From Ls to Ps
For young drivers, attaching L-plates to the car for the first time is a giant step towards adulthood and independence.
But gaining a P1 licence can be a long and complex process. A learner can sit their L test at 16 years old and must have L-plates for at least 12 months, even if they complete a driving test or the minimum 75 supervised hours earlier.
South Australia has two ways to go from holding a learner’s permit to getting a provisional licence: the Vehicle-On-Road Test (VORT) or Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A).
VORT
To complete the VORT method a learner driver must complete a one-off pass-or-fail assessment of their driving skills and knowledge. Before sitting a VORT, the learner must drive for at least 75 hours with a qualified supervising driver (including 15 hours at night). The hours need to be recorded in the learner’s official Driving Companion.
When a learner and their instructor believe the learner is ready, a VORT test can be booked through an approved examiner. The test lasts 45-60 minutes and the examiner must be different from the learner’s driving instructor.
“During the VORT, learners must demonstrate competence in five low-speed manoeuvres, such as U-turns, reverse parallel parking and three-point turns,” RAA Drive School Manager Aaron Wilson says.
“Learners are also assessed on general driving skills, including lane changes, negotiating roundabouts and turning at traffic lights.”
The learner must achieve at least 90 per cent to pass the VORT and be able to apply for a provisional driver’s licence. Breaking any road rule during a test means immediate failure. If a learner fails the VORT, they must wait at least 14 days before resitting.
CBT&A
The CBT&A is commonly known as the logbook method. Learners can build their skills and progress at their own pace by breaking the learning down into steps. There are 30 tasks included in the CBT&A method, covering a wide range of skills, including country driving.
“Learners must complete at least 75 hours of supervised driving and record this in their logbook,” Aaron says.
“While a parent or other qualified driving supervisor may sign the logbook to verify practice hours, only an authorised CBT&A instructor can officially document a learner’s competency for a task.
“If a learner is unsuccessful when attempting a task, they can try again within the same or later driving lesson.”
Unlike VORT, CBT&A has no driving test. Instead, there’s a final drive that assesses the learner’s general driving skills. Upon successful completion of all the tasks, learners receive a Certificate of Competency. If applicable, the learner must then complete the rest of the 75 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night.
Which method is best?
This depends on issues such as time, budget and learner confidence. Whichever method, the Driving Companion recommends learners take lessons with a professional driving instructor.
“Although it’s technically possible for a learner to pass the VORT without professional driving lessons, it’s highly unlikely,” Aaron says.
“However, one of the main benefits of VORT is that it may take fewer lessons to qualify than it does for CBT&A.”
A VORT learner should book lessons about three months before the planned test.
Although CBT&A usually takes longer, it may benefit learners looking for regular, structured training to develop their skills and confidence.
“For competent learners, it can take about 15-20 hours of lessons to qualify through CBT&A, although this is only a guide,” Aaron says.
CBT&A instructors guide learners through a wide range of driving situations and help teach the skills to be a safe and confident driver.
The Driving Companion is full of useful information about learning to drive and which option suits learners.
General advice for driving supervisors
When a young driver gets their provisional licence, their crash risk jumps 20 to 30 times and stays extremely high for six months. There are many reasons, but one is the way some learners are taught by their family or friends. Here are a few tips and you’ll find more here.
- Avoid the do-as-I-say approach. Question the learner extensively during practice, rather than have them respond to your instructions. The ability to think behind the wheel is a critical safety skill.
- Practise more than the minimum 75 hours. The more experience a learner has before getting their provisional licence, the more chance they have of becoming a safe driver.
- Vary the driving experience. Let the learner get behind the wheel on different days and times and drive in a broad range of weather and road conditions.
- Remember, P-platers are at greater risk of road trauma, so they should drive the safest car in the household.