Gabby Read - freelance Noosa Driving Instructor

16/06/2026

Great idea!!!

🚘 Why Choose Test Scout?

Convenience: whether you are planning ahead or want to book a driving test sooner, we can help. View availability without waiting on the phone or repeatedly searching the TMR website.

Just requires an email address: you can view test availability and be alerted when new test availability appears. Just sign up with an email address and you're good to go.
Beat The Wait: driving test centres can often be booked up over a month in advance. Using our service, you could find a test available within just a few days - potentially saving you weeks of waiting.
Availability Alerts: our service notifies you about new test availability matching your search preferences as soon as it becomes available. No need to repeatedly search for availability, phone around, or wait on hold.
State-wide Coverage: alert coverage for driving test availability across all driving test centres in Queensland.
Developed in Queensland, for Queenslanders: we are a Queensland based team with a simple goal to make finding driving tests easier.
How It Works

Download the mobile app for iOS or Android.
Sign-up for an account with an email address and password.
Create a new driving test search, specifying your region and test centre. You can also search for test availability at any centre within a region.
Test availability for your search is conveniently displayed in the app.
If you choose to receive alerts, when an earlier (e.g. cancellation) driving test is found, you will receive an instant notification from the app. Tap the notification to view the test slot we've found, then from the app you can continue to the TMR website to book a new test or reschedule an existing test**.

14/06/2026

Rain, Hail or Shine - turn your LIGHTS ON! 💡 🚘 💡

Headlights must be used from sunset to sunrise and when there is reduced visibility -
"You must have your headlights, tail-lights and number plate lights on when you drive at night or in bad weather that causes reduced visibility (such as heavy rain and fog)"

Daytime running lights - mandatory on vehicles in Europe - are increasingly present on cars in Australia thankfully.

"The lights on your vehicle perform two very important functions. They light up the road in front of you - at night or in poor conditions - and they also make your car more visible to other road users".......

https://www.allianz.com.au/car-insurance/news/daytime-running-lights-headlights-fog-lights-and-driving-lights

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/common

Find out about other important Queensland road rules.

05/06/2026

Interesting read.
Please consider a defensive driving course like those offered at Roadcraft Driver Education in Gympie ✅

In Australia, learner drivers are required to complete a substantial number of supervised driving hours to prepare for diverse driving conditions, adhering to strict guidelines that include mandatory night driving and a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol consumption.

The specific regulations, including the number of required hours (ranging from 50 to 120 hours) and speed limits (capped at 90-100 km/h), vary according to the state.

Transport for NSW provides a comprehensive guide to learning to drive in various conditions, outlining mandatory learner conditions such as: supervision by a fully licensed driver, display of L-plates, zero blood alcohol concentration, and restrictions on mobile phone use.

Speed limits for learners are generally restricted to 90 km/h or 100 km/h.

The requirements by state for drivers under 25 are as follows:
NSW requires 120 hours (including 20 night hours).
VIC requires 120 hours (including 20 night hours).
QLD requires 100 hours (including 10 night hours).
WA requires 50 hours (including 5 night hours).
SA requires 75 hours (including 15 night hours) and TAS requires 80-120 hours (including 15 night hours).

To gain comprehensive driving skills, learners are advised to consider professional driving lessons, defensive driving courses, and utilizing logbook apps to track their progress.

Key tips for driving in different conditions include practicing night driving in various environments, learning to handle wet weather conditions, and navigating through high traffic areas.

The more that learner drivers are exposed to Driving in differing weather conditions and environments will allow for experience and understanding of what actions and Driving behaviours need to be undertaken to stay safe on the roads.
Hannah’s Blue Butterflies Road Safety Awareness Inc.

01/06/2026

🚨 LEARNER DRIVERS & SUPERVISORS – QUICK INSURANCE CHECK! 🚘

Before heading out for your next driving lesson - take 5 minutes to check your insurance policy.

✅ Is the learner driver covered?
✅ Does the policy require them to be listed?
✅ Is there a higher excess if they have an accident?
✅ Are there any restrictions or conditions?

