. Exit lanes are usually on the left.

• Maintain your speed and signal your intention to exit well in advance.

• Adjust your speed once you have entered the exit ramp.

If you miss your exit, continuetravelling on the freeway untilyou reach the next exit. Do notreverse on a freeway.

Overtaking lane

Be extra alert on freeways astraffic travels at high speed. You must not drive in the right lane unless overtaking orunless all lanes are congested.This rule also applies to theright lane used by all traffic, ifthe lane to the right of that is atransit lane.

A TRANSIT LANE is marked by a Transit Lanesign, and may only be used by public buses,motorcycles, taxis or where applicable, vehiclescarrying at least two people.

114

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StoppingYou must not stop on a freewayexcept in an emergency. If youmust stop, use the emergencystopping lane only. Put on yourhazard warning lights.

Variable speed zonesElectronic variable signs onfreeways indicate reduced speed limits at high risk times.

Tollways

Start tollway sign

You are entering a tolled sectionof road.

Advance warning tollwayentrance sign

You are about to enter thetollway from a non-tollway road.If you do not want to enter thetollway, take the next exit.

TOLLWAYS are sections of road which the drivermust pay to use. Signs are displayed toadvise drivers that they will soon be entering the tollway.

115

DRIVING SAFELYIN TUNNELSInformation forlearner driversThings you need to be awareof when driving in tunnels.

• Remove sunglasses beforeentering a tunnel.

• Turn on your head lights, so that your vehicle is morevisible.

• Tunnels usually have variablespeed limits. Lower limitsapply when traffic iscongested or when anincident has occurred (e.g. acrash or broken downvehicle). Look for speed limitsigns and stay within the limitin accordance withconditions.

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SHARING THEROAD SAFELYAs a driver you share the

road with many other

people:

• other drivers of cars,

vans, trucks, buses

and trams

• pedestrians

• motorcyclists

• cyclists.

Co-operative drivingWe all have places to get to andwant to arrive there safely. Thebest way to make this happen isto co-operate and help eachother. It doesn’t really hurt orwaste any time to let somebodyin from a side street, when thetraffic is crawling along.

116

• Check and obey variablemessage and lane controlsigns that provide importantinformation about safety andtraffic conditions.

• Stay out of closed lanes.Even if you can’t see theproblem, always obey signsand controller instructions.

• Lane changing causes manycrashes on busy arterialroads. Avoid lane changingand overtaking whiletravelling through tunnels.

• If you really need toovertake another vehicle(e.g. it is broken down)make sure you are clear ofall other traffic and it is safe.Always use your indicatorsto show your intention tomerge or change lanes.

• Turn your car radio on.Tunnels have re-broadcastsystems that convey safetyand traffic information todrivers via their radio andthe tunnel publicannouncement system.

• Do not stop in a tunnelexcept in an emergency or ifdirected by the tunnelcontroller. Try to drive outof a tunnel even if yourvehicle is damaged or has amechanical malfunction.

• Do not reverse in a tunnel.

• Do not enter a tunnel if yourvehicle is very low on fuel.

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Other simple strategies include:

• not blocking intersections

• always using your signals when turning or changing lanes

• not following too closely behind

• smoothly controlling your speed rather than driving in a fast start/stop manner

• changing lanes correctly

• slowing down when approaching road work sites.

Remember that co-operation isnot just limited to other cardrivers. You are also sharingthe road with pedestrians,cyclists, motorcyclists, trucks,buses and trams.

There are times and placeswhen co-operation is essential.These include places where:

• two lanes have to merge

• the left lane ends

• extra lanes exist just before and after intersections

• overtaking lanes or divided roads end

• cars are parked and there is not enough room for two vehicles to pass.

In these places, the need for co-operative driving is at

its greatest.

Co-operative drivinghelps you to be a ‘greendriver’. There

is a relationship between drivingstyle and the impact yourdriving has on the environment.Drive smoothly and avoid faststart/stop driving – you’ll savefuel and pollute less (and savemoney as well!). Even better leavethe car at home and walk, rideyour bike or use public transport!

Keeping your coolwhen driving

Road rage is dangerous andillegal. It involves people losingtheir cool, perhaps in responseto a mistake or action ofanother driver. You can avoidroad rage easily.

• The fundamental rule is don’tretaliate – it’s never worth it!

• If you make a mistake while driving, acknowledge it.

• Don’t take the mistakes of other drivers personally - remember it’s a mistake not apersonal attack.

• Keep your cool and keep your distance!

• Drive co-operatively and consider the other people on the road!

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Co-operate to

keep your cool

and you’ll be

a winner

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Sharing the road withother motorists

Keeping to the left

On multi-lane roads with aspeed limit over 80 km/h, youmust keep out of the right laneunless you are:

• overtaking

• turning right

• making a U-turn

• avoiding an obstruction, or

• traffic is congested.

You must also keep out of theright lane where a Keep LeftUnless Overtaking sign applies.

Signalling your moves

Before turning or changinglanes you must signal for long enough to give sufficientwarning to other drivers andpedestrians. In 60 km/h zones,it is best to signal for at least 30 metres or about the length of two houses and drivewaysbefore turning or changinglanes.

Check that your indicatoris off after you have madeyour turn or lane change

– it may not have turned off byitself. If it is left on, other driverswill think you intend to turn.

Before moving from a stationaryposition at the side of the roador a parking area in the middleof the road, you must signal forat least five seconds.

Here are some of the ways youcan signal your intentions.

1 Using your indicators

You must use your indicatorswhen:

• turning to the right or left

• changing lanes or line of traffic

• overtaking

• making U-turns

• pulling into and out of parking spots

• leaving a continuing road which curves to the left or right

• leaving a roundabout (if practicable)

• moving to the left or right from a stationary position.

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Watch other vehicles’ indicatorsand make sure they are doingwhat is indicated. Sometimes anindicator has not cancelled fromthe last turn, or has been put ontoo early. Make sure youindicate in such a way that yoursignal cannot be misleading.

These vehicles are signallingtheir moves, but could be headingfor trouble as vehicle A’s signalcould be misleading.

2 Using your brake lights

Every time your foot touchesthe brake pedal, your brakelights glow, warning otherdrivers you are slowing down.Likewise, you will need to slowdown when the brake lights onthe vehicle in front of you areglowing red. So give lots ofwarning by braking early andslowing gradually.

3 Making eye contact

As well as watching out forindicators, you can get an ideaof what another person mightdo by making eye contact. To make sure another driverknows you are there, try andmake eye contact, especially atintersections. Look at otherdrivers, they may well belooking at you to see that youknow they are there!

Use indicators even if there is no-one elsearound – it’s the person you cannot see who can be the most dangerous.

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FIGURE 46

The ability to

blend in with

traffic comes with

experience and

reflects

an awareness

of what

other drivers

reasonably expect

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4 Using your headlights and tail lights

Headlights help you to see atnight. Headlights and tail lightshelp others to see you in poorlight conditions. Your headlightsand tail lights must be onbetween sunset and sunrise.They must also be on inhazardous weather conditionswhere there is reducedvisibility.

If the street lights are on, your lights should also be on.

