First+Gear

= Into //First Gear// at the Polytechnic = The main aim of the **//First Gear//** course is to help the participants understand the //**Tasmanian Road Rules**// and to take the //**Driver Knowledge Test**//.

After you have passed the Driver Knowledge Test, you will be able to get your **L1 Car Learner Licence** and start having fun learning to drive.

We also learn about:

· ** Road safety (as a driver, bike rider and pedestrian) ** · ** Defensive driving ** · ** Being a responsible vehicle owner ** · ** How to buy a car ** · ** How much it costs to run a car ** Most of the classroom work in the First Gear course involves lots of **//listening, speaking and reading.//**

We spend a lot of time learning the special vocabulary of the **Road Rules**, especially the language that is used to describe traffic movement.

= Studying the Tasmanian Road Rules = It is really important that we understand how traffic moves around at different types of intersections.

To do this we use a wide variety of practical methods and approaches to make sure that everyone gains a clear understanding of all these special Road Rules.

If you physically experience the concepts of **//turning left and right//, //giving way// and //right of way//** then they will be much easier to understand.

Before we get behind the wheel of a real car, we must be able to drive a smaller one! So we get lots of practice with the toy cars first. = The police car watches carefully for any mistakes. =

= =

= Which car goes first? =



= Now I'm in trouble! A $100 fine for not having my seatbelt on. =

= Watch that car in the Slip Lane. Will it give way? =



= The red and blue cars are on the Continuing Road (the main road) = = so they go first. The green car has to give way. =

=We also walk (no speeding!) around a large street grid on the floor of the classroom, using flashing indicators and getting around the different types of controlled and uncontrolled intersections – hopefully without crashing!= = = = Three cars waiting at an Uncontrolled Crossroads. Which one goes first? =

= Moving around a (square!) roundabout. =



= Flashing indicators tell other drivers which way we are turning. =

= Always follow a Police Officer's directions. =

Fiona, from the Transport Division, gives us the **Knowledge Test** on our last class.

Students who are not able to pass the test at this time, continue with their study of the Road Rules at home. They can sit the Knowledge Test on a computer at Service Tasmania at a later date.

When this test has been successfully completed, students will qualify for their L1 Learner Licence. This is the first important step on the road to getting your Full Licence, owning a car and being independent.