Thread: Driving test for stress?

Originally Posted by RedShirtGuy

I can't seem to find anything that specifically tests your ability to drive a vehicle under stressful situations...such as "4yr old child chucking tantrum in the back seat". I doubt that anything like this exists, but thought I'd put it out here incase someone knows of something that might be able to provide me with an "official" bit of paper that says that I'm capable of handling those kinds of situations.

It won't happen because it will be too artificial, to be a valid test it has to happen when you least expect it..

Pretty much what I figured too, but hoped there may have been something...anything...even like a simple "loud noise/distraction" test that I could do (and pass) to stick up the nose of "the denier" in this particular argument.

I used to teach advanced car control and road craft many years ago. What I found was no matter how much training you gave someone if they could not practise the stuff we taught they soon lost the instinctive skills that are needed when something goes wrong.

*nods* I agree, unless you are constantly driving under certain conditions (ie: a freakin' race driver) you don't get the real life "practice" and instinctive senses for certain situations.

My scenario is that the ex-wife is steadfastly refusing to let me drive a car with my own 4yr old daughter as a passenger (what I consider a basic right) because she thinks I'm going to freak out if she's chucking a tantrum...which isn't all that often, but I do agree that it can and will happen.

In the very, very early days of meeting the ex-missus, I used to be highly stressed and on highways would pull over to let the cars behind me pass so that I didn't have "pressure from behind" even though I always drove safely and at the speed limit. For some reason, 100,000+ kms and 5 years later, with only two traffic infringements in 22 years of driving, and that old "habit" well behind me, my past still counts and there is nothing...NOTHING...I can do to alleviate her concerns...even if I think they are completely invalid now.

I was hoping that there was some official bit of paper that I could truthfully obtain to say "you have no recourse and can't deny me this simple RIGHT based on your OPINION".

*sigh* I hate this...HATE IT...it's unfair and unreasonable, yet I'm still trying to find an amenable solution without having to bring in the big guns...ie lawyers...but sadly, very sadly, it looks like that's the only option I have left for this particular problem, and I guess, many others.


I wish I was a emotionless bastard of a man because it seems like the good, helpful, considerate and compassionate guys get walked all over until they ultimately have to become that which they hate



Sorry...this has been an issue for a couple of years and I'm at wits end...rant over...

I know how you feel.
My neice is currently doing her licence and needs log book hours.
I have 27 years on the road, no at fault crashes in 20 years, every licence except road train and open bike, driving experience in every state except NT & SA, I'm a trained high school teacher (IE traineed to teach/instruct teenagers) and my driving record based on points is far far better than my brothers.
Yet he will not allow me to take my neice driving for her log book hours.

In terms of your situation, have you thought of ways you can minimise the chances of your daughter having a tantrum while driving - maybe a DVD player so she is engaged during the trip.
Maybe something like that would placate the wife.

Ahh man...that sucks big time too and has to hurt.

But thank you very much for the DVD player suggestion. That (and other variations of entertainment) is an idea that might well help

Although, I do doubt that it would be acceptable to the ex (literally nothing has been so far), but at least it's a suggestion that shows I'm trying everything I (well, you actually) can think of


I've also shot off a message to VicRoads asking if they knew of some kind of test. I doubt that I'll get a positive response but it's worth a go...just to cover all my bases before I'm *forced* to release the hounds.


I really have appreciated the help and comments for this rather personal problem. Thank you all.

sounds like an excuse to push your buttons

best I can suggest is a public passenger vehicle licence -- it would be a bit of a stretch for the ex to insist that the 4 y.o couldn't travel on a bus where you are the driver.

VicRoads also have some sort of "super" licence for people driving buses to Mt Hotham and Falls Creek. Might be worth a check

Originally Posted by ian

sounds like an excuse to push your buttons

RedshirtGuy I think this is right. It's not about your "alleged" poor driving skills (and this is not partner bashing on my part). It seems to me that she has other issues with you and this is what needs to be sorted before you both can move on. It is unfair and unreasonable, and both of you are expanding energy on the wrong problem. Maybe seek the services of an impartial mediator? I don't know your current situation but if you are separated and have joint custody of your child, then she is not able to "legally" stop you driving your daughter.

TT