I am collecting information on obtaining car driving licence. As I'm also hard of hearing, I am trying to assess if it is even possible for me to obtain a driving license. I went through VicRoads website and googled for information, but unfortunately couldn't find any hearing impaired person sharing their experience with the driving test.
I have couple of questions:-
I am wearing hearing aids, but I'm not confident I'll be able to listen to the tester if they sit in the back of the car. I can do lip reading, but it may not be safe to do on the roads. The VicRoads website says an AUSLAN interpreter would be provided. Apart from the fact that I don't know AUSLAN, even if I learn it, I am wondering how I would be able to keep an eye on the road if I am looking at the interpreter.
Is there someone who is hearing impaired and attended driving test? If you could share the experience, I would be grateful.
My questions to you:
If you can't confidently answer yes to the above, please don't drive a vehicle. I mean that in the nicest way possible, but how would you feel if you caused damage or worse due to you not hearing something which someone else might have?
This is really alarming for me, thinking I would share the roads with someone who might not hear my horn, or even a car screeching to a stop.
Oh, plus you're new to this country, and how we drive etc.
So many alarm bells