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Road to Solo Driving

LEARNING TO DRIVE • DRIVING TO LEARN

L
P
P
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The Road to Solo Driving handbook
is designed to help you understand
the road rules, responsibilities and
prepare you for the challenges of
driving. You will need to read and
understand the Road to Solo
Driving thoroughly before sitting
for your learner permit test.
When you receive your learner
permit you will be given the
Learner Kit containing the two
booklets Guide for Learners with
the Learner Log Book, and the
Guide for Supervising Drivers. The
Guide for Learners will help you
make the most of your practice
sessions, get the essential driving
experience you need, and keep
track of your progress as you work
towards your Ps. It includes the
Learner Log Book you must use to
show you have had enough driving
practice to get a licence. It will
help you structure your minimum
120 hours of driving if you are
under 21 years of age.
Give the Guide for Supervising
Drivers booklet to your supervising
driver.
Published by VicRoads
60 Denmark Street, Kew, Victoria 3101
©Roads Corporation, Victoria,
Australia 2000
First published 2000
Crown© Copyright 2000
Reprinted with amendments
June 2008.
National Library of Australia
cataloguing-in-publication data:
Roads Corporation.
Road to Solo Driving:
Learning to drive – driving to learn
Includes index.
ISBN 0 7311 9000 9
1. 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 contributed
to the preparation of this handbook, and
their help is gratefully acknowledged.
This work is the copyright of VicRoads.
Apart from uses permitted under the Copyright Act
1968, no part may be reproduced by any process
without written permission from VicRoads.
Road laws and legal requirements
Road laws change from time to time. Tests may
change 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 requirements
for drivers. These are intended as a guide only.
They do not purport to set out in full all of the
requirements of the law.
For a complete knowledge of the road law, you
should consult the appropriate Acts and Regulations.
Remember that ignorance of what the law says on a
particular subject will not be regarded as an excuse
by the Courts.
Almost everything in this handbook applies to car
drivers. Motorcycle riders should refer to the Victorian
Rider handbook for further information. Much of the
information also applies to pedal cyclists. The word
‘driver’ is generally used to cover the different road
users and to simplify the language. It does not mean
that one group is more important than the other.
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Road to Solo Driving

LEARNING TO DRIVE
DRIVING TO LEARN
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List of contents

• Why read this handbook 5

2 Learning to drive
• How do you learn to drive?
33

35
• How to use this handbook 6 • Some facts about new solo drivers 35
• Ten steps to getting your licence 7 • Practice is the best way 36
• The Graduated Licensing System 22
• 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

1 The challenges of driving

• Facing the real challenges of driving
27

27
3 Managing risk
• Alcohol and drugs
51

54
• Some facts about driving 28 • Mobile phones 54
• How complicated is driving? 29 • 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
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4 Rules and responsibilities

• Alcohol
65

68
– Sharing the road with buses
– Sharing the road with police
and emergency vehicles
132

132
• Drugs, medicine and driving 72 – Sharing the road with trucks
• The law about seat belts 74 and other heavy vehicles 133
• Speed limits 76 – Sharing the road with animals 135
• Road signs 80 – Railway level crossings 136
• Road markings 86 • Parking 138
• Traffic controls at intersections 93 • Penalties 146
• Give Way rules 95 • Legal responsibilities 149
• Turning 106 • Crash responsibilities 151
• Freeways 114 • First aid after a crash 152
• Driving safely in tunnels 115 • Test yourself questions 158
• 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 • Resources to help you 161
– Sharing the road with trams 129 • Index 164
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Road to Solo Driving is an innovative handbook
for new drivers.
As new drivers are three times more likely to be
involved in casualty crashes than more experienced
drivers, this handbook will help you to become a
safe driver and not a road toll statistic.
Road safety research has found that a major
reason for new drivers being over involved in
crashes 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 age
when they take their probationary licence test they
are required to produce a Learner Log book to
show they have completed a minimum of 120 hours
of supervised driving practice, including at least 10
hours of driving at night.
You will need to study this handbook before sitting
the learner permit and probationary licence tests.
Once you have passed the learner test, you will be
given the Guide for Learners with the Learner Log
Book and the Guide for Supervising Drivers. This
forms the Learner Kit – a complete package for
learner drivers.
Use the handbook as you learn to drive. It will
help support the partnership between you, your
supervisor and your driving instructor.
The Victorian Government is committed to
improving road safety. Road to Solo Driving is
one of the important initiatives which will help
achieve this goal.
Follow the advice in the Learner Kit, and you
will be better prepared for safe solo driving in
the future.

4
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Why read this handbook?
Welcome to Road to Solo Driving!
As you will find out, you need
years of experience – not a few
days, weeks or months – to learn to
drive safely. It’s a long road and
there are no shortcuts.
This handbook is for all intending drivers and will
assist you if you are going for a learner permit, a
probationary licence, or converting an interstate or
overseas licence to a Victorian licence.
You are the one in charge of your driving, but
many people are there to help you along the way.
You will need their help because the best way to
learn to drive is with lots of practice. Every new
driver faces the same challenges and has to meet
them in the same way by practising driving
frequently and making sure the practice has
more variety.
Age requirements, driver licences, the Graduated
Licensing System, keeping a Learner Log Book,
obligations, learner permits, P plates, demerit
points, road rules, tests, Blood Alcohol
Concentration: as a first-time driver, the ‘system’
can be a bit confusing.
As you read Road to Solo Driving, things will
become clearer. The aim of this handbook is to
help 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 a
better driver. The most important thing is how you
choose to use the information in it. We show you
the way, but in the end it’s up to you!
5
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How to use this handbook

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 to
getting your licence and becoming a driver.
PART 1 looks at the challenges facing new
solo drivers.
Definition box. Bold words highlighted in
dark green are followed by a box containing
the definition.
Bold words highlighted in DARK GREEN,
are followed by a box containing the
definition.

PART 2 covers the process of learning to drive

and the importance of supervised driving practice.
PART 3 looks at the risks of driving and strategies
for new solo drivers to manage these risks.
PART 4 details road rules and responsibilities.
Hot tip. Next to this icon the text appears
highlighted in red to give a suggestion to
HOT TIP help you along the way.

A number of devices have been used to make it

Fact file. The text in a yellow box is an
easier for you to read and use this handbook.
important fact you should note.
These include:

Road law. When there is a statement of road law,

the word ‘must’ appears in bold type.

6
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Ten steps to getting your licence

1 Get your copy of Road to Solo Driving

2 Book your learner permit test

3 Pass your learner permit test

4 Pay for and receive your learner permit

5 Start learning to drive and driving to learn

6 Book your probationary licence test

7 Pass your probationary licence test

8 Pay for and receive your probationary licence

9 Continue learning to drive and driving to learn

10 Receive your
full driver licence and keep learning!
7
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Ten steps to getting your licence

STEP 1 STEP 2

Get your copy of Book your

Road to Solo Driving learner permit test

Make sure you have the latest edition of You must have turned 16 before you can be tested.
this handbook and take some time to read
You can book your learner permit test by phone or
it thoroughly.
in person.
Once you are familiar with the information in the
handbook and know the road rules, you are ready
You will be asked for your personal details such
to be tested for your learner permit.
as your full name, date of birth, address and phone
number. You will also be asked when and where
you would like to be tested. Booking and test
fees apply and must be paid at the time of booking.
Language options
To book by phone (Please have your credit card ready)
When you go for your learner permit test or
your probationary licence test, you can You will need to phone:
choose to do the road law questions and the
• 13 1171 Victorian calls
Hazard Perception Test on the computer in
any of the 20 languages available (for a full • +61 3 9854 2666 Overseas calls
list, see page 21).
• 1300 652 321 if you have impaired hearing or
speech, and use a Telephone Typewriter (TTY).

8
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You will be given an appointment number which

you should write down so you can tell it to the
VicRoads officer who tests you.

To book in person
Go to any of the VicRoads Customer Service
Centres listed on the inside back cover of this
handbook.

Note: If you cannot keep your appointment, you

must give VicRoads 24 hours notice to cancel your
test. Otherwise fees will not be refunded unless you
produce a medical certificate or other supporting
evidence. If you transfer your appointment, an
additional appointment fee will apply.

9
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Ten steps to getting your licence

STEP 3 How will you be tested?

Pass your • You will read an eyesight chart to test

learner permit test your vision.

• You will do a computerised, multiple-choice test

When you go to be tested, bring: based on this handbook to test your knowledge
of road law and road safety.
• your appointment number
A sample computer test is available on the
• evidence of identity and age, as set out
VicRoads website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
on page 11
You can practise the full version of the learner
• payment for your 10 year learner permit if you
permit test online to help you familiarise yourself
pass the test.
with the structure and layout of the test.
If you have poor vision you are required to bring
The learner permit practice test can also be
an eyesight certificate from an optometrist or
printed.
opthalmologist (eye doctor). If you have a disability
or illness that may affect your driving, you will
need to bring a medical report from your doctor
stating that you are medically fit to drive. If you are
unsure or would like advice, contact VicRoads for
further information.

Once you hold a learner permit, you must tell

VicRoads if you develop any medical condition that
might affect your driving.
10
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Evidence of Identity
Before you sit for your learner permit or your
probationary licence you must prove who you
are and that you live in Victoria by taking certain
documents to the VicRoads Customer Service
Centre.
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 an
Australian photo driver licence/learner permit,
birth certificate, a passport (not expired by more
than two years) or an Australian naturalisation or
citizenship document; and
2 A ‘secondary evidence’ document to confirm the
current use of your name in the community.
This includes gas, telephone and electricity bills
up to one year old, or Medicare, student identity
and credit or account cards with banks, building
societies and credit unions; and
3 Evidence of Victorian residence if this has not
been shown on either the primary or secondary
evidence documents provided. If documentary
evidence cannot be provided, a referee statement
signed by a Victorian driver licence holder who
has known you for at least one year may be
accepted. The statement must include the name
and address of both the referee and the applicant.
One document must contain your signature.
If your signature does not appear on any of the
documents provided, you will need to present a
letter from your employer, school principal or
any person authorised to witness a statutory
declaration, witnessing your signature.
If there is a difference in names between the
primary and secondary evidence documents you
will need to provide additional documents
such as a marriage certificate issued by the
Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in
Australia or a Change of Name Registration.
11
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Ten steps to getting your licence
STEP 4
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 for
Learners with the Learner Log Book, and the
Guide for Supervising Drivers. The Guide for
Supervising Drivers provides important
information and tips for supervising drivers.
If you are under 21 years of age you must complete
a minimum of 120 hours supervised driving
experience including 10 hours of driving at night.
You must bring the completed Learner Log Book
with you when you go for your probationary
licence. This will be checked before you take the
practical drive test to make sure entries are
complete and correct, with all necessary details
completed, including licence details and signatures
of supervising drivers.
12
The Declaration of Completion in the Learner Log
Book must also be signed by both the applicant and
the supervising driver. The List of Supervising
Drivers must also be completed by all supervising
drivers, including driving instructors. You will then
be given your learner permit. Those aged 21 years
or over are encouraged to use the Learner Log
Book, but do not need to present it when they go
for their probationary licence.
STEP 5
Start learning to drive
and driving to learn
When you have your learner permit, it is important
you get as much varied and supervised practice as
possible. If you are under 21 years of age when
you apply for your probationary licence you must
keep the Learner Log Book and get a minimum of
120 hours of supervised driving experience
including 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
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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).
• driveBLOOD
a car ALCOHOL
only (notCONCENTRATION
a bus or a truck).
(BAC)
is a measure of the amount of alcohol
you have in your blood.
STEP 6
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 years
when you apply for probationary licence
❏ 6 months if you are over 21 years of age but
under 25 years
❏ 3 months if you are aged 25 years or
over.
If you are the holder of a motorcycle
licence or permit and have held this for 12
or more months then these periods may be
reduced.
• not be disqualified from driving in Victoria, in
Australia or overseas
• pass a computerised Hazard Perception Test
before a driving test can be conducted.
(See Drive Test, page 16 - 17).
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Ten steps to getting your licence
• If you got your learner permit on or after 1 July
2007 and you are under 21 years of age when you
apply for a probationary licence you must produce
evidence of having completed 120 hours of
supervised driving (including at least 10 hours at
night) by presenting the Learner Log Book. All
necessary details must be completed and each
entry signed. The Declaration of Completion must
be signed by both the applicant and a supervising
driver and the List of Supervising Drivers must be
completed and signed by all supervising drivers.
Incomplete or incorrect Learner Log Books will not
be accepted. You will not be able to take your test
and all fees will be forfeited.
In the event that entries in the Learner Log Book
are found to be incomplete or incorrect, there are
SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES. The learner
will lose their booking and test fees, and be
prevented from taking the probationary licence
test for at least six weeks. You may be liable to
HEAVY PENALTIES under the Road Safety Act
1986.
14
CONTINUOUS PERIOD means that the
permit must not have been broken by a suspension or a
break in continuity such as allowing the permit to expire
before regaining a new permit. It also refers to
the period immediately before you apply for your licence.
You can book your test:
• by phone (see pages 8-9)
• in person (go to any of the VicRoads Customer
Services Centres listed on the inside back cover
of this handbook).
Note: if you cannot keep an appointment you will need
to give VicRoads 24 hours notice to cancel your test,
otherwise fees will not be refunded unless you produce a
medical certificate or other supporting evidence. If you
transfer your appointment, an additional appointment
fee will apply.
STEP 7
Pass your
probationary licence test
You can be tested at any of the VicRoads Customer
Service Centres listed on the inside back cover of
this handbook.
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For your test, you or your driving supervisor or • You will do a computerised Hazard Perception
instructor have to provide a registered, Test to see how safely you respond to traffic
roadworthy car that is fitted with L plates. situations.
You must bring: • You will do a practical driving test to assess your
• your appointment number driving skills (see Drive Test, page 16-17).
• your current learner permit • If you got your learner permit on or after 1 July
Note: If you cannot
• your completed Learner Log Book which 2007 and you are under 21 years of age when prove that you have
includes the completed Declaration of you apply for a probationary licence you must completed 120
Completion and List of Supervising Drivers (if provide evidence of completing 120 hours hours of driving
(including 10 hours at night) of supervised practice including
you are under 21 years of age, when you apply 10 hours of night
for a probationary licence) driving in the correctly completed Learner Log driving you will not
• payment for your probationary Book. The Declaration of Completion must be be permitted to sit
licence if you pass the test. signed by both learner and supervising driver, the test. Your
and the List of Supervising Drivers signed by all appointment and
If you have a medical condition that may affect test fees will be
drivers that supervised the learner. forfeited and you
your driving and you have not previously told
will also have to
VicRoads, you must provide a medical certificate wait at least six
For your test you must provide a registered
which states your fitness to drive. Once you hold a and roadworthy car. weeks before you
probationary licence, you must tell VicRoads if can take the
you develop any medical condition that might licence test.
affect your driving. The Hazard Perception Test

How will you be tested? The Hazard Perception Test is designed to see
• You will read an eyesight chart to test how safely you respond to traffic situations.
your vision. This test can be undertaken at the age of 17 years
15
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Ten steps to getting your licence
and 11 months. This test must be passed before
the drive test can be conducted.
It will indicate how well you are able to obser ve
the whole road environment and anticipate
potential hazards (see Practice is the best way,
page 36).
A POTENTIAL HAZARD can be anything in
the road environment that could present
a danger or a risk while driving.
For each item in the Hazard Perception Test,
you will see a video of a traffic situation and be
given a driving task such as slowing down or
making a turn.
You have to respond safely to each traffic situation.
For some items, there is a time when it is safe to
perform the driving task; for these items you
should click a mouse button during the safe time.
For other items, there is no time when it is safe to
perform the driving task; for them, you do not have
to click a mouse button.
16
Drive Test
The on-road driving test is designed to identify
drivers with the safe driving skills that develop with
driving experience. It will be difficult to pass the
test if you have not had enough supervised driving
experience.
You need to be fully prepared before you come to
sit for your test.
You will drive for about 30 minutes during the test and
the test route will include a range of driving conditions
and 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 in
less demanding situations will first be assessed.
This part of the test is to make sure that you have
basic car control and traffic skills. If you pass this
part of the test, you will then be assessed in a
broad range of realistic traffic situations.
If you do something that is unsafe in the test, the
test will be stopped and you will fail.
+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 17
Further information about the test will be available
at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
If you are tested in a car that has dual controls
and your instructor holds a current Driving
Instructor Authority Number, you can have your
driving instructor with you. Otherwise, only the
VicRoads testing officer will be with you. Other
passengers are not usually permitted.
If a car has DUAL CONTROLS, it has
additional pedal(s) on the passenger side
for use by the accompanying driver.
If you are tested in a vehicle that is fitted with
automatic transmission you will be restricted to
driving only vehicles that are fitted with automatic
transmission during your probationary period.
The only way this restriction can be removed
earlier is by passing another drive test in a
manual car.
If you hold a probationary licence and you are
undergoing instruction or testing in a manual
vehicle, you must display a yellow plate measuring
approximately 150mm by 150mm inscribed in
black letters with the words ‘Driver under
instruction’. Your P plates must also be displayed.
STEP 8
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.
STEP 9
Continue learning to drive
and driving to learn
Now that you are able to drive without a
supervising driver or instructor, your real
learning will begin! Having your probationary
licence will mean you have the minimum skills
required for driving solo. It will be up to you
to improve your driving, and to drive safely
and responsibly.
17
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Ten steps to getting your licence
For those aged under 21 years when applying
for a probationar y licence:
You must hold your probationary licence for a
minimum of 4 years, before you can be given your
full driver licence. A full licence will not be given to
you until your probationary period is over.
From 1 July 2008 there will be P1 and P2
probationary licences. The P1 licence period lasts
for a minimum of 1 year and if you have a good
driving record you will progress to the P2 licence
period that lasts for a minimum of 3 years. In
addition to obeying the rules that apply to all
drivers, when you are driving on a P1 probationary
licence, 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)
18
• not drive a high powered vehicle (unless you
are driving the vehicle during working hours at
the request of your employer or have been
granted a written exemption by VicRoads)
• not use a mobile phone, hands free or hand
held, 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 aged
between 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 all
drivers, when you are driving on a P2 probationary
licence, 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)
• carry your probationary licence with you at all times
+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 19

