Are you learning to drive, or teaching someone to drive, or have an interest in driving safely? Information, articles, answers to questions and tips relating to safe and responsible driving. Getting your driver's licence is one of the most rewarding experiences, opening up your career and social opportunities. The aim is not limited to helping you pass your driving test, but also to become a safe and competent driver for the years ahead.
There is a lot of disagreement about left-foot braking and whether it actually makes you safer on the road or that you may be creating a hazard for other road users.
There are vehicles which require left-foot operation, for example go-karts and motorcycles. And it’s a technique often used by racing car and rally drivers where maintaining power while braking is crucial. Left-foot braking can potentially save fractions of a second it takes for your right foot to move to the brake pedal. There are no laws against left-foot braking. However, there are a number of reasons why you should consider right-foot braking and chief amongst those is the safe operation of a car.
Motoring organisations recommend right-foot braking as a method of safe driving. The brake can be adequately covered by the right foot when approaching potential hazardous situations. So, by using this method, the driver can brake with their right foot while bracing with their left foot on the footrest. This method also avoids the scenario of both feet pressing accelerator and brake at the same time.
There is no law against left-foot braking, and in driving tests, the brakes should be operated smoothly and effectively to maintain control of the car. Nevertheless, left-foot braking is not looked at favourably when doing a practical driving test. In Queensland, left-foot braking constitutes a non-critical error in the Q-Safe Driving Test criteria.
Criteria Q-Safe Driving Test
In newer modern cars, there are some overriding features to make braking safer. Scenarios of drivers driving through shop fronts by pushing both brake and accelerator at the same time can be avoided with a computer override. Many new cars have throttle-by-wire (the accelerator pedal has no physical connection, but is connected by wire to the engine), so it’s easy to kill the throttle via ECU (engine control unit) intervention when both pedals are pressed at the same time. Some would argue that the scenario described here could be more easily avoided with right-foot braking.
NRMA driver training recommends the right foot be used for one task at a time. When accelerating the right foot is used on the accelerator pedal and when braking the right foot is used on the braking pedal. The left foot is placed on the foot position provided in the foot well of the driver compartment. The left foot can be used on the clutch pedal when changing gears in a manual vehicle.
Professional driving instructors will advise you to use your right foot for braking whether you are driving a manual or automatic vehicle. Instructors will encourage you to concentrate on developing good hazard perception skills. One technique would be removing the right foot from the accelerator pedal and then covering the brake pedal with the right foot to reduce reaction time. Many drivers do this automatically when approaching traffic lights that have been green for a considerable time and anticipate the possibility of the lights changing as they approach the intersection. Left-foot braking offers very small compensation for undeveloped hazard perception.
Although there may be specific situations where left-foot braking, it is much safer to use your right foot for braking in normal day-to-day safe driving.
For any teenager, getting a licence can be an exciting experience not to mention enjoying the freedom that comes with driving. And for many, it’s seen as a rite of passage. This can be somewhat challenging for parents who want their teen to get their licence, but also drive with confidence and stay safe on the road. Statistically worldwide, road crashes represent the greatest cause of death for young people between 15 to 29 years old. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available for new drivers to understand the road rules and how to control and drive a car responsibly.
So, are you ready to get started? It’s helpful to plan toward learning to drive and getting a licence. Here are some steps to toward passing the driving test and driving safely on the road with confidence and reducing your risk of collision.
1. Learn the theory first. You can download a copy of ‘Your Keys to Driving in Queensland’ to get up to date information about road rules and licencing requirements. There is also a free on-line practice test containing 10 give way questions, and 20 road rule questions, which you could be asked. This page includes a refresher of everyday driving rules. Other resources are available through RACQ and Zutobi.