High-beam headlights

Headlights on high-beamenable you to see further.Because headlights on highbeam may dazzle the oncomingdriver’s eyes, you must ‘dip’them to low-beam when anothervehicle is within 200 metres.You must also dip your head-lights when driving 200 metresor less behind another vehicle.

Don’t be dazzled by high-beam

Look to the left side of the roadand drive towards the left ofyour lane if a car with high-beams on is approaching. Ifdazzled by the lights, slowdown and pull over until youreyes recover.

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FIGURE 47

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Using emergency signals

If your vehicle breaks down on the road

Make sure other drivers cansee your vehicle and stop intime. If possible, pull out of thetraffic flow. If you can’t getcompletely off the road, try tostop where people have a clearview of you and your vehicle.Don’t stop just over a hill or justaround a curve.

Turn on your hazardwarning lights to warnother drivers. If your

vehicle doesn’t have hazardwarning lights use your leftindicator instead. Lift your bonnetor boot lid to show other driversyou are in trouble.

Driving in dangerous conditionsor situations

You may use hazard warninglights if you are driving indangerous weather conditions,such as fog, or smoke, or if youare driving slowly and likely toobstruct other vehicles orpedestrians. You must notoperate rear fog lights unlessdriving in fog or hazardousweather conditions.

Warning others of your approach

You must only use your horn ifit is necessary to warn otherroad users of the approach orposition of your vehicle.

How to overtake safely

If someone is overtaking you,you must not increase yourvehicle’s speed.

Here are some tips to reduceyour risk when overtaking:

Overtaking on a two way road

• Check the centre of the road markings (see Road markings,page 86). If there are double continuous white lines or double white lines with a continuous line closest to you,you must not overtake.

• Make sure you have a clear view of any approaching traffic and that there is enough space to overtake safely. Remember that it is hard to estimate the speed of approaching vehicles.

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Always make a

final headcheck

before changing

lanes or overtaking

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• Check that the vehicle in front or behind is not also about to pull out to overtake.

• Use your right indicator to letothers know you are about toovertake. A vehicle behind may want to overtake both you and the vehicle in front.

• If you are not sure you have enough time, just wait. A few seconds or minutes could save your life.

• Never overtake if the road is not wide enough for you to stay completely on the sealedpart of the road, unless you can do so at a low speed.

• When safe, accelerate and overtake the vehicle, then indicate left when safe to return to your lane. You must not exceed the speed limit at any time.

• You must keep a safe distance when overtaking and not return into the line of traffic until you are a sufficient distance past the vehicle you are overtaking.

One way to know if it is safe to return to your lane is when yousee both headlights of

the vehicle you have overtaken inyour rear view mirror.

Overtaking where there are nolane markings

When a road has no lanemarkings, you must overtake a vehicle on its right side.You must not overtake either a moving or stationary vehicleon the left, unless the vehicle isturning right, or making a U-turnfrom the centre of the road, andhas its right indicator flashing.

Overtaking where lanes are marked

When a road has lane markings,you may overtake in the leftlane but remember you are less visible to the driver of thevehicle you are going past ifyou overtake on the left.

Overtaking where there areoncoming vehicles

Never underestimate the spaceand time you will need to safelyovertake when there areoncoming vehicles. It is hard tojudge the speed at which theyare travelling. Be careful. If indoubt – don’t pull out.

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Overtaking where there are hillsand curves

If your view is blocked, don’tpull out. Remember, you mustnot overtake when there aredouble unbroken white lines, ordouble white lines with acontinuous line closest to you.

Overtaking at intersections, rail crossings, shopping centreentrances and pedestriancrossings

These are never good places toovertake. Wait until you are ona clearer section of road. Youmust not overtake anothervehicle stopped at a pedestrianor children’s crossing.

Sharing the road with pedestriansPedestrians don’t always dowhat you expect. You shouldwatch out for them at all times.Here are some places whereyou should take extra care.More information on giving wayto pedestrians can be found onpage 96.

At children’s crossings

Always approach a children’scrossing at a speed which willlet you stop. You must stop atflagged children’s crossings if a

PEDESTRIANS include not only people on foot but also those onwheeled devices such asskateboards, rollerblades,and wheelchairs/motorisedmobility devices.

A person pushing a bicycle is also considered to be a pedestrian.

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FIGURE 48

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pedestrian is on or entering thecrossing, even if there is nocrossing supervisor present.You must not proceed until thepedestrian has left the crossing.You must also stop if a handheld Stop sign is displayed.

At intersections and traffic lights

When turning, you must giveway to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.Elderly people may not crossthe road in the time allowed by the lights. Be patient andwait for them.

Pedestrian traffic lights areoften located away fromintersections to enablepedestrians to cross roadssafely. These traffic lightsgenerally operate the same as

lights at intersections. However,at some locations, drivers mayproceed when the yellow lightstarts flashing, provided theygive way to any pedestrian stillon the crossing. Thesecrossings have When FlashingGive Way To Pedestrians signs.

At pedestrian crossings

Always approach pedestriancrossings at a speed which willlet you stop. Not all pedestrianslook before they step ontocrossings, so take care. Youmust give way to any pedestrianon a pedestrian crossing.

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At safety zones, tram stopsand bus stops

Slow down when approachingsafety zones, tram stops andbus stops. There is always therisk of pedestrians getting off atram or bus and crossing theroad without looking.

Pedestrians are often hard tosee when stepping out suddenlyfrom behind or in front of a busor tram. It is also a good ideawhen you are waiting to pick upa bus passenger to park on thesame side of the road that thebus will be travelling.

More information on Sharingthe road with trams can befound on pages 97 and 129.

Slow down when approachingsafety zones, tram stops and busstops. There is always the risk ofpedestrians getting off a tram orbus and crossing the roadwithout looking.

A SAFETY ZONE is the area of the road at or near a tram stop withsafety zone signs, and a traffic island or dividing strip.

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FIGURE 50

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At tram stops where there is nosafety zone between you and thetram, you must stop and giveway to all pedestrians walking toand from the kerb.

When coming out of driveways

You must give way to anyvehicles or pedestrians whenleaving any private property. If you cannot see if anyone iscoming, sound your horn andthen drive out very slowly.Watch out for children riding onbicycles or skateboards.

On paths

You must give way to anyvehicles or pedestrians on a pathwhich crosses the road if you arefacing a Give Way or Stop sign.

At shopping centres and car parks

At shopping centres, car parksand other busy places there is agreater chance of pedestrianscrossing the road unexpectedlyor stepping out from behind orbetween vehicles withoutlooking. Slow down and be alert.

Near schools

Take care when driving nearschools especially at timeswhen children are arriving or leaving. Watch out for 40 km/h or 60 km/h speedzones outside schools.

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FIGURE 51

FIGURE 52

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Beware of childrencoming out frombetween parked cars –

they are often hard to see overthe top of cars.

Where children are walkingor playing

Beware of children darting outsuddenly from between parkedcars near playgrounds oranywhere you see childrenwalking or playing.

Near libraries and seniorcitizens’ clubs

Be alert and take extra care inareas which elderly peoplefrequent, such as libraries,senior citizens’ clubs andhomes for the elderly.

