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CLARIFICATION
April 10, 2020
The RACQ confirmed on Friday that learner drivers CAN go for a drive with a supervisor (mum, dad, etc) providing they stay in their local neighbourhood.
“We spoke with Department of Transport and Main Roads overnight to clear this up, and we’re happy to confirm we have clarification and learners can drive in their local area,” RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said.
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Earlier:
April 8, 2020
The RACQ has warned learner drivers to stay off the road unless undertaking essential travel after guidelines were released by Queensland Police.
Club spokesperson Renee Smith said driving to clock up the required 100 hours as a learner was now off limits.
“The new advice is all road trips are off unless you’re undertaking essential travel,” Ms Smith said.
“If a household is carrying out essential travel and the driver is a learner being accompanied by a supervisor that is okay.
“Taking a road trip or driving to get your hours up as a learner isn’t considered essential.”
Ms Smith encouraged all drivers to stick within the guidelines or risk a $1300 fine.
“It will be up to police to determine whether they believe you are undertaking essential travel or not,” she said.
“We know that being stuck inside can be frustrating but these are the rules for now.”
The advice follows an incident in Victoria where a 17-year-old learner driver was hit with $1652 fine by police after being pulled over while taking a drive with her mother.
Victoria Police later withdrew the penalty citing community confusion around the restrictions.
I was looking at Flightradar24 today wondering why there was so much rescue helicopter activity in our area.
I happened to notice 5 trainee pilots in the air near Toowoomba. I also saw 8 trainee flights north of Perth using Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft.
I’m assuming the trainees are members of the Singapore Air Force as are the instructors. If so, why would they still be in Australia?
It seems strange to me that these activities are permitted while learner drivers are basically being threatened to stay off the road. If pulled over by the police it’s up to the officer whether or not their reason for being behind the wheel is believed.
I would think most learner drivers would be staying in the vehicles with their supervisor and would have little chance of breaking social distancing rules.
Are driver training schools still permitted to operate? They’re not exactly “undertaking essential travel”.