Saturday, October 20th, 2007
After spending like $500AUD to cover tests, instructing and licencing costs, I’ve finally gotten my Australian (more specifically, Victorian) driving licence. Its depressing that Malaysian Driving Licence is not recognised in Australia (Singapore is recognised) and I had to retake ALL the assessments which includes a Knowledge test, Hazards and Perceptions test and finally the Practical Driving test.
The difference between the practical driving tests of Malaysia and Australia (Victoria) is that in Victoria, the examiner sits diagonally behind you whilst your driving instructor sits next to you. This system makes it hard for bribes and corruption to take place, unlike certain countries. Also, instead of testing your parking in a static, pre-set up location, the parking was done on the road. This makes sense as being able to park in a pre-set location with all markers and pointers memorised isn’t the best gauge of a person’s parking skills.
The first step in getting a driving licence in Victoria is of course to get your L. To get your learner permit you must be at least:
* 16 years of age for a car
* 18 years of age for a motorcycle
A Learner’s Permit is gained after passing a computerised knowledge test and eye-sight test which is similar to Malaysia in which you need to be 16 years of age, pass a Highway Code Test and attend 6 hours’ Theory and Practical Course.
After you gained your Learner’s Permit in Victoria, drivers are restricted to driving only with a BAC of 0.00% accompanied by a fully licensed driver (non-Probationary) who has a BAC below 0.05%, as well as displaying ‘L’ plates. Learner’s Permits must also be held for at least 6 months, unless the holder is over 25, in which case it is 3 months before being eligible to take the practical driving test to obtained a ‘P’ licence. In addition to that, a mandatory 120 hours of practice is required for learners aged 16-20.
Once you have done the above, you’ll need to pass a computerised Hazard Perception Test and a practical driving test, as well as an eye-sight test (again). And again, drivers are restricted to driving with a 0.00% BAC. Currently, there is only one level of Probation, which lasts for 3 years (thank God for that). However, from July 2008 onwards, there will be a new P1 (red P plates) and P2 (white-on-green P Plates) system implemented. In the new P1 phase, neither towing nor any use of mobile phones (hands-free or otherwise) is allowed. Also, the minimum age to obtain a probationary licence is 18 years of age. The P1 phase lasts for 1 year.
A P2 Probationary Licence will be gained if good driving record is maintained whilst holding the P1 licence. The same P1 restrictions apply, except P2 drivers may now tow trailers and use hands-free mobile phones. Finally, a Full Driver’s Licence is obtained after finishing the probation period. This makes the minimum age of receiving a full licence at 22 years of age.
In Malaysia, after passing the Highway Code Test, you will then need to clock in about 16 hours of driving practice (if memory serves me correctly) and pass the driving test to obtained a ‘P’ licence. After holding the ‘P’ Licence for 2 years, you will then obtain a Full Driver’s Licence. Thats a minimum age of 17 for a ‘P’ licence and 19 years of age for a full licence.
Being a holder of a full Malaysian drivers licence, I need to take the computerized knowledge test, eye-sight tests, Hazard Perception Test and a practical driving test to get a’P’ licence. As I’ve been holding a full Malaysian drivers licence for 2 years, I need to hold the ‘P’ licence for a year before converting to a full licence. If I could somehow get a proof that I’ve been driving since 17 (i.e. documents showing that I held a Malaysian ‘P’ licence since 17), then I would be able to convert to a full licence immediately.
The conversion whilst not as good (or easy) as an instant conversion (i.e. only taking knowledge test like the Singaporeans), it is still way better than trying to get a licence from scratch. I’m not complaining =)
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