2.Pass a road rules test. There are two ways to do this, either the PrepL on-line course or the written road rules test, a paper test that you can do in the TMR office. PrepL consists of interactive activities, videos and traffic scenarios covering driver attitude, signs, signals, road rules and sharing the road with others. You can start PrepL as early as age 15yrs 11mths and proceed at your own pace. To be eligible to sit a written road rules test you must be at least 16 and attend a licence issuing centre. 3.Apply for a learner licence. Once you turn 16, you can apply for a learner licence. Remember you are eligible for a learner licence provided you’ve passed the PrepL or written road rules test. Whenever making an application for a licence, make sure you have evidence of identification. The cost of a 3-year learner licence as at 1 July 2023 is $75. You will receive a licence, a paper learner logbook unless you’d prefer the logbook app. It’s possible to start with a paper logbook and transfer the recorded driving hours to the app.
4.Supervised logbook driving. Once you have a learner licence, whether temporary paper one, or the real deal hard plastic one, you’re ready to start driving. It might be reassuring to know that as a learner driver, you’re statistically in the lowest crash risk category. That changes significantly once you’ve got your P’s however. So, it’s kind of important to get the right practice and experience before you get your P’s. See notes below listing important things to know. Booking with a reputable driver trainer would be very helpful at the beginning.
5.Hazard perception test. The Hazard Perception Test or HPT is an on-line test that measures your ability to predict and respond to dangerous driving situations and can be completed after you have held a learner licence for 6 months. You’ll need to pass the HPT before you can do a driving test. It’s actually OK to book a practical driving test before doing the HPT, but you must pass the HPT before your practical driving test. This a practice HPT test from the South Australian DIT, at least it gives you an idea of what to expect.
6.Book a practical driving test. Booking a driving test is a fairly simple procedure. You can either book your test on-line, or call QLD TMR on 132380. It’s best to book well in advance to get the best appointment time and day that’s most suitable for you. It’s OK to book a driving test before you complete your logbook and pass the HPT test, but you must pass the HPT test and have your logbook approved before the day of your driving test.
This video explains how to prepare for your driving test. You might notice one or two driver errors in the video.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN YOU START OUT AS A LEARNER DRIVER
1.UNDERSTAND THE LAW. There are serious penalties for driving under the influence of any substance, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt correctly. TMR has an extensive list of offences with fines and demerit points.
2.GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR VEHICLE. Make sure you know how to adjust things in your car, for example adjust the seat and steering wheel and adjust the mirrors to the optimum position. Get familiar with all switches in the car. (headlight, indicator, wiper, washer, hazard light etc.) Also, learn what the warning lights mean. The car owner manual can be a very helpful resource. For flat tyres, dead batteries etc, roadside assistance such as RACQ can also be helpful.
3.START WITH SOMETHING EASY. If you’ve never driven before, learn how to get in the car and adjust everything including the seat, steering wheel and mirrors. Learn how to start and switch off the engine as well as how to secure the vehicle. Practice moving off from the side of the road and then also stopping safely on the side of the road before progressing onto left turns and then right turns. Many people begin their driving experience with a reputable driver trainer.
4.DON’T FEEL PRESSURED. You’ll encounter various situations in traffic where you may feel you’re holding up traffic. For example, don’t feel pressured by the driver behind you to go faster unnecessarily. Similarly, try to avoid hasty decisions at intersections because you’re being followed. A calm attitude will be helpful later when encountering peer pressure.
5.DRIVE WITH PURPOSE. Plan your driving trip to include a new or existing skill. This could include take-offs & stopping smoothly, approaches & turns at intersections, roundabouts, turning at traffic lights, manoeuvres. Start simple but try to broaden your skills with different locations and remember to reinforce existing skills.
6.REVIEW ROAD RULES. Quiz yourself with road rules, it’s a brilliant way to be prepared for your next drive. Also, check the meaning of the road signs you encounter when driving. Some signs may appear similar but the meaning can be quite different.
7.LOG ALL YOUR DRIVES. Remember to log every drive and make sure to fill in all details correctly – it can be difficult to correct later. The more hours you drive, the more experience you will get. Lessons with a reputable driver trainer will boost your skill level - each of the first 10 hours of driver training is calculated at 3 hours for each hour of training.
