Grey nomads driving test?

well considering theres absalutly nothing stopping a P plater jumping into a 3 tonne tow vehicle and towing a 2.5 tonne or more bush tracker

maybe there should

but then again i reckon were over regulated as it is

i notice every time there is a call for toughening P plate restrictions its from people my age

Ls at 16 years and 1 hour

hold your Ls for 2 weeks then drive round the block with the local copper

and then 1 year of Ps

But hey the kids today should get it alot tougher though?

Gday,
If they were having vehicle troubles they shouldnt be heading North from Geraldton I wouldnt think?

And the majority of people towing large caravans that look liked they arent upto (that I see) arent "P" platers but older people.

Cheers

G'day Hairy,

Can o worms, but I believe it would be a good idea, in general, if everybody
that tows anything had to have some basic instruction.

That person probably was not doing anything wrong, but just did not realise the problems being caused to other travellers.

Lets face it, there is a heap more to consider than just hitching up the trailer/caravan/boat and choofin' off.

Correct connection to vehicle, correct loading of whatever trailer is behind. Suitable towing vehicle, lights, brakes, etc etc.

And nots let forget that the driving habit must change too, longer to reach cruising speed, more distance required to stop -and overtake. Of course everyone should have basics too for reversing the caravan/trailer etc

Horse floats must add a different dimension altogether.

Anyway, yep providing it is done intelligently and not just another impost on drivers, any instruction should be viewed as worthwhile.


Cheers
MJ

I thought your typical licence only allows you 4.5T GVM, so a P plater in a 3t tow vehicle towing a 2t van would in fact be over that limit. ...or am i reading this wrong?

Yes, your C class licence only allows for a 4.5T GVM. However, it doesn't refer to the Gross Combined Mass (GCM). So if the GVM of the towing vehicle is under 4.5T, you're ok. You just need to be within the GCM rating of the towing vehicle to be legal.

I asked at the local RTA when I bought my gooseneck and they confirmed this for me.

Regardless, I'm all for some sort of verification/training to ensure that the driver understands what they're doing when they get up to max GCM weights.

Yeah Mate......I see a few of those come in to town that have a bit of trouble manoeuvring them around.
Saw an old couple pull in the other day and decided to wait till the car park was empty so they could get out! Reversing was out of his league. Hahaha


Cheers

good point, i had an old lady pull up in an f250 with a BIG "5th wheel" things on the back and she was on her way to Boorloola and on her own, she already had dents in the corners of the cab from jacknifing it and nearly took out the pumps when she moved. .....
She should NOT have been licenced to tow that, yep she probally never had an accident but how many did she cause we will never know ..

A couple of years ago I was in Big W in my town and a woman going through before me placed some tools on the counter and I said "looks like someone is going to do some maintenance" thinking she was getting some items for hubby.

"Oh no" she said, "I have just bought a fifth wheeler and I am going to tour around in it" yeah I said I bet that is a hand full.

"Nah", she said, "I took it for a run around the block up in Qld where I bought it and it is alright, you know I have never even so much as towed a box trailer before in my life".

I thought Bl@@dy Hell, look out Australia.

Might be the same person Joe.

Time will come when you have to get an endorsement on your licence.

Cheers, Bruce.

use...damit...use!!!!

Hairy

just for Hairy

Thanks Mark........
I gave it a shot and typed in my response........
Its suggestion is " Duck off Mark"
LOL

Love it Hairy..... and youse can all get ducked! LOL

Hairy

typed in BIKE STUCK









it came up with BIKE STACK


lmao

Marks post has been read by the moderation team and will soon be moderated due to the "Mark is being a pain in the bottom rule" LOL

"They promised to send me their findings but I never heard back from them."

Maybe they had a couple of old farts doing it and they forgot..............lol

Actually it was a couple of "Whippersnappers". If you don't know what they are then your obviously far too young.

you're

........."I never heard back from them".........

