Talking to Customers Last Week about Road Rules and Last Time They Read Them

pegaxs on 19/02/2024 - 10:52

I did a quick whip around of the workplace and customers last week after I read an article in some God awful online media mouthpiece about road rules and the comment section got me triggered. It was like no one literally knew any of the road rules, even the "journalist" (and that description I will use very loosely here).

So, that got me thinking. I have a pretty big age gap of people to ask from a office girl who got her license only last year to some of the boomers that come in that got their licences back in the late 60's.

I asked everyone the same basic questions;

  • When did you get your license (Got answers from 1965 to 2023)
  • Have you ever lost/renewed/upgraded your licences and had to resit the road rules test? (almost all said "no")
  • When was the last time you updated your knowledge on the road rules (almost everyone said "when I got my license")
  • How well do you think you would go if you had to resit the test tomorrow (Dunning-Kruger test. Everyone said they would ace it.)

And after that, I picked 3 random questions that were a little obscure and not just gimmies out of the box, and about 5% of people got them right. Things like "when can you merge", "where does 'keep left unless overtaking' apply" or general parking rules about no stopping, no parking, how to indicate from parking…. Those kinds of questions.

So, that made me wonder, just how many people, especially people that got their license 10+ years ago, would actually pass the knowledge test if they were forced to sit it today? Now, Dunning-Kruger's tells me that all of you are going to answer "yes, super easy, smash it" when some of you definitely would not.

I have compiled a list of all the Driver Knowledge Practice Tests from each state. Pick your own, and then do one from another state that may frequently drive in. You can either let us know how you did (Don't bullshit you "aced it" if you didn't. You are only bullshitting to yourself.) If you did better than expected, let us know. If you did worse than expected, let us know. If you learned something new, chip in.

NSW Driver Knowledge Test
Qld Practice Test
Vic Practice Learner Permit Test
Tas Driver Knowledge Test
SA Practice Learner's Theory Test
NT Practice Theory Test (You just need a fake "name" and "group" to access test)
WA Road rules theory test quiz
ACT Road Rules Knowledge Test

Sit some tests and then come back and lie to everyone about how you did… :D

Poll Options

  • 242
    Seems I am up to date and did well
  • 22
    Looks like I need to brush up on some rules
  • 6
    How the hell do I even HAVE a license?
  • 1
    I did awesome.... On my 5th or 6th attempt
  • 17
    Didn't do the test, already know I would pass
  • 3
    I didn't pass, but I will lie about passing anyway
  • 6
    I don't have a license, I just wanted a poll button to click
Automotive

Comments

      • Mechz on 19/02/2024 - 18:59

        Without looking it up, I guess it's when you join a roadway from the hard shoulder.

  • peteru on 19/02/2024 - 13:56
    +1

    I thought I would have some gaps in my knowledge as I originally took a test in QLD in the 80's and none since. I scored 100% on the NSW practice test, which is the only place where I drive regularly.

    You'd have to be super thick to fail. An example question:

    A picture of "No left turn" sign is shown, including the words "NO LEFT TURN". The answer choices (paraphrased) are:

    • You must not turn right.
    • You must not turn left.
    • You are only allowed to turn left.

    How thick would you have to be to get that wrong?

  • JimJim on 19/02/2024 - 14:53

    I do agree that generally people may not be up-to-date with rules, especially if it has been a long time.

    Your post set me up to think I'd do badly, but I got 94% on the VIC test (pass, 2 incorrect answers) and got my licence over 15 years ago.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 19/02/2024 - 15:26

    These questions are hilarious.

    Are we really asking questions like "should you speed up to overtake someone if they indicate" or "do you need to wear a seatbelt"

    No wonder everyone in NSW are such bad drivers if this is what you're being tested on now..

  • SuperGreen on 19/02/2024 - 15:34

    NSW. Just didn’t get the % of accidents on weekends. Other than that, the questions are stupid easy.

  • LanceVance on 19/02/2024 - 15:51

    Doesn't surprise me.
    Driver education Australia wide is absolutely appalling. I've had many colleagues come from Germany and been shocked at the lack of courtesy driver courtesy and behaviour on our roads. Having spent a lot of time driving in Europe I can't help but agree. Getting your license in most countries over there is correctly quite difficult, and as a result the skill of most drivers and their road etiquette is fantastic.
    Australia however you could have your parents who tailgate, cut in, hog the overtaking lane and can't maintain a consistent speed on a freeway 'teaching' their children how to drive. Then go sit a test with some easy questions, take the driving test where you drive slowly, look in your mirrors a lot and do a 3 point turn. Congratulations you're certified to drive on our roads.
    It really is very pathetic.