Vision impaired

Be aware of pedestrians withpoor or impaired vision whomay be using a white cane orwhite walking stick. They maynot see your vehicle clearly orbe able to judge the speed ofyour vehicle.

Near hotels or nightclubs

Pedestrians who have beendrinking may be impaired byalcohol. They may not payattention to the traffic beforecrossing the road.

Wet weather

Pedestrians may hurry and takerisks in the wet. Slow down andtake extra care in theseconditions.

Sharing the road with cyclists andmotorcyclists

You need to be especially alertfor cyclists and motorcyclists,as they are more at risk thandrivers. Cyclists and motor-cyclists have the same rightsand responsibilities as you. Sogive them space. They need tokeep well clear of parked carsin case doors are openedcarelessly – so give them room.They are entitled to ride twoabreast (up to 1.5 metresapart); this makes them easierto see.

Give cyclists and motorcycliststheir own space. You shouldovertake cyclists or motor-cyclists only if you can safelymove to the right, leaving atleast one metre clearance.

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Never share the lane withcyclists or motorcyclists if youcannot leave this clearance.

Allow at least one metreclearance between your vehicleand cyclists or motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists and cyclistsshould also keep a safe distancefrom other vehicles and nottravel through small gapsbetween lines of traffic.

Watch out for cyclists and motorcyclists

Bicycles and motorcycles aresmaller than cars and thereforeharder to see and are morelikely to be hidden in your blindspot. Keep a good lookout forthem, particularly beforeturning or entering anintersection or changing lanes.Intersections are where mostmotorcycle accidents happenbecause vehicles turning left orright cut across in front of therider. Riders can be hidden by

large vehicles which areovertaking them, such astrucks and buses. Only moveleft or turn left from behind alarge vehicle when you have a clear view and are sure thatthe road is clear.

Seven out of tenmotorcycle crashes happen at intersections. Remember: Always ‘Look Bike’.

Motorcycles acceleratefaster than cars. Whatlooks like a safe gap intraffic, may not be if there is a motorcycleamong the cars.

more than 1 metre

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FIGURE 53

FIGURE 54

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Sharing the road with trams

Remember these general rulesabout sharing the road withtrams:

• Do not overtake a stopped tram. You must stop level with the rear of the tram and wait for people to get on and off. You may only overtake a stopped tram if there are no pedestrians on the road and you are facing a green traffic light or if a uniformed tram employee signals you through.However, you must not exceed 10 km/h while passingthe tram.

• You must give way to a tram moving into or across aroundabout.

• You must not pass on the right of a tram unless tram tracks are at or near the far left side of the road.

• Buses travelling along tram tracks must be treated as trams.

Broken yellow lines next to tram lines

These lines on roads give tramspriority at all times. You cancross a broken yellow line anddrive on tram tracks at anytime, however you must notdelay a tram. If you want to turnright, allow the tram to pass youor keep going and turn rightfurther on. Do not pull out infront of a tram and do not delaya tram.

Broken yellow lines next to tram lines means the tram haspriority at all times

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FIGURE 55

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Full time tram lanes

Full time tram lanes havecontinuous yellow lines next to the tram lines. Reflectivemarkers are used to show that the tram lane operates at all times.

These tram lanes are inoperation at all times and thetram lane sign will not show anytimes of operation. The samerules apply to these tram lanesas to those with only acontinuous yellow line. You mayenter the lane to drive across anintersection, or make a righthand turn or a U-turn, howeveryou must not delay a tram.

Part time tram lanes

Part time tram lanes have tramlane signs over the lane whichindicate the hours of operationand a continuous yellow line tothe left of the tracks. You arenot allowed to travel in a tramlane during the times it is inoperation (as shown on thetram lane signs). You may use atram lane to enter or leave the

road, to avoid an obstruction,make a right turn or a U-turn,as long as you do not delay atram or travel in the lane formore than 100 metres. Youmust not delay trams evenduring the times when the tramlane is not operating.

A TRAM LANE is a part of the road with tram tracks that is marked along the left side of the tracks by a continuous yellow line, and is indicated by a Tram Lane sign.

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FIGURE 56

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Part time tram lanes havecontinuous yellow lines next tothe tram lane lines and tramlane signs over the laneindicating the hours of operation.

Fairway signs

A Fairway sign may be used in addition to the Tram Lanesigns and yellow lines, to warnof a section of road where tramshave priority at the times markedon the Tram Lane signs.

Fairway sign Tram lane sign

Fairway and common sense

If a parked or double parkedvehicle blocks your lane, youmay not be able to avoid drivingin the tram lane. You won’t bebreaking the law, but move to your own lane as soon aspossible to avoid delaying a tram.

Trams are longer and heavierthan cars and it takes themlonger to safely stop. So, whenyou are overtaking a tram orchanging lanes, don’t pull intothe empty space immediately infront of a tram. This is their‘safety margin’. Be careful andleave plenty of room.

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FIGURE 57

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Sharing the road with buses

On some roads, buses are givenspecial lanes. Only public busesor other vehicles as specified onthe sign may use these lanes.However, you may drive in abus lane for no more than 100metres if it is necessary to:

• turn left

• to overtake a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road

• when first entering or leavingthe road.

Watch out for buses pulling outfrom the kerb

In a built-up area you mustgive way to a bus displaying aGive Way To Buses sign andsignalling that it is about to pull out from the kerb into theleft lane. More information onbuilt-up areas can be found onpage 76.

Sharing the road with police andemergency vehicles

You must get out of the way ofa police or emergency vehiclewhen its siren is on or it isdisplaying red or blue flashinglights. Give way and stop ifnecessary (despite any otherrules), even if you have a greentraffic light. These vehicleshave exemptions to break rulesin the case of emergencies andmay act unpredictably. Youmust also stop if the twin redlights outside a Fire Station orAmbulance Station are flashing.

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Sharing the road with trucks and otherheavy vehicles

Here are some tips aboutsharing the road with trucks ofany size.

Blind spots – be seen, be safe

All vehicles have blind spotswhere the driver loses sight ofvehicles around them. Theblind spot is greater for truckdrivers. If you cannot see thethe truck’s external mirrors,the truck driver cannot see you.This should be a ‘no stay spot’.Either accelerate to overtake ifsafe to do so, or decrease speedand pull back to where you canbe seen. More information onblind spots can be found onpage 38.

Don’t cut in

Trucks are longer and heavierthan cars and it takes themlonger to stop safely. So, whenyou are overtaking a truck orchanging lanes, don’t pull in tothe empty space immediately infront of a truck. This is their‘safety margin’.

If you can’t see thewhole front of the truckin your rear vision mirror

before you pull into the samelane, there may not be enoughroom for the truck to stop safelybehind you if the traffic suddenlystops; it may hit you or anothervehicle. Be careful and leaveyourself plenty of room when turningin front of an oncoming truck.

Trucks pick up and deliver goods

Be prepared for trucks that areentering or leaving driveways,roads or loading docks to pickup and deliver goods.

Sometimes this will requireextra patience and courtesy onyour part to let them do sosafely. Always be prepared toallow extra room for a truck toswing in or out of deliverypoints. If possible make eyecontact with the driver to letthem know you have seen them.

