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General Discussion => General Discussion Boards => Other General Discussion => Topic started by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 08:37:11 am

Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 08:37:11 am
How many hours of practice have people here done before going for their probationary license? My mum wants me to do the suggested 120-hours before going for my license, and I'm curious as to the average amount of hours people have done before going for it.

Also, how much have people spent on their first car? I'm currently saving $12,000-14,000 for a 2003 Ford Falcon BA but mum thinks that this is too expensive for a first car. Obviously this is my choice, and not my mother's, but I want to see how close I am to the average spend.
Title: Re: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Kopite on November 14, 2007, 08:41:41 am
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
How many hours of practice have people here done before going for their probationary license? My mum wants me to do the suggested 120-hours before going for my license, and I'm curious as to the average amount of hours people have done before going for it.

Also, how much have people spent on their first car? I'm currently saving $12,000-14,000 for a 2003 Ford Falcon BA but mum thinks that this is too expensive for a first car. Obviously this is my choice, and not my mother's, but I want to see how close I am to the average spend.


i would have done round 100 wen i sit mine. i know of ppl who have done around 30 hours (with a driving instructor) and have had no problems. as for a first car....around 6 to 10 grand would be reasonable.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 08:49:26 am
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Odette on November 14, 2007, 08:56:19 am
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.


Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 08:58:08 am
Like no way! :P Haha.

Ah, that's too bad, when do you envisage getting your actual license then?
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Kopite on November 14, 2007, 08:59:07 am
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.


yeah i prob would say so, but i know plenty of ppl who have had second bmw's and mercedes' as their first car. when did u get your learners???
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Odette on November 14, 2007, 09:02:36 am
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Like no way! :P Haha.

Ah, that's too bad, when do you envisage getting your actual license then?


Hey lol!
I don't know when I'm ready I guess... Then I'll have to wait like 5 years to get my full licence ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! new stupid P laws grrr!!
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 09:04:00 am
October 2006, on the day of my birthday. I've done 40 hours in 1 year, 1 month - it pales in comparison to most of my friends. However, for most of that time I only had the opportunity to drive one car (the car that was rarely used) as dad's work car wasn't insured for me. That's since changed, as he's changed jobs, and now I can drive both cars. I've had ~5 lessons with an instructor.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: melanie.dee on November 14, 2007, 09:35:15 am
im not sure exactly how many hours i did, but probably a fair few since i drove everyday and reasonable distances too. only got my L's about 6 months before my P's though. only had one lesson too, few days before my driving test. passed fine lol, and id say i wouldve without the lesson too.

i probably did 80ish hours?
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 10:20:48 am
Ah OK. What kind of cars are people here driving?
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Markos on November 14, 2007, 11:44:56 am
I got my learners just this year in May and I've done around 23 hours so far. I want to get my P's before the new system comes into effect so I doubt I'd get up to 120 hours
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 11:57:46 am
When do you intend on going for your Ps? The new laws take effect on July 1st, 2008 and affect all *new* probationary drivers. This is a major pain-in-the-ass, for a while me and my friends were under the impression that if you had a 'Green Bar' Learner's Permit (indicating that you are under the old Learner's laws) you weren't under the new probationary laws.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Eriny on November 14, 2007, 12:00:44 pm
I'm probably going to get my Ps in December. I've had my Ls for over 2 years now, and I've done about 110 hours, I just need to learn parallel parking and stuff, and then I'll be right. I've never had a proper driving lesson before, I just drive with my parents.

As for my first car, I don't know. I've been saving money, but I only have about $7000, and I do want some left over. I don't know, maybe my parents will supply a car for me? One can only hope.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: kido_1 on November 14, 2007, 12:02:16 pm
I have not even learnt how to drive yet.
By the time I do my 120 hours I will probably be 20 :?
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Odette on November 14, 2007, 12:26:07 pm
Mum told me that she's going to buy me a car... but i need my L's first !! lol
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Markos on November 14, 2007, 01:19:30 pm
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
When do you intend on going for your Ps? The new laws take effect on July 1st, 2008 and affect all *new* probationary drivers. This is a major pain-in-the-ass, for a while me and my friends were under the impression that if you had a 'Green Bar' Learner's Permit (indicating that you are under the old Learner's laws) you weren't under the new probationary laws.