Or maybe the hearing is wearing out a bit with the passing of time? LOL

Or forgot to turn up for the test? Hahahahahaha

AH Cripes, why are people sooo Cruel.

Guys, you don't have to be towing to take the bumper off another vehicle. One member with a four letter name beginning with a letter early in the alphabet did that in NZ a year or so back. I do agree with the points being made though. I wonder how the many years of towing can be accounted for in such tests though?

Mind you, I don't know how well I would cope with a wider trailer in the traffic ;-))

Try again.......HC licence


ob

True.
And why "Oldie Bashing" as you wish to call it........because 9 out of every 10 (if not worse) vans I see who appear to be having trouble are "oldies"?

"Grey nomads driving test".....why not driving test for anyone. Surely you are not suggesting a person with maybe 30 years driving experience towing a huge van is more dangerous to himself and other road users than a driver with maybe 10 years driving experience towing a huge van if neither of them have previously towed heavy and large loads.
Could it be that the "oldies" are more commonly at an age where a caravan is more likely to be a part of their lives and that is why you see more of them and nothing to do with their age




ob

30 years driving experience is fine.........its when it gets closer to 60 years experience the problem for a few seems to start. LOL

My Dad is in his 70's and still tows a van around the country.......last trip over here he said he was thinking about getting rid of his van as his reflexes and ability to make split second decisions is not as good as it used to be................personally I think his is a better driver than most people on the road (too bloody fast if anything!), but if he doubts his own ability , maybe it is time to do some sort of a test?

Would have thought you were right the first time, when I was driving trucks it was HR ie heavy rigid semi's required a seperate licence which then covered all bases.
Colin

More than 15 (or 20?) under the posted limit without a decent reason is an offence.

"I'm old, retired, in no rush and couldn't give a rats about anyone else because I can't remember what it's like to have time constraints so I'd rather busy myself saving 2 litres per hundred" in my book - is not a good enough excuse.

That's pretty much my opinion of unfortunately most van dragging nomads. Funnily enough, my father (been retired 8 years) carries the same opinion, and he's been on the road a while. He tows a camper trailer (at the speed limit) and can't abide the selfish behaviour of the mobile road blocks either.

There's plenty of good ones, but unfortunately I think they are outnumbered.

To be fair I have to disagree with your last sentence.

I don't think they are in the majority. Unfortunately it's the one bad apple in the barrel of thousands that gets noticed.

Phil

You are probably right mate, just seems like I find them a bit.... I must be lucky?

This one has to be the worst of them all.

We came up behind a motorhome doing 40K's on the highway between Kununurra and the WA/NT border. Mum was in the back looking like she was making a cuppa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phil

Yeah...I agree......Dont know how you would solve that problem though?

50 km in a 110 kmh zone is a bit too slow , dont you think? I just sat behind but I pity anyone who had an appointment or had to start work at a certain time though............not to mention the poor truckie who just gets past him only to catch up to another one....and then another one....and then another.....

Agreed, is a bit slow however can see both sides of the story. I myself tend to only travel at 100kmh on country roads as these tyres tend to feel a bit unstable after that, so am use to being trailed. Bit of give and take is what required I guess, the old man with a caravan who drives slow all the time is just taking, and the impatient driver who drives until he is 2 metres behind the next vehicle before he overtakes again, he is just taking to..

You beat me to it Alan.

wee sure have become an impatient lot - it all seems to be about me me me. "get out of the way I'm coming through" attitude.

In a previous post gbc said about the "I'm old, retired, in no rush and couldn't give a rats about anyone else because I can't remember what it's like to have time constraints so I'd rather busy myself saving 2 litres per hundred" in my book - is not a good enough excuse.” Gee I hope he never gets old – he’ll probably have to top himself to spare us all.

How do we know what the reason is for people not going as fast as the limit? When one drives they should driver to the conditions. One may think a road is good enough to do 110 kph another driver may not.