• not use a mobile phone while driving You must hold your probationary licence for a
minimum of 3 years, before you can be given your
• have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
full driver licence. A full licence will not be given to
(see Alcohol, page 68)
you until your probationary period is over.
• not drive a high powered vehicle (unless you
From 1 July 2008 there will be P1 and P2
are driving the vehicle during working hours at
probationary licences. If you are 21 or over you
the request of your employer or have been
will move straight to a P2 probationary licence.
granted a written exemption by VicRoads)
In addition to obeying the rules that apply to all
• drive only a vehicle fitted with automatic
drivers, when you are driving on a P2 probationary
transmission if you were tested in a vehicle
licence, you must:
fitted with automatic transmission.
• display GREEN P plates on the front and rear of
There are severe penalties that may be applied
your vehicle (plates measuring approximately
for breaching any of these conditions, including
150mm square bearing a white letter P on a
licence suspension, fitting of alcohol ignition
green background)
interlocks and severe penalties for drink drive
offences. A good driving record will be required • carry your probationary licence with you at all
to progress to a full licence. times

A good driving record means you avoid having • have a zero Blood Alcohol Concentration
your licence cancelled or suspended, as well as (BAC) see Alcohol, page 68)
avoiding any drink and/or drug driving offences.
• not use a mobile phone while driving
For those aged 21 years or over when
applying for a probationar y licence:

19
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Ten steps to getting your licence
• not drive a high powered vehicle (unless you
are driving the vehicle during working hours at
the request of your employer or have been
granted a written exemption by VicRoads)
• drive only a vehicle fitted with automatic
transmission if you were tested in a vehicle
fitted with automatic transmission.
There are severe penalties that may be applied for
breaching any of these conditions, including
licence suspension, fitting of alcohol ignition
interlocks and severe penalties for drink drive
offences.
A good driving record will be required to progress
to a full licence. A good driving record means
you avoid having your licence cancelled or
suspended, as well as avoiding any drink and/or
drug driving offences.
For more information about high powered
vehicles, visit VicRoads website
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au or obtain an
information sheet from any VicRoads Customer
Service Centre.
20
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 its
performance AND/OR
• is one of a certain number of high performance six
cylinder cars which include BMW M and M3, Honda
NSX, Nissan 350Z, Porsche (all models) and
Mercedes Benz SLK350.
Vehicles excluded from these restrictions are:
• diesel powered turbocharged or supercharged
vehicles (without engine performance modifications)
• nominated vehicles with low powered turbocharged or
supercharged engines, including Suzuki Cappucino
2D Cabriolet Turbo 3 cylinder 689cc and Daihatsu
Copen L880 TD 2D Convertible 4 cylinder 659 cc
• all models of the Smart car produced by Mercedes
Benz AND
• vehicles driven as part of the driver’s employment
and at the request of the employer.
+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 21

STEP 10 Language Options

When you go for your learner permit test or your
Receive your probationary licence test, you can choose to do the
full driver licence road law questions and the Hazard Perception Test on
the computer in any of the following 20 languages:
Before your P2 probationary licence expires, you
will be sent a notice to renew it. You will need to
Albanian Italian Somai
take the renewal notice to any photo point listed on
the accompanying pamphlet, pay the renewal fee Arabic Laotian Spanish
and be photographed. You will then be issued with Cambodian Macedonian Turkish
a full licence. Chinese (Mandarin) Polish Vietnamese
If you do not receive a renewal notice, it is still Croation Romanian
your responsibility to renew your licence by the English Russian
expiry date of your licence.
German Serbian
Greek Sinhalese

If you speak a language or dialect that is not on

this list, you can have an interpreter present during
the test. If you are deaf, you can ask to have an
Auslan interpreter present. Interpreters are
provided free of charge. When you book your test,
just let the VicRoads officer know you need
an interpreter.
21
+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 22

The Graduated Licensing System

During the first few months and

years of driving, new drivers are
more at risk of being killed or injured
in a crash than experienced drivers.
The Graduated Licensing System
is one way of reducing this risk. New
drivers are given progressive steps, in
order to reduce their exposure to high
risk situations as they move through the
learner permit and the P1 and P2
probationary licence stages to earn
their full driver licence.

The conditions of the System for those

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

22
+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 23

LEARNER PERMIT P1 PROBATIONARY LICENCE P2 PROBATIONARY LICENCE FULL DRIVER LICENCE

DRIVER'S The Graduated
MINIMUM AGE 16 years 18 years 19 years 22 years Licensing System
• medically fit • medically fit • P1 probationary licence held • P2 probationary licence held for people who are
DRIVER'S
• evidence of identity • evidence of identity for a minimum of one year for a minimum of 3 years under 21 years of
ELIGIBILITY
• learner permit held (with no licence suspension) (with no licence suspensions)
age when they
continuously for a minimum
of one year apply for a
• Learner Log Book kept probationary
with a minimum of 120 hours licence (on or after
supervised driving practice 1 July 2008).
including 10 hours at night

ASSESSMENT • eyesight test • Eyesight test • good driving record • good driving record
• knowledge test • Hazard Perception Test
(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)
• Practical driving test

CONDITIONS • 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)
• RED P plates displayed at front • GREEN P plates displayed at • under 0.05 BAC
& rear of vehicle when driving front & rear of vehicle when • must carry licence when
• must carry licence when driving driving if under 26 years of age
The rules
driving • must carry licence when • not use a hand held mobile
• zero BAC driving phone while driving
for drivers
• no mobile phone use, hands • zero BAC
may vary from
free or hand held, or • high powered vehicle
state
messaging of any kind restrictions
to state,
• high powered vehicle • if tested in an automatic
it is advisable
restrictions vehicle, only drives a vehicle that you
• no towing a caravan with automatic transmission contact the
or trailer (unless for work or • not use a hand held mobile interstate
if under instructions) phone while driving Transport
• not carry more than one Authority to
passenger aged between 16 check if
and 21 years of age additional
• if tested in an automatic rules apply.
vehicle, only drives a vehicle
with automatic transmission

DURATION L 10 years P 1 years (P1) P 3 years (P2) 10 years (or 3 years on request) 23
+intro 2v3 21/7/08 4:28 PM Page 24

LEARNER PERMIT P2 PROBATIONARY LICENCE FULL DRIVER LICENCE

The Graduated
DRIVER'S MINIMUM AGE 16 years 21 years 24 years
Licensing System
• medically fit • medically fit • probationary licence held
for people who are DRIVER'S ELIGIBILITY
• evidence of identity • evidence of identity for a minimum of 3 years
21 years of age or • learner permit held (with no licence suspensions)
older when they continously for a minimum
apply for a of 6 months if aged 21 to 24
probationary years, or 3 months if aged
25 years or over
licence.

ASSESSMENT • eyesight test • eyesight test • good driving record

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

CONDITIONS • accompanied by a driver • GREEN P plates displayed at • under 0.05 BAC

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)
front & rear of vehicle when • must carry licence when
driving driving if under 26 years of age
• must carry licence when • not use a hand held mobile
driving phone while 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

24 DURATION L 10 years P 3 years (P2) 10 years (or 3 years on request)

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

1
• Facing the real challenges of driving

• Some facts about driving

• How complicated is driving?

25
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+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 25
1 The challenges of driving
“Nearly everybody I know has a
licence. 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 REAL
CHALLENGES OF DRIVING
New solo drivers have often done very little driving.
This can result in them having almost no
experience 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 What is more
different types of intersections
challenging
• effects of the time of day on visibility – night
than driving?
driving or sun glare when driving at dawn
or dusk Nothing!
• 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
27
+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 26

• imperfect road surfaces – potholes, gravel or
slippery surfaces
Getting where
• handling any of these challenges when faced
you want
with distractions inside the car – radio, noisy
to be involves passengers or mobile phones.
more than The worst time to gain this experience is when you
are driving solo, on your own – with no supervising
just driving
driver to give you advice or help. So make the most
the car of your time as a learner driver and don’t think that
you can master the challenges of driving overnight
– you’ll never really stop learning. Remember,
being overconfident, especially as a new solo
driver, 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.
28
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 drivers
regularly make mistakes, sometimes resulting in
crashes?
All young drivers face the same challenges
because driving is complicated. It requires a lot of
time and effort to become a good driver.
Research has shown that a minimum of 120 hours of
supervised practice as a learner, and restrictions on
new solo drivers for the first few years, can help
reduce the risk of a crash. This is why Victoria has
introduced the Graduated Licensing System,
including the mandatory 120 hours to be completed
in the Learner Log Book by those aged under 21 years
of age when applying for a probationary licence.
+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 27

HOW COMPLICATED How complicated is driving a car when compared

with playing a ball game?
IS DRIVING?
You will most
likely have With ball games… With driving…
played one or The playing field or court looks the same each time Roads can vary enormously – ranging from busy city
more ball games, you play – a regular size and marked out in a set way. streets to country roads, from freeways to shopping
such as football, centre car parks, from highways to local streets.

netball, You usually play at a regular time, perhaps on You can find yourself driving every day of the week,
basketball or a Saturday afternoon. early in the morning, through the day and late
hockey. You will at night…and in all weather conditions.
have practised
You often play with teammates and other teams You’ll find people of all ages on the road – ranging
for many, many of a similar age and ability. from small children and teenagers, right up to the
hours trying to elderly. Skills and abilities will vary – an older
improve your pedestrian may not move as quickly as a teenager,
skills. Learning a child on a bike may have little control.

to drive a car Everyone has the same equipment and can run Some are walking, and some are riding bikes or
also requires around the field or court at a similar rate. motorcycles. Others drive small cars, big cars,
lots of practice trucks or semi-trailers. Speeds can vary from a few
to develop kilometres an hour up to 110 km/h.

your skills. Everyone has one aim – to score a goal or point – On the road everyone is headed somewhere
and so you can often predict the play. different and may be thinking about things other
than driving. The unexpected happens often.

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

Whether it is playing a ball game, a musical • Using your mirrors, doing headchecks,
instrument, a computer game or activities like changing gears and using turn indicators need
inline skating, driving is much more complicated, to all be done at the right times.
demanding and far more dangerous.

Does it make any sense that people usually spend

more time practising sport, music or any other
pastime than they do practising behind the wheel
in preparation for solo driving?
Even a common driving task like turning right at
an intersection is very complicated:
A HEADCHECK means looking over your
shoulder to see things through the rear
side windows – but don’t take your eyes
off the road ahead for more than
a second.

• As you approach the intersection you will need

to judge when to start slowing down, what your • Now you are faced with the challenges in the
speed should be at various places on approach turn itself. Is this gap large enough? Is that
and whether you’ll need to stop completely. vehicle approaching too quickly? Will they stop
because the traffic light has changed?
• You will need to take the traffic around you
into consideration. Are they changing lanes? Now imagine all of these things, and many others
Are the vehicles in front braking more than you? as well, all needing to happen in a short length of
Are there pedestrians about to cross the road? road and a short period of time. Lots to think about
and do.
• 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?
30
+Part1v3 2/10/07 10:28 AM Page 29

Given how complex driving is, it is

important you prepare for the challenge!

Point to remember:

1 Prepare for the challenge

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

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

2 Learning to drive

• 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
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+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 33
2 Learning to drive
Understanding that driving is
complicated is one thing, becoming
a skilled driver is another.
Lots of people can help you – your
driving instructor, supervising drivers
and friends. But learning to drive is
mostly up to you and the only way
to 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 you
get. Athletes, musicians and artists know there is
no substitute for continued practice – refining and
improving skill and performance.
It is exactly the same with driving. How well you
can drive is limited to the amount of driving
experience, you have – the more experience the
safer you will be.
Research shows that new solo drivers with about
120 hours of learner driver experience have a
crash risk that is 30% lower than new drivers
with only about 50 hours of experience. This is
why 120 hours has been set as the target for
learners in Victoria.
SOME FACTS ABOUT NEW
SOLO DRIVERS
Drivers with little experience make all sorts of
mistakes – increasing the risk of a crash:
• They are less able than experienced drivers to
The only way
predict possible problems. By the time they
have recognised the hazard it may be too late. to learn to drive
• They tend to concentrate more on their basic is by doing lots
driving skills than experienced drivers and can
find it hard to deal with unexpected events. of supervised
• They can be easily distracted from driving by practice
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 that
can warn of potential problems. 35
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 34
New solo drivers are more likely to be involved in:
• Crashes at an intersection when turning right in
More supervised front of an oncoming vehicle going straight
ahead, or being hit by a right turning vehicle.
practice equals New solo drivers tend to misjudge gaps in
fewer crashes the traffic.
• Crashes into the rear of another vehicle. New
later on
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 the
road 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 of
inexperienced drivers compared to experienced
36 drivers.
PRACTICE IS THE BEST WAY
Every driving practice session really helps, even
though 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 you
make sure you really are ready to drive solo by the
time you go for your licence test. There are four
stages you need to work through as a learner to
become a safe driver:
• Stage 1 is all about controlling your car. It’s the
shortest stage, and aims to get you to start, stop
and steer safely in a quiet area without traffic.
• Stage 2 is about applying your new car-control
skills and looking out for other road users on quiet
roads with little traffic.
• Stage 3 takes longer and uses your Stages 1 and 2
skills on busier roads and in more difficult driving
situations. Now you start becoming a real driver.
You learn to deal with traffic and other hazards to
become safe in varied driving situations.
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 35
• Stage 4 also takes a long time and can be the
longest stage. It involves driving as if you’re a
solo driver. You still have your Ls on the car
and a supervising driver beside you, but you’ll
learn to make most of the driving decisions
yourself. The aim is to build up lots of different
experiences where you act like a solo driver.
Then when you hit the road on your own you’ll
be ready.
The Guide for Learners and the Guide for
Supervising Drivers contains detailed advice about
what you and your supervising driver need to do in
each of these four stages. You will be given these
booklets when you pass the learner permit test.
Safe driving is about being ready for what may
happen
What happens in your head is more important than
how well you control your car.
Being able to predict what may happen around you
– as a driver – is an essential skill, which only
comes with lots of experience. With the
information collected through lots of practice and
experience, you begin to anticipate more and make
better decisions as a driver.
HAZARD PERCEPTION is the ability to
identify, assess, decide and respond to
possible risks or dangers in the road
scene around you.
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
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 36

Hazards can be anything in the road environment

You can that could present a danger or a risk while driving.
New drivers often don’t see or anticipate the
only check
possible hazards around them.
everything out by
Because possible hazards can be anywhere, you
doing can’t rely on just looking ahead and using your BLIND SPOT BLIND SPOT
mirrors. Regardless of how well you set up your
a headcheck!
rear view mirrors, blind spots remain. These are
areas behind the driver that can’t be seen using
only mirrors, such as outside the rear passenger
door on the driver’s side.

You can only see in these blind spots by moving

your head and quickly looking over your shoulder
– this is called a headcheck (see headcheck
definition, page 30). Do this as well as using
mirrors to make sure you see everything around
you, such as when reversing, changing lanes,
merging or pulling out to overtake.
FIGURE 2
Be aware of your blind spots
As a driver, knowing exactly what is happening
around you at all times is essential. Learn to
constantly scan and you will be in a better position
to anticipate hazards and respond in the best way.