    Then there's the condition that cars over there must be maintained at with regular inspections. However down under you only need a car to be inspected if you're selling it. There's many absolute shit boxes on our roads with worn out components that would perform horribly should they be required to perform an evasive manoeuvre.

    • WatchNerd on 19/02/2024 - 16:20

      However down under you only need a car to be inspected if you're selling it.

      In NSW it needs to be inspected every year in order to be registered once it's over 4 years old. Not sure about other states.

      • LanceVance on 19/02/2024 - 19:08
        -1

        Good! I should've been more specific that I'm referring to Victoria, good to see theres more sensible rules in some states.

    • peteru on 19/02/2024 - 16:26

      In NSW, it is a requirement for registering the car, to have annual road-worthiness inspection, including a brake test report, if your car is not new.

  • carlJack on 19/02/2024 - 16:26

    You are driving at 100 km/h. What distance are you most likely to cover before you can stop? A> 40m b>80m C>140m

    • xylarr on 21/02/2024 - 14:14

      Pick the long one.

      Story time: I did a driver training day at eastern creek. We did some emergency brake tests at 40/60/80/100. It's eye opening. At 40 km/h a car can stop within it's own length. At 100km/h - yeah 140m. Makes you understand why they have 40km/h speeds in school zones.

  • stedmaster on 19/02/2024 - 16:27
    +3

    This is just a trick to get everyone to read road rules.

    • WatchNerd on 19/02/2024 - 16:28
      +1

      Yes I've reported pagaxs to the mods.

  • Benicio on 19/02/2024 - 16:43

    30/30. driving since 1996. Guess I'm doing fine.

  • Benoffie on 19/02/2024 - 16:47

    13/14 and the one I got wrong was because I care about my car and don't turn from the right gutter… idiots.

    • rumblytangara on 21/02/2024 - 15:17

      That was one that I got wrong as well. That question was just bloody stupid and not an issue that you'd ever encounter IRL.

      Lots of those questions were just silly.

  • Nugs on 19/02/2024 - 17:38

    SA only 14 questions (got em all)
    favourite one;

    what is likely to be the contributing factor to losing control at a corner (paraphrased)
    too fast
    wet road
    gravel

    although I went with too fast being the correct answer, have they not seen drifting?

    on a serious note, simply introducing a 'there is a new rule everyone that got their license before X date needs to know' notice might help. I'm also all for regular testing dependent on age (and not when you are 80 either).
    I know I'm not perfect but I see driving as a privilege and actually apply myself to be the best driver I can be regardless of some of the stupid stuff I've done in the past
    .
    .

  • Poor Ass on 19/02/2024 - 17:44
    -1

    You have answered 28 out 30 questions correctly.

  • jzdhgkd on 19/02/2024 - 18:50

    44/45 NSW. Got the first one wrong. Apparently if you cheat on the exam they will allow you to retake it in 6 weeks! Who knew.

    • SteveBuscemi on 21/02/2024 - 20:14
      +1

      Well when the other responses are "no penalty whatsoever" and "banned for life"…

  • Ghost47 on 19/02/2024 - 19:35

    30/32 then 29/32 for Victoria. Some of the questions are quite silly (like the one mentioned above with the 110 km/hr limit). I suspect I also got one of the crossroad junction laws wrong, i.e. a crossroad with two cars on opposite sides of the road, each car is at a give way sign, one car is driving straight ahead and the other is turning right, which one gives way — I honestly can't remember because I haven't been in that situation in a long time, I'd suspect the car turning should give way?

    Anyway, I can freely admit that I've probably forgotten a few road laws, after all if I'm driving the same routes 98% of the time and I don't come across junctions where a specific rule kicks in I'd probably be forget the laws related to those junctions. I think the most important thing is that people just drive safely, if someone isn't sure who gives way or goes first, then just proceed slowly, e.g. I've seen people doing U-turns not give way when they were supposed to, but luckily the person approaching from the slip lane slowed down and didn't barrel through when they had every right to because of the road rules.

