Learner's Phase I

Getting Started

There are several things to do before you get behind the wheel of a car:-

Insurance

• Make sure the car you are driving is insured for a learner driver - get your parents to check their policy to see if you are covered.

Roadworthiness

• Check that the car you are using is safe to drive. i.e. brakes work, tyres are legal, lights work and you have 3 mirrors.

Supervisor

• The person teaching you can be a licensed driving instructor or a person who has held the same class of licence for at least four years.

• If the supervisor has an automatic restriction on their licence then they can only instruct you in an automatic vehicle.

• Your supervisor needs to have held a current licence of the same class of vehicle you are driving for at least 4 years. (This can be 2 years as a ‘P' plate driver and two years off ‘P plates.)

• You can use family members, friends, a Driving Instructor or a combination of all three.

Driving Schools

• Phase I is the time you would use a driving school to help you learn to drive. The most effective way to do this is in partnership with lessons from an instructor and practice with your supervisor.

• Don't wait till just before your test to have a professional lesson - you may have already picked up too many bad habits. Have lessons at various stages as you learn to drive, and then practice what you're shown with your supervisor.

Restrictions

• Always carry your permit with you during your lessons and ensure your "L" plates are clearly visible front and back.

• You are restricted to a maximum speed of 100/km and must have no blood alcohol level (0% BAC).

• In Phase I you are also restricted from driving within the boundaries of King's Park.

On the road

The main purpose of Phase I is helping you to learn how to control and handle a car safely, read the traffic and be aware of other drivers and road users.

You will need to learn to recognise hazards, changing road conditions, traffic patterns and how other drivers behave.

When you and your supervisor / instructor feel you have acquired enough experience and you have reached the minimum age of 16 ½, you will be ready for the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA).