Learner's Licence

[CHE]

I have a generalised anxiety disorder, my Mother has gained strength with her mental illness watching me go to counseling for the last couple of years and slowly pushing myself to recover.

I've found in my family because she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia she's been greatly mistreated - so from a young age I fully defended her and became her biggest cheerleader. I couldn't understand how people could mistreat someone who is sick like she is worthless.

She has spoken to me about getting her learner's, I am all excited for her saying why not start studying and then we can speak with the doctors about getting you signed off. When I shared this with other family members immediate negativity and pessimistic responses like "what's the point?" "she shouldn't even bother". Which okay I get there's rules, restrictions, guidelines for the health and safety of herself and other drivers. But let's find out and why not rejoice in the fact that she's even putting self worth in herself to want to try to achieve something? Let's see where she fits in the equation!?

So my question is does anybody know - what steps I'd need to take to make this happen or even who I should be speaking to about this? Has anybody else  with a similar medical condition scenario been through the whole having to get your license situation.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear Che,

The RTA has guidelines for all this and sometime a medical certificate assists.  That's a brave lady to try the 120 hrs learning to drive bit.  Wow !   A bit of family support would be nice.

When my teenagers learnt to drive it took nearly 2 years to get the hours up. And the paradox of grumpy teenagers and jaded parent was quite a difficult situation.  But what a great skill if you can manage it - could give her more confidence & maturity.

Adios, David.

[Gav]

Heya CHE,

There is some good information regarding this on the austroads website. Google it to find the site. Look for fitness to drive.

Just looking at it quickly your mum's doctor does not make the rules but provides advice about how her particular condition might affect her ability to drive safely and how it might be managed. The driver licensing authority always makes the final decision about the licence status.

I also want to say I really admire your strength and commitment to your mum and the strength she is receiving from it.  I wish there were a trillion others out there like you 😉

Take care,

Gav

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear CHE,

I checked with my 93 yr old father in law who still drives very well (despite one near fatal long haul where he fell asleep at the wheel and ended up milking cows !).   His testing is annual and the RTA make him do a whole circuit and test his confidence and eyesight.    He used to be really worried and have someone else in the family follow in their car because if they fail him he needs to be driven home.

After doing this test for a few years he would just rock up and they'd do a few streets before saying "OK, we don't have to do all the course, you're fine".  So, in a strange way the continual threat of losing his license has become a so-so adventure and now he never arranges for a back up driver.     I think it's more for wheedling out the anxious ones and the OK ones.

Plus, once you lose your driving license at an advanced age then the Nursing Home beckons.  Fall flat on your face at the shops or in the bathroom and over concern comes into play.  Some older licenses give a limited travel area of approx 5 kms from home.    Maybe you can build your mum's confidence up but learning to drive is quite a challenge for everyone.

The current test has a side parking requirement.   Go to any shopping centre and you'll discover it's mostly reverse/front parking and front/reverse leaving.  I think part of the test should include a trip through your local shopping car park.  When you have angry drivers, tired kids in cars and the bigger 4 Wheel Drives that block vision and often kill the pressure is on.

Adios, David.