Our son was 21 yrs old and had just over 60 hours driving in all conditions, including rain and also 3 hrs at night. We scrupulously kept the required RTA log and put a lot of time into his training with a big emhpasis on safety. I did around 75% of this instruction and my wife the rest. It cost our budget a lot in fuel and time. Between us two licenced drivers we have over 50 years experience in driving and have clean licences. In addition to our efforts we got him 3 expensive professional “polishing” lessons/checks just before his ‘P’ practical test.
We ALL THREE agreed he was safe and ready to pass his test. But just as this was happening the 120 hrs rule came in. The cut-off date for taking under the old rules was 3 weeks after his appointment test at Lismore RTA [NSW 2408.]
After the agonising 45 mins of being tested around the town by the RTA examiner, he was failed on the practical test for once “not giving way on a roundabout”. His female tester [we found out later] has been well-known/infamous locally for failing ALL males on their first attempt “on principle”. In addition, any crossing of the give-way lines if any other vehicle was just on half-way around was also an instant fail. One South African immigrant was failed by her on this last one, when his international licence ran out, so he went to another RTA elsewhere and was passed immediately! Reportedly he told the Lismore tester-lady exactly what he thought of her policy on roundabouts, all in a thick africaans accent!
A bit tough? OK – he will try again. No problem?
So we applied for a re-test.
Sorry, was the reply – all local RTA is fully booked up due to pent-up demand/last rush due to the 120hr cut-off date. So apply when he has120 hours to book!
He was very crushed, having low self-esteem anyway did not help of course. We were speechless – as was the professional instructor, when told by my wife of his failed test.
My son is now a qualified engineer in mechatronics and working in mining research at UQ in Queensland.
Still not a driver …….
We it is sad and uneccessary we get this sort of treatment.
Safety?
No – just Scruby-type political “scatter-gun” expediency.
NSW driving test fiasco!
Dear NRMA,
Our son was 21 yrs old and had just over 60 hours driving in all conditions, including rain and also 3 hrs at night. We scrupulously kept the required RTA log and put a lot of time into his training with a big emhpasis on safety. I did around 75% of this instruction and my wife the rest. It cost our budget a lot in fuel and time. Between us two licenced drivers we have over 50 years experience in driving and have clean licences. In addition to our efforts we got him 3 expensive professional “polishing” lessons/checks just before his ‘P’ practical test.
We ALL THREE agreed he was safe and ready to pass his test. But just as this was happening the 120 hrs rule came in. The cut-off date for taking under the old rules was 3 weeks after his appointment test at Lismore RTA [NSW 2408.]
After the agonising 45 mins of being tested around the town by the RTA examiner, he was failed on the practical test for once “not giving way on a roundabout”. His female tester [we found out later] has been well-known/infamous locally for failing ALL males on their first attempt “on principle”. In addition, any crossing of the give-way lines if any other vehicle was just on half-way around was also an instant fail. One South African immigrant was failed by her on this last one, when his international licence ran out, so he went to another RTA elsewhere and was passed immediately! Reportedly he told the Lismore tester-lady exactly what he thought of her policy on roundabouts, all in a thick africaans accent!
A bit tough? OK – he will try again. No problem?
So we applied for a re-test.
Sorry, was the reply – all local RTA is fully booked up due to pent-up demand/last rush due to the 120hr cut-off date. So apply when he has120 hours to book!
He was very crushed, having low self-esteem anyway did not help of course. We were speechless – as was the professional instructor, when told by my wife of his failed test.
My son is now a qualified engineer in mechatronics and working in mining research at UQ in Queensland.
Still not a driver …….
We it is sad and uneccessary we get this sort of treatment.
Safety?
No – just Scruby-type political “scatter-gun” expediency.
Yrs – ROB.