38
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 37
To SCAN means taking in the road scene
around you by looking ahead, to the sides
and in rear view mirrors.
FIGURE 3
Adjust your mirrors after you have positioned the
driver’s seat so that you can see clearly. When
adjusted correctly there will be an overlap between
the view from your outside and inside mirrors.
Adjust your outside mirrors so that they just catch a
view of the edge of the car. In some cars, a good
guide is to be able to see the rear door handle in the
bottom corner of the side mirror.
YOUR SUPERVISING DRIVER
IS THERE TO HELP To get started, have
your first
Driving takes much more effort in the beginning,
when you are learning. It is just not possible for few lessons with
new drivers to be able to do all that is required
when driving – that is why you have your a professional
supervising driver beside you. They don’t take the driving
place of professional driving instructors, but
supervising drivers such as your parents, can instructor
provide the extensive practice opportunities you
will 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 you
progress through the four stages of learning to
drive, the role of your supervising driver will
gradually change.
39
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 38

You will take more responsibility for your driving It can be easy to find excuses for not getting the
and your supervising driver will do less. right practice you need, as you progress through
You can see
each of the four stages of learning to drive. In
To help your supervising driver, once you have
the differences Stage 1 you will need to plan specific practice
passed your learner permit test, you will be
sessions in quiet areas without traffic. As you
between an given the Guide for Supervising Drivers. This
progress to Stage 2 you will drive around routes
booklet provides lots of advice and ideas for
experienced and you plan on quiet roads with little traffic. In Stage
supervising drivers on how they can help you
3 you will drive on busier roads and in more
an inexperienced with driving practice.
difficult driving situations and begin to do more
driver but the normal day-to-day driving tasks. In Stage 4 you
will learn to make most of the driving decisions
only way to get from Research shows that learner drivers with yourself, but still with your supervisor beside you,
120 hours of driving practice can reduce
one to the other is and you need to build your experiences in as many
their risk of a crash during their first
two years of solo driving by 30% situations as possible.
with lots of
compared with those who have only 50
hours of driving practice. Avoid excuses for not getting the practice you
experience
need. In particular, when you are at Stages 3 and
4 you need practice especially when the situation
Your driving will develop with practice. In order to
is challenging, such as when:
get lots of practice you need to enter a partnership
with your supervising driver. This partnership is • traffic is heavy
vital because you can only practise if your
• conditions are bad – possibly wet and slippery
supervising driver agrees to let you drive.
at night

• the road is narrow with lots of curves.

40
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 39
Naturally, there will be times when it may not be
appropriate for you to get behind the wheel. You
need to build on your experiences gradually and
not try too much too soon. However, even these
times when you are not behind the wheel, can still
provide you with opportunities for learning and
discussion with your supervising driver. Make the
most of being a passenger and develop your
observation skills – think about how you would
drive in these situations!
It is important that both you and your supervising
driver feel comfortable with the type of practice
you are getting. Gradually build up the challenges
as you progress through each of the four learner
stages, 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 driver
HOT TIP
work out whether you are ready to
move to the next step in building your
driving experience.
PUT VARIETY INTO YOUR
DRIVING PRACTICE
If you got your learner permit on or after 1 July
2007 you must keep a Learner Log Book as a
record of your supervised driving practice (if you
are under 21 years of age when you apply for a
probationary licence).
You should use the Learner Log Book as a tool to
plan the types of driving experience you need and to
make sure you get plenty of driving practice in a
variety of conditions. It will also tell you at glance
which types of driving experience and conditions
you still need to focus on.
Driving involves so many different situations
and conditions. It is important to encounter as
many of these as possible during your practice
sessions. Increase both the amount and variety of
practice to increase your chances to gain valuable
driving experience.
41
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:40 PM Page 40

The same stretch of road can present very

different challenges, depending on the
combinations 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 these
different challenges is to practise often in lots of
situations with your supervising driver.

Take every opportunity to practise for 10, 20, 30

minutes, or an hour. Short frequent drives are far
more valuable than the occasional long drive, and
at the start, shorter more frequent practice QUIET CONDITIONS
sessions are more productive and less stressful for
both the learner and the supervising driver.

Remember the more supervised practice you have

in a wide variety of situations and conditions, the
fewer crashes you are likely to have later on.

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

BUSY CONDITIONS

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

WET CONDITIONS AT DUSK

GLARY CONDITIONS AT NIGHT

The same location showing a variety of driving conditions

43
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 42
TRAPS ALONG THE ROAD TO
SOLO DRIVING
As you progress with practice you may find that
you seem to be picking things up quickly. With
driving, appearances are often deceiving. It can
appear that there is little left to learn after several
lessons or a few dozen hours of practice – driving
can 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 keep
getting better even though you may not be aware
that your skills are improving.
Practice will build your confidence in yourself as a
safe driver and this is a good thing. But don’t
become overconfident!
44
You may see early signs of improvement in your
driving quite quickly – these tend to be mainly in
controlling the car. What may have seemed
difficult or impossible the very first time – such as
just turning left – seems simple after a few lessons
or a few hours behind the wheel.
However, this is misleading. There is more to
driving than just car control. Driving tasks you
seem to master will continue to improve for some
time to come. Remember these tasks are only a
small part of becoming a competent driver. That is
why it is recommended that you organise your
supervised driving practice around the four stages
of learning to drive.
There are five different types of skills you need to
develop as a driver. The first one comes relatively
quickly, but the rest will develop over time with
lots of practice:
1 Car control – steering, brakes, using pedals,
buttons and other controls. These skills tend to
come relatively quickly and can make you think
you have learned it all!
+Part2v3 1/5/08 8:22 AM Page 43
If your brakes have failed:
• pump on the brake pedal hard and fast
HOT TIP • 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.
4 Identifying and weighing up risks – recognising a
risk 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 Some practice
other decisions need to be made every time
may make you
you drive. The ability to make the right decisions
only comes with experience and lots of practice. good some of
the time.
If you have a tyre blowout while driving,
remember to keep a firm grip on the Lots of practice
HOT TIP steering wheel, take your foot off the
will make you
accelerator and brake gently once you feel the
vehicle is under some control. consistently good!
Operation of Antilock Braking System (ABS)
In an emergency stop with ABS, keep firm
HOT TIP
pressure on the brake pedal. When ABS is
operating there may be a vibration or shuddering
through the car and the brake pedal may pulsate.
For ABS to work properly keep firm pressure on the
brake pedal.
To confirm if the car is fitted with ABS - check the
owner’s manual or ask the owner. Visit
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au and search for ABS for more
information.
45
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 44

car control visual scanning thinking and identifying and making decisions
Smooth driving
responding weighing up risks
minimises fuel NEW DRIVER SKILLED DRIVER
consumption, DRIVER SKILLS THAT DEVELOP OVER TIME WITH PRACTICE
exhaust

emissions to
CHECKING YOUR PROGRESS you make – such as stalling, grating gears, hitting
kerbs and running wide – will go from being once
Here are some things to look at to check on your every trip…to once a day…to once a week.
the environment and
progress as you move through the four stages of
wear and learning to drive. Don’t make your aim just passing the licence test!
Make your goal being able to drive in a consistent
tear on way without making lots of mistakes. This way
Smoothness
your vehicle passing the licence test should be easier and you
As you become more experienced you will find won’t have to take the chance of making mistakes
your driving changes from ‘clunky’ and ‘jerky’ to during the test itself.
‘smooth’ and ‘fluid’ movements.

It doesn’t happen straight away, but it will happen Speed Control

with continued practice! Over time and with increasing experience, your
ability to control your speed on the road will
Consistency improve. In the early stages, it’s all black and white
You will notice over time that your driving – accelerate to go and brake to slow down
becomes much more consistent. The mistakes (‘on/off’ speed). This is shown by the red jagged
line in the graph on the next page.
46
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Gradually, with increased experience, this will Low speed manoeuvres

change from the ‘on/off’ style to an ‘ease-on/ease- When things are done more slowly there is
off’ style. This is shown by the curvy green line in more time for mistakes to be noticed.
the graph. Don’t just aim
Low speed manoeuvres are a good way to test at passing the
Better speed control goes hand-in-hand with other your performance. In a safe place with no other
improvements you will experience in your driving traffic, try: test, aim at
– as you continue to practise.
• reversing over an extended distance – in a learning to
straight line
SPEE D

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

These are good ways to assess how you’re going

and can be a good indication of your level of
vehicle control.

Seeing the big picture!

TIME
With practice you will find that you will be able to
SPEED CONTROL OVER TIME take in more of what is going on around you. You
won’t be focused just on what is happening on the
On/off speed (accelerate to go, brake to slow)
Target speed
road immediately in front or behind you.
Ease-on/ease-off speed You will discover that you have already noticed the
traffic slowing way ahead or the car signalling to

47
+Part2v3 16/4/08 7:41 PM Page 46

pull out from the kerb, before your supervising
driver points it out. Gradually your supervising
Most driving driver won’t need to point things out to you as often.
shouldn’t be You will develop the skill to know where to look
and when to look. You will also develop the ability
surprising –
to quickly work out the best way to respond to
not because it different situations.
is boring, but Basically, you will start looking at the big picture
rather than focusing only on smaller parts.
because the
surprises Anticipation!
have been As your driving experience increases you will find
that you are starting to think more about what
anticipated!
might happen next – this is anticipation. You will
find 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
Anticipation is about being ready to respond to a
situation before it happens!
Regardless of how quick your reactions are you
will respond faster if you have anticipated the need
for action. You need to scan the traffic and road
environment all the time and expect the
unexpected.
Remember you will be travelling at speeds up
to 110 km/h – think about how important
anticipation is!
Gaining independence
You will notice a shift in how much you rely on
your supervising driver. At the start you really
need the extra set of eyes and a decision maker
in the car with you, helping you out. With
increasing experience, you will notice you are
taking more responsibility for your driving –
but still with the back-up from your supervising
driver if it is needed.

• other situations that can happen on the road

around you.
48
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You can ‘measure’ this by thinking about: Given the challenges of driving – variety and
lots of practice is vital.
• the amount of advice you ask for and get during Seeing
your practice sessions – should I give way to Remember to monitor the variety of driving
the big
the pedestrian? practice you are getting through regularly
reviewing your Learner Log Book. picture only
• the ‘warnings’ provided – watch the red car!
comes with
• the decisions taken on your behalf – change Points to remember:
lanes now because we have to turn right soon. experience

The changes will be gradual as you gain more 1 Prepare for the challenge
experience through practice. Your aim should be
to drive without relying on your supervising driver,
long before you sit for your licence test. 2 Practise often
Use the goals in the Guide for Learners
and Guide for Supervising Drivers as a
HOT TIP useful way to monitor how you are
going. The more practice you do before driving
solo the better prepared and safer you will be.
Of course you will still keep learning while
driving solo but make the most of your time as a
learner driver!

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

3 Managing risk

• 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
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+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 51
3 Managing risk
Driving involves risk – a risk that
you may crash and that you or
others may be injured or killed.
Good drivers aim to reduce and
manage the risk.
The best way for new solo
drivers to manage the risk is to
be prepared. The more driving
experiences you have with a
supervising driver, the better
prepared you will be later as a
solo driver.
You also reduce the risk by making
good decisions and taking
responsibility for your behaviour
when driving.
Certain factors have been shown to
increase the risk on the road:
• alcohol and/or drugs and driving
• speeding
• fatigue – driving when tired
• not wearing seat belts
• poor vehicle maintenance.
The best way for
These are risk factors you can’t
new solo drivers
ignore. You need to be responsible
for your actions and make the right to manage the
decision to manage these risks. risk is to be
It’s really up to you to drive within really prepared
your limits.
53
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ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Zero Alcohol, drugs and certain medicines reduce your
ability to drive safely.
always
The mix of any of these together is even worse
means
than any one of them by itself. A driver who has
zero had just a few drinks and used some cannabis, will
drive as dangerously as a very drunk driver. The
same is true for other combinations of alcohol,
drugs and certain medicines.
As a learner or probationary driver you must stick
to zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – no
alcohol at all. There are absolutely no exceptions
to this rule.
There are severe penalties for learner and
probationary drivers who commit a drink drive
offence. This includes fitting of an alcohol ignition
interlock for drink driving offenders caught with a
BAC of 0.07 or more when they get their licence back.
It is important to remember that alcohol can
remain in your system some time after you finish
drinking. Drivers often test above zero BAC in
the morning after drinking the night before.
More information on alcohol and road safety
54 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 medicines
can affect your ability to drive safely. Find out what
effects the medicines you take may have on you.
Don’t just rely on what your friends say – talk to
your doctor or pharmacist to find out more.
Don’t mix driving with alcohol or drugs (including
medicines). 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 PHONES
For all learners and P1 probationary licence
holders (under 21 years when they get their
licence) no mobile phone use is permitted, hands
free or hand held, or messaging of any kind.
P2 probationary drivers (21 years or over when
they get their licence) and fully licensed drivers of
a vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or police
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 53
vehicle) must not use a hand-held phone while the
vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked.
SPEED
There is a clear link between speed and crashes.
The faster you go the greater your risk of having a
crash. Speed is a factor in almost 20% of all fatal
crashes and about 30% of crashes involving only
one vehicle – such as running off the road. It also
increases how serious a crash will be.
For new solo drivers speeding is even more risky.
Going faster than other traffic reduces your
margin for error. As a new solo driver it is difficult
to 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.
FATIGUE
Driver 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 of
having a busy lifestyle – parties, late-night jobs and
studying. 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 to
avoid driving when you are tired.
You might think that having coffee or taking a short
break will stop fatigue. Unfortunately this will not
help for long – the only way to stop being fatigued is
to get enough sleep.
55
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 54

Stop and have a sleep if you notice any of • On a long trip:

the following:
– get plenty of sleep before the trip
• constant yawning
– share the driving whenever possible
• starting to drift across the lane
– plan ahead and rest overnight
• eyes closing or your eyesight getting fuzzy
• trouble keeping your head up – take regular breaks
• speed is increasing or decreasing unintentionally – don’t start a trip after a long day’s work.
• 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
HOT TIP a crash.
To reduce the chance of fatigue:
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!

• 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.

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SEAT BELTS
Wearing a seat belt increases the chance of
surviving a crash – provided it is worn correctly.
Wearing a seat belt is an important way of
managing 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 short
journeys? So wear a seat belt at all times even if it’s
only a trip around the corner. More information on
seat belts can be found on page 74.
Drivers will be fined if passengers under
16 years are not wearing seat belts or child
restraints. Passengers 16 years or older
will be fined for not wearing seat belts.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
• Tyre pressure and tread depth need to be Being in
checked and maintained at safe levels. Tyre
control of your
problems are the most common cause of defect
related crashes. driving can
• Vehicles must be regularly maintained by an also mean deciding
expert.
not
• Prospective vehicle purchasers should check
to drive
the safety rating of any vehicle they are
considering to purchase. New and used car
safety ratings can be checked via
www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au. You can also
refer to the Australiasian New Car Assessment
Program (ANCAP) website www.ancap.com.au
or brochure, and the ‘Buyer’s Guide to Used Car
Safety Ratings’ brochure.
57
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 56

MANAGING DRIVING RISK You still need to build on your supervised driving
experience after you have passed your
Just after Practice prepares you to meet the demands of probationary licence test. But do
you get your driving. Your ability to drive will improve with this gradually as you get used to the additional
practice. The more you do, the better you get. challenges of solo driving.
licence…
However, managing the risks of driving is also Give yourself a chance to ease into driving
the most about choices: solo – perhaps you may not have a lot of
dangerous
HOT TIP night-time driving experience, so ease
• you can choose to drive more slowly
into it as a solo driver and let your experience build
time of all! • you can choose to increase the space between up gradually.
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 a

supervising driver – you can also choose when to
drive and when not to drive. Remember there is
still a lot to learn.

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YOUR CRASH RISK AS There are many reasons why the graph looks like
this including:
A SOLO DRIVER
• poor preparation for solo driving
The following graph shows the likelihood of being
involved in a crash resulting in death or serious • limited practice as a learner
injury. The likelihood of a crash is almost halved • taking unnecessary risks – being distracted,
after 6 to 8 months of solo driving experience. speeding, mixing alcohol or other drugs
It also shows that you will continue to improve with driving.
for years after getting your licence.
The fact is that there are real and great dangers
NUMBER OF DRIVERS

300
facing you as a new solo driver. The challenge for
you will be just as great as it is for other new solo
250
drivers. The choices you make during this time are
200 very important.
150

100

50

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

NUMBER OF MONTHS AFTER OBTAINING A LICENCE

DRIVERS INVOLVED IN CASUALTY CRASHES

AFTER LICENSING

59
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 58

REDUCING YOUR RISK Strategy 2

The more OF A CRASH Give yourself some space
space around Having a bit more room to move gives you the
There are four simple strategies, which will
space and time to overcome mistakes – including
your car, the help you through:
mistakes made by other drivers! Give yourself
greater the enough time to react by leaving plenty of distance
Strategy 1 between your vehicle and the vehicles around you.
time you have Slow down just a bit
It is similar to slowing down a bit – a slightly larger
to take action Because you are still building your experience, you margin for error can make the difference between
to avoid cannot expect to be able to anticipate as well as stopping in time and crashing.
drivers with more experience.
hazards
You may be young and have great reflexes, but this
is not enough to avoid a crash. You need to be able
to 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 little
bit more time. So, slow down a bit!
Safety margin
It means dropping your average speed by a few
The safety margin is
kilometres per hour. You won’t notice going 2 or 3
the space ahead,
km/h slower – it certainly isn’t going to delay you
behind and to the
in any way – but it will give you more time to react
sides of your vehicle.
60 to the unexpected. FIGURE 4
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 59

2 seconds

FIGURE 5

Following distance same marker. Ask your supervising driver to

The following distance is the space or gap between
you and the vehicle in front.
You must keep your vehicle a safe distance from
any vehicle in front of you. A safe distance should
be enough to allow time to slow down and avoid
trouble.
You should be at least two seconds behind the
vehicle 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
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 this
represents under ideal driving conditions are
necessary to give you time to react to any changes
which may happen.
Often, you may need more than two seconds.
This includes:
• when visibility is poor
• if conditions are dark

61
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 60
• if conditions are wet or slippery
• when you have a heavy load
• when the road is unmade.
You need to develop your judgement skills about
what distance at different speeds represents two
seconds. This skill will only come with lots of
supervised driving experience.
But remember, under any conditions that are less
than ideal, a longer gap is recommended.
If you are driving a long vehicle (any vehicle
which, 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.
62
Strategy 3
Think ahead
Don’t get caught up just looking at the vehicle in
front. Keep your eyes moving and scan the traffic
scene. Look well into the distance, to both sides
and in your mirrors.
You don’t naturally look around like this. You will
need to practise and think about what all the
others on the road might be intending to do. Your
supervising driver will be able to help you. You can
also use your time as a passenger to practise.
Plan your trips before you start out. Use a
directory to check out the route you will travel so
you know the way to go. Try using more familiar
routes wherever possible.
This helps to reduce your workload and stress
while driving.
+Part3v3 2/10/07 10:32 AM Page 61

Strategy 4 Points to remember:

Driving safely at night
1 Prepare for the challenge
Once you get your licence, ease into it and keep
night driving to a minimum, particularly in the first
few months of solo driving. Not carrying more 2 Practise often
than one passenger during the first year or so as a
solo driver, especially at night, can also be a good
safety strategy.
3 Drive within your limits and
manage the risk

Crash risk is higher at night, with half of all

probationary night-time crashes occurring on
Friday and Saturday nights.

