Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

[quote=WBY 1]

They give away driving licenses like they're in the bottom of chip packets these days, so any restriction I would definitely support!

I also believe getting your license shouldn't be as simple as a 10 minute driving test, a full days course would be a lot better.

dont know about that. these days its 150hrs on your L's, 2 or 3 RTA tests, P's for 3 years, and the rest. It may not be perfect but Im pretty sure it was much easier in the past...
[/quote:26th5etr]
Problem is, the 150 hrs isn't policed by anyone... except the parents. In Vic you do a "hazard awareness" test which is a computer based test with video footage (an absolute wank of a test), an extremely easy multiple choice based test and then to get your P's it's a simple test with a VicRoads guy which basically only tests you can stay in a straight line and do a 3 point turn. P's for 3 years, yes, but no education whatsoever in this time other than trial and error on the roads.

Just from first hand experience of having a lot of friends who are truly unaware and terrible drivers (yet passed their tests with flying colours, something/anything has to be done to improve the system. Like you said, a day in the classroom might (and probably would) help, but how can you tell from the classroom if someone knows how to change lanes properly? It's only clear when you spend time in a car with someone to be able to judge as to whether they are a comfortable and safe driver IMO.

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

I don't think it should be a separate license but an endorsement for trailers say 1.2 tonne and over.

A separate license for a 4wd is a bit silly tho IMO Too many variables to consider with what is a 4wd and where the line is drawn regarding weight, height etc etc.

[big-trev Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close big-trev]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

Just to put my Two cents worth in,If you can not back the trailer or Van ,Then you shouldn't be able to tow.How many times do you see people trying to back there van into the caravan parks and fight with the wife because they have no idea of what they are doing.I know when I back in first time most times every one looks at you and then come over and say gee you did that with ease.Yes because I know how to back a trailer.Every one should have a reversing test before they buy a van or trailer,If you can not reverse it you can not have it.Just like getting a car licence and turning you're head 180 degrees to see if there is a car beside you.That is what Mirrors were invented for.And an easy way to set them up is get in the middle lane on a highway and get the cars along side of just out of you're Periferal vision then set up you're mirror so that you can see the front of the vehicle.If this id done then you should never have to twist around to see if there is any one there.And if you have set it up correctly you should even see a motor bike beside you.Any way that is my bit.

[karrathaprado2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close karrathaprado2]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

x2 I agree...my boss is one of them that cannot back up to well but can get it done without people looking on. LOL to him on that...to much presure

[Taresk Member Find all posts View Profile Close Taresk]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

It is a bit of an oversight that you need so many logged hours behind the wheel to get a car licence, but once you've got it you can change it to a substantially heavier articulated vehicle without any extra training or even practical experience, just the other day I saw a disco flying through traffic with a dual axle boat trailer behind, pulling up at the lights his trailer brakes were smoking!

I believe a few logged hours and a driving test would go well to add towing as a seperate condition to a licence.

[Gday Bruce Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gday Bruce]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

Can't agree that a seperate licence is justified, although an endorsement to licence following the ability to demonstrate sufficient understanding of the theory is not a bad idea.
For the past 8 years, I have probably towed boats &/or camper trailers approx. 70 days a year and believe the only way to become proficient in trailer operation is to do it, keep doing it, and do it regularly!

Additionally, training course should have a good dose of trailer ettiquete.
ie: Go to your local boat ramp & watch the number of di*#he@ds who drive blindly past the rigging area and pull up in the middle of a two lane boat-ramp, then spend 10 minutes loading mum, kids, esky, tackle, etc.. into the boat, totally oblivious to the 6 boats now ready to launch that were preparing in the rigging area as they drove past. :evil:
And please don't start me on the boat & caravan convoys that almost tailgate to discourage overtaking vehicles, then accelerate through the overtaking lanes because the roads are wider. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Before anyone gets offended & complains, I realise it's (hopefully) a small minority.
Unfortunately, they're the ones everyone else notices.

[big-trev Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close big-trev]

Re: Should a right to tow, be a seperate licence rating ?

Hey Bruce I saw one of those type down at the ramp here in Adelaide.They were a bunch of young guys who took up the whole ramp to set up so every one had to waite about Twent to get past.But what they did was drop the motor and then start reversing back.The only problem was that there is a cement ramp under the water line to stop people going over the edge into the channel,And being that it was a low tide as the motor went over the ramp the bottom was sheered off.I was haveing a quiet chukkle as they pulled the thing back up the ramp swearing and cursing.Carma Cometh to those who deserve it.