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HOT TIP

If you cannot

see the driver in

the truck’s rear

vision mirror,

the truck

driver cannot

see you

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The nature of trucks

Trucks are bigger and heavierthan cars and slower toaccelerate especially whenstarting, merging into traffic orgoing uphill. You need to allowfor this if you see a truckpulling into traffic up ahead ofyou. Be prepared to overtake if it’s safe, or to reduce speed if necessary.

Signs on trucks

An Oversize sign, sometimesaccompanied by flashing amberlights, is displayed on a truckwhich is longer or wider thanusual. The load may evenoverhang into your lane. Takenotice and watch what isdifferent about it and adjustyour driving to suit. Remember,amber flashing lights alwaysindicate caution is necessary.

Some oversized trucks aresupported by pilot vehicles and VicRoads Transport SafetyServices vehicles. Pilot vehiclesprovide advance warning toother road users of thepresence of OVERSIZE vehicles and VicRoads vehicles manage traffic.

A Long Vehicle sign isdisplayed on a truck that ismuch longer than normal. It will take longer to overtake,and will need extra room tosafely stop behind you. Makesure you can see the entirefront of the truck and a littlespace around it in your rearvision mirror before you pull in after you overtake.

A Do Not Overtake TurningVehicle sign tells you that thetruck is at least 7.5 metres longand requires more turningroom to negotiate corners,intersections or roundabouts.Trucks displaying this sign mayneed part or all of two lanes toturn and can legally do so (seepage 108 for more information).This sign tells you that youmust not overtake alongside a turning truck.

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PilotVehicle

VicRoadsTransportSafetyServicesVehicle

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Blind spots are increasedwhen the truck is turningand the chances of

damage to your vehicle, injury ordeath is increased. Stay where youcan be seen so you can be safe.

Sharing the road with animals

Each year there are a numberof serious crashes involvinghorses and other farm animals.

Horses

Slow down and watch out forhorses being led or driven on the road – leave as much space as possible to allow forunexpected movements by the horse.

Never use your car horn around horses – it may startleeven the most placid horse andcould cause it to bolt and causea crash.

Farm animals on roads

A Give Way To Stock sign maybe displayed on country roadsto enable stock such as cows orsheep to move across or alongthe road.

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Warning signs are also displayedon the approaches to permanentstock crossings.

When a Give Way To Stock signis displayed, you must travel ata safe speed that will enable youto slow down or stop to avoid acollision with an animal eitherat or near the sign or within thedistance shown on the sign.

When a Stop sign is displayedat a stock crossing, you muststop before reaching thecrossing and must not proceeduntil all animals have crossedthe road.

Railway levelcrossings

Look and listen for trains whenthere is a crossing ahead. Driveslowly, at a speed which willallow you to stop if necessary.

The following information alsoapplies to tram level crossings.Obey the tram level crossing signs.

Gates, booms and flashing lights

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Where there are gates, booms,or flashing lights at railwaylevel crossings, you must notcross until signals have stoppedflashing and the gates or boomsare fully open.

Keep clear of the train tracks

If there is traffic stopped on theother side of the railwaycrossing, you must not crossunless there is room for yourvehicle on the other side –otherwise you could be stuckon the tracks in the path of anoncoming train.

Where there are no gates,booms or flashing lights

At some railway level crossings,particularly in the country,where there are no gates,

booms or flashing lights, takeextra care. Slow down. Lookand listen for trains in bothdirections. Usually there arewarning signs placed well inadvance of these crossings.

Following other signs or directions

There may be other signs youmust obey at railway levelcrossings. These are usuallyeither Give Way or Stop signs.You should also stop if a railwayemployee signals you to stop.

Look both ways for trains

If you have stopped for a train,don’t move off until you havechecked that another train isnot following or coming theother way.

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PARKING

Parking is not as easy

as it seems. So that you

don’t cause problems for

others or risk parking fines,

you need to observe and

interpret many types of

parking signs.

There are threetypes of parking:

1 Parallel parking

This is the usual way to parkunless signs tell you otherwise.You must park completelywithin the parking bay, in linewith and close to the kerb.

morethan

1 metre

more than 3 metres

less than 3 metres

Stopping or parkingregulations apply even if you have stopped orparked your car and have your hazard warning lights on.

If signs say it is illegal for you to be stopping or parking at a place, having your hazard warning lights on will not change this.

A person must not cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a door of a vehicle, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or exiting a vehicle.

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FIGURE 58

When you park beside the road look out for cyclists before opening your car door. Look out for cyclists before you drive out of your parking space.

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If parking bays are not marked,you must:

• leave one metre between you and the vehicles in front and behind

• park with your vehicle facing the direction of travel of vehicles next to where your vehicle is parked

• not unreasonably obstruct the path of other vehicles or pedestrians.

2 Angle parking

You must park at the angleindicated by the signs or markedbays. Where no angle is indicatedby signs or marked bays, youmust park at a 45°angle.

3 Centre of road parking

You must drive in forwards and drive out forwards.Do not reverse out of thesespots, unless a sign indicatesyou may do so.

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FIGURE 59 FIGURE 60

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Parking control signs

Parking signs

Parking signs tell you whetheror not you can park, for how long,during which hours, and if youhave to pay. Some parking signsprovide more details than others.

General parking signs

A sign with the letter ‘P’ onlymeans you can park without atime limit.

Any number next to the ‘P’indicates the amount of timeyou can park. For example, thesign above left indicates a fiveminute parking limit, whilst thesign on the right shows a onehour limit.

The parking limits apply duringthe periods shown on the sign.For example, the five minuteparking sign on the left meansthat parking is allowed for a fiveminute period between the

hours of 9am and 4pm fromMonday to Friday. Outside thattime period parking is allowedwith no restrictions.

The 1P sign on the rightindicates a one hour time limitduring the hours of 9am to12noon on Saturdays. Any othertime you are free to park in thatarea with no restrictions.

Meter parking

An individual parking meternext to your vehicle means youmust pay as instructed on theparking sign or meter.

A group meter for the parkingarea nearby means you mustpurchase a ticket. Follow theinstructions on the meter orsign. Some group meters printout a ticket you must display onyour dashboard.

22

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Other group meters requireyour parking bay number(marked on the road) andelectronically record your feepaid and time allowed.

All meters are checkedregularly by parking inspectors.

Parking for disabled

Parking bays with this sign orthat are indicated by a roadmarking have been set aside toallow disabled persons easyaccess to places such as shops,libraries or community centres.You must not park in these

reserved parking spots withouta valid disabled permit.

Where not to park

No Parking signs

You are allowed two minutes ina No Parking area only if youremain within three metres ofthe vehicle and you are pickingup or dropping off passengers;otherwise if you stop, you areconsidered to have parked,even if you stay in the vehicle.

No Stopping signs

These tell you that you must notstop at the kerb for any reason.

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Clearways

Clearways help traffic movefaster during peak times.

Clearway sign used at start of clearway

This sign is used within the clearway

On the signs the letter ‘C’ means clearway – you mustnot stop here for any reasonduring the hours and daysnoted on the sign.

Zone signs

Loading Zone sign

Unless another limit is specifiedon the sign, a loading zone isonly for goods carryingvehicles with a ‘G’ codeincluded on their registrationlabels, signed delivery andcourier vehicles, trucks whiledropping off or picking up

goods, and public passengervehicles or taxis that aredropping off or picking uppassengers (30 minute limit oras shown on the sign).