  • movieman on 19/02/2024 - 20:21

    Vic.

    26/32. Just passed.

    Time for a refresh - bus lane driving is only permitted for 100m. Hmm.

  • larndis on 19/02/2024 - 20:46

    OP can we get another poll option for 'I'm from Canberra and I didn't have 6 hours to complete 378 questions'

  • syousef on 19/02/2024 - 21:26

    What's the point of reading those rules if people are picking and choosing which ones to obey, and accuse everyone else of being the unsafe driver.

    There are people who won't stop speeding because they think they're excellent drivers. They are mad at the people who won't keep left. Those speeders then many use that as an excuse to tailgate and/or undertake.

    Meanwhile on the other side there are people who won't keep left and/or go slow in the fast lane. They blame the speeders who they say shouldn't be allowed to overtake. They blame those speeders when they undertake and tailgate.

    The unsafe driver is the one that won't both learn AND obey ALL the road rules to the best of their ability, even when it's inconvenient.

    • belongsinforums on 20/02/2024 - 21:06

      then there are people who think that you have to keep left at all times

  • 91rs on 19/02/2024 - 22:03
    +3

    VIC one, last question:

    You are driving on a road where the speed limit is 110 km/h. How can you reduce the amount of fuel you use?
    Drive at a steady speed of 90 km/h.
    Drive at a steady speed of 110 km/h.
    Regularly alternate between speeds of 90 km/h and 110 km/h.

    Apparently "Drive at a steady speed of 90 km/h" is the correct answer?!!? Its a 110 zone, you're just holding people up and making others mad why would they suggest this is the correct answer? its not like it was a question about 110km/h zone and its poor weather, foggy, raining with low visibility etc …

    • pegaxs on 20/02/2024 - 09:05

      Why is there a question about fuel economy in a road rules knowledge test? And on top of that, suggest that going 20km/h under the speed limit is the correct course of action… why not 80km/h? Or 60? Surely they would save even more fuel.

      • 91rs on 21/02/2024 - 09:54
        +1

        Yeah I thought it was a trick and 110 was the answer saying stick to the speed limit, dont slow or obstruct other traffic which can cause road rage or people to do silly things to pass you resulting in near misses and accidents.

        So a very weird one, the only one of the 32 I got wrong.

    • Randolph Duke on 21/02/2024 - 08:44
      +1

      I got this wrong too - how is 90km/h safe on a 110km/h road. Stupid.

  • foxmulder on 19/02/2024 - 22:40

    44/45 NSW, almost stop halfway as I thought the questions seem endless. Get it wrong in how many meter from the double line to park - I choose 2m, 3m the answer right?

    • Aliensf on 20/02/2024 - 09:40

      Should be 3m. One reason being Trucks are 2.4-2.5 metres wide.

  • ThirdRonnie on 19/02/2024 - 22:58
    +3

    Got 0 correct on the Tasmanian test. Hit the "Start Test" Button and got "Internal Server Error"

  • scooba on 20/02/2024 - 00:16

    "the comment section got me triggered."

    What in the world has happened to people?🙄

  • thereyougo on 20/02/2024 - 08:17
    -1

    Living in Mildura bordering with NSW, we put up with drivers indicating to enter a roundabout, then indicate to leave a roundabout, it totally stuffs up your inception of what their going to do.
    Also in Qld people think if their in a turning lane they don't have to indicate, lazy or sun kissed brains?
    People driving in the right lane of any two or more lane roads, get in the left, your slowing traffic down, are you arrogant or from a country that has left hand drive? This should be more policed.

    • mapax on 20/02/2024 - 08:46
      +1

      People driving in the right lane of any two or more lane roads, get in the left

      Where is that written in the road rules?

    • Aliensf on 20/02/2024 - 09:51
      +1

      we put up with drivers indicating to enter a roundabout, then indicate to leave a roundabout, it totally stuffs up your inception of what they're going to do.

      You get that in S.A too. It used to be only on a double lane roundabout but they decided to change it to a single later. I don't do it because Im trying to turn the steering wheel and keep control of the vehicle, also other cars have to give way to me regardless before they enter the roundabout.

      People driving in the right lane of any two or more-lane roads, get in the left, you're slowing traffic down, are you arrogant or from a country that has left hand drive? This should be more policed.