Keep your speed down, and you will have time to

react. You should be able to stop within the
distance you can see. In the country this will be
your headlight range.

Ensure you get lots of practice driving at night

when you are driving with your supervisor.

63
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+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:48 PM Page 63

4 Rules and responsibilities

• Alcohol • Turning

• Drugs, medicine • Freeways

and driving
• Tunnels
• The law about
seat belts • Sharing the road safely

• Parking
• Speed limits
• Penalties
• Road signs
• Legal responsibilities
• Road markings
• Crash responsibilities
• Traffic controls
at intersections • First aid after a crash

• Give Way rules • Test yourself questions

65
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+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:48 PM Page 65
4 Rules and responsibilities
So what are the rules of driving?
There is more to driving than
just knowing the road rules.
However, knowing the basic road
rules is essential.
As a car passenger, you should be
watching drivers and traffic
patterns, noticing mistakes other
road users make.
In the diagrams shown in this
section, the vehicles are coloured
green and red. In all cases, the
red vehicle B must wait for the
green vehicle A.
The rules listed here are only a
summary of some of the road rules
motorists must know. For more
information visit our homepage:
at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
You can also purchase a copy
of Road Rules – Victoria, or view the
relevant 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
67
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 66
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.
68
The effects of
BLOOD ALCOHOL alcohol on driving
CONCENTRATION (BAC)
is a measure of the Alcohol affected drivers:
amount of alcohol you • feel overconfident resulting
have in your blood.
It is measured by the in risk taking on the road
number of grams of • are often unaware of the level
alcohol in 100 millilitres
of blood. of their driving impairment
For example, a BAC • have slower reflexes and
of .05 means .05 grams muscle co-ordination making
or 50 milligrams of it less likely that the driver
alcohol in every will be able to stop or swerve
100 millilitres of blood.
in an emergency
• are less able to process
information and make
appropriate decisions as their
vision, hearing and brain are
all adversely affected.
A driver who has been drinking
struggles to accurately judge
speeds and distances and will
often fail to respond to potential
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 67

dangers in the traffic
environment. The ability to
cope with more than one thing
at a time is greatly reduced (for
example, steer a course within a
lane, respond to traffic signals
and avoid a pedestrian who
suddenly steps onto the road).
What are the risks
RISK OF ACCIDENTS
The risk of being involved in a
crash increases dramatically if
the driver has been drinking
alcohol. The graph shows the
average relationship between
the risk of having a crash and
the amount of alcohol in the
blood. For inexperienced
drivers the risk at any BAC
level will be even higher.
Some of the factors that lead to
a 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 drinking
the same amount of alcohol

30 Factors affecting BAC

• food consumption – food
25
Alcohol affects different people slows down the absorption of
20
in different ways and can even alcohol so, if you have not
15
affect the same person on had a substantial meal before
10
different occasions in different drinking, you will reach a
5

0
ways. You can drink the same higher BAC more quickly
.02 .04 .06 .08 .10 .12 .14 .16
amount of alcohol on different
BAC (BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION) • rate of drinking and the types
days and have different BAC
RELATIVE CHANCE OF of alcohol consumed – the
readings each time.
CRASHING AT VARIOUS BACS quicker you drink and the
greater the alcoholic content
of the drink, the sooner you
will reach a higher BAC

69
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• 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 also
exaggerate the mood you are
in, and make you feel more
tired if you are already tired.
Only time reduces your
BAC level
Your body takes time to get rid
of alcohol. No amount of coffee,
exercise, cold showers, fresh
air or vomiting will help. Whilst
these may make you feel more
alert, they don’t change the
70
amount of alcohol in your
bloodstream or speed up the
processing of the alcohol by
your liver. The liver does this in
its own time.
It is important to
remember that if you
HOT TIP have a lot to drink the
night before, you are likely to still
have alcohol in your blood the
next morning.
If you are having a party, help
your guests to avoid drinking
and driving.
How to avoid
drinking and driving
• Plan ahead. It is more
difficult to plan how to get
home if you have had alcohol
to 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 take
turns 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 BAC
level by using a public breath
tester. These are located in
some hotels and are useful to
determine your BAC level.
You would need to do this a
number of times to get an idea
+Part4v3 1/5/08 8:16 AM Page 69
of what BAC your usual pattern
of drinking leads to, and how
long it takes for your BAC to
return to zero. Do not attempt to
do this if you are intending to drive.
If you drive after drinking
your driving will suffer –
HOT TIP so remember, the safest
BAC is zero even when you have a
full licence.
Breath testing procedures
Police can request the driver of
a vehicle to undergo a breath
test at any time. There are many
breath testing stations or booze
buses patrolling Victorian roads.
You may also be stopped by
police in other vehicles and
asked to undergo a breath test.
Thousands of drivers are
randomly tested every week.
You will be asked to blow into a
small device. It will immediately
give an indication of the alcohol
in your blood – if any. If you
haven’t been drinking there is
no problem. If you have a
positive result, you will be
asked to do a second test on
another breath testing instrument.
This reading will be used as
evidence if you are over the
legal limit.
Drivers admitted to hospital
after any kind of road crash are
required to provide a breath
test or allow a blood sample to
be taken.
Penalties
The penalties for exceeding the
BAC laws are tough - regardless
of whether you are a learner
driver or a fully licensed driver.
Learner and probationary
drivers who record a BAC
reading between zero and .05
may have their permit or
licence cancelled for up to 6
months. If their licence is not
cancelled they will incur 10
demerit points and the P1 or P2
probationary period will be
extended by six months. If the
BAC is .05 or over this will result
in a loss of licence for at least 6
months for a first offence.
Probationary drivers with BAC of
.07 and over will also have to fit
an alcohol ignition interlock for a
minimum of 6 months when re-
licensed. Heavy fines can also be
imposed.
REFUSING A BREATH TEST
IS AN OFFENCE.
Your licence will be
cancelled and you will be
disqualified from driving for
at least 2 years if
convicted.
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DRUGS, MEDICINE
AND DRIVING
Medicines and illegal drugs
that can affect safe driving
are detected in over 30% of
Victorian driver fatalities.
In Victoria it is an offence
to drive a motor vehicle
while impaired by a drug.
Police have the power to
undertake roadside saliva
testing of drivers and riders,
to detect the presence of
speed (methamphetamine),
THC, the active ingredient
of cannabis, which
indicates recent cannabis
use, and ecstasy (MDMA).
Driving with these drugs in
the blood or saliva is an
offence and penalties
(including licence loss) will
apply.
72
Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs such as ecstasy,
cannabis (marijuana) and
heroin can affect your ability to
safely control a vehicle.
Drugs like speed or ecstasy can
make you feel as if you are a
better driver. Unfortunately, as
your confidence goes up, your
driving skills go down, making
you a danger to yourself and
everyone else on the road.
It is extremely dangerous when
the effect wears off, as you are
likely to experience sudden,
uncontrollable sleep.
Some illegal drugs present
special problems. Cannabis, for
example, can make you unable
to respond quickly enough to
what other drivers are doing.
This can have serious
consequences – for instance,
having to stop suddenly or to
respond to the actions of other
vehicles or pedestrians. Your
ability to concentrate and
maintain attention, make
decisions and to react to
unexpected events is greatly
reduced. Important road signs
may be missed.
In an emergency situation, the
risk of a crash is increased, and
your ability to avoid the crash is
reduced. Combining even small
amounts of cannabis and
alcohol causes much greater
impairment than either one on
its own.
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Medicines • some strong painkillers. How to reduce the risk of a

Many prescription medicines
and some medicines bought
over the counter from a
pharmacist can impair your
driving and increase the risk of
crashes by affecting your:
• mood
• concentration
• coordination, and
• reaction time.
Some examples of prescription
medications that can affect
driving are:
• sleeping tablets
• muscle relaxants
• sedatives
Not everyone will experience
the effects of a drug in the
same way. When you start
using a new medicine which
may affect your driving, it is
best not to drive until you
understand and have
experienced what effect it
actually has on you. Most
medicines have no effect on
safe driving. Your doctor or
pharmacist will be able to give
you advice about this.
crash when on medication If you’re out of
• Do not use alcohol with
shape, your driving
your medicines
will be
• Keep to the prescribed
as well
doses
• Do not treat yourself with
additional medicines or other
remedies. 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 states
that the medicine may cause
drowsiness.

• antihistamines (such as in hay

fever or cold and flu medicines)

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If you are worried about
the effect that your
HOT TIP medicine has on your
driving, stop your driving – not
your medicine!
Stop driving and contact your
doctor or pharmacist if your
medicine:
• 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 use
medication that affects your
driving in some way, plan ahead
before you drive, or use
alternative transport such as
taxis or public transport, or call
on a friend to drive you.
74
THE LAW ABOUT
SEAT 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 are
carried 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 child
restraint 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 are away from the dashboard as
recommended if children are possible.
using a lap only seat belt.
It is safer for children to travel
in the back seat.
Restraint Fitting
If a vehicle has air bags in other
Stations can help you
positions, consult the vehicle
HOT TIP fit a child restraint.
owner’s manual for advice on
Phone 1300 360 745 positioning restraints.
for the nearest location.
More information about
choosing and using restraints
Restraints and and Restraint Fitting Stations
is available from VicRoads
air bags Customer Service Centres
A rearward facing restraint and the VicRoads web site:
should not be used if the www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
restraint is in a position where
it will be hit by an exploding
air bag.
Children using forward facing
car seats or boosters in the
front seat of a vehicle should do
so with the seat pushed as far
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Pregnant women SPEED LIMITS Built-up areas

Seat belts protect both pregnant The speed limit in a built-up
Speed limit signs tell you area is 50 kilometres per hour
women and their unborn
babies. The belt will not harm the maximum speed you (km/h) unless signed
the baby if the lap part of the can drive in normal otherwise.
belt is below the bulge, the sash
conditions. You must
passes between the breasts and
the buckle is fastened down by always obey them by not
the hips. An unborn baby is exceeding the speed shown.
more at risk in a crash if a seat
belt is not worn.

Buckling up takes
seconds – serious A BUILT-UP AREA is
crashes take lives. where there are
buildings and/or
houses next to the
road or there is street
lighting at intervals
not over 100 metres
apart for a distance of
500 metres or more.

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Speed limited areas School speed zones On roads

where the
There are other signs which Lower speed zones are being speed limit is
designate speed limits for whole introduced outside all Victorian 80 km/h or
areas (networks of roads) schools. above,
which have a sign on each road
40 km/h and
into the area. Permanent
60 km/h
40 km/h
static or electronic variable signs
speed limits
will be used to alert drivers to the
outside
lower speed limit.
schools on
most Shared zones
50 km/h
roads. Shared zones have a speed limit
of 10 km/h or as indicated on
the Shared Zone sign. In a
shared zone, drivers must give
Freeways and Time based
way to pedestrians.
country roads 40 km/h
speed limits
The speed limit on freeways and outside
outside built-up areas in Victoria schools on
is 100 km/h unless signs tell 60 km/h
you otherwise. Some main and 70 km/h
streets in rural town centres roads.
have 50 km/h speed limits.
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Safe speeds for
different needs
There is no one best speed.
Speed limit signs tell you the
maximum speed you must not
drive beyond. You have to decide
what is a safe speed within the
specified limit.
Here are some factors you
should consider.
Unpredictable surfaces
The risk of losing control of a
vehicle can increase as a result
of deterioration in the road such
as potholes, wheel ruts or
grooves, slippery surfaces and
loose gravel. Always try to be
aware of the road surface
conditions and if necessary
adjust your driving technique
and speed according to the
conditions.
78
Light or heavy traffic
If there is a lot of traffic, slow
down to the average speed of
everyone else and watch out for
hazards. Pedestrians often weave
through cars stuck in peak hour
‘crawls’.
Shops, parked cars and people
Where there are shops, there
are people and cars. Electronic
variable signs at selected strip
shopping centres indicate
reduced speed limits at high risk
times. Be alert. Children can run
out from between parked cars,
and parked cars can pull out
from the kerb suddenly. Watch
your speed, slow down and try
to anticipate what others may do.
Green lights can
change to red
A green light may turn red
before you enter an intersection,
so drive at a speed that will allow
you to stop.
Country roads
and animals
When you see animals –
beware. They are unpredictable
and can wander or dart onto the
road. Farmers often move sheep
or cattle and you need to slow
down while you are passing (see
Sharing the road with animals,
page 135).
The time of the day
It can be difficult to see the road
ahead when you are driving into
bright sunlight at dawn or dusk.
You will need to slow down.
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Wear sunglasses and use the sun
visor in your car.
Weather conditions
Driving in heavy rain, frost or
snow can be very dangerous – it
may be difficult to see and roads
may be slippery. You need to
slow right down, or in some
cases, pull over off the road and
wait for the conditions to
improve. You may need to use
hazard warning lights or rear fog
lights while parked. (see Driving
in dangerous conditions or
situations, page 121).
Take care when mist or fog
affects visibility.
Curving roads
Slow down before entering a
curve or bend, then accelerate
a little to drive out. It can be
dangerous to brake in a curve or
bend; you may lose control of
your vehicle.
Slippery roads
Slippery roads can be caused by
rain, mud, frost or ice. Not all
areas that are slippery when wet
are signposted – watch out for
others. Rain makes all roads
slippery. When rain first begins,
oil and dirt are washed to the
surface. Until further rain
washes these away, skidding can
occur. Slow down and always
keep your distance from the
vehicle in front in poor
conditions of any sort.
Road works
At roadwork sites the number of
lanes is often reduced to protect
road workers. Temporary speed
limit signs are erected to guide
traffic through the work site at
safe speeds. All drivers must
obey the speed limits.
Dirt roads
Dust from oncoming vehicles If the vehicle in
may conceal unexpected
hazards, such as other vehicles, front of yours stops
a dip or corner. Dirt roads can
suddenly, and you
become very slippery when wet
or corrugated. Mud thrown onto are travelling too
windows can reduce visibility.
Slow down and drive at a speed fast or too close –
appropriate for conditions
you will not be
because road holding is reduced
and stopping distances are able to avoid
greater.
a crash!
Road edge
If you need to move a wheel off
the bitumen, such as when
passing an oncoming vehicle on
a narrow road, don’t panic.
Pulling the wheel quickly to get
back on the road may lead to
over correction and potential loss
of control. Slow down, brake
gently if needed, take your time
and steer normally back onto the
bitumen when safe to do so.
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How quickly do you ROAD SIGNS Regulatory signs

think you can stop?
Speed makes a big difference
to your ability to stop. If you
double your speed, you cover
almost 4 times the distance
before you stop.
Road signs are there to
provide information to help
keep you and others safe
on the road.
These signs tell you what you
must or must not do. You are
committing an offence if you
disobey these signs. They are
usually black and white,
sometimes with red indicating
danger or a restriction.

At 60 km/h you may

cover up to 67 metres
before you can stop.
At 100 km/h you may
cover up to 142 metres
before you can stop.
You must keep left

However, some regulatory

This makes a significant signs are black and yellow:
difference to your chance of
being involved in a crash.