What happened to the Keys 2 Drive program and the ‘free’ driving lesson?
Keys 2 Drive - no longer running
What happened to the Keys 2 Drive program and the ‘free’ driving lesson?
The national Keys 2 Drive program began in 2008 and was an Australian Government funded program which provided learner drivers and their parents/supervisors a free driving lesson with accredited professional driving instructors.
The goal of the Keys 2 Drive program was to reduce the risk of young drivers having a serious crash within the first six months on their P-plates. The program was structured so that young learner drivers find their own way in how to learn to drive safely. The purpose of the program was to significantly reduce the crash risk of new drivers as a driver going from L to P-plates were statistically six times more likely to have a serious crash.
The Australian Government has an established goal of halving national road deaths by 50 per cent by 2030. However independent appraisals showed that the Keys 2 Drive program was not delivering the measurable road safety improvements that the government had hoped for. Consequently, access to the program ended for participants on 31 March 2023.
It’s not unusual for parents to want their children to have some kind of advanced driver training to make them safer on the road. It’s important to acknowledge that there are several different kinds of courses available. From the wide range of courses that are available, it’s important to seek course components that would be most beneficial to young drivers.
There are actually a wide variety of driving courses available. These can include:
1.Driving experience courses designed for you to have fun usually with an instructor present to prevent an accident.
2. Race car driver or stunt driver courses where you learn car control skills specific to purpose.
3. Specialist courses such as 4WD off-road, or caravan towing.
4. Defensive driving courses to reduce risk of collisions and improve road safety through car control. It helps you to avoid dangerous situations including serious weather conditions and other people’s poor driving behaviours.
These courses all sound quite interesting and there is a benefit in improving car control skills and can help with drivers’ confidence and a feeling of safety on the road. However, road safety
Being a good driver is about much more than just knowing the rules of the road; you also have to be vigilant at all times, eliminate distractions, and make sure your vision is unimpaired. For drivers in areas where the weather can be unpredictable, it’s especially important to be safe behind the wheel.
One of the best ways to become a better driver is to change any bad habits, like talking on the phone, texting, or dealing with any other distractions while the car is in gear. Focusing on the road and other drivers will help you stay safe, and keep others safe as well.
Even if you think you’re an impeccable driver, it never hurts to have a refresher on safe driving. Read on for more tips from Ace Driver Training on how to stay safe on the roads.
Think objectively about your ability to drive
If you’re a senior with health issues or vision trouble, it might be safer to leave the driving to
IS REVERSING INTO A PARKING BAY BETTER THAN GOING FORWARDS?
Inside a shopping centre car park, you’ll have the option of parking forwards or reversing into a parking space. While parking straight in may be quicker, reversing in can be a safer and a slightly more economical option.
Whether parking forwards or in reverse, you should check that the parking space is empty and no shopping trolleys left inside the space or any other potential obstruction. Also, keep an eye out for pedestrian traffic. Manoeuvring your car in at low speed should allow you control to park carefully. At this stage, reversing into an empty parking spot will pose less risk than reversing out into any traffic.
Outside of showing off your parking skill, the reasoning for reversing into a parking spot is quite strong. When reversing, the wheels doing the steering are at the back making your car more manoeuvrable. When exiting forwards from the parking spot, it’s a lot easier to spot potential hazards and merge into traffic.
What's the new fee for a learner licence in Queensland?
Save the date March 1st! From March 1st, new learner drivers in Queensland are going to pay $75 for a learner licence. After repeated requests, the Queensland government has responded by lowering the learner licence fee.
At $75, the licence fee will now be $110 cheaper than the existing fee. However, a Queensland learner licence will still be more expensive than every other state except Western Australia.
Learner licences will continue to be valid for a three-year period. On average it takes Queenslanders approximately 20 months to move to their provisional licence.
