Driving

I have been driving for a very long time and have valid driving licenses on two continents. I have had car insurance for as long as I have been driving, with maximum no claims bonus for almost as long. Does any of that mean anything? Not here. When I moved to Australia I was able to use my English Driving License for three months whilst I did the theory test and was then awarded a full license. Here, I cannot get a license until I get a Social Security Number (or at least a letter stating I have been approved for one as it can take several weeks to actually get it). I then have to take a theory test to get, wait for it, a Learner’s license. Being a ‘mature’ learner I can then apply for a driving test straight away (but it will still be subject to availability). When (NOT if) I pass that, I can get a full license. However, as far as the insurance companies are concerned, I have absolutely no driving experience and will be charged as a new inexperienced driver. Go figure!

There is another twist to this. In England and Australia, Learners have to show L plates on the outside of the car. In Oz, for the first three years (in NSW at least) new drivers have to display P plates. Over here, no such thing as L or P plates. You just drive.

I have also noticed that like motorbikes, cars in Pennsylvania at least, do not have a number plate on the front, only the rear.

Here’s a good one. In every country where I have driven (which includes several European countries) when you come to a four way junction, one set of crossing traffic has right of way and can go straight over. The other either has to Give Way or Stop. Here there are what’s called Four Way Stop Junctions. In other words, all four roads entering the junction have to stop. The rule is the first person to arrive is the first person to go. Or, if that does not work, the person to the right. Strange but it seems to work.