Beware – pedestrians crossing

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Follow these traffic signs
These are signs showing which
direction you must, or must
not 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 to
get through intersections and
other places safely (see Giving
way to vehicles at intersections,
page 97).
Hand held signs
Hand held signs are often used
at work sites. They may also be
found at school crossings.
Be prepared to obey the sign.
You must stop
Keep left unless overtaking
Where this sign is shown, or on
multi-lane roads where the
speed limit is over 80 km/h,
you must not drive in the right
lane unless overtaking another
vehicle, turning right, making a
U-turn, avoiding an obstruction,
or when traffic is congested.
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Warning signs
These signs alert you of
possible danger ahead. They
are usually yellow diamond
shapes with black words or
symbols. Take notice of the
advice these signs give. It
usually means slowing down.
Curves and bends signs
Curves and bends signs tell you
what to expect – from simple
curves, to winding sections and
sharp bends.
A normal bend
82
Intersection Warning signs
Intersection Warning signs are
used to warn you of the type of
intersection ahead, particularly
when the intersection is
dangerous or difficult to see.
Sharp bends
An INTERSECTION is
where two or more roads
meet and where vehicles
travelling on different
roads might collide.
A winding section of road
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 81

There are many types of Intersection control Changing road layout

intersections. warning signs

End of divided road

Cross-road intersection Traffic lights ahead

Two lanes are for

oncoming traffic
T-intersection Stop sign ahead

Staggered side road junction Roundabout ahead

83
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Advisory speed signs Changing conditions Railway level crossings

Advisory speed signs are When approaching railway level
sometimes used with other crossings – slow down and be
warning signs. prepared to stop.
The advisory speed sign shows
the maximum speed that is safe
to drive in good conditions.
Hollow/dip in the road

Rail crossing ahead

Uncontrolled crossings ahead

Slippery when wet
Advisory speed sign used with
curve warning sign

Uncontrolled rail crossing on

Gravel road side road
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Pedestrian signs Road work signs

These signs warn drivers of
pedestrians crossing the road.
These are usually temporary
signs warning drivers to slow
down and drive carefully
because there are road works Workers on the road ahead
ahead. Consider the safety of
road workers when
approaching road works.

Pedestrians crossing

Left lane ends, prepare to move You may proceed slowly

(merge) into another lane

Children crossing

Slow down and be

prepared to stop

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Direction signs ROAD MARKINGS Centre of the

These standard green signs
with white lettering are
common throughout the State.
They give information such as
road names, destinations along
a route and distances to the
destinations.
road dividing lines
It is important to be able
Many roads are painted with
to ‘read’ the white or
broken white lines and single
yellow markings on the continuous lines in the centre of
road. Road markings can the road.
create regulatory
requirements which you
must obey and are there
to provide a safer driving
environment.

FIGURE 6

Single continuous dividing lines

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FIGURE 7
Broken white lines
In Figures 6 and 7 you must
keep left of the lines and drive
as close to the left side of the
road as you can. You may cross
these lines to enter or leave the
road, but only overtake if the
road ahead is clear.
FIGURE 8
Double continuous white lines
You must always keep left of
these lines. Do not cross them
to overtake or to turn. You
must not park opposite double
continuous lines.
FIGURE 9
Double white lines with a
broken line closer to you
You may cross these lines to
overtake, or to enter or leave
the road, but only overtake if
the road ahead is clear.
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Lane markings Broken white lines separate

lanes of traffic going in the
same direction. You may change
lanes if you signal, and if it is
safe to do so. Remember, you
must give way to any vehicle
already in that lane. You must
drive with your vehicle
completely within a lane.

FIGURE 10
FIGURE 11
Double white lines with a
continuous line closer to you Broken white lines
separating lanes
You must always keep to the
left of these lines. Do not cross
them to overtake or to turn.
You must not park opposite the
continuous line side.

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Roads without
marked lanes
Where there are no lane
markings, if there are two or
more lines of traffic travelling in
the same direction, you may
change from one line of traffic
to another if you signal, and if it
is safe to do so. However, you
may only pass another vehicle
on the left side when it is
turning right.
FIGURE 12
Overhead lane signals
If overhead lane signals are in
use, travel in the lanes over
which there is a green or white
arrow. You must stay out of
lanes with a red X.
FIGURE 13
Special purpose
lanes
Special purpose lanes include
bicycle lanes, bus lanes, transit
lanes and tram lanes. Signs
and/or road markings are used
to set aside lanes for special
vehicles. If specified on the
signs other vehicles may use
these lanes. Drivers must keep
out of these lanes during the
times marked on the signs or, if
no time is specified, at all times.
However, you may travel in
these lanes for up to 100 metres
(up to 50 metres in a bicycle
lane), only when necessary to
do so, to enter or leave the
road, or to avoid an obstruction
or turning vehicle.
Some examples of special
purpose lanes are shown
on page 90.
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Tram lanes Bicycle lanes Transit lanes

For trams and public buses only.
(See Sharing the road with
trams, page 129).
Bus lanes
For buses and other vehicles
as specified on a sign.
(See Sharing the road with
buses, page 132).
For cyclists only, and for
During times specified on
parking unless prohibited by
the signs, transit lanes are
signs. If you need to turn left
for buses, taxis, motorcycles,
from the road, you may drive
trams and vehicles carrying
along the bicycle lane for not
two or more people (T2 sign),
more than 50 metres only if it is
or three or more people (T3 sign).
necessary to do so. You should
be courteous to cyclists. You
must give way to cyclists in a
bicycle lane, and only move into
a bicycle lane when it is safe to
do so.

You may drive in a

transit lane for no more
HOT TIP than 100 metres if it is
necessary to make a turn.

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Traffic lane arrows
Arrows are painted on the road
at some intersections. They tell
you the direction traffic in each
lane must go. If two directions
are shown, you may go either
way. You must not go in a
direction other than that
indicated by the arrows.
Arrows may also be applied to
bicycle lanes. Sometimes a
‘head start’ area is provided so
that cyclists can be seen by
drivers when stopped at red
traffic lights.
FIGURE 14
Painted traffic
islands
Traffic islands are sometimes
painted on the road before a
right turning lane. You can
drive over the painted island
or stop to wait on it, as long as
there are no double lines
outlining the island on the left,
but you must give way to any
vehicle in a turning lane or
entering a turning lane from a
marked lane (see Figure 15 on
page 92).
You should not enter the
painted island to turn right if
the traffic is not banked up.
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Give Way line Stop line markings –

markings – with or without
with or without Stop signs
Give Way signs

FIGURE 15

Red vehicle B must give way to FIGURE 17

green vehicle A FIGURE 16
Red vehicle B must give way to
Red vehicle B must give way to green vehicle A
green vehicle A
(See Giving way to vehicles at
(See Giving way to vehicles at intersections, page 97).
intersections, page 97).

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TRAFFIC Traffic lights

CONTROLS AT
INTERSECTIONS

Half of all crashes

happen at intersections. Green means you may enter
Stay alert and obey the the intersection, but only if you
intersection rules. do not block the intersection.
Red means you must STOP.
Do not enter the intersection.

Yellow means STOP unless

you are unable to do so safely.

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Traffic lights with arrows Traffic lights for trams,

Traffic lights with arrows make buses and bicycles
turns easier. If the arrow Some traffic lights signal a
pointing in the direction you white T or B on a black
want to go is red, you must background. These are used
stop; if the arrow is green you for trams and buses at some
may proceed in the direction it intersections. Some traffic
is pointing if it is safe to do so. lights may have red, yellow
You may turn right and green bicycle lights for use
by bicycles. Other road users
must wait for the normal
green light.

You must not turn right

You may turn left

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

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Pedestrian signals GIVE WAY RULES

Turning vehicles must always
give way to pedestrians who are
crossing the road they are
turning into (whether or not
there is a green ‘walking figure’
facing the pedestrian).
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
To GIVE WAY means
that if there is a danger
that your vehicle could
collide with another
vehicle, person or animal
you must slow down and
stop if necessary to avoid a
collision. If you are
stationary, you must remain
stationary until it is safe to
proceed.

a collision.
Traffic control signs
Here are some everyday
Stop and Give Way signs are
used for safety control at many
driving situations when
intersections and other places. you will be required to
give way.

(See Giving way to vehicles at

intersections, page 97).

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Giving Way to
Pedestrians
There are a number of driving
situations when you must give
way to pedestrians.
At pedestrian crossings
You must give way to any
pedestrian on a pedestrian
crossing, and you must not
overtake another vehicle
which has stopped at a
pedestrian crossing.
At intersections
When turning left or right at
any intersection (except a
roundabout), you must give
way to any pedestrians crossing
the road you are turning into.
96
In slip lanes At children’s crossings
You must give way to any (See Sharing the road with
pedestrians in a slip lane. pedestrians, page 123).
On the footpath
A SLIP LANE is an area When entering the road from a
of road for vehicles driveway or adjacent land, you
turning left that is
separated, at some point, must give way to pedestrians
from other parts of the on any footpath, path or nature
road by a painted island strip you cross to enter the
or traffic island. road. You must also give way to
bicycles or other vehicles on the
footpath, path or nature strip.
This also applies when leaving
the road to enter a driveway or
adjacent land.
FIGURE 18
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In shared zones
In a shared zone shared by both
vehicles and pedestrians, you
must give way to pedestrians
(see Speed limits, page 76).
At Stop or Give Way signs or
lines not at intersections
You must give way not only
to vehicles, but also to any
pedestrian at or near the sign
or line. This would include
pedestrians as well as bicycles
crossing in front of you on a
shared path.
When making a U-turn
You must give way to all
pedestrians as well as vehicles
when making a U-turn.
At tram stops
When passing a stopped tram
you must give way to any
pedestrians crossing between
the tram and the left side of
the road.
Giving way to
vehicles at
intersections
Stop or Give Way signs or
lines at an intersection
After stopping at a Stop sign or
line, or when facing a Give Way
sign or line at an intersection,
you must give way to any
vehicle in, entering or
approaching the intersection
except:
• 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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Giving way at
When the law refers intersections (except
to VEHICLES, this T-intersections or
includes not only roundabouts)
motor vehicles but
also horses being ridden If there are no traffic lights or
and bicycles.
signs or lines at an intersection,
The Give Way rules apply you must give way to any
equally for these smaller vehicle on your right.
vehicles.
You could be charged
just the same for In Figures 20 to 23,
failing to give way to red vehicle B must give way
a horse being ridden or a FIGURE 19 to green vehicle A
bicycle as for failing to give
way to a truck!
Red vehicle B must stop and
give way to green vehicle A,
which is not facing a Stop or
Give Way sign

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If you are turning right at an

intersection without traffic
lights or signs or lines, you
must also give way to
oncoming vehicles going
straight ahead or turning left
(except if they are turning in a
slip lane) as well as any vehicle
on your right.

FIGURE 20 FIGURE 22

FIGURE 24

FIGURE 23
Red vehicle B must give way to
FIGURE 21 green vehicle A

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Giving way at These diagrams show how to

T-intersections give way at T-intersections
without lights or signs, or when
traffic lights have failed or are
flashing yellow.
A T-INTERSECTION is
where two roads meet
and one of them ends.

FIGURE 27
T-intersections may not In Figures 25, 26 and 27,
always form a regular T the red vehicle B must
give way to green vehicle A

FIGURE 25

The Give Way rule is the same

for all T-intersections. When
you enter the continuing road
from the road that ends, you
must give way to vehicles
travelling along the continuing
road. FIGURE 26

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FIGURE 28 FIGURE 29 FIGURE 30

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 Some T-intersections are
way to the pedestrian modified so that the continuing
road 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 to
enter the road that ends at the
intersection. The red vehicle B
must give way to the green
vehicle A.
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Giving way at
roundabouts
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 for

motorcyclists and cyclists
already in the roundabout who
may be harder to see.

FIGURE 31
A roundabout sign
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.
102
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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.
Cyclists and animal riders
In a roundabout, cyclists and
animal riders have the option of
turning right from the left lane,
but they must give way to
drivers exiting the roundabout.
Giving way on
divided roads
When a two-way road is divided
by a median strip, a Give Way
or Stop sign applies to the
whole of the intersection.
A MEDIAN STRIP is a
dividing strip on the
road designed to
separate vehicles
travelling in opposite
directions.
FIGURE 32
The red vehicle B must give
way to the green vehicle A.
103
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Turning from a
divided road
When turning from a divided
road, you must obey the signs
on the road you are turning
from. Normally a vehicle in
the same position as the red
vehicle B could continue if it is
safe to do so. However in
Figure 33 the red vehicle B is
facing a Stop Here On Red
Signal sign, therefore it must
stop until that signal is green.
If there is no sign, you must
give way to traffic when entering
a road from a break in the
median strip after turning.
104
Other driving
situations when
you are required
to give way
U-turn
When making a U-turn you
must give way to all other
vehicles and pedestrians.
Entering the road
Whenever you enter the road
FIGURE 33 from a driveway or adjacent
land, you must give way to all
vehicles and pedestrians.
Entering the traffic stream
Whenever you enter the traffic
stream from a parked position,
or through a break in a median
strip, you must give way to all
vehicles travelling on the road.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 103
Changing lanes
Whenever you change lanes
from one marked lane or line of
traffic to another, you must
give way to vehicles already in
that lane or line of traffic. This
includes whenever you cross
over any broken line marked on
the road which indicates that a
lane ends, for example when
merging into freeway traffic.
Make a headcheck
whenever you are
HOT TIP changing lanes or pulling
out from the kerb, but don’t take
your eyes off the road ahead for
more than a second.
Zip merging
If you are on a road where
there are no lines marked and
the road is such that two rows
of vehicles must merge into
one, you must give way to any
vehicle which has any part of its
vehicle ahead of yours. This is
called zip merging. Note: if
you cross any lines marked on
the road, then you are not zip
merging but changing lanes,
and must give way accordingly.
FIGURE 34
Red vehicle B must give way
When two lanes of to the green vehicle A
traffic merge into one
and there are no lane
markings, this is
commonly known as
ZIP MERGING.
105
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Police directions
You must always follow
instructions from a member of
the Police Force or authorised
person rather than any other
traffic control signal or rule.
Remember, road users
can make mistakes about
HOT TIP who should give way.
Never assume the other driver has
seen you or will give way to you.
Always make eye contact, and
proceed carefully.
106
TURNING Making turns
Plan your turns well in Signalling your moves
advance. Move into the Always use your indicators to
let others know you are about
correct lane long before
to turn or change lanes.
you need to turn.
The signal must be given for
Use the indicators to long enough to warn others
give other road users that you are about to change
plenty of warning. lanes or direction. You must
signal for at least 5 seconds
when moving from a stationary
position at the side of the
road or from a median strip
parking area.
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Making right turns
FIGURE 35
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.
FIGURE 36
Right turns on multi-lane roads
On some multi-lane roads,
arrows painted on the road will
show you if right turns may also
be made from other lanes.
If road markings indicate how a
turn is to be made, you must
make a turn as indicated by the
road markings.
Making left turns
FIGURE 37
To make a left turn you must
approach the intersection as
close to the left side of the road
as possible, but keep clear of
any bicycle lane.
Where there is a slip lane, you
must turn using the slip lane
(see slip lane definition, page 96).
107
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FIGURE 38
Left turns on multi-lane roads
For a multi-lane road, arrows
painted on the road will show
you if left turns may also be
made from other lanes. But
look out for cyclists on your
left who may be going
straight ahead.
If road markings allow turns
from more than one lane, it is
108
advisable that you stay in the
same lane as you go from one
road to the other.
Exception to the
turning rules
Trucks or vehicles over
7.5 metres long displaying a
Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle
sign may use more than one
lane to turn (see Sharing the
road with trucks, page 133).
FIGURE 39
Hook turns
Hook Turn signs are
found at some
intersections in Central
Melbourne. The signs
may be at the side of the
road or hung from tram
wires, so be alert in
checking for these signs.
Hook Turn sign
A driver turning right at an
intersection with traffic lights
and a Hook Turn sign must
turn right by making a hook
turn as shown in Figure 40.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 107

To make a hook turn,

you must:

1 Approach and enter the

intersection from as near as
possible to the left.
Turn and continue 2 Move forward, keeping
Wait here until straight ahead
clear of any marked foot
the lights in
the street you crossing, until your vehicle
are entering is as near as possible to the
have changed far side of the road that you
to green are entering.

3 Remain at the position

reached under Step 2 until
You must be in the
the traffic lights on the
left lane to make
a hook turn. road you are entering
Indicate that you have changed to green.
are turning right
4 Turn right into the road and
continue straight ahead.

FIGURE 40

Doing a hook turn – turning right from the left lane

109
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A cyclist may make

a hook turn at any
intersection – not
just at hook turn
intersections.
No U-turn sign

• at an intersection where
there is a No U-turn sign
U-turns FIGURE 41

When making a U-turn Where there is no median, it

you must:
• have a clear view of traffic in
either direction
• complete your U-turn without
disrupting other traffic
• signal your intention for a
reasonable time
• give way to all other vehicles
and pedestrians.
110
is advisable that the U-turn be
made from the left side of the
road. Remember to watch out
for traffic approaching from No Right Turn sign
behind you.
• at a No Right Turn sign
You must not make a U-turn: unless there is a U-turn
• over double lines or where Permitted sign.
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)
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Turning and one way roads

FIGURE 42
Where there is a median, the
turn must be made from the
right lane.
FIGURE 43
Turning from one-way roads
When turning left or right from
a one-way road into a two-way
road, you must turn from a
position close to the side you
are turning towards.
FIGURE 44
Turning into one-way roads
When turning left or right from
a two-way road into a one-way
road, it is advisable to turn into
the nearest lane.