      Keep left unless overtaking applies on multi-lane roads with a speed limit above 80km/h or unless a sign says otherwise. Most signs in S.A say "Keep left unless overtaking" when you enter a 80km/h zone. If you're in a 60km/h or 70km/h zone you're allowed to sit in the right lane.

    • Hangryuman on 20/02/2024 - 10:56

      'Also in Qld people think if their in a turning lane they don't have to indicate, lazy or sun kissed brains?'

      I have noticed this also in the UK where on the highway I saw most drivers not indicate to change lanes - and in the US where it seemed most drivers don't indicate to turn a close corner, i.e. turn right, or the equivalent of turning left in Australia

    • xylarr on 21/02/2024 - 14:16

      They're, you're

  • TerryJustTerry on 20/02/2024 - 09:28

    43/45 not too bad

  • Waltervp on 20/02/2024 - 09:50
    +2

    I find it incredible there is never need for retesting. Personally i think insurance and registration costs could be discounted for people who do refreshers. Say get a 5% discount if you have done a refresher in the past 5 years… We don't even offer refresher courses! Maybe the RTA could consider creating (subsidised) refresher courses.. or at least make a deal where petgaps all or half the cost of your refresher course can be applied to your next car registration cost…

  • Hangryuman on 20/02/2024 - 10:43

    3 wrong out of 50 Qs - I was mainly wondering how many questions - since I got my licence over 50 years ago

  • gyrex on 20/02/2024 - 10:57

    Interesting question. I did the QLD test and got 1 question wrong - I wasn't aware that in QLD that learner drivers can drive to the maximum speed limit (110km/h). I think drivers should be tested more frequently than they currently are and I also think there should be a mandatory physical driving test for elderly drivers - we see too many accidents caused by older drivers who don't have the requisite motor skills for operating a vehicle.

  • Caped Baldy on 20/02/2024 - 11:40

    Watching Sydney drivers I think there is a big difference between knowledge and actual skill.

    I'm conscience I'm a decent driver but there's still gaps in my knowledge. I didn't know about giving way to cars in roundabouts vs on the right until I learned how to drive manual with an instructor a few years ago.

  • lew380 on 20/02/2024 - 11:45

    All the police care about is revenue on stringent and mostly ludicrous speed limits. Driver education and attitude, probably the biggest factor in road safety is abandoned to a short and easy quiz when your 17.

    I would vote to reduce speed camera use but mandatory driver education course every other year.

  • jrvb42 on 20/02/2024 - 11:55

    I'm betting people KNOW a lot more of the rules than they OBEY, based on anecdotal evidence out there in reality, and watching Dash Cams Australia (for driving and attitude tips).

    • Euphemistic on 24/02/2024 - 06:26

      Im a firm believer in knowing the rules and the consequences of breaking them. Then you can make up your own mind as to wether you break them or not.

  • jedimaster on 20/02/2024 - 12:17
    +1

    75% Fail (24 out of 32)

    Force is not strong with me today

    • gyrex on 20/02/2024 - 12:26

      At least you're honest!

    • WatchNerd on 20/02/2024 - 13:06
      +1

      This wasn't the test you were looking for. Move along, move along.

  • LFO on 20/02/2024 - 15:01
    +1

    Unfortunately any and all "test" is for theory, not skills.

    Lack of skills causes crashes.

  • mavis30551 on 20/02/2024 - 15:09

    36/378… im not finishing this. but I got 2 wrong so its a good reminder that people should have to do refreshers.
    Note both questions I got wrong I thought he other answer made more sense but the law said otherwise.

    As a pedestrian, if you must walk along the road, you should walk -

    On the right-hand edge of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
    On the left-hand side, with the traffic.
    On the side with the least traffic.

    I got this one wrong. To me it makes sense to walk on the right hand side (and see whats coming at you) but assumed it would be like bycicles etc and have to be on the left.

    • xylarr on 21/02/2024 - 14:19

      I'm with you on this - walk on the right to see oncoming traffic. Was this not the answer? Or was it the one about walking on the side with the least amount of traffic?

      • mavis30551 on 21/02/2024 - 14:31

        The Answer was" On the right-hand edge of the road, facing oncoming traffic"

        Which to me makes perfect Sense, but as a kid riding a bike I was told if you had to ride on the road, ride the same way as traffic, so assumed walking would be the same.