As soon as I can, after my birthday, before July 1st
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 01:21:18 pm
Ah OK. Damn you, I'm jealous! Although the only new law that really affects me is 'no mobile phone usage, incl. hands-free' for the first year.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Markos on November 14, 2007, 01:39:31 pm
I just can't wait to be able to drive without having mum squealing in the passenger seat
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: melanie.dee on November 14, 2007, 01:50:59 pm
its super fun :D and convenient

i use my mums car, so like if i have to drop her off somewhere every now and again if im taking the car, she barks out "slow down!" and "both hands on the wheel!" and all tat shit i used to get when i was on my Ls haha. i dont miss that, thats for sure. freedom is fun
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Markos on November 14, 2007, 02:11:30 pm
Ahhh the freedom with my own car... I can barely imagine what it would be like
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 14, 2007, 02:12:01 pm
LOL, I always get that - the 'slow down' and '2 hands on the wheel'. I find it easier to go around round-abouts by turning with one hand, that's just how I roll... :D
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: gulamali on November 14, 2007, 02:25:15 pm
Quote from: "Odette"
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.


Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:


if thats the case, then you'll be subject to the new laws. Green P's
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: maxleng on November 14, 2007, 02:28:36 pm
Quote from: "Odette"
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.


Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:


what.... how will driving down to the shops distract you from vce  :?


dont the new laws come into action mid next year??
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: gulamali on November 14, 2007, 02:30:21 pm
ohh and you really don't need that 120 hours practice lol, anyone from the sydenham / taylors lakes area ?? western suburbs ??

well just go vic roads up in melton lol ... especially during the afternoon, it's dead quiet.

i have my L's for close to 2 years, and could have gotten my P's since June .. but im going for my hazards on the 22nd of this month, and ill go for the prac when i get back from overseas .. before June =]
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: gulamali on November 14, 2007, 02:31:51 pm
Quote from: "maxleng"
Quote from: "Odette"
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.


Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:


what.... how will driving down to the shops distract you from vce  :?


dont the new laws come into action mid next year??


yeahh but if you have to have your L's for at least a yr ...  soo whoever got/get's their L's after June this yr .. is subject to the new laws.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: ninwa on November 14, 2007, 02:44:21 pm
Quote from: "gulamali"

yeahh but if you have to have your L's for at least a yr ...  soo whoever got/get's their L's after June this yr .. is subject to the new laws.


like me :( I only got my L's this year ... after I turned 18

VCE isn't the only thing I procrastinate in :roll:
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Odette on November 14, 2007, 02:48:45 pm
Quote from: "maxleng"
Quote from: "Odette"
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
Ah OK. So mine's a bit pricey in comparison. One of my friends has sat it with only 60 hours - my major concern is that I won't have completed 120 hours in time for my 18th birthday, and I'm really excited about getting my license.


Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:


what.... how will driving down to the shops distract you from vce  :?


dont the new laws come into action mid next year??


Lol don't ask, my parents think that i'll end up wanting to drive everywhere, oh and they also think im not "mature" enough and that i'm not ready for such a responsibility... grr it's annoying.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Pencil on November 14, 2007, 05:04:06 pm
Quote from: "Odette"

Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:


odette... do your parents realise how much time you spend on fsn haha? thats more like a distraction haha
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: cara.mel on November 15, 2007, 07:17:31 am
I've had my Ls for more than 2 years. I havent driven for about half a year at all (maybe longer), and mum doesn't like me driving because I'm worse than her at it =)

How do you do that hazard test thing? I tried to find a practise/information for it on the vicroads site a while ago but couldn't (apparently there is a practise test for the getting your Ls test too, I never saw it...)
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Odette on November 15, 2007, 07:24:45 am
Quote from: "goosefraba"
Quote from: "Odette"