This lot would get a shock if they had to drive in the UK, its almost quicker to walk over there! Then they'll probably complain about slow walkers.

cheers

ooops

that should be We not wee

As long as the testing doesnt become a revenue thing......
Maybe just a form signed by a driving instructor/ copper/ JP or something, free of charge though. Just something to say that you have been for a drive with someone independant of your family (up to 100kmh) and they felt comfotable with your driving????

Do you know the meaning of 'gerontophobia'?

Is it the fear of having a laugh?

Altzeimers again

Best part of Altzeimers is meeting new friends every day

Josh

Good one Rockape.

Aahh, on noticing the improvement in the spelling I mean. LOL

Cheers, bruce.

Rockape
Glad the speeding up driver lost..
I can read between the lines there, and had a chuckle there..
Under those circumstances, bullbars come in handy.
Sometimes I wash I was still in the old "tipper" I used to drive, when that happens to me, as I do not want to scratch our Patrol

It is an actual offence to do the speed up thing, and leave the passing driver hanging in "no man's land" but how many times do we not report it....SFA

Cheers
bucky

Bucky,
about a year ago north of Proserpine I had a car and semi coming up on me, every time the semi would go to pass the lady driver would speed up on him and leave him hanging out there on his limiter. Had a chat to him on the radio and said for him to pass when he got close to me and when he was along side her I would slow and block her. Well it worked perfectly, he passed both of us and immediately de stressed ran about 30 degrees cooler.

Have a good one,
RA.

Did the same thing a few years back, to help out a B Double, in Sunrasia area around the SA/Vic border.

Thums up from the truck driver :),.. happy man, and the other car driver got the message.

Cheers

Your probably right.
Or at least a questionnaire sent out in the mail or electronically reviewing your knowledge of road rules.......even if you cheat you will be made aware of the changes?

You may be right,

Rules, vehicles and driving conditions are constantly changing, regular testing would surely help improve general driver competency?

There again, tougher initial driving tests and making sure that new drivers realise being in control of a vehicle is a serious responsibility, may also help.

I'm all for some form of test for people towing larger loads as well (not just oldies either!).

Cheers.

Well said.

I quite often don't sit right on 110kmh because its too easy to accidentally creep over the limit, and these days you get nailed for little mistakes like that.....nor do I think people should drive over a speed they fell safe or comfortable with.....but......when your comfort zone is half the speed limit, maybe the driver is not up to the conditions? eg (bloody great big van behind)

A test may advise people that they may need to look at other options of transport.....like a camper van or something.

Cheers

I think ANY competent driver in a modern car needs a driving test themselves if they can't safely overtake a caravan doing 80kmh in a 110kmh zone without risking a head-on.

A modern car will accelerate from 80 (behind the van) to 110 plus in seconds, more than enough time to overtake on a shortish clear road.

If I need to explain further then maybe YOU shouldn't be driving without a test.

In WA at least the max speed for ANY towing vehicle is 100kmh.

Cheers Neil

WELL....THANKS FOR THAT......

The vehicle in question (which was purely an example I saw today) wasn't doing anything like the legal 100km, nor the 80km you are suggesting....it was 50kmh.

And yes 1 modern vehicle could pass occasionally without causing an accident, but not the 20 or so I could see building up behind me.....let alone the trucks who had no hope as the van was up to 80kmh when he got to a straight?

Let me guess??????? Do you class yourself as a grey nomad? LOL

if so.....dont take it personally you might even pass the test (TIC)......but if you have ever been in the position when family members need to convince another that its time to stop doing something they love you would understand why Im thinking a test might be a good idea if done properly?

