Gold Coast drivers blow $320,000 a year on failed driving tests

Gold Coast learner drivers are blowing an eye-watering $320,000 a year on something completely avoidable.

MORE than a third of Gold Coast L-platers are failing their practical driving test every year, costing families $320,000.

But, surprisingly, the city is among best in the state.

Statistics from the department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) show 5399 learner drivers failed Q-SAFE practical driving tests on the Gold Coast last financial year.

In the year to June 2019, 33 per cent of Glitter Strip drivers failed, up from 28 per cent five years ago. The Queensland average since 2017 is 35 per cent.

Observational skills and parallel parking are the biggest issues tripping up new drivers, say instructors.

At about $60 to sit a test, the failures cost $319,620 in 12 months.

However, a TMR spokesman said having to sit the practical driving test more than once was “not necessarily a bad thing”.

“Applicants will receive valuable feedback from the driving examiner pointing out what they need to work on,” the spokesman said.

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Driving instructor Michele Plibersek says learner drivers often truggled to pay attention to what was going on outside of the vehicle. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

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There is no limit on the number of times a person can sit the practical driving test, but there is a mandatory cooling off period, which increases depending on the number of attempts.

RACQ’s Steve Spalding said the figures were a sign the test was “doing its job”.

“The last thing you want is drivers that are not ready to go out on their own with a licence,” he said. “If they’re not ready it’s much better they’re held back until they are.”

Mr Spalding said learner drivers were among the safest on the roads because of the constant supervision, but the safety rate dropped sharply when they got their P-plates.

Of those who failed in 2018-19, 2862 were aged 16 to 20-years-old, 1395 were aged 21 to 30, 950 between 31 and 50, and 192 aged 51 or older.

The majority of fails were for regular car licences, including 3477 for automatic licences and 1730 for manual.

TMR’s Burleigh Heads customer service centre is the hardest place on the Coast to pass, with just 60.5 per cent of learner drivers getting their ticket in two-and-a-half years.

Those who did their test at the Helensvale customer service centre had the best pass rate, at 67 per cent.

About 61 per cent of learner drivers tested at the Southport customer service centre passed, while at Currumbin that number jumped to 66.5 per cent.

Ms Plibersek said nerves were also often a major factor. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Michele Plibersek, from driving school Learning Lessons, said often new drivers struggled to pay attention to what was going on outside of the vehicle.

“A lot of students also get really wound up on parallel parking,” she said.

“The test is not all about manoeuvres. It really is about observation, safety and common sense – if you get those three you’re usually fine.”

Ms Plibersek said sometimes students came to her after failing their test the first time.

“Sometimes they go on the test and the nerves get in the way, something unusual happens or in the last five minutes of the test they can’t keep it together and something really silly happens,” she said.

“Usually they pass after they come back for the second time.”

Ms Plibersek said most young drivers booked about 10 professional lessons, usually at the beginning and end of their training, while older drivers often did less.

FAILURE RATES

2018-19

16,297 tested, 5399 failed (33 per cent)

2862 aged 16-20

1395 aged 21-30

718 aged 31-40

232 aged 41-50

137 aged 51-60

55 aged 61+

2017-18

15,362 tested, 4930 failed (32 per cent)

2631 aged 16-20

1274 aged 21-30

653 aged 31-40

215 aged 41-50

108 aged 51-60

49 aged 61+