  • Surtr on 20/02/2024 - 15:09

    44/45 NSW test
    Got one wrong about asking what license type is needed for a 10 seater van, had no idea so selected small bus license lol
    Apparently it's just a normal car license

  • jaimex2 on 20/02/2024 - 15:09
    +1

    Perfect score when I got my licence 20+ years ago
    Perfect score now, for anything new I went with whatever the overbearing nanny state likely wanted to hear.

  • WilliamDGH on 20/02/2024 - 17:23

    30/30 QLD

  • Grunntt on 20/02/2024 - 18:35

    How does knowing what percentage of accidents on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in NSW involved alcohol have anything to do with knowing the road rules?
    Not knowing this number would have no effect on my ability to drive or understand the actual rules.

    • belongsinforums on 20/02/2024 - 21:07

      obviously the 'don't drink and drive' rules would be a fail. in some places it's 0.00 BAC to drive, not 0.05

      • Grunntt on 20/02/2024 - 22:09

        It would make sense if the question was about the limits, but the question was just about what percentage of accidents involved alcohol.
        I need to know what's allowable, not some ancillary 'interesting' number.

        • Euphemistic on 24/02/2024 - 06:24

          Its all part of the process of learning about driving and statistics. If you are aware of a higher proportion of crashes at a particular time, maybebyou cpukd adapt your driving practices.

          • Grunntt on 24/02/2024 - 09:41

            @Euphemistic:

            Its all part of the process of learning about driving and statistics. If you are aware of a higher proportion of crashes at a particular time, maybebyou cpukd adapt your driving practices.

            I'm aware of how it could be used but, as far as I have had it explained by Gov't staff, it is a knowledge test that directly relates to the knowledge of the road rules.
            Knowing one of many random statistics related to driving is not directly related to any specific rule.
            If it asked about the BAC or number of standard drinks then it would be directly relatable.

            • Euphemistic on 24/02/2024 - 11:16

              @Grunntt: Govt staff at thebcpunter are not necessarily 100% on tip of all the whys and hows things happen. Just like you can get different answers relating to the law from different police officers.

              • Grunntt on 25/02/2024 - 21:56

                @Euphemistic:

                Govt staff at thebcpunter are not necessarily 100% on tip of all the whys and hows things happen.

                Again, I agree with that part of your statement even though it does not apply to my post. Nowhere did I state that I was discussing this with Service NSW counter staff.
                Leaving this thread now rather than get involved in pedantics and take the conversation even further off track.

                • Euphemistic on 26/02/2024 - 10:43

                  @Grunntt: Oh. My apologies. I did not mean to imply that you actually do converse with lowly customer service staff.

  • rumblytangara on 20/02/2024 - 21:23

    How long was that test? From the answer above, it was 45 questions for NSW…

    I tried doing it, ploughed through what seemed like a very large number of trivially simple and pointless questions looking for the tricky ones (e.g. I wouldn't have gotten the roundabout question correct). Got one question wrong about high beams. Then got too bored to continue as so many questions were just plain silly.

    Thing is, I haven't paid attention to road rules as written for decades, so I am sure that much of my knowledge is out of date.

    • foxmulder on 20/02/2024 - 21:33

      Endurance is part of the test :)

  • stealthpaw on 20/02/2024 - 22:24

    The feedback on the test is entirely useless:
    Incorrect. You can find information -somewhere- in this 170 page PDF. Good luck!

  • freekay on 21/02/2024 - 12:35

    Aced the NSW test. But couple of the questions had less to do with road rules than they do with trying to cheat on the test.

  • Chandler on 21/02/2024 - 13:29

    QLD test - 30/30. Easy, and 3/4 of it was give way questions…

    Will give the others a crack at another time.

  • Hopscotchy on 24/02/2024 - 01:09

    Did the VIC one and got 29/32. I'm not impressed but I passed!
    Though I would have got one less if I didn't see the comment earlier about the "You are driving on a road where the speed limit is 110 km/h. How can you reduce the amount of fuel you use?" question!

  • hothed on 26/02/2024 - 11:02

    You are driving in a tunnel and your engine starts to make strange noises. What should you do?

    Stop in the emergency lane.

    Try to drive out of the tunnel.

    Turn off your headlights.

    If there is an emergency lane, why cant you use it?!
    (Trying to drive out of tunnel is correct answer… but now you need a new engine because you drove your car with no water in the radiator… When you could have stopped in the emergency lane..)

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