Cars

[Rookie_son]

over the years I never really payed attention to cars, not when all my mates were talking about cars growing up or ever playing those gran turismo games they all loved, i was more into other sports. now im 22 years and finally decided to get my L's 4 months ago, ive got another 8 months before i can get my P's license (dont know around the rest of the world, in australia you must first have your Learners [L's] license for a year and are only allowed to drive when someone with a full license is in the car with you until you get your Provisional [P's]License). So I can drive fine, getting from point A to B, but I dont know anything about cars, i find it a bit embaressing when there's a discussion going on and i have no clue what ever is on about. At the end of my L's in about 8 months I plan to buy a car and I want to have decent knowledge about the insides of a car, not some ultimate pro, just decent so i dont get jipped. So how do i go about it? google wasnt much help.

 

[Ease]

So all you have to do to get a license is drive for a year?

Is there no test?

How do they make sure everyone is good enough to drive before they give a license?

 

[Rookie_son]

bit of a read.

Learners
To get your learner licence you need to be 16 years of age or older. You will need to attend an RTA motor registry prove your identity and pass a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT).

When you are issued with your learner licence, you will receive a Learner driver log book so that you and your supervising driver(s) can record your driving experience. You will have to log at least 120 hours of supervised driving (which includes a minimum of 20 hours of night driving) before you can attempt the Driving Test.

Learner drivers must:

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

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements is an offence and carries heavy penalties, including loss of licence.

If you are 17 years of age or older, you are eligible to attempt the Driving Test if you have logged at least 120 hours driving time (which includes a minimum of 20 hours of night driving) and have held your learner licence for at least 12 months.

Provisional

A P1 driver licence is issued for 18 months. You must hold a P1 licence for a minimum total period of 12 months before being eligible to progress to a P2 licence.

Once you have completed the required tenure period on your P1 licence, you can attempt the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). If successful, you can proceed to the P2 licence.

P1 drivers must:

* Have P plates (red P on white background) displayed conspicuously at the front and rear exterior of the car when driving. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden. If towing a trailer, a P plate must be on the back of the trailer.
*
Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (this means you cannot drink before driving). It is also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs.
* Observe a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h.
* Observe towing restrictions (you are only allowed to tow light trailers of up to 250 kilograms unloaded weight).
* Automatic transmission vehicles – You are restricted to driving an automatic or clutchless manual transmission vehicle if tested in one.
*
Not supervise a learner driver.
*
Not upgrade the licence to a higher class.
*
If aged under 25, you may only carry one passenger under the age of 21 between 11pm and 5am.
*
Only carry the number of passengers that can be properly seated in seats and restrained by approved seat belts or child restraints.
*
Only drive vehicles that have a seat belt fitted to the driver's position and you must wear the seat belt.
*
Not use any functions of a mobile phone including hands-free devices.
*
Not drive certain prohibited vehicles.



A P2 driver licence is issued for 30 months. You must hold a P2 licence for a minimum period of 24 months before being eligible to progress to a full licence.



P2 licence holders must:

* Have P plates (green P on a white background) displayed conspicuously at the front and rear exterior of the car when driving. The letter P on the plate must not be hidden. If towing a trailer, a P plate must be on the back of the trailer.
*
Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (this means you cannot drink before driving). It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs.
* Observe a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h.
* Not supervise a learner driver.
* Only carry the number of passengers that can be properly seated in seats and restrained by approved seat belts or child restraints.
* Only drive vehicles that have a seat belt fitted to the driver's position and you must wear the seat belt.
* Not drive certain prohibited vehicles.

Full License

After you have held your provisional (P2) driver licence for the minimum required period you can upgrade to a full driver licence by passing the Driver Qualification Test (DQT). If you have moved to NSW from interstate or another country, please go to the New Drivers to NSW section of this website.

What is the Driver Qualification Test (DQT)?

The DQT is a combination of an advanced hazard perception test and a further test of knowledge on road rules and safe driving.

 

[JDiddy]

haha, NSW the fascist police state

And there should be tons of info on how cars work on the net?

 

[Rookie_son]

yeah, i just had to google a bit harder. been reading it for a while now.