Hey at least you have your learner's lol .... i haven't got mine :cry:
Parents didn't want me getting distracted, so they're like no driving til you've finished vce... and i'm 18 in like less than 2 months :cry:


odette... do your parents realise how much time you spend on fsn haha? thats more like a distraction haha


Tell me about it :P and no they don't ;)...
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: rhcpfox1 on November 15, 2007, 07:28:05 am
Quote from: "cara.mel"
I've had my Ls for more than 2 years. I havent driven for about half a year at all (maybe longer), and mum doesn't like me driving because I'm worse than her at it =)

How do you do that hazard test thing? I tried to find a practise/information for it on the vicroads site a while ago but couldn't (apparently there is a practise test for the getting your Ls test too, I never saw it...)


Hazards are the devil.

You could be the most cautious driver who spots ever single potential hazard while you are actually driving, but you could fail the test miserably.
Basically the test is a series of videos of 'you' driving in different traffic conditions, and you have to click the mouse button when it is safe to do something, e.g. overtake, change lanes, slow down, hit the jogger etc.

Really is a stupid test and if you fail it gives no indication of how good you actually are at driving.

Oh i did it last week and passed with 74% so I was very happy because I could have just as easily failed.

But i did mean to hit the jogger, he didn't even turn around to see if there were any cars coming before he crossed the road!
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Galelleo on November 15, 2007, 09:58:27 am
lol that test is so fking frustrating... I did that learners trial research thing a while ago, and they got you to sit hte hazard test too... so they showed me my results... on about 3 of them i was off on .1 of a second lol. other than that i think i got like 23/28... its really easy, and 50% is a pass.

Also, i had only done maybe 60-70 hours of practice, but the guy said id have passed.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: melanie.dee on November 15, 2007, 01:15:04 pm
ahah yeh hazards test is fucked. i did it and came out thinking id failed cos it was so ridiculous yet i got 85% ish i cant quite remember. like i genuinely though id failed. ie you really have no idea whether what you're doing it right when your doing it haha, which means its completely pointless. and it is NO reflection on your ability to drive and deal with hazards anyway. stupid test. lol
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: cara.mel on November 15, 2007, 01:16:25 pm
So, where can I find one to practise on? :P
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: melanie.dee on November 15, 2007, 01:17:40 pm
on the vicroads website under practice stuff there are sample ones, you have to download a few things, and then it works on your computer. im not sure where it is on the site. look under te Ps and hazard test bit
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 15, 2007, 01:26:58 pm
Does anybody know where I can find guidelines on the test/assessment? My instructor keeps saying, for example, 'you will get 1 mark for being 30cm either side of the line (for a parking space)', etc. I want to see what's assessed so I know what areas I need to develop/improve upon.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: costargh on November 15, 2007, 03:59:28 pm
My cousin mounted the curb when he was parking and then asked him whether he did or not and he said no and then he gave him his license lol
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 15, 2007, 04:09:35 pm
LOL, VicRoads guy was asleep, eh?

That's a strategy my instructor told me. Try and drive so that the VicRoads guy can fall asleep, or bore him to tears - that is, constant acceleration (not too fast), slow around turns, stop at 'STOP' signs for 2-3 seconds, etc.

I'm really anxious about:



I still have one year to practice, and, ultimately, I haven't practiced much of the low-speed manuevers yet.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: Galelleo on November 15, 2007, 04:14:31 pm
staying in the speed limit = just stay 5- 10 ks under lol
hes not going to take points off for going too slow unless youre crawling. Its 'safe', if a little annoying, and then you dont have to worry about it.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: joshuamorgan on November 15, 2007, 04:33:10 pm
Yeh, my instructor told me about how one of his students failed for being over the speed limit for 2-3 seconds, when the student was in a new speed limit zone. That is, the student just approached the 80km/h sign and after 2-3 seconds was just over 80km/h. I suppose that has made me paranoid.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: lyn123 on November 16, 2007, 10:00:57 am
Make sure you remain really patient. When I was sitting my P's as we were coming out of the VicRoads building.. It enters into a new road right. And then I was just sitting there waiting for both sides to be clear so I could get out .. Waited for about 7-8 minutes and then there was one car coming that I thought would turn into the petrol station and not VicRoads so I decided I would just go. And I lost a mark for being impatient :( Also, when you look backwards for reverse parking (or anything to do with reversing) make sure you really look backwards because apparantly the VicRoads people want you stare at the back for quite some time.. Well that's what happened to me .. And I lost another mark :(

