The rocky road to abain an Australian driver's license
By Natasha Sky and Linda Holland
JAKARTA (JP): The computer screen flashes "Sorry, try again later." A large red "Sorry" continues to pulsate as an irritating beep rings throughout the room. A red-faced young man steps down from the bench and makes his way to the counter. Another disappointing attempt, another A$31 down the drain.
The process of obtaining a driver's license in Australia is becoming increasingly more difficult every year, as authorities try to reduce the number of dangerous drivers on the road.
This means many eager young motorheads, with their secondhand beaten-up Holden parked out the back and a newly cut set of car keys firmly in their hand are being turned away in droves from the motor registry.
The first stage of qualifying for a driver's license in Australia is a multiple choice test. The testing system is now highly computerized and leaves little room for error or dishonesty.
A series of questions in three different categories cover the major road rules and statistics. A booklet covering all the material is given to all prospective drivers prior to the test. As the test proceeds, the level of difficulty increases and the error margin decreases. The five final questions are a gamble, a case of win or lose.
If the person is successful, they become a qualified "learner" driver and are allowed on the road with an experienced driver.
After driving as a "learner" for a year with an experienced driver, the next stage is a driving test with a motor registry employee. Preparing for this test adds a few more bumps and bruises to the beaten-up Holden and means a few more dollars down the drain paying for a driving school.
The test aims to prove the level of driving competence and ensure the driver is fully prepared to become a responsible driver. If the driver passes the test, they then become a provisional driver and for one year will have to obey a different set of rules from those of fully qualified drivers. After this, they can apply for a five-year, three-year or one-year license depending on their level of experience.
The process is now so difficult that drivers are holding firmly on to their prized licenses while many young eager motorheads are being told to make another appointment. But it's not all in vain. Road fatalities are increasing and educating the public on safe and sensible driving is taking a big step toward saving lives.
Renewing
Driving tests for new licenses are so stringent that the majority of Australians do not dare let their driver's licenses lapse, for fear that they would not pass the test the next time around.
Renewing an Australian driver's license is far easier than applying for a new one. All one has to do is go to the Roads and Traffic Authority, of which there are a few in every major city. Smaller towns have offices too.
The process takes less than half an hour. An applicant fills out a renewal form and then stands in line at one of the counters. A cashier checks the details on the form, asks for payment and then tells the applicant to stand in front of the camera.
Click! Just like that, a person's driver's license is processed. But it is not handed out straight away. Instead, the applicant receives it by mail within two weeks.
Some Australian states have 10-year licenses. All have 5-year licenses which cost between A$125 (Rp 230,000) and $100, depending upon the state. A three-year license costs about $40, and a one-year license, $18.