Its just a thought

Extract from Sunday Mail 2007

DONT HAVE TO DRIVE AT SPEED LIMIT
Paul Sparks Letters "Taking it to the limit may have been told by a driving instructor and a Govt examiner in 1983 that it was an offence to drive at less than the posted limit without an adequate excuse but that does not make it correct
It is now 2007 and laws can change SA Police spokesperson on traffic matters Seargant Paul Friend recently stated on ABC radio that it was not an offence to travel at less than the limit and as an example said it would not be illegal to travel at 80 kph in a 110/km zone IF YOU DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TRAVELLING FASTER THAN THAT
I have been caravanning 25 years and when working driving trucks for the same period so consider I am reasonably experienced etc but I am knocking on the door of 79 years of age and I tow our van at 85 to 90kph because I feel I have control at that speed and would have very good chance of handling an emergency and I am damned if I will scream down the highway at 110kph because some impatient so and so wants to go at that speed.
Hasn't the impatient ones heard that "speed kills"
Colin

Hardly a comparison is it?

So should be idiots

Licence test for all every 5 years, full stop.

In some provinces (=states) in Canada, if you have more than X number of vehicles in a queue behind you you must pull over and let them pass. Big fine if you don't.

They are considerably more courteous and considerate over there.

Can't remember what X is. Maybe 5 or 7.

Frank

"In this day and age of technology I think there should be a computer based theory test"

How many in the age group we are talking about have computers ???

Scrubby

Which is why I provided multiple ways to access....

I partly agree with you and normally tow at 85 -90kph for the reason its not how fast you can tow it ,its how fast you can stop it Safely.

HOWEVER I do use my mirrors and let the faster ones past wherever possible.

Its called consideration and like common sense NOT VERY COMMON.

As far as the licence is concerned all you would have to do is prove your self announced competency.

Lots can handle the rigs and know about loading and weights etc.

However by the tone of some questions on here a lot have no idea whatever.

They are the ones who need an introductory course on towing..

Your boaties also have to get a licence to drive on the water so little difference in getting a van one.

Then you wouldnt have to launch their boats for them LOL

Well said murrayman, agree with your comments 100%.
Quite a few precious people on here who think they are the only ones who know how to drive. Lets have a bit of give and take. Its not only Vanners and Trucks who hold people up for a few minutes on a trip, Getting onto your Politicians to put in more passing lanes would be a good place to start.
Duke

You nailed it mm, spot on. I tow my 2.5 ton van with my Landcruiser and usually sit on a maximum of 90 kph and reduce speed if conditions are less than ideal. I do my best to assist anyone (particularly truckies) who want to overtake. I feel confident to be able to handle most situations at that speed and I am damned if I am going to risk my own and my families lives just because some Ahole needs to beat me to the next town by 10 minutes.
I do however agree with the original poster (remember Hairy, the guy who started this lot....lol....Hi Hairy, welcome to the great state of Wait Awhile) 50kph on a main highway with a speed limit of 100kph is a bit rich.

Cheers
Pop

Your van and cruiser 7 ton ? No wonder you hold up traffic !!

Who says i hold up traffic, whenever i see cars behind me who want to overtake i hang over to the side, back off or do what ever i can to let them pass at the first safe available spot. Iff its a trucky i call them on the uhf and tell them that soon as they see an opening give me a shout and i will back off and let them through. Never once been abused by a truckie and afterall who wants to drive with agreat line of cars jammed up your backside. cheers mm

Exactly what should happen. Why should a 4.5T truck (non articulated) need a special license, where a car/trailer combination at 7T just need a car license. Crazy really.

D

That is completely FALSE

Part 3 Section 4A of the Traffic Act

Traffic Act 1909 No 5
Repealed version for 8 October 1999 to 30 November 1999(accessed 18 May 2011 at 06:51)
Part 3Section 4A

>

4A Speed limits

(1) Any person who upon any length of road or road related area drives a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of the speed limit applicable to that length of road or road related area shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to a penalty not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(1A) A person who on any length of road or road related area drives a motor vehicle at a speed which exceeds, by more than 45 kilometres per hour, the speed limit applicable to that length of road or road related area is guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to a penalty not exceeding 30 penalty units in the case of a heavy motor vehicle or coach, or 20 penalty units in any other case, and, in addition:

(a) the person is disqualified by a conviction for the offence (and without any specific order) for 3 months from holding a driver licence, or

(b) where the court on the conviction thinks fit to order a longer period of disqualification, the person is disqualified for the period specified in the order.