If you wait and get your learner licence on or after 1 March, you will pay the new
WHAT ADVICE DO TMR DRIVING EXAMINERS OFFER FOR DRIVING TESTS?
If you drive safely and correctly, you pass the driving test and get a licence. Even with only a few small errors, you can get a successful result. But, it can be quite nerve-wracking having an examiner sit next to you while you drive.
The driving examiner is assessing your driving, but will often try to help you settle your nerves to allow you to concentrate on your driving. The examiner will be fair, they want you to do well in the driving test. Here are some things to help you be ready for that day when you do the driving test.
First of all, make sure that you’re prepared for the day. Make sure you have already completed the hazard perception test. This is a requirement for all learner licence holders and is separate from the written test. Have a look at other people driving off and returning from their driving tests, and visualise yourself doing the same thing. Needless to say, being early for your appointment is very helpful in easing the nerves. A driving instructor can be very helpful with preparing you on the test day.
Learning with a driving school is recognised as very beneficial as you’ll be taught and be able to practise the fundamentals of driving, proper technique, understanding of road rules and
Since July 2022, Queensland has become one of the most expensive states in Australia if you get caught breaking road rules. Notably, increases in speeding fines along with fines for not wearing a seatbelt and running red lights have brought much attention. The fine for not wearing a seat belt has increased to $1078, the most expensive in Australia.
The Queensland Transport and Main Roads minister, Mark Bailey, has stated the changes were aimed at reducing the number of lives on the road. Until July 2022, 81 people had lost their lives on Queensland roads, and statistically, one in three fatalities were not the driver of the vehicle. The minister reminded people that if you did the right thing, you wouldn’t be penalised, and added that revenue from fines would be re-invested into road safety.
Future plans include road improvements, read safety education, introduction of AI cameras. There will also be initiatives to make school and work zones safer and reduce road crashes and trauma. This is part of a national strategy to reduce fatalities by 50% and serious injuries by 30%.
Do you have a teenager who’s about to start driving? If your teen is growing up fast, and you’re worried about them getting behind the wheel, Ace Driver Training offers tips on how you can be prepared before your teen starts driving, and how to teach them how to be a safe driver.
Safety First
When your teen is approaching driving age, take active steps to make sure they’re prepared to be a safe driver. Talk to them about road safety, and make sure they’ll be alert on the road. Explain all the car systems, the meaning of the warning lights on the dashboard, how to adjust the seat and mirrors to increase comfort and visibility, and how to turn the headlights on.
Spend some time explaining the rules of the road, and be sure they understand that traffic laws are in place to provide safety to everyone on the road. Teach your teen that distracted driving greatly increases their risk of an accident, and don’t allow them to eat, chat with their friends, apply makeup, or fiddle with the radio. The key to safety as a new driver is to stay focused, and pay attention to the road.
Educating Your Teen About Phone Use in the Vehicle
Have a serious conversation with your young driver about phone use in the vehicle, and how phones can cause serious accidents. In the United States 21% of fatal accidents involving a teen driver were caused by distracted driving and cellphone use. Keep your loved one safe, and don’t let your teen be a distracted driver. Make sure they won’t text and drive, talk on the phone while driving, or access apps on their phone behind the wheel.
Safe Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Phones are a major safety hazard, but they’re also a valuable tool. Smartphones provide directions, have a handy map, and are absolutely essential if your teen gets into an emergency and needs help. One way to ensure safe phone usage when driving is to get safe driving apps like Mama Bear, Automatic or AT&T Drive Mode, all of which have features to protect your teenager. In Australia, there are apps such as Life360, Find My Friends, and Teen Driving Log. To ensure you’re able to track your
It’s no secret that vehicles can quickly become dangerous when they aren’t driven with proper precautions. The combination of size, weight, and speed can turn even a small car into an exceedingly dangerous weapon. So, the next time you get behind the wheel, consider these basics to help ensure safety while on the road.
