L-platers pay dearly for failed tests
Poorly prepared novice drivers are costing themselves - and their parents - hundreds of dollars by having to do their driving test several times.
Almost 1500 young drivers sat tests more than five times last year before passing. After an initial payment of $70, drivers must pay $73.70 each time they resit the test.
So the overall cost for a young driver who takes five attempts to pass is $364.80. And this does not include the $17.90 to sit the initial learner's permit theory test and the $19.60 to do the final hazard perception test.
Department of Transport general manager of driver and vehicle services Michael D'souza said the lack of preparation for the test was clearly the most common reason for failure.
"Other reasons include a lack of knowledge about the road rules, not stopping at a stop line or rolling through a stop line, failing to give way, speeding, not checking blind spots and disobeying regulatory signs," he said.
A driving instructor said ballooning waiting times for driving tests was forcing many drivers to book their test before they are ready.
"From time to time, the waiting list can be as long as two months at licensing centres," she said. "So, young drivers are making a test booking and expecting to be ready.
"But sometimes they are not."
The department's managing director of transport services, Nina Lyhne, said candidates needed to get as much driving experience as possible and wait until they were ready before booking their driving test.
"Failing your driving test can be demoralising and can take away your confidence - especially if you are young," Ms Lyhne said.
Almost 80,000 young drivers passed their driving test last year, with about 47,000 (or 60 per cent) succeeding first time. Another 18,345 (23 per cent) took two attempts and 7600 (10 per cent) three. DID YOU KNOW? 60% of young drivers pass their driving test first time
