Scooters on a Learners Permit in Qld Australia
July 2, 2007 12:21 AM Subscribe
So, I ended up buying a scooter. Then today I called Queensland Transport to double check that it is indeed true that I require only a car licence rather than a motorbike licence. I was told that if I had've applied for my Learners Permit last week (before the 1st July 2007), I would have been allowed to ride with car Ls, without supervision. But now I require somebody driving "in front of me". What are my options?!
I will be 25 in November. The lady at Queensland Transport said that if I were 25, and had held my Ls for a year, I would be able to ride without supervision.
Obviously, it is unrealistic to ride with supervision. I am studying externally at present and I was counting on transferring to another uni in my city at the start of 2008. Which is why I bought a scooter now, so I could get some practice driving beforehand.
What should I do? Is there a class I can take so that I can get my Ps sooner? I know there are motorcycle classes, but since I am riding a moped (49cc Vmoto Milan), is it appropriate to go to the same place?
Background info: I learned to drive when I was 16, but I let my Ls expire because I couldn't afford a car, nor did I want one (lived in the city). Now that I am older, I am actually quite cautious/afraid of driving, because I realise how dangerous it is.
The lady at Queensland Transport asked her supervisor if I could be "exempt" from the new laws due to having held my Ls prior to July 2007, but they said no. Would it be worth asking someone higher up?
Should I just hold out applying for the local uni for another 12 months until I am allowed to ride unsupervised? (And in the meantime, try and get some legitimate 100 hours of supervised driving logged?)
Am I SOL? Should I sell my scooter and forget about it? The buses here are kind of inconvenient, but ultimately do-able.
I'm actually quite upset about this so I'm really sorry if I haven't made my question clear!
I will be 25 in November. The lady at Queensland Transport said that if I were 25, and had held my Ls for a year, I would be able to ride without supervision.
Obviously, it is unrealistic to ride with supervision. I am studying externally at present and I was counting on transferring to another uni in my city at the start of 2008. Which is why I bought a scooter now, so I could get some practice driving beforehand.
What should I do? Is there a class I can take so that I can get my Ps sooner? I know there are motorcycle classes, but since I am riding a moped (49cc Vmoto Milan), is it appropriate to go to the same place?
Background info: I learned to drive when I was 16, but I let my Ls expire because I couldn't afford a car, nor did I want one (lived in the city). Now that I am older, I am actually quite cautious/afraid of driving, because I realise how dangerous it is.
The lady at Queensland Transport asked her supervisor if I could be "exempt" from the new laws due to having held my Ls prior to July 2007, but they said no. Would it be worth asking someone higher up?
Should I just hold out applying for the local uni for another 12 months until I am allowed to ride unsupervised? (And in the meantime, try and get some legitimate 100 hours of supervised driving logged?)
Am I SOL? Should I sell my scooter and forget about it? The buses here are kind of inconvenient, but ultimately do-able.
I'm actually quite upset about this so I'm really sorry if I haven't made my question clear!
Response by poster: Hmm I never considered the option of sitting for my car licence exam first ... that is definitely a thought. Depends, of course, on how rusty I am! (I would say probably "very"!)
The only thing stopping me from doing this is logistics, I suppose. I would have to sell the scooter, buy a car, basically reevaluate my goals -- my heart was pretty set on a scooter. I didn't feel that I was ready for a car, yet. Maybe I will have to prepare myself sooner than expected!
From the info on NSW laws, looks like I'll be able to call up a Qld motorcycle school and get trained there. Thanks a lot for your quick reply bystander, you've given me a bit more to work with here.
posted by mjao at 12:50 AM on July 2, 2007
The only thing stopping me from doing this is logistics, I suppose. I would have to sell the scooter, buy a car, basically reevaluate my goals -- my heart was pretty set on a scooter. I didn't feel that I was ready for a car, yet. Maybe I will have to prepare myself sooner than expected!
From the info on NSW laws, looks like I'll be able to call up a Qld motorcycle school and get trained there. Thanks a lot for your quick reply bystander, you've given me a bit more to work with here.
posted by mjao at 12:50 AM on July 2, 2007
Would you have to buy a car just to take your car license test? Why couldn't you use a friend's/relative's car?
posted by mdonley at 1:46 AM on July 2, 2007
posted by mdonley at 1:46 AM on July 2, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
I would suggest QLD motorcycle schools would be a good place to start.
This seems a silly law, but presumably there will be/are scooter driving instructors who will accompany you on lessons.
Another angle, since you have driven before, might be to sit your car license exam and get a full car license, then you would be able to ride the scooter alone legally, no?
Also, after November you will qualify for the easier passage for older learner drivers. Most of the restrictions are lifted as they are to thwart young hoons, and you would have November till Uni goes back at the end of February to practice.
All this said, as a nervous learner you might be better with a small car than a scooter, at least till you have more experience of the road as a driver.
In any case, it would seem a ridiculous reason to defer study.
posted by bystander at 12:35 AM on July 2, 2007