Long drives are out, essential travel is in for L-platers
Learner drivers in Queensland are not allowed to take long drives to clock up their hours under current COVID-19 restrictions. Find out what they can do.
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LEARNER drivers in Queensland are not allowed to take long drives to clock up their hours under current COVID-19 restrictions.
They are, however, allowed to drive accompanied by a supervisor from their household if they are undertaking essential travel in their local area.
The advice from the State Government ends confusion for parents of L-platers, who have been uncertain whether they could continue to supervise their children on lessons.
On April 5, a Victorian L-plater was fined $1652 for have a driving lesson, which police said was non-essential travel. That fine was withdrawn two days later, with police stating there was confusion within the community about whether driving lessons with a parent were allowed.
A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson has confirmed learner drivers can continue to earn their 100 hours’ supervised driving requirement but need to follow the current Chief Health Officer’s Home Confinement, Movement and Gathering Direction.
This direction states people must not leave their home except for 14 “permitted purposes” including:
■ to obtain food or essential goods or services,
■ to attend medical treatment or health care services,
■ to engage in physical exercise (in family group from one household, or no more than 2 people),
■ to perform work in an essential business,
■ to visit a terminally ill relative or attend a funeral,
■ to provide care to an immediate family member,
■ to attend court or comply with court order, and
■ to attend an educational institution (school, childcare etc).
“Learners and their parents – or other household members – should follow health advice on hygiene practices and stay in their local area,” the TMR spokesperson said.
“Let’s be clear, this is not an excuse for people to go on road trips.
“While practical driving tests were suspended from 28 March 2020 for at least three months, budding drivers are understandably keen to get their licence.
“As the COVID-19 response evolves, there could be further restrictions and all drivers – learners or licensed – will need to be aware of any changed conditions.”
RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said there had been a lot of confusion about learner drivers and how they deal with essential travel.
“What we now know from the State Government is that you can drive as a learner driver with your supervisor – your parent – around your local neighbourhood,” Mr Turner said.
“What you can’t do is go on long trips to different towns or cities or even suburbs to clock up your hours.
“If you do and you are pulled over by the police it will not be counted as essential travel and you can be fined up to $1300.
“This is a good decision by the State Government for parents and learner drivers so they can clock up extra hours between now and when drivers tests are allowed once again, but it’s very important that they don’t abuse it.
“If they go outside their local neighbourhood it’s all about whether that travel is essential.”
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