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Making turns at
roundabouts
A roundabout is considered to
be a special type of intersection,
so different rules apply. The
Give Way rules on page 102
explain what you must do when
entering the roundabout and
who should give way.
Sometimes roundabouts have
more than one lane. You need
to follow these rules about
turning left or right or going
straight ahead.
Decide before you enter the
roundabout if you are going to
turn right, left or go
straight ahead.
HOT TIP
Turning left
Approach in the left lane and
stay in that lane.
Signal a left turn on your
approach to the roundabout and
keep the signal on until you
have left the roundabout.
112
Going straight ahead
Approach the roundabout in the
left or right lane.
Drive in the same lane through
the roundabout.
Do not signal on your approach
to the roundabout, but if
practicable, signal left as you exit.
Cyclists and animal
riders may make a right
turn from a left lane.
Turning right
Always approach the
roundabout in the right lane.
Drive close to the centre of the
roundabout and follow the right
lane as you leave.
Signal a right turn on your
approach, and signal left, if
practicable, just before the exit
you are turning into, keeping
the signal on until you have left
the roundabout.
Three point turn
A three point turn is used to turn
your car around on a road which
is not as wide as your car’s
turning circle. When making a
three point turn you must:
• put your left signal before
stopping at the kerb
• put on your right signal
before leaving the kerb
• look in both directions
before commencing the turn
• proceed across the road to
the opposite kerb
• look in both directions along
the road before reversing
• look in the direction of travel
before and during reversing
• after reversing, look in both
directions before moving off
FRONT
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Where arrow(s) are

marked on the road
before or in a roundabout
you must drive in the
direction of the arrow(s).
Make sure you obey them.

FIGURE 45

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FREEWAYS
As freeway speeds are
often high and the traffic
is heavy, there are special
rules that apply when
driving 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 on
the freeway.
• Where there is a large
enough gap, merge smoothly
with the freeway traffic.
114
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, continue
travelling on the freeway until
you reach the next exit. Do not
reverse on a freeway.
Overtaking lane
Be extra alert on freeways as
traffic travels at high speed.
You must not drive in the
right lane unless overtaking or
unless all lanes are congested.
This rule also applies to the
right lane used by all traffic, if
the lane to the right of that is a
transit lane.
A TRANSIT LANE is
marked by a Transit Lane
sign, and may only be
used by public buses,
motorcycles, taxis or
where applicable, vehicles
carrying at least two people.
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Stopping
You must not stop on a freeway
except in an emergency. If you
must stop, use the emergency
stopping lane only. Put on your
hazard warning lights.
Variable speed zones
Electronic variable signs on
freeways indicate reduced
speed limits at high risk times.
Tollways
TOLLWAYS are sections
of road which the driver
must pay to use.
Signs are displayed to
advise drivers that they
will soon be entering
the tollway.
Start tollway sign
You are entering a tolled section
of road.
Advance warning tollway
entrance sign
You are about to enter the
tollway from a non-tollway road.
If you do not want to enter the
tollway, take the next exit.
DRIVING SAFELY
IN TUNNELS
Information for
learner drivers
Things you need to be aware
of when driving in tunnels.
• Remove sunglasses before
entering a tunnel.
• Turn on your head lights,
so that your vehicle is more
visible.
• Tunnels usually have variable
speed limits. Lower limits
apply when traffic is
congested or when an
incident has occurred (e.g. a
crash or broken down
vehicle). Look for speed limit
signs and stay within the limit
in accordance with
conditions.
115
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• Check and obey variable
message and lane control
signs that provide important
information about safety and
traffic conditions.
• Stay out of closed lanes.
Even if you can’t see the
problem, always obey signs
and controller instructions.
• Lane changing causes many
crashes on busy arterial
roads. Avoid lane changing
and overtaking while
travelling through tunnels.
• If you really need to
overtake another vehicle
(e.g. it is broken down)
make sure you are clear of
all other traffic and it is safe.
Always use your indicators
to show your intention to
merge or change lanes.
116
• Turn your car radio on.
Tunnels have re-broadcast
systems that convey safety
and traffic information to
drivers via their radio and
the tunnel public
announcement system.
• Do not stop in a tunnel
except in an emergency or if
directed by the tunnel
controller. Try to drive out
of a tunnel even if your
vehicle is damaged or has a
mechanical malfunction.
• Do not reverse in a tunnel.
• Do not enter a tunnel if your
vehicle is very low on fuel.
SHARING THE
ROAD SAFELY
As a driver you share the
road with many other
people:
• other drivers of cars,
vans, trucks, buses
and trams
• pedestrians
• motorcyclists
• cyclists.
Co-operative driving
We all have places to get to and
want to arrive there safely. The
best way to make this happen is
to co-operate and help each
other. It doesn’t really hurt or
waste any time to let somebody
in from a side street, when the
traffic is crawling along.
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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 is
not just limited to other car
drivers. You are also sharing
the road with pedestrians,
cyclists, motorcyclists, trucks,
buses and trams.
There are times and places
when 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 driving
helps you to be a ‘green
HOT TIP driver’. There
is a relationship between driving
style and the impact your
driving has on the environment.
Drive smoothly and avoid fast
start/stop driving – you’ll save
fuel and pollute less (and save
money as well!). Even better leave
the car at home and walk, ride
your bike or use public transport!
Keeping your cool
when driving
Road rage is dangerous and Co-operate to
illegal. It involves people losing keep your cool
their cool, perhaps in response
to a mistake or action of and you’ll be
another driver. You can avoid a winner
road rage easily.
• The fundamental rule is don’t
retaliate – 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 a
personal attack.
• Keep your cool and keep
your distance!
• Drive co-operatively and
consider the other people on
the road!
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Sharing the road with
other motorists
Keeping to the left
On multi-lane roads with a
speed limit over 80 km/h, you
must keep out of the right lane
unless you are:
• overtaking
• turning right
• making a U-turn
• avoiding an obstruction, or
• traffic is congested.
You must also keep out of the
right lane where a Keep Left
Unless Overtaking sign applies.
118
Signalling your moves
Before turning or changing
lanes you must signal for
long enough to give sufficient
warning to other drivers and
pedestrians. In 60 km/h zones,
it is best to signal for at least
30 metres or about the length
of two houses and driveways
before turning or changing
lanes.
Check that your indicator
is off after you have made
HOT TIP your turn or lane change
– it may not have turned off by
itself. If it is left on, other drivers
will think you intend to turn.
Before moving from a stationary
position at the side of the road
or a parking area in the middle
of the road, you must signal for
at least five seconds.
Here are some of the ways you
can signal your intentions.
1 Using your indicators
You must use your indicators
when:
• 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’ indicators 2 Using your brake lights

and make sure they are doing
what is indicated. Sometimes an Every time your foot touches
The ability to
indicator has not cancelled from the brake pedal, your brake
the last turn, or has been put on lights glow, warning other blend in with
too early. Make sure you drivers you are slowing down.
traffic comes with
indicate in such a way that your Likewise, you will need to slow
signal cannot be misleading. down when the brake lights on experience and
the vehicle in front of you are
reflects
glowing red. So give lots of
warning by braking early and an awareness
Use indicators even slowing gradually.
if there is no-one else of what
around – it’s the 3 Making eye contact
person you cannot other drivers
see who can be the As well as watching out for
most dangerous. reasonably expect
indicators, you can get an idea
of what another person might
do by making eye contact.
FIGURE 46 To make sure another driver
knows you are there, try and
These vehicles are signalling
make eye contact, especially at
their moves, but could be heading
intersections. Look at other
for trouble as vehicle A’s signal
drivers, they may well be
could be misleading.
looking at you to see that you
know they are there!
119
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4 Using your headlights
and tail lights
Headlights help you to see at
night. Headlights and tail lights
help others to see you in poor
light conditions. Your headlights
and tail lights must be on
between sunset and sunrise.
They must also be on in
hazardous weather conditions
where there is reduced
visibility.
If the street lights are
on, your lights should
HOT TIP also be on.
120
High-beam headlights
Headlights on high-beam
enable you to see further.
Because headlights on high
beam may dazzle the oncoming
driver’s eyes, you must ‘dip’
them to low-beam when another
vehicle is within 200 metres.
You must also dip your head-
lights when driving 200 metres
or less behind another vehicle.
FIGURE 47
Don’t be dazzled by high-beam
Look to the left side of the road
and drive towards the left of
your lane if a car with high-
beams on is approaching. If
dazzled by the lights, slow
down and pull over until your
eyes recover.
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Using emergency signals
If your vehicle breaks down
on the road
Make sure other drivers can
see your vehicle and stop in
time. If possible, pull out of the
traffic flow. If you can’t get
completely off the road, try to
stop where people have a clear
view of you and your vehicle.
Don’t stop just over a hill or just
around a curve.
Turn on your hazard
warning lights to warn
HOT TIP other drivers. If your
vehicle doesn’t have hazard
warning lights use your left
indicator instead. Lift your bonnet
or boot lid to show other drivers
you are in trouble.
Driving in dangerous conditions
or situations
You may use hazard warning
lights if you are driving in
dangerous weather conditions,
such as fog, or smoke, or if you
are driving slowly and likely to
obstruct other vehicles or
pedestrians. You must not
operate rear fog lights unless
driving in fog or hazardous
weather conditions.
Warning others of your approach
You must only use your horn if
it is necessary to warn other
road users of the approach or
position of your vehicle.
How to overtake safely
If someone is overtaking you,
you must not increase your Always make a
vehicle’s speed. final headcheck
Here are some tips to reduce before changing
your risk when overtaking:
lanes or 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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• Check that the vehicle in
front or behind is not also
about to pull out to overtake.
• Use your right indicator to let
others know you are about to
overtake. 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 sealed
part 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.
122
• You must keep a safe Overtaking where lanes
distance when overtaking are marked
and not return into the line
When a road has lane markings,
of traffic until you are a
you may overtake in the left
sufficient distance past the
lane but remember you are
vehicle you are overtaking.
less visible to the driver of the
One way to know if it vehicle you are going past if
is safe to return to you overtake on the left.
HOT TIP your lane is when you
see both headlights of Overtaking where there are
the vehicle you have overtaken in oncoming vehicles
your rear view mirror.
Never underestimate the space
Overtaking where there are no and time you will need to safely
lane markings overtake when there are
oncoming vehicles. It is hard to
When a road has no lane judge the speed at which they
markings, you must overtake are travelling. Be careful. If in
a vehicle on its right side.
doubt – don’t pull out.
You must not overtake either
a moving or stationary vehicle
on the left, unless the vehicle is
turning right, or making a U-turn
from the centre of the road, and
has its right indicator flashing.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 121
Overtaking where there are hills
and curves
If your view is blocked, don’t
pull out. Remember, you must
not overtake when there are
double unbroken white lines, or
double white lines with a
continuous line closest to you.
Overtaking at intersections,
rail crossings, shopping centre
entrances and pedestrian
crossings
These are never good places to
overtake. Wait until you are on
a clearer section of road. You
must not overtake another
vehicle stopped at a pedestrian
or children’s crossing.
Sharing the road At children’s crossings
with pedestrians
Pedestrians don’t always do
what you expect. You should
watch out for them at all times.
Here are some places where
you should take extra care.
More information on giving way
to pedestrians can be found on
page 96.
PEDESTRIANS include
not only people on
foot but also those on
wheeled devices such as
skateboards, rollerblades,
and wheelchairs/motorised
mobility devices.
FIGURE 48
A person pushing
a bicycle is also
considered to be Always approach a children’s
a pedestrian. crossing at a speed which will
let you stop. You must stop at
flagged children’s crossings if a
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pedestrian is on or entering the lights at intersections. However, At pedestrian crossings

crossing, even if there is no
crossing supervisor present.
You must not proceed until the
pedestrian has left the crossing.
You must also stop if a hand
held Stop sign is displayed.
At intersections and
traffic lights
When turning, you must give
way to pedestrians crossing
the road you are entering.
Elderly people may not cross
the road in the time allowed
by the lights. Be patient and
wait for them.
at some locations, drivers may
Always approach pedestrian
proceed when the yellow light
crossings at a speed which will
starts flashing, provided they
let you stop. Not all pedestrians
give way to any pedestrian still
look before they step onto
on the crossing. These
crossings, so take care. You
crossings have When Flashing
must give way to any pedestrian
Give Way To Pedestrians signs.
on a pedestrian crossing.

Pedestrian traffic lights are

often located away from
intersections to enable
pedestrians to cross roads
FIGURE 49
safely. These traffic lights
generally operate the same as

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At safety zones, tram stops

and bus stops
Slow down when approaching
safety zones, tram stops and
bus stops. There is always the
risk of pedestrians getting off a
tram or bus and crossing the
road without looking.
A SAFETY ZONE is the
area of the road at or
near a tram stop with
safety zone signs, and
a traffic island or
dividing strip.

Pedestrians are often hard to

see when stepping out suddenly
from behind or in front of a bus
or tram. It is also a good idea
when you are waiting to pick up
FIGURE 50
a bus passenger to park on the
same side of the road that the Slow down when approaching
bus will be travelling. safety zones, tram stops and bus
stops. There is always the risk of
More information on Sharing pedestrians getting off a tram or
the road with trams can be bus and crossing the road
found on pages 97 and 129. without looking.

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When coming out On paths

of driveways You must give way to any
vehicles or pedestrians on a path
which crosses the road if you are
facing a Give Way or Stop sign.

At shopping centres and

FIGURE 51
At tram stops where there is no
safety zone between you and the
tram, you must stop and give
way to all pedestrians walking to
and from the kerb.
FIGURE 52
You must give way to any
vehicles or pedestrians when
leaving any private property.
If you cannot see if anyone is
coming, sound your horn and
then drive out very slowly.
Watch out for children riding on
bicycles or skateboards.
car parks
At shopping centres, car parks
and other busy places there is a
greater chance of pedestrians
crossing the road unexpectedly
or stepping out from behind or
between vehicles without
looking. Slow down and be alert.
Near schools
Take care when driving near
schools especially at times
when children are arriving
or leaving. Watch out for
40 km/h or 60 km/h speed
zones outside schools.

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Beware of children
coming out from
HOT TIP between parked cars –
they are often hard to see over
the top of cars.
Where children are walking
or playing
Beware of children darting out
suddenly from between parked
cars near playgrounds or
anywhere you see children
walking or playing.
Near libraries and senior
citizens’ clubs
Be alert and take extra care in
areas which elderly people
frequent, such as libraries,
senior citizens’ clubs and
homes for the elderly.
Vision impaired
Be aware of pedestrians with
poor or impaired vision who
may be using a white cane or
white walking stick. They may
not see your vehicle clearly or
be able to judge the speed of
your vehicle.
Near hotels or nightclubs
Pedestrians who have been
drinking may be impaired by
alcohol. They may not pay
attention to the traffic before
crossing the road.
Wet weather
Pedestrians may hurry and take
risks in the wet. Slow down and
take extra care in these
conditions.
Sharing the road
with cyclists and
motorcyclists
You need to be especially alert
for cyclists and motorcyclists,
as they are more at risk than
drivers. Cyclists and motor-
cyclists have the same rights
and responsibilities as you. So
give them space. They need to
keep well clear of parked cars
in case doors are opened
carelessly – so give them room.
They are entitled to ride two
abreast (up to 1.5 metres
apart); this makes them easier
to see.
Give cyclists and motorcyclists
their own space. You should
overtake cyclists or motor-
cyclists only if you can safely
move to the right, leaving at
least one metre clearance.
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Never share the lane with large vehicles which are

cyclists or motorcyclists if you
cannot leave this clearance.
Motorcycles accelerate
faster than cars. What
looks like a safe gap in
traffic, may not be if
there is a motorcycle
among the cars.
overtaking them, such as
trucks and buses. Only move
left or turn left from behind a
large vehicle when you have
a clear view and are sure that
the road is clear.

more than Watch out for cyclists

1 metre
FIGURE 53
Allow at least one metre
clearance between your vehicle
and cyclists or motorcyclists.
Motorcyclists and cyclists
should also keep a safe distance
from other vehicles and not
travel through small gaps
between lines of traffic.
and motorcyclists
Bicycles and motorcycles are
smaller than cars and therefore
harder to see and are more
likely to be hidden in your blind
spot. Keep a good lookout for
them, particularly before FIGURE 54
turning or entering an
intersection or changing lanes.
Intersections are where most Seven out of ten
motorcycle crashes
motorcycle accidents happen happen at intersections.
because vehicles turning left or Remember:
right cut across in front of the Always ‘Look Bike’.
rider. Riders can be hidden by

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Sharing the road
with trams
Remember these general rules
about sharing the road with
trams:
• 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 passing
the tram.
• You must give way to a tram
moving into or across a
roundabout.
• 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 trams
priority at all times. You can
FIGURE 55
cross a broken yellow line and
drive on tram tracks at any Broken yellow lines next to
time, however you must not tram lines means the tram has
delay a tram. If you want to turn priority at all times
right, allow the tram to pass you
or keep going and turn right
further on. Do not pull out in
front of a tram and do not delay
a tram.
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Full time tram lanes
FIGURE 56
Full time tram lanes have
continuous yellow lines next
to the tram lines. Reflective
markers are used to show
that the tram lane operates
at all times.
These tram lanes are in
operation at all times and the
tram lane sign will not show any
times of operation. The same
rules apply to these tram lanes
as to those with only a
continuous yellow line. You may
enter the lane to drive across an
intersection, or make a right
hand turn or a U-turn, however
you must not delay a tram.
Part time tram lanes
Part time tram lanes have tram
lane signs over the lane which
indicate the hours of operation
and a continuous yellow line to
the left of the tracks. You are
not allowed to travel in a tram
lane during the times it is in
operation (as shown on the
tram lane signs). You may use a
tram 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 a
tram or travel in the lane for
more than 100 metres. You
must not delay trams even
during the times when the tram
lane 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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Fairway signs Fairway and common sense

A Fairway sign may be used
in addition to the Tram Lane
signs and yellow lines, to warn
of a section of road where trams
have priority at the times marked
on the Tram Lane signs.
If a parked or double parked
vehicle blocks your lane, you
may not be able to avoid driving
in the tram lane. You won’t be
breaking the law, but move
to your own lane as soon as
possible to avoid delaying
a tram.