Many policies cover learner drivers, but not ALL (Regardless of Comprehensive or Third Party Insurance)

A quick phone call today could save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress tomorrow.

🚗 Stay safe.
📖 Keep learning.
✔️ Check your cover.

Gabby Read Driving Instructor – Noosa area
Ph 0435156766

25/05/2026

Transport and Main Roads statistics found one in four car licences issued in the past year were for an automatic licence, up from one in 10 in 2003.

Roxsy Francis is full of nerves and excitement as she prepares to take her manual licence test, even as the cars drop in popularity.

In the past 23 years, the Queensland government has gone from issuing about 150,000 auto licences a year, or about 7% overall, to now more than 770,000 a year — about 21%

Manual licences over the same period have fallen from 93%, at their peak, down to 79%.

Read more: https://ab.co/4v2rgzJ

23/05/2026

Nope - not in QLD ❌

CAN I CROSS DOUBLE UNBROKEN LINES TO TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY? 
The rules around crossing double unbroken (continuous) white lines to access a driveway are not the same across Australia.

Motorists are often surprised to learn that what is legal in one state may attract a fine in another.

Because road laws are managed by each state and territory, the legality of crossing these lines depends entirely on where you are driving.

In states such as New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania, drivers are generally permitted to cross double unbroken lines when entering or leaving a driveway, service station, or similar road-related area, provided the manoeuvre is carried out safely and by the shortest practical route.

These jurisdictions recognise that access to private property sometimes requires crossing the centre lines, although drivers are still expected to exercise caution and ensure there is no approaching traffic that could create a hazard.

New South Wales allows motorists to cross single or double continuous lines when entering or leaving the road, including for driveways and businesses.

Western Australia has similar provisions, allowing drivers to cross double lines to access a road-related area or make a turn where it is safe to do so.

Tasmania also permits drivers to cross double continuous lines for driveway access.

The rules are much stricter in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and the ACT. In these jurisdictions, crossing double unbroken lines simply to enter a driveway is generally prohibited.

Queensland only permits crossing double lines in limited situations, such as avoiding a cyclist, while Victoria restricts it to circumstances involving a significant obstruction or when safely passing a cyclist.

South Australia and the Northern Territory also prohibit crossing double continuous lines for normal driveway access.

Even in states where the manoeuvre is legal, drivers must still comply with several important safety requirements. The turn should always be completed using the shortest available path, visibility of oncoming traffic must be clear, and there must be no road signs specifically prohibiting the movement.

Failing to meet these conditions can still result in penalties, even where crossing the lines is otherwise permitted.

As road regulations can change over time, motorists should always check the latest rules issued by their state or territory road authority before relying on previous advice.

Hannah’s Blue Butterflies Road Safety Awareness Inc.
Graphic kindly created probono by Big Bird Design and Marketing

09/05/2026

Remember that road rules apply on the beach too! Keep left, stick to the signed speed limit, wear a seatbelt and keep a look out for people crossing the sand.

09/05/2026

BEFORE MOVING LANES
Please….

1. Check your mirrors

2. Indicate to show intention

3. Shoulder check your blind spot
B E F O R E
moving your car 🚗 🚙 🚗

01/03/2026

Did you know that if you're visiting QLD, you can drive if you have a valid interstate or overseas licence.
📌 If you move to Queensland to live, you will have to transfer your licence to a Queensland licence within 3 months. 📌

If you drive in Queensland when you're not allowed to, you'll be charged with unlicensed driving and may have to appear in court.

Learn the Queensland road rules.....
If you're driving on your overseas licence, make sure you understand the Queensland road rules, and reach out for lessons. My goal is always to help you pass your practical driving test PLUS stay safe on the roads forever!

🚔 Getting stopped by police.....
If you're stopped by police when you're driving, you need to give your name and address, and show your driver licence.
You may also need to take a roadside alcohol breath test or drug saliva test.

If your licence isn't in English, you should carry a recognised English translation of it when you're driving. Show this translation to police when you have to show your driver licence.

The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) has a list of approved translators.

More info - https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/overseas/driving