LibertyWhinge.com | Australia

Here is just another example of regulation designed to keep the poor and disadvantaged in their place. As I have mentioned I am a student who lives *far* away from my family and friends. I do not own a car, nor do I know anyone who does with an unrestricted license. In my situation, a situation similar to countless other students and financially disadvantaged individuals, there is absolutely zero possibility of me getting my license without committing fraud. To summarise the fees and costs someone in my position must pay due to government regulation, I have produced a schedule below.

1. Purchase handbook to study for Driver Knowledge Test $30
2. Take Driver Knowledge Test $35
3. Pay for leaner’s permit $20
4. Pay for instructor for prescribed 120 hours (conservative price $50/hr) $6000
5. Driving test $43
6. Pay for P1 License $45
7. Sit Hazard Perception Test $35
8. Pay for P2 License $70
9. Take Driver Qualification Test $35
10. Pay for Unrestricted License $45 (one year, more for longer term)

Woopee! There is no way I could possibly justify this cost. This total does not even include registration, CTP insurance or even the car for that matter. Safety? Kiss my arse Australia.

I have just been officially priced out of being able to adequately function in society. Funnily enough, once I complete my law degree and am in a position to pay my way through all this regulation, I will luckily discover that most graduate positions relating to law require a drivers license to be held. This regulatory revenue raising garbage extends beyond drivers license to, in fact just the other day I had a clerk at the RTA spend 10 minutes trying to figure how to charge me for a replacement NSW Photo Card (mine was damaged, no fee applicable). She ended confirming with her supervisor, who after spending another five minutes trying to make up a charge, decided there is a reason there is no fee allocated in the system.

Well at least I can sleep at night going all this revenue goes to a good cause, those drink driving ads I pay for really make me think twice, especially considering their existence price me out of the possibility of driving a car any time soon. I only hope one day I when I can afford a license and car, I will be able to make another donation to the public safety coffers via one of those brilliant speed cameras. Never fear though, say if I hypothetically overcome these obstacles and succeed, I can look forward to a marginal tax rate of forty-five cents in the dollar, not to mention all the GST I will be paying on the things I can finally afford. This will certainly ensure I can fund this monstrosity to sufficiently impede the next generation.