The hazard perception test was a killerrrr ! I hated it .. I only passed by 2 marks thank goodness I passed though. It's so stupid because you don't know when the video thing ends .. So you're not sure whether you're supposed to click at a certain time (if at all) or wait for something more "safer" to come along .. If that makes sense ..

My friend failed his P's because he was driving on the exact speed limit. But I guess it depends on who you're accessor is.. Because some aren't as pedantic I think. I only lost 2 marks although I reckon I should have lost more, and my accessor only made me do a point to point reverse :D No 3 point turns or anything .. Guess I was lucky hey :)

My first car was a Honda Civic 1990 .. I got it two years ago .. for around .. $6000 ? And then this year I got rid of it and got a Toyota Corolla Sedan 2007.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: gulamali on November 16, 2007, 10:19:55 am
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
LOL, VicRoads guy was asleep, eh?

That's a strategy my instructor told me. Try and drive so that the VicRoads guy can fall asleep, or bore him to tears - that is, constant acceleration (not too fast), slow around turns, stop at 'STOP' signs for 2-3 seconds, etc.

I'm really anxious about:

  • Low-speed manuevers, such as parking, three point turns.
  • Staying within the speed limit.


I still have one year to practice, and, ultimately, I haven't practiced much of the low-speed manuevers yet.


with regard to low speed manuevers, the only thing they can ask you to do is three point turns, angle parking, reverse parallel parking, and point to point reverse.

nearly all of my mates who got their licenses have only had to do either angle parking, or three point turns ... never heard of anyone doing a point to point reverse.
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: lyn123 on November 16, 2007, 10:31:24 am
Quote from: "gulamali"
Quote from: "joshuamorgan"
LOL, VicRoads guy was asleep, eh?

That's a strategy my instructor told me. Try and drive so that the VicRoads guy can fall asleep, or bore him to tears - that is, constant acceleration (not too fast), slow around turns, stop at 'STOP' signs for 2-3 seconds, etc.

I'm really anxious about:

  • Low-speed manuevers, such as parking, three point turns.
  • Staying within the speed limit.


I still have one year to practice, and, ultimately, I haven't practiced much of the low-speed manuevers yet.


with regard to low speed manuevers, the only thing they can ask you to do is three point turns, angle parking, reverse parallel parking, and point to point reverse.

nearly all of my mates who got their licenses have only had to do either angle parking, or three point turns ... never heard of anyone doing a point to point reverse.


^Lol. I was asked to do a point to point reverse :)
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: melanie.dee on November 16, 2007, 01:30:31 pm
i had to do a point to point reverse too.. i was like :shock: cos id only ever done like 1 for practice haha cos everyone said you never get them and theeere we go i did haha. it went ok tho thankfully
Title: Probationary License/First Car
Post by: melanie.dee on November 16, 2007, 01:37:03 pm
oh and if you get a bitch like my lady you can get points off for going to slow or waiting too long. i was always told just wait until its totally clear for the test and drive well under the speed limit, even if you dont do it in real life, but i got 2 points taken off for progress..

one for waiting too long to do a right hand turn because i cooould gone cos there was a car but it was like enough distance to go but i just waited cos i thought that was what you were supposed to do for the test be really sure.

and then i got another one off for going 49-50 in a 60 zone because when i turned into the road there were no 60 signs anywhere and even though it looked like a 60 road, because there were no signs i thought right ill go 50 until i see a sign cos that way theres no chance ill fail if it actualy is 50. so then when i saw the sign i sped up to 58ish or whatever, but she said after too slow even though i explained that! but my lady was such a bitch with taking of points so dont worry too much