Trams are longer and heavier

FIGURE 57
Part time tram lanes have
continuous yellow lines next to
the tram lane lines and tram
lane signs over the lane
indicating the hours of operation.
Fairway sign Tram lane sign
than cars and it takes them
longer to safely stop. So, when
you are overtaking a tram or
changing lanes, don’t pull into
the empty space immediately in
front of a tram. This is their
‘safety margin’. Be careful and
leave plenty of room.

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Sharing the road
with buses
On some roads, buses are given
special lanes. Only public buses
or other vehicles as specified on
the sign may use these lanes.
However, you may drive in a
bus lane for no more than 100
metres 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 leaving
the road.
132
Watch out for buses pulling out
from the kerb
In a built-up area you must
give way to a bus displaying a
Give Way To Buses sign and
signalling that it is about to
pull out from the kerb into the
left lane. More information on
built-up areas can be found on
page 76.
Sharing the road
with police and
emergency vehicles
You must get out of the way of
a police or emergency vehicle
when its siren is on or it is
displaying red or blue flashing
lights. Give way and stop if
necessary (despite any other
rules), even if you have a green
traffic light. These vehicles
have exemptions to break rules
in the case of emergencies and
may act unpredictably. You
must also stop if the twin red
lights outside a Fire Station or
Ambulance Station are flashing.
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Sharing the road
with trucks and other
heavy vehicles
Here are some tips about
sharing the road with trucks of
any size.
Blind spots –
be seen, be safe
All vehicles have blind spots
where the driver loses sight of
vehicles around them. The
blind spot is greater for truck
drivers. If you cannot see the
the truck’s external mirrors,
the truck driver cannot see you.
This should be a ‘no stay spot’.
Either accelerate to overtake if
safe to do so, or decrease speed
and pull back to where you can
be seen. More information on
blind spots can be found on
page 38.
Don’t cut in
Trucks are longer and heavier
than cars and it takes them
longer to stop safely. So, when
you are overtaking a truck or
changing lanes, don’t pull in to
the empty space immediately in
front of a truck. This is their
‘safety margin’.
If you can’t see the
whole front of the truck
HOT TIP in your rear vision mirror
before you pull into the same
lane, there may not be enough
room for the truck to stop safely
behind you if the traffic suddenly
stops; it may hit you or another
vehicle. Be careful and leave
yourself plenty of room when turning
in front of an oncoming truck.
Trucks pick up and
deliver goods
Be prepared for trucks that are If you cannot
entering or leaving driveways, see the driver in
roads or loading docks to pick
up and deliver goods. the truck’s rear
Sometimes this will require vision mirror,
extra patience and courtesy on the truck
your part to let them do so
safely. Always be prepared to driver cannot
allow extra room for a truck to see you
swing in or out of delivery
points. If possible make eye
contact with the driver to let
them know you have seen them.
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The nature of trucks
Trucks are bigger and heavier
than cars and slower to
accelerate especially when
starting, merging into traffic or
going uphill. You need to allow
for this if you see a truck
pulling into traffic up ahead of
you. Be prepared to overtake
if it’s safe, or to reduce speed
if necessary.
Signs on trucks
An Oversize sign, sometimes
accompanied by flashing amber
lights, is displayed on a truck
which is longer or wider than
usual. The load may even
overhang into your lane. Take
notice and watch what is
different about it and adjust
your driving to suit. Remember,
amber flashing lights always
indicate caution is necessary.
134
A Long Vehicle sign is
displayed on a truck that is
much longer than normal.
It will take longer to overtake,
and will need extra room to
safely stop behind you. Make
Some oversized trucks are
sure you can see the entire
supported by pilot vehicles
front of the truck and a little
and VicRoads Transport Safety
space around it in your rear
Services vehicles. Pilot vehicles
vision mirror before you pull
provide advance warning to
in after you overtake.
other road users of the
presence of OVERSIZE A Do Not Overtake Turning
vehicles and VicRoads vehicles Vehicle sign tells you that the
manage traffic. truck is at least 7.5 metres long
and requires more turning
room to negotiate corners,
intersections or roundabouts.
Pilot
Vehicle Trucks displaying this sign may
need part or all of two lanes to
turn and can legally do so (see
page 108 for more information).
VicRoads
Transport This sign tells you that you
Safety must not overtake alongside
Services
Vehicle a turning truck.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 133
Blind spots are increased
when the truck is turning
HOT TIP and the chances of
damage to your vehicle, injury or
death is increased. Stay where you
can be seen so you can be safe.
Sharing the road Farm animals on roads
with animals A Give Way To Stock sign may
be displayed on country roads
Each year there are a number
to enable stock such as cows or
of serious crashes involving
sheep to move across or along
horses and other farm animals.
the road.
Horses
Slow down and watch out for
horses being led or driven
on the road – leave as much
space as possible to allow for
unexpected movements by
the horse.
Never use your car horn
around horses – it may startle
even the most placid horse and
could cause it to bolt and cause
a crash.
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Warning signs are also displayed Railway level

on the approaches to permanent crossings
stock crossings.
Look and listen for trains when
there is a crossing ahead. Drive
slowly, at a speed which will
allow you to stop if necessary.

The following information also

applies to tram level crossings.
When a Give Way To Stock sign Obey the tram level crossing signs.
is displayed, you must travel at
a safe speed that will enable you Gates, booms and
to slow down or stop to avoid a flashing lights
collision with an animal either
at or near the sign or within the
distance shown on the sign.

When a Stop sign is displayed

at a stock crossing, you must
stop before reaching the
crossing and must not proceed
until all animals have crossed
the road.

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Where there are gates, booms,
or flashing lights at railway
level crossings, you must not
cross until signals have stopped
flashing and the gates or booms
are fully open.
Keep clear of the
train tracks
If there is traffic stopped on the
other side of the railway
crossing, you must not cross
unless there is room for your
vehicle on the other side –
otherwise you could be stuck
on the tracks in the path of an
oncoming 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, take Look both ways for trains
extra care. Slow down. Look
If you have stopped for a train,
and listen for trains in both
don’t move off until you have
directions. Usually there are
checked that another train is
warning signs placed well in
not following or coming the
advance of these crossings.
other way.
Following other signs
or directions
There may be other signs you
must obey at railway level
crossings. These are usually
either Give Way or Stop signs.
You should also stop if a railway
employee signals you to stop.
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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.
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.
138
There are three
Stopping or parking types of parking:
regulations apply even
if you have stopped or 1 Parallel parking
parked your car and
have your hazard This is the usual way to park
warning lights on. unless signs tell you otherwise.
If signs say it is illegal You must park completely
for you to be stopping within the parking bay, in line
or parking at a place, with and close to the kerb.
having your hazard
warning lights on will
not change this.
less than
3 metres
When you park beside
the road look out for
cyclists before opening
your car door. Look out
for cyclists before you more
than
drive out of your 1 metre
parking space. more than
3 metres
FIGURE 58
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 137

If parking bays are not marked, 2 Angle parking 3 Centre of road parking
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.
FIGURE 59 FIGURE 60

You must park at the angle You must drive in forwards

indicated by the signs or marked and drive out forwards.
bays. Where no angle is indicated Do not reverse out of these
by signs or marked bays, you spots, unless a sign indicates
must park at a 45°angle. you may do so.

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Parking control signs
Parking signs
Parking signs tell you whether
or not you can park, for how long,
during which hours, and if you
have to pay. Some parking signs
provide more details than others.
2 2
General parking signs
140
A sign with the letter ‘P’ only
means you can park without a
time limit.
Any number next to the ‘P’
indicates the amount of time
you can park. For example, the
sign above left indicates a five
minute parking limit, whilst the
sign on the right shows a one
hour limit.
The parking limits apply during
the periods shown on the sign.
For example, the five minute
parking sign on the left means
that parking is allowed for a five
minute period between the
hours of 9am and 4pm from
Monday to Friday. Outside that
time period parking is allowed
with no restrictions.
The 1P sign on the right
indicates a one hour time limit
during the hours of 9am to
12noon on Saturdays. Any other
time you are free to park in that
area with no restrictions.
Meter parking
An individual parking meter
next to your vehicle means you
must pay as instructed on the
parking sign or meter.
A group meter for the parking
area nearby means you must
purchase a ticket. Follow the
instructions on the meter or
sign. Some group meters print
out a ticket you must display on
your dashboard.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 139
Other group meters require
your parking bay number
(marked on the road) and
electronically record your fee
paid and time allowed.
All meters are checked
regularly by parking inspectors.
Parking for disabled
Parking bays with this sign or
that are indicated by a road
marking have been set aside to
allow disabled persons easy
access to places such as shops,
libraries or community centres.
You must not park in these
reserved parking spots without No Stopping signs
a valid disabled permit.
These tell you that you must not
Where not to park stop at the kerb for any reason.
No Parking signs
You are allowed two minutes in
a No Parking area only if you
remain within three metres of
the vehicle and you are picking
up or dropping off passengers;
otherwise if you stop, you are
considered to have parked,
even if you stay in the vehicle.
141
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Clearways
Clearways help traffic move
faster during peak times.
On the signs the letter ‘C’
means clearway – you must
not stop here for any reason
during the hours and days
noted on the sign.
goods, and public passenger
vehicles or taxis that are
dropping off or picking up
passengers (30 minute limit or
as shown on the sign).

Zone signs

Clearway sign used at

start of clearway Truck Zone sign
Only for trucks with a gross
Loading Zone sign vehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes.
No time limit is applied for a
Unless another limit is specified
truck loading or unloading
on the sign, a loading zone is
goods.
only for goods carrying
vehicles with a ‘G’ code
included on their registration
labels, signed delivery and
courier vehicles, trucks while
This sign is used within
dropping off or picking up
the clearway
142
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Tow away zones

Bus Zone sign Taxi Zone sign

Only for public buses. Only for taxis.

Permit Zone sign Works sign

Only for vehicles displaying a Only for vehicles engaged in

valid permit for that zone issued construction work in or near
by the relevant authority. the zone.