Protect Yourself and Others
One basic thing you can do to take care of yourself and others when you drive is to have sufficient auto insurance.
Insurance policies can help you pay for damages, make repairs, and help in the event you hurt someone or damage property.
The typical minimum insurance is called third party insurance, and the purpose of this policy is to pay for damages or injuries to others. But that won’t help you if you’re injured or your car is totaled. In this case, for total coverage you would need comprehensive insurance.
Of course, the more coverage you have, the higher the premiums you’ll have to pay, though this figure will change depending on a variety of factors (age, gender, make/model of car, etc.). Rates can also vary widely based on which state or territory you live in.
And those drivers who are considered “high risk” often pay more than other drivers. Even though insurance tends to cost more for high-risk drivers, it’s still required by law, so investigate your options and ensure you have appropriate coverage.
Keeping a clean driving record can be as simple as changing your habits. Here are some ideas:
Watch Your Speed
When you’re in a rush, hitting the gas can be a natural reaction. However, speed appears to greatly contribute to car accidents. Not only is it more challenging to control a faster vehicle, but the risk of serious injury also rises substantially the faster you go. Slowing down can save your life, so make sure you have enough elbow room in your schedule to avoid rushing.
Use Cruise Control Correctly
Cruise control can make it easier to coast down the highway, and it can also save on fuel usage, but used improperly, it raises your road risk. Inclement weather, curvy
WHAT KIND OF MISTAKES DO PEOPLE MAKE IN THE DRIVING TEST?
During the Q-Safe driving test, the examiner will give you directions to follow a pre-planned route and then assess your driving performance. Listed below is the scoring criteria used in the Q-Safe Driving Test. The number and type of errors basically determines the overall result of the driving test. Driving test errors are divided into three sections; Pre-Drive Check, Vehicle Operation, and Hazard Perception.
Errors in your driving performance are scored as:
Non-critical driving errors (NCDE) – 8 of these small errors and you still pass. This is an error, but you haven’t compromised your or other road user’s safety.
Specific repeated driving error (SRDE) – Woops! 6 errors for certain performance checks, for example 6 signalling errors make one SRDE – this is a fail.
Critical driving error (CDE) – one of these and you fail the driving test.
There are also general critical driving errors which aren't related to the performance checks listed below. Basically, a driving test may be terminated by examiner intervention, collision, dangerous action and disobeying an official direction.
Since 2015, the Q-Safe driving test has placed an emphasis on:
Zero tolerance to speeding.
Appropriate following distances.
Turning safely at intersections.
Appropriate hazard perception skills.
Merging or entering high speed areas.
Note: The following is a summary of the scoring criteria for different driving errors. Some of the criteria have been shortened from the actual official version.
Zip merging is when two rows of vehicles merge into one, and there are no lines marked on the road, and have a 'ZIP MERGE' sign.
The road rules around merging on our roads are pretty simple, and there are now two rules for merging that drivers need to remember.
Until now, when a motorist is travelling in a marked lane that is coming to an end, they are required to merge into another lane across a broken painted line. In this case, the driver travelling in the ending lane must give way to traffic travelling in the lane being entered, even if they are slightly ahead.
Car A gives way to Car B as it is travelling in a lane that is ending and must cross broken painted lines.
The new merging situation that drivers need to be aware of is the "zip merge".
A clean windscreen is
important for your safety when driving in either dry or wet weather. Water and effective wiper blades keep the
screen clean. If you drive into the sun
with a dirty windscreen, you will see the reason – basically it will be very
difficult to see anything.
The water is stored in
a reservoir, and on demand, can be sprayed onto the screen, which is then
cleaned by some wiper action.So,
remember to look for the washer switch as well as the wiper switch when you are
about to start driving a different vehicle.
Wiper blades eventually
need replacing as they become ineffective. When wipers begin to squeak,
chatter, skip, smear or streak, driving visibility will become severely reduced.Not replacing the wipers can lead
If
you are familiar with driving automatic cars, you’ll notice a gear choice of Neutral between Reverse and Drive that never seems to get used.In fact, you might be wondering why Neutral is there at all.After all, when you
stop and park the vehicle, you would normally select Park and apply the
handbrake.
Park
and Neutral are basically the same. With
Park, there is a locking mechanism, called a ‘pawl’ which stops the
transmission from turning, and should only be used when the vehicle is stopped. With the transmission locked in Park, always
apply the handbrake to prevent overloading and damage to the transmission. So Neutral is the same as Park but without
the locking mechanism.
So
why use Neutral at all? Generally, the main purpose
of Neutral on an automatic is for towing or
HOW MANY PASSENGERS CAN I CARRY WHILE I AM ON MY Ls?
As a learner driver, you can carry as many passengers as there are seats with seatbelts in the car at any time. For example, a Toyota Corolla has 5 seats, so you would be able to carry 4 passengers. This also applies when you get your Ps with the exception of the ‘peer passenger’ rule which is explained below. While on your Ls, please remember that your supervisor must be seated in the front passenger seat and not in the rear seat.
Having more than two people or carrying a load might be a worthwhile driving experience, but be careful not to overload the vehicle and avoid carrying someone whose behaviour is
What do I need to be able to do in a driving test?
A driving test is an assessment of your driving performance. You will need to demonstrate that you can operate the vehicle safely and legally in traffic. So, it is important for you to practise and develop the following skills necessary to pass the Q-Safe Practical Driving Test, and in doing so become a safer driver.
The following 12 points extensively cover the majority of requirements and expectations of the Q-Safe Driving Test in Queensland. The requirement for each point is written immediately under each heading, and the ability level you should be aiming for is written after ‘You will be expected to:’ sub-heading.
1. ANCILLARY VEHICLE CONTROLS
Safe drivers operate all ancillary controls correctly while maintaining full control of the car. You must be able to start the engine correctly and must always wear a seat belt. You should never open the door while your car is moving or use a mobile phone while your car is moving or stationary.
You will be expected to: • Operate all ancillary controls correctly, using controls and switches as needed when you drive. • Have your mirrors adjusted for the best view of the traffic behind you. • Wear a correctly fitted seat belt. • Respond appropriately to the car's instruments. • Refrain from using a hand-held mobile phone.
2. GEARS, CLUTCH CONTROL AND STALLING
Safe drivers use the clutch and gears effectively to maintain control and to prevent stalling. You must control the clutch to produce a smooth take-up of power and assist you to change
According to Suncorp, one of Queensland’s largest insurers, most motor vehicle accidents in Cairns happen on main roads leading into the city. Nose-to-tail collisions account for the most common type of accident. Most accidents occurred during morning peak hour when there was a lot of congestion on the road. Drivers have a duty of care and need to pay extra attention, especially when a small lapse of concentration could lead to an accident. Keeping a safe margin and safe distance from other vehicles allows you more time to react in difficult situations. The following is a news article which recently appeared in the Cairns Post.
Suncorp survey reveals Sheridan St worst for crashes in Cairns
(Alicia Nally, The Cairns Post)
April 13, 2019
MOST of us drive it every day, and we are probably risking our lives and our vehicles by doing so.
Suncorp Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claims data has revealed Sheridan St in Cairns has
This is actually an important question as its possible to cause some quite serious damage to a car engine should you fill up with the wrong fuel. It can be a bit perplexing when you drive into a service station and suddenly be confronted by a variety of several different fuel types.However, there are some simple things you can do to find out which fuel to fill your car with.
First of all, the type of fuel will depend on what kind of car you own.If your car has a diesel engine, there is just basically one choice, diesel – don’t fill with petrol.
Otherwise, your car will run on petrol, and there are a few varieties here rated by level of refinement, or octane level.Most cars, including the top 10 most