(1B) A person who on any length of road or road related area drives a motor vehicle at a speed which exceeds, by more than 30 kilometres per hour but not more than 45 kilometres per hour, the speed limit applicable to that length of road or road related area is guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to a penalty not exceeding 20 penalty units and, in addition:

(a) the person is disqualified by a conviction for the offence (and without any specific order) for 1 month from holding a driver licence, or

(b) where the court on the conviction thinks fit to order a longer period of disqualification, the person is disqualified for the period specified in the order.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the speed limit:

(a) is 60 kilometres per hour for a length of road or road related area (not being within a shared traffic zone) for which provision is made for it to be lit by road or road related area lighting and to which no direction given under subsection (3) applies,

(b) is 100 kilometres per hour for a length of road or road related area (not being within a shared traffic zone) for which no provision is made for it to be lit by road or road related area lighting and to which no direction given under subsection (3) applies,

(c) is 10 kilometres per hour for a length of road or road related area that is within a shared traffic zone, and

(d) where the length of road or road related area is the subject of a direction given under subsection (3)—is the speed specified in the direction.

(2A) If, on a prosecution of a person for an offence under subsection (1A), the court is satisfied that the person exceeded the relevant speed limit, but is not satisfied that it was exceeded by more than 45 kilometres per hour, the court may convict the person of an offence under subsection (1), or under subsection (1B) if satisfied that it was exceeded by more than 30 kilometres per hour.

(2B) If, on a prosecution of a person for an offence under subsection (1B), the court is satisfied that the person exceeded the relevant speed limit, but is not satisfied that it was exceeded by more than 30 kilometres per hour, the court may convict the person of an offence under subsection (1).

(3) The Authority may, at any time, with respect to any length of road or road related area (not being within a shared traffic zone), give a direction fixing the speed limit applicable to that length of road or road related area.

(3A) The Authority may, at any time, revoke or vary any direction given under subsection (3).

(3B) A reference in this Act, or any other instrument, to a direction given by the Authority under subsection (3) includes, where the direction has been varied by the Authority under subsection (3A), the direction as so varied.

(4) The regulations:

(a) shall provide for the display and form of signs to indicate, with respect to a length of road or road related area, the speed limit applicable to that length of road or road related area by virtue of a direction under subsection (3),

(b) may provide for the display of any other signs necessary or convenient for carrying this section into effect, and

(c) may prescribe any matter necessary or convenient to be prescribed in relation to any such signs.

(5) In any proceedings in any court, evidence that a sign is, with respect to a length of road or road related area, displayed in accordance with the regulations made for the purposes of subsection (4) shall be prima facie evidence that the speed limit indicated by the sign applies to that length of road or road related area.

(5A) In any proceedings in any court, evidence that a sign indicating the existence of a shared traffic zone is, with respect to a length of road or road related area that is within the zone, displayed in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of section 4D shall be prima facie evidence that the speed limit applicable to shared traffic zones applies to that length of road or road related area.

(5B) A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road or road related area at a speed that exceeds, by more than 45 kilometres per hour, a speed fixed by the regulations as the maximum speed:

(a) at which motor vehicles of a class that includes that motor vehicle may be driven, or

(b) at which any motor vehicle, or any motor vehicle of a class that includes that motor vehicle, may be driven by drivers of a class that includes that person,

is guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to the same penalties, and to be dealt with in the same manner, as for an offence under subsection (1A). This subsection applies only where the maximum speed fixed by the regulations is below the speed limit applicable to the length of road or road related area on which the vehicle is being driven.