Truck Zone sign

Only for trucks with a grossvehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes.No time limit is applied for atruck loading or unloadinggoods.

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Bus Zone sign

Only for public buses.

Permit Zone sign

Only for vehicles displaying avalid permit for that zone issuedby the relevant authority.

Taxi Zone sign

Only for taxis.

Works sign

Only for vehicles engaged inconstruction work in or nearthe zone.

Tow away zones

Typical use of Tow Away Zone signs

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A Tow Away zone means yourvehicle will be towed away ifyou park at this spot during thetimes specified. Not only do youpay a parking fine, you also needto pay a fee to reclaim your car.

General stopping andparking rules

You must not leave a vehiclestationary:

• double parked

• where there is a Keep Clear road marking

• within an intersection (except on the continuous side of a continuing road of a T-intersection)

• on freeways (except in an emergency stopping lane)

• across a lane or private driveway

• where you would leave less than three metres of road clear for traffic

• on the wrong side of the road, ie. on the far right side of a two-way road

• on a footpath or reservation (unless the vehicle is a motorcycle or bicycle)

• in a bus lane

• half in, half out of a No Parking or No Stopping area

• opposite continuous double white lines

• opposite a continuous white line next to a broken white line with the continuous line closer to you

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• within 20 metres of:

– both sides of an intersectionwith traffic lights

– the approach side of a bus stop

– the approach side of a children’s crossing

– both sides of a level crossing

– the approach side of a pedestrian crossing that is not at an intersection

• within 10 metres of:

– an intersection without traffic lights

– the approach side of a tram stop sign

– the departure side of a bus stop sign

– both sides of a safety zone

– the approach side of traffic lights not at an intersection

– the departure side of a pedestrian crossing that is not at an intersection

– the departure side of a children’s crossing

• within three metres of an Australia Post mail box

• within three metres of the departure side of a crossing with traffic lights not at an intersection

• within one metre of a fire hydrant

• on a curve or crest outside a built-up area unless visible for 100 metres from behind, or unless signs allow

• next to a continuous yellow edge line.

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PENALTIESAll traffic offences will result in some type of penalty.

These include monetary fines,loss of your learner permit orlicence, or you may be takento court.

Many offences also attract demerit points.

In most serious cases prisonsentences may be imposed.

Remember that a good drivingrecord is required if you are toprogress through theGraduated Licensing System.A good driving record meansyou avoid having your licencecancelled or suspended, aswell as avoiding any drinkand/or drug driving offences.

A licence or learner permit maybe suspended or cancelled as aresult of:

• a Court conviction

• a Traffic Infringement Notice

• accumulation of demerit points

• action taken by the Sheriff’s Office

• action taken by VicRoads.

If a licence or learner permit isnot held, a person may bedisqualified from obtaining alicence or a learner permit for aspecified period.

A person who has their licenceor learner permit suspended orcancelled by a Court, a TrafficInfringement Notice, theSheriff’s Office or by VicRoadsis not permitted to drive. Severepenalties exist if driving whilesuspended, unlicensed, orwhilst disqualified

(over $3,300 or four monthsimprisonment for a first offenceand mandatory imprisonmentfor up to two years for a secondoffence).

The following provides asummary of the actions thatmay arise from a traffic offence.Contact VicRoads for furtherinformation.

Suspend

The licence or learner permit iswithdrawn for a specifiedperiod. You cannot drive duringthis period. In most cases theoriginal licence or learnerpermit is returned. However, ifthe suspension has resulted in achange to the conditions of thelicence, a new licence will needto be issued (see Penalties forprobationary licences holders,page 148).

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Cancel

A licence or learner permit thatis cancelled is no longer valid.You cannot drive. Once theperiod of cancellation is over,you will need to apply to haveyour licence or learner permitreissued before you can startdriving again.

Reissue of the licence orlearner permit may require oneor more of the following actionsto be completed:

• knowledge of road law and/ or practical driving test

• an order from a Court to be relicensed

• an education course to be completed

• other requirements as specified by VicRoads.(i.e. payment of licence fee)

Disqualify

Permission to apply for alicence or learner permit iswithdrawn (if one is not held)as a result of a cancellation orsuspension.

Imprisonment

In some cases, a Court mayimpose a jail term as well as amonetary fine.

Infringements Court

The role of the InfringementsCourt is to administrativelyresolve unpaid infringementnotices. These offencesgenerally have fixed penaltiesand include parking offencesand driving offences.

Sheriff’s Office

The role of the Sheriff’s Officeis to enforce Court Orders,collect fines and civil debts.This may include the seizureand sale of assets, licencesuspension or, as a final option,imprisonment.

Demerit points

Demerit points are one type ofpenalty that will be recordedagainst your driver licence orlearner permit when youcommit certain traffic offencesanywhere in Australia.

Demerit points range from one to ten depending on theseverity of the offence.

147

You need

never know

about these

things…

but that’s

up to you

and the way

you decide

to drive

+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 145

Learner and probationarydrivers who incur 5 or moredemerit points in any 12 monthperiod may have their licencesuspended for at least 3 months.

If your licence is not suspendedyou would have chosen thetwelve month bond, where anyfurther demerit points lead to atleast 6 months licencesuspension.

If you get 12 or more demeritpoints in any 3 year period, youmay have your licence orlearner permit suspended for atleast 3 months.

This gives drivers theopportunity to learn from theirrepeat mistakes, but makeslicence loss a reality forpersistent offenders.

Further information and a fulllist of offences and demeritpoints can be found at VicRoadswebsite: www.vicroads.gov.au

Penalties for learnerpermit holders

If a learner permit is cancelledor suspended, it may affect thepermit holder’s eligibility toapply for a licence, as a learnerpermit must be held forcontinuous period of 12 monthsimmediately before applying fora licence, for those under 21years of age. For those aged 21but under 25 years the period is6 months, and it is 3 months ifyou are aged 25 years or over.

Penalties forprobationary licenceholders

If your first probationary licenceis suspended or cancelled duringthe P1 licence, your licence will be restricted. Restrictionsmay be imposed on carryingpassengers in your vehicle forthe balance of your P1 period.The probationary period (P1 orP2) will also be extended.

If your probationary licence iscancelled, your licence will bereissued as a probationarylicence for a further three orfour year term depending onyour age.

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Penalties for fulllicence holders

When a full licence is cancelled,a full licence will be reissuedwhen all relicensingrequirements have been met.

If a Court Order is required tobe produced due to an alcoholor drug driving related offence,then a three year zero BACrestriction will be imposed onthe licence when it is reissued.

LEGALRESPONSIBILITIES

As the holder of a licence

or learner permit, there

are a number of additional

legal responsibilities you

must fulfil.

Carry your licence

You must carry yourprobationary licence wheneveryou drive.

If you are under 26 years of ageyou must carry your licence atall times when driving.

All learner drivers must carrytheir learner permit at all timeswhen driving.

Change of name

You must notify VicRoadswithin 14 days when your namehas changed.

