Driving Miss Patsy

Posted on by Miriam

Two days ago my daughter sat for her Hazards test which, for those who don’t know, is the preliminary exam needed before you can apply for a drivers licence in Australia. Well, at least in Victoria.  Step one is complete and she’s now on the way to getting her full licence.

Here in Australia you need 120 hours of practical driving learning hours before you can sit for your actual permit.  She’s reached those hours and has driven in all types of conditions.  Now that she has her own Toyota Landcruiser (nicknamed Patsy) she’s learned very quickly how to also drive a manual gearbox.

After she passed her Hazards test we spent the day together.  It was a great chance to enjoy some quality time and for her to get some more driving practice.  Usually during the week we’re both too busy for this sort of relaxed time together.

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Hopefully soon this L will turn into a P when she gets her Probationary Licence.

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Of course Harry had to come along for the ride.

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Along the way we stopped off at Sugarloaf Reservoir to check out the water levels.  It’s only about 20 minutes from our home.  She wanted to drive across the dam wall.

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This is one of Melbourne’s major storage water areas.  It’s looking a bit low as we haven’t had much rain lately.  But hopefully with winter coming that will  change.

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Here’s Patsy parked at the Reservoir.  She practiced some parking here, but obviously for the sake of this photo didn’t quite pass the test of parking between the lines.    Hopefully she’ll park better on the day of her test!

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This is Yarra Glen where we stopped to enjoy lunch.  In the distance a circus tent was being set up for the local carnival.  Such a pretty backdrop and a nice spot to relax.

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And here we are heading homewards again.  As she nears her 18th birthday and her drivers test I wish my darling daughter all the very best.  I especially wish her many years of safe driving ahead.   I can’t believe after all these years of driving her around she will soon be independent and venturing out solo.

May we all stay safe on our travels and enjoy the journey, where ever we’re heading.

73 thoughts on “Driving Miss Patsy”

  1. Oh! We don’t have the Hazards test here in NSW … we definitely should look at introducing that! The more experience they get before hitting the roads, the better.
    I wish your daughter all the best for her upcoming drivers test (and the big 18th birthday!). I do love the photo of the “parking” job at the reservoir 🙂

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    1. Thanks Kim and yeah, she’d better do better on the day, hey? I wondered whether the Hazards test was just in Victoria. All the states seem to vary in their requirements for the licence.

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  3. It seems that the rules with getting a license in your country is more strict and I admire it. It would create more safety with everyone. I can feel the sense of happiness and fulfillment with your child’s photo. God bless and cheers to more enjoyable and safe driving to your daughter!

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  5. I fear the day my kids start driving! They are good kids, but I am a worrier. I’m more concerned about “the other guy.” This starts for us around 16 or 16 1/2 years old — I’m not even sure. I was in a different state here in the US when I got my license and I only had to be 16… (back then…) 🙂 Your daughter looks happy and comfortable behind the wheel. All the best to you both and good luck to her on her test!

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    1. Thanks Sandra, I have to admit that, like you, I’m a worrier too. As comfortable as she is behind the wheel I also worry about “the other guy”. But I can’t wrap her in cotton wool, she’s learned well and she’s a sensible driver so I guess I just have to trust in that.

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  11. Very good system. My son just passed his driving practise and was succesfullso now mom can get worried because he may drive alone in his car.
    Beautiful area there in aussie

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  12. We don’t have a Hazards test in QLD either, and you only have to do 100 hours practice before the driving test. It’s a huge number of hours, but hopefully it leads to young people being more competent on the roads. Good luck to your daughter.

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    1. Thanks. Seems that all the states are different. But like you said, at least it makes these kids more competent by the time they’re out on their own. I think I only drove for about five hours before I got mine! How times have changed.