(5BA) A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road or road related area at a speed that exceeds, by more than 30 kilometres per hour but not more than 45 kilometres per hour, a speed fixed by the regulations as the maximum speed:

(a) at which motor vehicles of a class that includes that motor vehicle may be driven, or

(b) at which any motor vehicle, or any motor vehicle of a class that includes that motor vehicle, may be driven by drivers of a class that includes that person,

is guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to the same penalties, and to be dealt with in the same manner, as for an offence under subsection (1B). This subsection applies only where the maximum speed limit fixed by the regulations is below the speed limit applicable to the length of road or road related area on which the vehicle is being driven.

(5C) If, on a prosecution of a person for an offence under subsection (5B), the court is satisfied that the person exceeded the relevant maximum speed fixed by the regulations, but is not satisfied that it was exceeded by more than 45 kilometres per hour, the court may convict the person of an offence under subsection (5BA) if satisfied that it was exceeded by more than 30 kilometres per hour or may, to the extent that exceeding the speed so fixed constitutes an offence under the regulations, convict the person of that offence instead.

(5D) If, on a prosecution of a person for an offence under subsection (5BA), the court is satisfied that the person exceeded the relevant maximum speed limit fixed by the regulations, but is not satisfied that it was exceeded by more than 30 kilometres per hour, the court may, to the extent that exceeding the speed limit so fixed constitutes an offence against the regulations, convict the person of that offence instead.

(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to justify the driving of any motor vehicle upon a road or road related area at a speed which:

(a) having regard to all the circumstances of the case, is dangerous to the public, whether or not such speed is less than the limit fixed by this section, or

(b) exceeds any maximum speed applicable to such vehicle and fixed by or under any Act, regulation or ordinance.

(7) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the driver of:

(a) any motor vehicle whilst conveying a member of the police force on urgent duty,

(b) any fire engine, reel or other similar vehicle whilst proceeding to a fire,

(c) any ambulance vehicle whilst proceeding to the scene of an accident or to a hospital with an injured person, or

(d) any vehicle referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) whilst proceeding to any place to deal with an emergency,

if the observance of those provisions would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for any purpose aforesaid: Provided that such driver shall give the best practicable warning so as to enable way to be made for such vehicle.

(8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the driver of a motor vehicle which is taking part in a race, an attempt to break a motor vehicle speed record, a trial of speed or any competitive trial as referred to in section 4B (1) (a) in accordance with an approval given and any conditions imposed by the Commissioner of Police pursuant to section 4B.

(9) In this section:

ambulance vehicle includes any motor vehicle or trailer used in the provision of ambulance services (as defined in the Ambulance Services Act 1976) and provided, conducted, operated or maintained by the Health Administration Corporation constituted by the Health Administration Act 1982.

motor vehicle includes a trailer.

Top of page


NOTE No reference to driving UNDER the speed limit. This hoax is often perpetrated by persons who don;t know the law, and have never inquired about it. It is not an offense to drive 20kph under the speed limit. It may be an offense to deliberately obstruct traffic, depending on the circumstances, and the nature of the road, but speed relative to the speed limit has NOTHING to do with it.

dont forget road rules are state based

Im pretty sure in WA its illegal to drive 20k under the limmit on the freeway

(there is 10,000 offenders every day on the mitchel between 4-6 pm - not by choice though :-))


highways are a different matter and ive never heard of minimum speeds although there are other laws governing hazardous driving which could be used in chronic situations

when I got my license I could only do 80kph for a year (yea right!!)

Australia has had universal nation wide road rules since 1997.

There were a couple of exceptions, they are towing speed limits, and that unique turn in Melbourne's streets. Nowhere in Australia is it illegal to drive 20kph under the speed limit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_Australia#Common_limits

The statement "I dont agree witha special licence ,which would only just be another tax .I do agree with proper training." What the ? Does that mean your only interested in making a $$ for yourself and co as the trainer ? A licence to drive the combinations that are on our roads now would NOT just be an extra tax , unless of course you believe that any one should just be handed a licence for free to drive road trains /b doubles / semies / buses / 10 ton trucks etc etc.,,,,, As an example , I have Niece who can actually drive all that , has had the training since she was 10 yrs old and is now 16 , does that mean she should be able to bypass the system of getting the appropiate license in the stages as required and paying the "tax" as you call it ? Course not.