This can only be done in personat any VicRoads CustomerService Centre. It must besupported by originaldocuments along with either a photo licence or documentsthat prove your identity.

The following documents areacceptable for a change of name:

• Marriage Certificate (issuedby the Registrar of Births,Deaths and Marriages inAustralia)

• Divorce Papers

• Deed Poll (pre 1 November 1986 in Victoria)

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• Change of Name Registration(after 1 November 1986 in Victoria)

• Guardianship Order

• Adoption Paper

• Birth Certificate (issued after 26 June 2000 in Victoria shows the change of name details on the back of the Certificate).

Change of address

You must notify VicRoadswithin 14 days when yourresidential or postal address has changed. You may notifyyour change of address in oneof the following ways:

1 By calling VicRoadsTelephone numbers can befound on pages 8 – 9.

2 By attending in person at any VicRoads CustomerService Centre See the list on the inside back cover.

3 On the VicRoads homepagewww.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Notification of adisability

You must notify VicRoads ifyou have an illness or disabilitythat may impair your ability todrive safely.

You will need to provide acurrent medical certificate fromyour treating medicalpractitioner that states yourfitness to drive and providesdetails of your illness ordisability. Standard medical oreyesight report forms areavailable from any VicRoadsCustomer Service Centre or bycalling VicRoads. These formsare also available on theVicRoads website.

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Air and noisepollution

You must ensure any vehicleyou drive meets relevant air and noise emmission standards.Drivers of offending vehiclesmay be fined or taken to Courtand the owner may be issuedwith a notice to repair thevehicle.

Hoon driving

Police have the power toimpound motor vehicles for atleast 48 hours if used foroffences such as excessivespeeding, and for improper useof a motor vehicle, causing lossof traction or excessive noise orsmoke.

CRASHRESPONSIBILITIES

If you are involved in a

crash causing death or

injury and do not stop and

give assistance, you can be

fined up to $8000 and/or

be imprisoned for up to two

years. You will also lose

your licence for at least

two years.

If you are involved in a

crash there are certain

things you must do

immediately after

the crash.

What you must doafter a crash

• Stop immediately• Give assistance to any

injured person• Provide name, address,

registration number details and the vehicle owner’s nameto the other parties involved in the crash, or their representative, and to the police (if in attendance)

• If anyone is injured and the police are not in attendance, you must report the crash to the nearest open policestation

• If there is any property damage and the owner (orpolice) are not present, youmust report the crash to the nearest open police station.

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There are other things youshould do at a crash scene to prevent other people getting hurt, and to help thosepeople involved in the crash (see First aid after a crash onthis page).

There are emergency phones onthe side of the road on mostfreeways throughout Victoria.These are called VicRoads ‘Help Phones’ and can be used 24 hours a day for vehiclebreakdowns or any other kindof emergency. The phones are directly linked to theVicRoads Traffic Control andCommunications Centre.

FIRST AID AFTER A CRASH

The following first aid

information is based on

current Red Cross teaching

in line with Australian

Resuscitation Council

guidelines.

These guidelines are

intended to provide basic

principles to assist at a

crash site and/or attempt

resuscitation.

To call an ambulance, police or fire brigade, phone 000.

To call a tow truck, phone 13 1176.

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To learn basic first aid such

as CPR (Cardiopulmonary

Resuscitation) you will

need to undertake an

appropriate course.

Applying first aid after a crash

Many of us may need treatmentafter a road crash at some stageof our lives. Whether or not wesurvive until trained helparrives may well depend onsomebody’s willingness to givefirst aid.

3 things that couldsave a life...

1. Keeping a person’sairway open and clear

2. Making sure that theyare breathing

3. Stopping heavy bleeding

Read these simple instructionsnow and keep this handbook inyour car. Someone else may useit to help you in an accident.

If you are at a crashsite, try to remaincalm and...

• remember that acting quicklyis important

• if necessary, call for anambulance, or send someoneto call them

• ask if there is anybodytrained in first aid at thecrash site and if not, and youare first on the crash scene,follow the following steps.

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154

1. Survey the scene• Is the area safe for you to

approach?• Ask bystanders to help make

the area safe• Count the number of people

who are injured• Call an ambulance (dial 000)

or send someone to call them• Ask if there is anybody

trained in first aid at thecrash site.

2. Make the crashscene safe andprotect the area

• Position your car with itshazard lights flashing, towarn other motorists, or useheadlights to light up thescene if necessary.

• Send someone down the roadto warn approaching traffic,and turn off the ignition indamaged vehicles

3. Check the casualtiesCheck airway- open the casualty’s mouth and

check for any loose orobstructive objects eg loosedentures, vomit, blood etc.,clear from airway

- if airway is clear, tilt the headback, and check for breathing

Check breathing- look for the rise and fall of the

chest- listen for breathing- feel for the casualty’s breath

on your cheek- continue to maintain an open

airway- if the casualty is not breathing

begin cardiopulmonaryresuscitation (see page 156).

Check for signs of life(movement, breathing,colour, etc)

Four ways you can helpcasualties after a crash:

1. Survey the scene

2. Make the crash scene safeand protect the area

3. Check the casualties - checkairway, breathing and signs of life

4. Stop the heavy bleeding

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155

For conscious casualties:

• Talk to the casualty, tell themyour name and reassurethem

• If there is no response, gently touch the casualty onthe shoulders, give a simplecommand eg. “squeeze myhands” to see if they canrespond

• Check for and control anyheavy bleeding (see Stopheavy bleeding, page 157)

For conscious, breathingcasualties still in thevehicle:

• If you are certain that thevehicle and surrounds aresafe, and the casualty iseither conscious and/orbreathing, they do not haveto be unnecessarily removeduntil specialist help arrives,unless circumstancesarise, ie:

- they stop breathing

- their condition worsens

- it is no longer safe for themto stay in the vehicle.

For unconscious, breathingcasualties outside thevehicle:

• Keep a close eye on them tomake sure their airway isclear and they are stillbreathing, whilst waiting forthe ambulance to arrive

• If the casualty is lying on theground, it is vital to keepthem on their side in a stableposition

• With their head tilted backand face pointed down inorder to maintain an openairway.

For casualties unconscious and NOT breathing:

Even if the casualty is injured,you will need to remove themfrom the vehicle to perform thefollowing steps on next page:

If a casualty inside or outsidea vehicle must be moved toescape danger, or for you togive CPR, do so carefully andgently because of the risk ofspinal injury or increasedbleeding

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156

Cardiopulmonary (CPR)Resuscitation

With casualty on their back, check airway...

1. Tilt the head back fully to open with airway

2. Cover the casualty’s mouthwith your mouth blockingtheir nose with your cheek

3. Breathe into the casualtyuntil the chest begins to rise

4. Remove your mouth (make sure the chest falls)

5. Give another normal breath

6. Check to see if casualty isnow breathing by watchingfor chest rise and fall, whilstat the same time, checkingfor signs of life.

If the casualty is still notbreathing...

7. Begin CPR and continueuntil Emergency Servicesarrive

Note If performing CPR onchildren, use minimal head tiltand small breaths. For infants,give small puffs and do NOTuse head tilt.