Typical use of
Tow Away Zone signs

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A Tow Away zone means your
vehicle will be towed away if
you park at this spot during the
times specified. Not only do you
pay a parking fine, you also need
to pay a fee to reclaim your car.
144
General stopping and • on the wrong side of the
parking rules road, ie. on the far right side
of a two-way road
You must not leave a vehicle
stationary: • on a footpath or reservation
(unless the vehicle is a
• double parked
motorcycle or bicycle)
• where there is a Keep Clear
• in a bus lane
road marking
• half in, half out of a
• within an intersection
No Parking or
(except on the continuous
No Stopping area
side of a continuing road of a
T-intersection) • opposite continuous double
white lines
• on freeways (except in an
emergency stopping lane) • opposite a continuous white
line next to a broken white
• across a lane or private
line with the continuous line
driveway
closer to you
• where you would leave less
than three metres of road
clear for traffic
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 143
• within 20 metres of:
– both sides of an intersection
with 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.
145
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PENALTIES
All traffic offences
will result in some type
of penalty.
These include monetary fines,
loss of your learner permit or
licence, or you may be taken
to court.
Many offences also
attract demerit points.
In most serious cases prison
sentences may be imposed.
Remember that a good driving
record is required if you are to
progress through the
Graduated Licensing System.
A good driving record means
you avoid having your licence
cancelled or suspended, as
well as avoiding any drink
and/or drug driving offences.
146
A licence or learner permit may
be suspended or cancelled as a
result 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 is
not held, a person may be
disqualified from obtaining a
licence or a learner permit for a
specified period.
A person who has their licence
or learner permit suspended or
cancelled by a Court, a Traffic
Infringement Notice, the
Sheriff’s Office or by VicRoads
is not permitted to drive. Severe
penalties exist if driving while
suspended, unlicensed, or
whilst disqualified
(over $3,300 or four months
imprisonment for a first offence
and mandatory imprisonment
for up to two years for a second
offence).
The following provides a
summary of the actions that
may arise from a traffic offence.
Contact VicRoads for further
information.
Suspend
The licence or learner permit is
withdrawn for a specified
period. You cannot drive during
this period. In most cases the
original licence or learner
permit is returned. However, if
the suspension has resulted in a
change to the conditions of the
licence, a new licence will need
to be issued (see Penalties for
probationary licences holders,
page 148).
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 145
Cancel
A licence or learner permit that
is cancelled is no longer valid.
You cannot drive. Once the
period of cancellation is over,
you will need to apply to have
your licence or learner permit
reissued before you can start
driving again.
Reissue of the licence or
learner permit may require one
or more of the following actions
to 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 a
licence or learner permit is
withdrawn (if one is not held)
as a result of a cancellation or
suspension.
Imprisonment
In some cases, a Court may
impose a jail term as well as a
monetary fine.
Infringements Court
The role of the Infringements
Court is to administratively
resolve unpaid infringement
notices. These offences
generally have fixed penalties
and include parking offences
and driving offences.
Sheriff’s Office
The role of the Sheriff’s Office
You need
is to enforce Court Orders,
collect fines and civil debts. never know
This may include the seizure
about these
and sale of assets, licence
suspension or, as a final option, things…
imprisonment.
but that’s
Demerit points up to you
Demerit points are one type of and the way
penalty that will be recorded
against your driver licence or you decide
learner permit when you to drive
commit certain traffic offences
anywhere in Australia.
Demerit points range from
one to ten depending on the
severity of the offence.
147
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Learner and probationary
drivers who incur 5 or more
demerit points in any 12 month
period may have their licence
suspended for at least 3 months.
If your licence is not suspended
you would have chosen the
twelve month bond, where any
further demerit points lead to at
least 6 months licence
suspension.
If you get 12 or more demerit
points in any 3 year period, you
may have your licence or
learner permit suspended for at
least 3 months.
This gives drivers the
opportunity to learn from their
repeat mistakes, but makes
licence loss a reality for
persistent offenders.
148
Further information and a full
list of offences and demerit
points can be found at VicRoads
website: www.vicroads.gov.au
Penalties for learner
permit holders
If a learner permit is cancelled
or suspended, it may affect the
permit holder’s eligibility to
apply for a licence, as a learner
permit must be held for
continuous period of 12 months
immediately before applying for
a licence, for those under 21
years of age. For those aged 21
but under 25 years the period is
6 months, and it is 3 months if
you are aged 25 years or over.
Penalties for
probationary licence
holders
If your first probationary licence
is suspended or cancelled during
the P1 licence, your licence
will be restricted. Restrictions
may be imposed on carrying
passengers in your vehicle for
the balance of your P1 period.
The probationary period (P1 or
P2) will also be extended.
If your probationary licence is
cancelled, your licence will be
reissued as a probationary
licence for a further three or
four year term depending on
your age.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 147
Penalties for full
licence holders
When a full licence is cancelled,
a full licence will be reissued
when all relicensing
requirements have been met.
If a Court Order is required to
be produced due to an alcohol
or drug driving related offence,
then a three year zero BAC
restriction will be imposed on
the licence when it is reissued.
LEGAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
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 your
probationary licence whenever
you drive.
If you are under 26 years of age
you must carry your licence at
all times when driving.
All learner drivers must carry
their learner permit at all times
when driving.
Change of name
You must notify VicRoads
within 14 days when your name
has changed.
This can only be done in person
at any VicRoads Customer
Service Centre. It must be
supported by original
documents along with either
a photo licence or documents
that prove your identity.
The following documents are
acceptable for a change of name:
• Marriage Certificate (issued
by the Registrar of Births,
Deaths and Marriages in
Australia)
• Divorce Papers
• Deed Poll (pre 1 November
1986 in Victoria)
149
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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).
150
Change of address
You must notify VicRoads
within 14 days when your
residential or postal address
has changed. You may notify
your change of address in one
of the following ways:
1 By calling VicRoads
Telephone numbers can be
found on pages 8 – 9.
2 By attending in person at
any VicRoads Customer
Service Centre
See the list on the inside
back cover.
3 On the VicRoads
homepage
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Notification of a
disability
You must notify VicRoads if
you have an illness or disability
that may impair your ability to
drive safely.
You will need to provide a
current medical certificate from
your treating medical
practitioner that states your
fitness to drive and provides
details of your illness or
disability. Standard medical or
eyesight report forms are
available from any VicRoads
Customer Service Centre or by
calling VicRoads. These forms
are also available on the
VicRoads website.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:49 PM Page 149
Air and noise
pollution
You must ensure any vehicle
you drive meets relevant air
and noise emmission standards.
Drivers of offending vehicles
may be fined or taken to Court
and the owner may be issued
with a notice to repair the
vehicle.
Hoon driving
Police have the power to
impound motor vehicles for at
least 48 hours if used for
offences such as excessive
speeding, and for improper use
of a motor vehicle, causing loss
of traction or excessive noise or
smoke.
CRASH
RESPONSIBILITIES
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 do
after a crash
• Stop immediately
• Give assistance to any
injured person
• Provide name, address,
registration number details
and the vehicle owner’s name
to 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 police
station
• If there is any property
damage and the owner (or
police) are not present, you
must report the crash to
the nearest open police
station.
151
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There are other things you
should do at a crash scene
to prevent other people
getting hurt, and to help those
people involved in the crash
(see First aid after a crash on
this page).
There are emergency phones on
the side of the road on most
freeways throughout Victoria.
These are called VicRoads
‘Help Phones’ and can be used
24 hours a day for vehicle
breakdowns or any other kind
of emergency. The phones
are directly linked to the
VicRoads Traffic Control and
Communications Centre.
152
FIRST AID
To call an ambulance, AFTER A CRASH
police or fire brigade,
phone 000.
The following first aid
To call a tow truck,
phone 13 1176.
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.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 151
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 treatment
after a road crash at some stage
of our lives. Whether or not we
survive until trained help
arrives may well depend on
somebody’s willingness to give
first aid.
3 things that could
save a life...
1. Keeping a person’s
airway open and clear
2. Making sure that they
are breathing
3. Stopping heavy bleeding
Read these simple instructions
now and keep this handbook in
your car. Someone else may use
it to help you in an accident.
If you are at a crash
site, try to remain
calm and...
• remember that acting quickly
is important
• if necessary, call for an
ambulance, or send someone
to call them
• ask if there is anybody
trained in first aid at the
crash site and if not, and you
are first on the crash scene,
follow the following steps.
153
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 152
Four ways you can help
casualties after a crash:
1. Survey the scene
2. Make the crash scene safe
and protect the area
3. Check the casualties - check
airway, breathing and signs
of life
4. Stop the heavy bleeding
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 the
crash site.
2. Make the crash
scene safe and
protect the area
• Position your car with its
hazard lights flashing, to
warn other motorists, or use
headlights to light up the
scene if necessary.
• Send someone down the road
to warn approaching traffic,
and turn off the ignition in
damaged vehicles
3. Check the casualties
Check airway
- open the casualty’s mouth and
check for any loose or
obstructive objects eg loose
dentures, vomit, blood etc.,
clear from airway
- if airway is clear, tilt the head
back, 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 cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (see page 156).
Check for signs of life
(movement, breathing,
colour, etc)
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 153
For conscious casualties:
• Talk to the casualty, tell them
your name and reassure
them
• If there is no response,
gently touch the casualty on
the shoulders, give a simple
command eg. “squeeze my
hands” to see if they can
respond
• Check for and control any
heavy bleeding (see Stop
heavy bleeding, page 157)
For conscious, breathing
casualties still in the
vehicle:
• If you are certain that the
vehicle and surrounds are
safe, and the casualty is
either conscious and/or
breathing, they do not have
to be unnecessarily removed
until specialist help arrives,
unless circumstances
arise, ie:
- they stop breathing
- their condition worsens
- it is no longer safe for them
to stay in the vehicle.
If a casualty inside or outside
a vehicle must be moved to
escape danger, or for you to
give CPR, do so carefully and
gently because of the risk of
spinal injury or increased
bleeding
For unconscious, breathing
casualties outside the
vehicle:
• Keep a close eye on them to
make sure their airway is
clear and they are still
breathing, whilst waiting for
the ambulance to arrive
• If the casualty is lying on the
ground, it is vital to keep
them on their side in a stable
position
• With their head tilted back
and face pointed down in
order to maintain an open
airway.
For casualties unconscious
and NOT breathing:
Even if the casualty is injured,
you will need to remove them
from the vehicle to perform the
following steps on next page:
155
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 154
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 mouth
with your mouth blocking
their nose with your cheek
156
3. Breathe into the casualty
until 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 is
now breathing by watching
for chest rise and fall, whilst
at the same time, checking
for signs of life.
If the casualty is still not
breathing...
7. Begin CPR and continue
until Emergency Services
arrive
Note If performing CPR on
children, use minimal head tilt
and small breaths. For infants,
give small puffs and do NOT
use head tilt.
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 155
4. Stop heavy bleeding
Heavy bleeding of any type can
be fatal. Heavy external bleeding
requires quick action as follows:
To stop external bleeding:
• locate where the blood is
coming from
• apply firm pressure where the
blood is coming from, using
whatever clean cloth is
available, eg. an item of
clothing, to make a pad
• if possible tie the pad firmly in
place
• if possible, raise the injured
area. This may reduce or help
to stop the bleeding.
In an emergency, when gloves
are not available and you have
to control bleeding:
• ask the casualty to help by
applying pressure or by
placing a dressing or other
clean dry cloth between your
hands and the wound
• Always give first aid care
in ways which protect you
and the casualty from
disease transmission.
• Use protective barriers
(for example disposable
gloves or face mask)
which are appropriate to
the emergency.
• When gloves are not
available and you have to
control bleeding, ask the
casualty to help you by
applying pressure, or
placing a dressing or
other clean dry cloth
beween your hand and
the wound.
• Wash your hands
thoroughly as soon as
possible after giving
first aid.
• Avoid touching or being
splashed by body fluids
where possible.
157
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 156
TEST YOURSELF
QUESTIONS
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 Yourself
Questions are upside down at the
bottom of the next page).
158
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 few
lessons 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
+Part4v3 16/4/08 8:50 PM Page 157
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
Q7 To make the most of your
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 using
the mirrors
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
Answers: Q1 B, Q2 A, Q3 C, Q4 C, Q5 B, Q6 B, Q7 A, Q8 A. Q9 A
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.au
or 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
159
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+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 1
Resources to help you
VicRoads
Telephone enquiries
All registration and driver licence
enquiries 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, and
use a Telephone Typewriter (TTY)
Legislation
The Road Safety Act and
associated Regulations can be
viewed at
www.legislation.vic.gov.au
The Road Rules - Victoria can be
viewed on VicRoads website.
VicRoads Bookshop VicRoads website
The Bookshop distributes VicRoads website provides
information about obtaining and information about VicRoads
renewing a driver licence, services, products and strategies.
registering a vehicle or renewing
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
vehicle registration, as well as
information on road and vehicle
safety and drink driving. It also
VicRoads Traffic Control and
sells road safety education kits
Communication Centre
and books for students and
prospective drivers. This Centre provides information
and assistance with:
Ground Floor
60 Denmark Street • emergency road conditions
Kew Vic 3101
• freeway breakdowns
Tel: (03) 9854 2049
• traffic accident reports
and (03) 9854 2782
Fax: (03) 9854 2468 • traffic light faults.
Email: Tel: 13 11 70
bookshop@roads.vic.gov.au
161
+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 2

VicRoads Road Safety, VicRoads Vehicle maxi

Traffic and Road Securities Register
Management Services maxi provides a fast electronic way
If you are thinking about buying to pay bills, access services, and
For information and a second hand vehicle privately, get information 24 hours a day.
assistance with: you should contact the Vehicle
www.maxi.com.au
Securities Register to check
• unsafe locations or
whether:
stretches of road

• road safety • there is money owing on the

vehicle, and
• current road rules.
• the vehicle is recorded
Monday to Friday as stolen.
8.30am – 5.00pm
For a small fee, you can also
Tel: 13 11 70 obtain a Vehicle Securities
Register certificate which
provides legal protection against
repossession.

Tel: 13 11 71

162
+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 3

Victoria Police Information Victoria Citylink

For information and assistance
with road law issues.
Tel: 03 9247 5779
www.police.vic.gov.au
Bookshop
Retail sales of Government
legislation, reports, maps and
specialist publications.
356 Collins Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Tel: 1300 366 356
www.information.vic.gov.au
Citylink is Melbourne’s fully
electronic toll way. To use
Citylink, you’ll need an e-TAG,
Day Pass or Tulla Pass. Call
Citylink to arrange your e-TAG or
Day Pass, or visit the website at
www.transurban.com.au
Tel: 13 26 29

163
+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 4

Index

A built-up areas 76, 132 dividing lines 86-88 G

accompanying driver 12, 23 buses 125, 132 driver eligibility 23 Give Way rules 95-106,
Drive Test 16-17 123-124, 126, 129, 132,
C 135
air and noise pollution 151
caravans 13, 23 driving
airbags 75 hours of 40-43, Give Way signs 81, 92,
child restraints 74-75 instructor 17, 35, 39, 95-97, 135-137
alcohol and drugs 54, 56, log 12, 41,
children 96, 123-127, 145, Graduated Licensing
68-74 156 drugs 53-54, 72-74 System 22-24
see also child restraints see also alcohol and
animals 78, 98, 103, 112, drugs; medicines
135 H
Citylink 115-116, 163
dual control 17
assessment 23 clearways 142-143 hazard lights 115, 121, 138
E
automatic transmission 18, conditions 23-24 hazard perception 37
20, 23 emergency signals 121 see also potential hazard
continuous period (learner
permit) 13-14, 148 emergency vehicles 132, Hazard Perception Test
B 152 8, 15-16, 21, 23, 24
BAC (Blood Alcohol country roads 77-78, 135
eyesight tests 10, 15, 23 headchecks 30, 38, 105
Concentration) 13, 23, 54,
crashes 28, 36, 40, 55-63,
68-71 F headlight range 63
69-70
blind spots 38, 128, 133, responsibilities 151 fairways 131
risk reduction 59-63 headlights 120, 122
135 high-beam 120
fatigue 55-56
bookings cyclists 103, 108,
110, 112, 127-128 fines 138, 144, 146 heavy vehicles 133-135
learner permit 8-9
licence 13-14 D First Aid 152-157 Help phones 152
brakes and braking demerit points 146-147 following distance 61-62 high powered vehicles
44-45, 119 20, 23-24
disabled persons 10, 141, freeways 77, 114-116, 144
breakdowns 121 150 horn 45, 121, 126, 135
full licence 21, 23
breath testing 70-71 divided roads 103 horses see animals
164
+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 5

I learner permit 5, 8-13,
identity (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
K hazard 115, 121, 138
keeping to the left 118
L rear fog 121
L plates 12, 15, 23-24
lanes 88-90
bicycle 89-90
bus 89, 116, 132, 143
changing 30, 89, 105,118
overhead 89
tram 89-90, 129-131
transit 89-90
language options 8, 21
mirrors 30, 38-39, 45, 62, police 71, 132
23-24, 146-148 133-134
potential hazard 16
legal responsibilities 149- mobile phones 23-24, 54
157 power nap 56
motorcyclists 13, 127- 128
level crossings probationary licence
railway 84, 136-137, N 13-21, 23-24, 148-149,
145
tram 136 name change 11, 149-150 R
licence 9-14, 17, 21-24, night driving 27, 63, 120 railway level crossings
see level crossings
146-147
O
licence (steps) 7 restraint fitting stations 75
overtaking 87-88, 118,
lights 121-123, 129, 134-135 reversing 47
brake 119 road markings 86-92
flashing 134 P
road rage 117
head 120 P plates 17, 23-24
high beam 120 road work signs 85
parking 138-145
disabled 141
tail 120 roundabouts 102-103,
meter 140-141 112-113, 118,
traffic see traffic lights signs 140-144
rules and regulations
M passenger restriction 18, 65-157
23, 148
median strip 103
pedestrians 37, 96-97, 110-111
S
medical illness/disability crossings 85, 123-126,145
10, 14, 150 safety margin 60-62, 134
signals 95, 124
safety zones 125-126
medicines 54, 56, 72-74 penalties 20, 146-149
scanning 39, 45-47, 55
merging 105, 114, photographs 12, 17, 21
see also zip merging school speed zones 77
165
+Part5v3 22/7/08 1:22 PM Page 6

seat belts 57, 74-76 speed limits 76 tram lights 94 V

shared zones 77, 97 stopping 138, 144-145 tram stops 125-126 vehicles (definition) 98
distance 78
Sheriff’s Office 146, 147 trams 97, 102, 125-126, vision impaired 127
supervising drivers 14, 17, 129-131
signalling see indicators 33, 35, 39-40, 63 W
transit lanes 90
signs 80-86, 140-144 weather conditions 27, 37,
advisory 84 T trucks 23-24, 108, 133-135, 42-43, 63, 79
clearway 142-143 tail lights 120 142
direction 86 Z
give way 81, 92, 95, 97, taxis 70, 143 TTY (Telephone
137 Typewriter) 8, 161 zero BAC see BAC
intersections 81-83 test
learner permit 8-12 Tunnel 115-116 zip merging 105
railway level crossings
84, 136-137 licence 13-17 turns and turning 104,
roadworks 85 test yourself questions 106-113, 118
roundabouts 102 158-159 hook 108-109
speed 76-77, 84 left 107-108, 118
stop 81, 83, 92, 95, 97 Three point turn 112 right 107, 118
tow away 143-144 roundabout 112, 113, 118
truck 134-135 T-intersections 83, 100-101 U-turn 97, 104, 110-
warning 82-85 112, 118
zones 142-145 tiredness see fatigue
tollways 115 tyres 45, 57
skidding 45, 79
slip lanes 96-97, 99, 107 traffic islands 91, 92, 145 U
traffic lane arrows 91 U-turns
special purpose lanes 89-90 97, 104, 110-111, 118
speed 55 traffic lights 93-95, 124

speed control 46-47, 59-60, trailers 13, 23-24

62-63, 114 tram level crossings
see level crossings
166
+Coverv3 16/4/08 5:34 PM Page 3

VicRoads Customer Service Centres

METROPOLITAN DROMANA COUNTRY ECHUCA PORTLAND

CUSTOMER Shop 11 CUSTOMER 5 Mundarra Road 114a Percy Street
SERVICE Dromana Central SERVICE Echuca 3564 Portland 3305
CENTRES 143 Point Nepean Rd CENTRES
Dromana 3936 GEELONG SALE
BROADMEADOWS ARARAT Fyans Street 28 Princes Highway
Cnr Pearcedale FRANKSTON Shop 2 Geelong South 3220 Sale 3850
Parade and 71 Hartnett Drive 56 High Street
Johnstone Street Seaford 3198 Ararat 3377 HAMILTON SEYMOUR
Broadmeadows 3047 Riley Street 5 Crawford Street
HOPPERS CROSSING BAIRNSDALE Hamilton 3300 Seymour 3660
BUNDOORA 52–64 Old Geelong Rd 535 Princes Highway
8 Graduate Road (Spotlight Centre) Bairnsdale 3875 HORSHAM SHEPPARTON
University Hill Hoppers Crossing 14 O’Callaghans Pde 231-239 Corio Street
Bundoora 3083 3029 BALLARAT Horsham 3400 Shepparton 3630
88 Learmonth Road
BURWOOD EAST MELTON Wendouree 3355 KYNETON SWAN HILL
2 Beauchamp Street 70 Nyah Road ALL TELEPHONE
12 Lakeside Drive 267 High Street
Burwood East 3151 Melton 3337 BENALLA Kyneton 3444 Swan Hill 3585 ENQUIRIES
50-52 Clarke Street 13 1171
CAMBERWELL OAKLEIGH SOUTH Benalla 3672 LEONGATHA WANGARATTA
3 Prospect Hill Road 1 Eskay Road Anderson Street 62-68 Ovens Street 8.30am to 5.00pm
Camberwell 3124 South Oakleigh 3167 BENDIGO Leongatha 3953 Wangaratta 3677
Monday to Friday
57 Lansell Street
CARLTON SUNBURY Bendigo 3550 MARYBOROUGH WARRAGUL
8.30am to 2.00pm
459 Lygon Street 7/36 Macedon Street Shire Offices Unit 5
COBRAM Neill Street 131 North Road Saturday
Carlton 3053 Sunbury 3429
Shire Offices Maryborough 3465 Warragul 3820 Customer Service
DANDENONG SUNSHINE 44 Station Street
72-74 Greens Road 499 Ballarat Road Cobram 3644 MILDURA WARRNAMBOOL Centre Trading
Dandenong South Sunshine 3020 109–111 Orange Ave 29 Jamieson Street Hours
3175 COLAC Mildura 3500 Warrnambool 3280
Princes Hwy 8.30am to 4.30pm
Colac West 3250 MORWELL WODONGA Monday to Thursday
Princes Drive 82-86 Elgin Boulevard
Morwell 3840 Wodonga 3690 8.30am to 5.00pm
Friday
+Coverv3 16/4/08 5:34 PM Page 4

VRPIN00568.05.08
VicRoads Publication Number 00568/12

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au