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  14. I took a sharp intake of air when I saw the post title and the L. Looks like you are surviving the experience. My life flashed in front of my eyes several times when my daughter’s were learning. One time we took the old windy road to King Lake or is it Whittlesea (by mistake) which was scary, would have loved to have turned back but couldn’t. Still worry about the girls in their cars everyday. Next it will be the clubs…oh and ditto re Harry. 🙂

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    1. That windy road to Kinglake is an absolute doozy, even I don’t particularly like it. Once you’re on there’s no getting off. And yeah, I know I’ll worry when she’s off on her own, especially when she’s driving backwards from Mansfield every week but I guess I have to let go sometime.

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    1. Sorry for the late reply James, I only found this comment now, Tthanks so much for reminiscing and sharing your driving story with your dad. Sounds like he was quite an influence on you.

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  18. Oh what fun learning to drive. So many memories are made between a parent and child during the long hours to get the license! Love Patsy, what fun she will have with that. Those precious kids grow up way too fast! Now I’m teaching my grandson how to drive my Jeep!

    I really enjoy your blog!!

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  19. Miriam! Great post! You reminded me of how my daughter was getting ready for her driving test, and how she sat behind the wheels for the first time in her life. You’re lucky that you took some photos for that!! 🙂

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  20. I drive a truck 73 feet long, weighing 80,000 lbs, almost 800,000 miles driven with no accidents or tickets, and I failed my automotive driving test the first time! DOH!

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  21. I connect to the sense of authority your daughter exhibited when wanting to drive across the dam, Miriam.

    I remember that when I earned my learner’s permit that I was thrilled to finally have the chance to take our Pontiac 6000 out onto the highway. We were allowed to do so with our permits, so long as the passenger seat was occupied by a parent.

    On the on-ramp I remember feeling seriously doubtful, suddenly I wanted to turn back, I hit the brake, I slowed, I readied to pull over.

    My father was with me. He said something (I can’t remember exactly what) that helped me to see the experience I was about to chicken out of differently. Driving the interstate became for me, in that moment after he spoke, my first real chance to nab some real adult-like authority.

    I wish I knew right now how he felt about my hesitation; I wish I knew how my gradually warming to the experience made him feel. I have to believe, if I asked him, what he would tell me would resemble in character the feelings of pride and joy you hint at in this post.

    Congratulations to you and Patsy, Miriam. Hopefully she continues to respect the privilege a driver’s license is, and hopefully she continues to using the privilege as she did here: to discover more of her world. Inspiring post! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks so much Patrick for reminiscing and sharing your memories. Yes, I am proud of her and only hope she says safe and sound on the roads. Enjoy the rest of your weekend Patrick.

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  22. Thanks for taking us along on this drive. Best wishes to your daughter for her test and years of safe driving ahead. Interesting to see the dam levels are low over in VIC too. Here in Tassie the dams are at record lows, so big concerns wth the Basslink outage as well.

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  23. Wow Miriam. I didn’t realize your daughter is already almost 18! Is this her last year of school before she heads to university? Here in the US you get your license at 16 which is so young. There are many accidents and some very tragic. I guess they started such a young age to help the farming community years ago. I think 18 is a much safer age as kids are more mature. Best of luck!

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    1. Thanks Nicole, yes Tash is in her last year of school, Year 12, incorporating two days of work placement. And I agree that 16 is too young to get a license, some states in Australia have that age as well, just not in Victoria. I think 18 is a better age to be allowed to drive on your own..

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  31. Getting a drivers license in the US doesn’t seem to be as complex a procedure. Here you get a learners permit and when your parent/guardian thinks you are ready then you do your driving test and exam. Perhaps we should emulate the procedure there.

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    1. Wow, yeah they’re pretty strict over here which is good in some ways. You really have to be ready for the test. They won’t just hand it over to anybody … which is kinda good.

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  32. Great to see you teaching your daughter in all conditions and in a manual vehicle as well. It is refreshing to see parents who are passionate about making sure their loved ones are educated properly. Hopefully one day they will revamp that 1980’s hazard perception test though. ;p

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