Australian road rules and driving experience?

Question

Are the road rules say, 20 years ago, different to the ones today? Would my parents mislead me if they supervised me for my driving experience since what they learnt 20 years ago is different to what I'm learning (or meant to learn) today?

Would anyone who got their full licence before the laws changed be considered as breaking the law if they didn't intend to since what they learnt was different?

Answer 1

You have to keep up to date with the traffic laws regardless of when you learnt them or obtained your license.So,technically your parents should be up to date with the new laws.But just in case,get a copy of the road rules of the state you live in and let your parents read through it.

Answer 2

you  can eat   fish    pie

Answer 3

The basics never seem to change much, but some of the details do like parking distances and how long you should indicate before changing lanes. Make sure you know the rules yourself so if their knowledge is a bit different in the details you will be able to pick it up.

It's up to every driver to keep abreast of law changes - ignorance of the law is never an excuse.



Learn the rules; do your log book hours with your parents and then take a few lessons with a reputable driving school just before you go for your license. My daughters did and said that my instruction had been about 97% correct but that the instructor said that the 3% was the sort of thing the testers are looking for e.g. exactly how to hold the steering wheel; hand positions when changing gear and that sort of thing where we all get lazy over the years without realising it.

Answer 4

The NSW RTA has some excellent publications for learner (and other) drivers.  Other states would probably have the same sort of thing.

As well as rules, your parents should be teaching you basic road sense.  This is summarised by driving as though every other driver is out to get you.  Driving is not all about learning the rules.

Answer 5

Get the rule book from local newsagent, read repeatedly, hand to parents to read repeatedly, as far as breaking the law it would depend on the mood of the dear Police Officer if you just do something little, but if you fail to give way at the right time or whatever you'll be charged accordingly.

Answer 6

Recently the states all amalgamated their road rules so the rules are the same across Australia (with a few exceptions) so that has been a recent change.

It is the responsibility of the driver to keep up to date with changing road rules, however as a learning driver it is YOUR responsibility to get a copy of the latest rules and learn them.  It will become clear very soon if what you have learnt is what is different to what your parents are trying to teach you.

Answer 7

The road rules should be learnt when studying for the theory exam.  You should already know the rules of the road before you attempt to drive!

Any licensed driver can supervise you whilst driving.  They are to supervise you whilst you gain driving experience and guide you on pratical terms of acceleration, gear change, turning corners etc.  Your parents would not mislead you as the rules of the road are updated, not completely changed.

Take advantage of whoever wants to supervise your driving if they are going to do it for free so you make sure you get your P's.