"unless of course you believe that any one should just be handed a licence for free to drive road trains /b doubles / semies / buses / 10 ton trucks etc etc."

No I am not saying that, but pretty much every other license in Australia does not require what I would call appropriate training. For instance a drivers license does not require any training in fatigue management, distraction management, self-awareness, motivational factors, it simply concentrates on skill factors. I am also a flying instructor. The pilot's license requires a much greater level of training for essentially what is a lower risk activity, and particularly looks at human factors which are not a part of any pre-license training.

I believe that if you put Govt in charge of licensing for caravan towing, they will not implement appropriate standards of training, in the same way they have not implemented appropriate standards of training for a drivers license (car), because of political pressure. If they do that, then the license simply becomes a tax just as I believe the car license is today.

As far as money for me and my company- feel free to swap places any time. I'll swap my debt for yours any day. And in any case if a license was introduced, then training would be required, and I'd be well placed to offer that training. So you would think I would support a license on that basis. I don't because I think the simple car license is given a way too freely. Despite all the recent changes, there is still not enough training in the appropriate areas, and I believe a towing license would be a similar half measure, simply designed to pay for the costs of Govt infrastructure.

So according to your theory a licence endorsment after appropiate training is a half measure designed to increase govt coffers and infrastructure only , pray tell us then why we have different grades of licences be it for motor vehicles /boats- ships and aircraft , just because one can fly a single engined cessna that does not mean they can fly a bell ranger helicopter or a 4 engined jumbo jet does it ? NO . Same deal just because one can drive a 1.3lt auto buzzbox doesnt mean they can drive a v8 manual 4x4 towing 3.5ton of caravan.

You are clearly spoiling for a fight because you are not reading and understanding what I am saying. Please go back and read again with a more open mind.

What I said was License endorsements WITHOUT APPROPRIATE TRAINING is a half measure.


ust because one can fly a single engined cessna that does not mean they can fly a bell ranger helicopter or a 4 engined jumbo jet does it ? NO . Same deal just because one can drive a 1.3lt auto buzzbox doesnt mean they can drive a v8 manual 4x4 towing 3.5ton of caravan.


I could not agree more- as I thought I already made abundantly clear. TRAINING IS THE KEY, not a license issued without appropriate training. So see, you and I agree.

Bring on a licence for all towing based on passing theory and a training course.

It was also manners to correctly use indicators & position your vehicle correctly to make a turn, but that's all gone out the window now too.

Bucky,
Look at the knobs on the road who have passed a test to drive a car or a truck. Just because they have a piece of paper to say they passed a test dose not mean that they are safe drivers. Gets back to common sense which i am afraid there is not much about at the moment. I have driven heavy trucks from heavy rigid to road trains and most machines involved in logging and civil construction all my life. Have been towing (am on my third) 24foot van for 11years. Any one who says they don,t make a mistake occasionally on the road are dreamin.
Don,t think a piece of paper to say you can tow a van would make one ounce of differance.
Duke

50 in a 110 is down right rude. Ive had problems in the past while towing but move over and let others move on.

Exactly. I've driven from Winton in QLD to near Brisbane with a faulty injector pump, and been unable to do more than 30 kph. I radioed every few minutes with my position informing truckies of my problem, I drove off onto the shoulder every time I had traffic behind me, and tho it took ages, I safely got to where the car could be repaired, and hindered nobodies progress. A UHF radio is invaluable if you drive long distances

Yep yep same, turbo dump valve broke on the Strz Track. Towed the van from Innamincka to Toowoomba. Man was that a loooong trip and expensive.

HJ60 in limb mode????
He managed to get up to 80 on the straights when people were trying to overtake?
Contact him on the radio???? the old bugger was having enough trouble without distracting him!