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157

4. Stop heavy bleeding

Heavy bleeding of any type canbe fatal. Heavy external bleedingrequires quick action as follows:

To stop external bleeding:

• locate where the blood iscoming from

• apply firm pressure where theblood is coming from, usingwhatever clean cloth isavailable, eg. an item ofclothing, to make a pad

• if possible tie the pad firmly inplace

• if possible, raise the injuredarea. This may reduce or helpto stop the bleeding.

In an emergency, when glovesare not available and you haveto control bleeding:

• ask the casualty to help byapplying pressure or byplacing a dressing or otherclean dry cloth between yourhands and the wound

• Always give first aid carein ways which protect youand the casualty fromdisease transmission.

• Use protective barriers(for example disposablegloves or face mask)which are appropriate tothe emergency.

• When gloves are notavailable and you have tocontrol bleeding, ask thecasualty to help you byapplying pressure, orplacing a dressing orother clean dry clothbeween your hand and the wound.

• Wash your handsthoroughly as soon aspossible after giving first aid.

• Avoid touching or beingsplashed by body fluidswhere possible.

+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 155

TEST YOURSELFQUESTIONS

The questions you will find

in this section are examples

of the type of questions

you will be asked.

The actual test questions

are not the ones asked in

this handbook.

(The answers to Test YourselfQuestions are upside down at thebottom of the next page).

Q1 In good conditions, a safe following distance is:

A at least 1 second behind the car in front

B at least two seconds behind the car in front

C at least two car lengths from the car in front

Q2 If the police stop you at a random breath test station, you must take a breath test:

A when you are asked to do so

B only if you have been drinking

C only if you have been speeding

Q3 Driving can best be described as:

A an easy task that just about everyone can do

B a task which most people can learn after a fewlessons over several weeks

C a complicated task

Q4 Supervised learner drivers:

A are more at risk of being involved in a crash causing injury than probationary drivers

B have the same risk of being involved in a crash causing injury as do probationary drivers

C are amongst the safest drivers on the roads

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Q5 Are your responsibilities the same for a school crossing as for a pedestrian crossing?

A Yes, in both cases you may drive on after giving way to pedestrians

B No, at a children’s crossing you must stop and remain stopped until the crossing is completely clear of pedestrians

C No, at a children’s crossing you have to give way only to children

Q6 A headcheck is:

A making eye contact with other road users so that you know they have seen you

B looking quickly over your shoulder to look out the side windows

C a place behind the driver that can’t be seen by usingthe mirrors

Q7 To make the most of your learning when you have received your learners permit, it is best to take:

A frequent drives with your supervising driver

B the occasional long drive with your supervising driver

C regular drives with you supervising driver, at times when the traffic is light and it is not raining

Q8 The likelihood of a crash is almost halved after:

A 6-8 months of solo driving experience

B 1 year of solo driving experience

C 2-3 years of solo driving experience

Q9 What is the best way to check the crashworthiness of a new or used car?

A check cars safety rating at www.howsafeisyourcar.com.auor in the Australian New Car Assessment Program or the Used Car Safety Rating brochures.

B ask your parents or a friend

C ask the person you’re buying the car from

159Answers: Q1 B, Q2 A, Q3 C, Q4 C, Q5 B, Q6 B, Q7 A, Q8 A. Q9 A

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161

VicRoads

Telephone enquiries

All registration and driver licenceenquiries and test bookings.

Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Saturday 8.30am – 2.00pm

Tel: 13 11 71 Victorian calls

Tel: +61 3 9854 2666 Overseas calls

Tel: 1300 652 321 If you have impaired hearing or speech, anduse a Telephone Typewriter (TTY)

Legislation

The Road Safety Act andassociated Regulations can beviewed atwww.legislation.vic.gov.auThe Road Rules - Victoria can beviewed on VicRoads website.

VicRoads Bookshop

The Bookshop distributesinformation about obtaining andrenewing a driver licence,registering a vehicle or renewingvehicle registration, as well asinformation on road and vehiclesafety and drink driving. It alsosells road safety education kitsand books for students andprospective drivers.

Ground Floor60 Denmark StreetKew Vic 3101

Tel: (03) 9854 2049 and (03) 9854 2782

Fax: (03) 9854 2468

Email: [email protected]

VicRoads website

VicRoads website providesinformation about VicRoadsservices, products and strategies.

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

VicRoads Traffic Control andCommunication Centre

This Centre provides informationand assistance with:

• emergency road conditions

• freeway breakdowns

• traffic accident reports

• traffic light faults.

Tel: 13 11 70

Resources to help you

+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 1

VicRoads Road Safety,Traffic and Road Management Services

For information and assistance with:

• unsafe locations or stretches of road

• road safety

• current road rules.

Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Tel: 13 11 70

VicRoads Vehicle Securities Register

If you are thinking about buying a second hand vehicle privately,you should contact the VehicleSecurities Register to checkwhether:

• there is money owing on the vehicle, and

• the vehicle is recorded as stolen.

For a small fee, you can alsoobtain a Vehicle SecuritiesRegister certificate whichprovides legal protection againstrepossession.

Tel: 13 11 71

maxi

maxi provides a fast electronic wayto pay bills, access services, andget information 24 hours a day.

www.maxi.com.au

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Victoria Police

For information and assistancewith road law issues.

Tel: 03 9247 5779

www.police.vic.gov.au

Information VictoriaBookshop

Retail sales of Governmentlegislation, reports, maps andspecialist publications.

356 Collins StreetMelbourne Vic 3000

Tel: 1300 366 356

www.information.vic.gov.au

Citylink

Citylink is Melbourne’s fullyelectronic toll way. To useCitylink, you’ll need an e-TAG,Day Pass or Tulla Pass. CallCitylink to arrange your e-TAG orDay Pass, or visit the website atwww.transurban.com.au

Tel: 13 26 29

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A

accompanying driver 12, 23

air and noise pollution 151

airbags 75

alcohol and drugs 54, 56, 68-74

animals 78, 98, 103, 112, 135

assessment 23

automatic transmission 18, 20, 23

BBAC (Blood AlcoholConcentration) 13, 23, 54,

68-71

blind spots 38, 128, 133, 135

bookingslearner permit 8-9licence 13-14

brakes and braking 44-45, 119

breakdowns 121

breath testing 70-71

built-up areas 76, 132

buses 125, 132

Ccaravans 13, 23

child restraints 74-75

children 96, 123-127, 145,156 see also child restraints

Citylink 115-116, 163

clearways 142-143

conditions 23-24

continuous period (learnerpermit) 13-14, 148

country roads 77-78, 135

crashes 28, 36, 40, 55-63, 69-70responsibilities 151risk reduction 59-63

cyclists 103, 108, 110, 112, 127-128

Ddemerit points 146-147

disabled persons 10, 141, 150

divided roads 103

dividing lines 86-88

driver eligibility 23

Drive Test 16-17

driving hours of 40-43,instructor 17, 35, 39, log 12, 41,

drugs 53-54, 72-74see also alcohol and drugs; medicines

dual control 17

Eemergency signals 121

emergency vehicles 132, 152

eyesight tests 10, 15, 23

Ffairways 131

fatigue 55-56

fines 138, 144, 146

First Aid 152-157

following distance 61-62

freeways 77, 114-116, 144

full licence 21, 23

GGive Way rules 95-106,

123-124, 126, 129, 132,135

Give Way signs 81, 92, 95-97, 135-137

Graduated LicensingSystem 22-24

H

hazard lights 115, 121, 138

hazard perception 37see also potential hazard

Hazard Perception Test 8, 15-16, 21, 23, 24

headchecks 30, 38, 105

headlight range 63

headlights 120, 122high-beam 120

heavy vehicles 133-135

Help phones 152

high powered vehicles 20, 23-24

horn 45, 121, 126, 135

horses see animals164

Index

+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 4

Iidentity (evidence of)

10-11, 149-150

imprisonment (jail) 146-147

indicators 30, 106, 119-122

interpreters 21

intersections 81-83, 93-99, 145

interstate licence 5

infringements court 147

Kkeeping to the left 118

LL plates 12, 15, 23-24

lanes 88-90bicycle 89-90bus 89, 116, 132, 143changing 30, 89, 105,118overhead 89tram 89-90, 129-131transit 89-90

language options 8, 21

learner permit 5, 8-13, 23-24, 146-148

legal responsibilities 149-157

level crossings railway 84, 136-137,

145tram 136

licence 9-14, 17, 21-24, 146-147

licence (steps) 7

lightsbrake 119flashing 134hazard 115, 121, 138head 120high beam 120rear fog 121tail 120traffic see traffic lights

Mmedian strip 103

medical illness/disability 10, 14, 150

medicines 54, 56, 72-74

merging 105, 114,see also zip merging

mirrors 30, 38-39, 45, 62, 133-134

mobile phones 23-24, 54

motorcyclists 13, 127- 128

Nname change 11, 149-150

night driving 27, 63, 120

Oovertaking 87-88, 118,

121-123, 129, 134-135

P

P plates 17, 23-24

parking 138-145disabled 141meter 140-141signs 140-144

passenger restriction 18, 23, 148

pedestrians 37, 96-97, 110-111crossings 85, 123-126,145signals 95, 124

penalties 20, 146-149

photographs 12, 17, 21

police 71, 132

potential hazard 16

power nap 56

probationary licence 13-21, 23-24, 148-149,

Rrailway level crossings

see level crossings

restraint fitting stations 75

reversing 47

road markings 86-92

road rage 117

road work signs 85

roundabouts 102-103, 112-113, 118,

rules and regulations 65-157

Ssafety margin 60-62, 134

safety zones 125-126

scanning 39, 45-47, 55

school speed zones 77

165

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seat belts 57, 74-76

shared zones 77, 97

Sheriff’s Office 146, 147

signalling see indicators

signs 80-86, 140-144advisory 84clearway 142-143direction 86give way 81, 92, 95, 97,

137intersections 81-83railway level crossings

84, 136-137roadworks 85roundabouts 102speed 76-77, 84stop 81, 83, 92, 95, 97tow away 143-144truck 134-135warning 82-85zones 142-145

skidding 45, 79

slip lanes 96-97, 99, 107

special purpose lanes 89-90

speed 55

speed control 46-47, 59-60,62-63, 114

speed limits 76

stopping 138, 144-145distance 78

supervising drivers 14, 17, 33, 35, 39-40, 63

Ttail lights 120

taxis 70, 143

testlearner permit 8-12licence 13-17

test yourself questions158-159

Three point turn 112

T-intersections 83, 100-101

tiredness see fatigue

tollways 115

traffic islands 91, 92, 145

traffic lane arrows 91

traffic lights 93-95, 124

trailers 13, 23-24

tram level crossings see level crossings

tram lights 94

tram stops 125-126

trams 97, 102, 125-126, 129-131

transit lanes 90

trucks 23-24, 108, 133-135, 142

TTY (TelephoneTypewriter) 8, 161

Tunnel 115-116

turns and turning 104, 106-113, 118hook 108-109left 107-108, 118right 107, 118roundabout 112, 113, 118U-turn 97, 104, 110-

112, 118

tyres 45, 57

UU-turns

97, 104, 110-111, 118

Vvehicles (definition) 98

vision impaired 127

Wweather conditions 27, 37,

42-43, 63, 79

Zzero BAC see BAC

zip merging 105

166

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METROPOLITANCUSTOMERSERVICECENTRES

BROADMEADOWSCnr PearcedaleParade andJohnstone StreetBroadmeadows 3047

BUNDOORA8 Graduate RoadUniversity HillBundoora 3083

BURWOOD EAST12 Lakeside DriveBurwood East 3151

CAMBERWELL3 Prospect Hill RoadCamberwell 3124

CARLTON459 Lygon StreetCarlton 3053

DANDENONG72-74 Greens RoadDandenong South3175

DROMANAShop 11 Dromana Central143 Point Nepean RdDromana 3936

FRANKSTON71 Hartnett DriveSeaford 3198

HOPPERS CROSSING52–64 Old Geelong Rd(Spotlight Centre)Hoppers Crossing3029

MELTON267 High StreetMelton 3337

OAKLEIGH SOUTH1 Eskay RoadSouth Oakleigh 3167

SUNBURY7/36 Macedon StreetSunbury 3429

SUNSHINE499 Ballarat RoadSunshine 3020

COUNTRYCUSTOMERSERVICECENTRES

ARARATShop 2 56 High StreetArarat 3377

BAIRNSDALE535 Princes HighwayBairnsdale 3875

BALLARAT88 Learmonth RoadWendouree 3355

BENALLA50-52 Clarke StreetBenalla 3672

BENDIGO57 Lansell StreetBendigo 3550

COBRAMShire Offices44 Station StreetCobram 3644

COLACPrinces HwyColac West 3250

ECHUCA5 Mundarra RoadEchuca 3564

GEELONGFyans StreetGeelong South 3220

HAMILTONRiley StreetHamilton 3300

HORSHAM14 O’Callaghans PdeHorsham 3400

KYNETON2 Beauchamp StreetKyneton 3444

LEONGATHAAnderson StreetLeongatha 3953

MARYBOROUGHShire OfficesNeill StreetMaryborough 3465

MILDURA109–111 Orange AveMildura 3500

MORWELLPrinces DriveMorwell 3840

PORTLAND114a Percy StreetPortland 3305

SALE28 Princes HighwaySale 3850

SEYMOUR5 Crawford StreetSeymour 3660

SHEPPARTON231-239 Corio StreetShepparton 3630

SWAN HILL70 Nyah RoadSwan Hill 3585

WANGARATTA62-68 Ovens StreetWangaratta 3677

WARRAGULUnit 5 131 North RoadWarragul 3820

WARRNAMBOOL29 Jamieson StreetWarrnambool 3280

WODONGA82-86 Elgin BoulevardWodonga 3690

ALL TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES13 11718.30am to 5.00pm

Monday to Friday

8.30am to 2.00pm

Saturday

Customer ServiceCentre TradingHours8.30am to 4.30pm

Monday to Thursday

8.30am to 5.00pm

Friday

VicRoads Customer Service Centres

+Coverv3 16/4/08 5:34 PM Page 3

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

VicRoads Publication Number 00568/12 VR

PIN

0056

8.05

.08

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Education

Road To Solo Optimized Low Res