12 June 2010

Higher Cost for Driving Lessons with New RTD Curriculum

Source: The Star 30 May 2010

TAPAH: Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan did not rule out the possibility of learner drivers having to pay a higher fee for their driving lessons with the implementation of a new driving curriculum end of the year.

He said the new driving curriculum, which would be more comprehensive to produce better quality drivers, was in the final stage of getting the approval from the Transport Ministry.

The increase might trigger public protest but the cost of obtaining a driving licence in Malaysia was still the lowest,” he told reporters after closing the "One Community One RTD" programme here Sunday.

He said this in response to a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Saturday that RTD would introduce a new curriculum towards producing competent, law-abiding and prudent drivers.

Solah said the new curriculum would encompass, among others, longer sessions of driving lessons. The driving lessons would also depend on the type of car, whether manual or automatic, preferred by learner drivers, he added.

He said new drivers with the "P" (probation) licence would also have to sit for a special test to be issued with the Competent Driving Licence (CDL). The CDL licence would not be issued to them automatically as was the current practice, he added.

He said improvements would also be made in the issuing of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) vocational licence and the Goods Vehicle Driving License (GDL). - Bernama

BE A RESPONSIBLE DRIVER

For some people, driving is a chance for them to show their dangerous side. There is a time and place for everything, and the road isn't one of them. You need to be a responsible driver. Once you're given the license, it means that the government has given its trust to you. When you're on the road, there are so many ways to get from point A to point B. Always be on the safe side because while you may have fantastic eye-hand coordination, the drivers beside you may not have been blessed with equally amazing skills. Plus, accidents can leave lifelong scars, and the worse it is, the harder it'll be for you to get back behind the wheel. This is a kind of trauma that you can't easily forget.

So, what exactly is a responsible driver? Here are some of their most important traits:

1. Don't drink and drive. If you go out with friends and know that you'll have more than your own share of tequila shots, arrange for a cab to pick you up and leave your car at home. If getting drunk is something unplanned, have someone with you and sober up first before leaving the bar.

2. Make sure you know all the guidelines (such as what to do when you need to turn left, where to stop when you need to drop someone off in the sidewalk, etc.).

3. Get yourself familiarized with road signs and keep your eyes wide open for these every time you drive.

4. Follow the speed limit. If you do need to slow down, stay on the side of the road.

5. Make sure that your car is insured. You'll never know when you're about to run into an irresponsible driver. Consider the fact that you can also become the victim.

6. Check your lights if they are working, make sure you have your side and rearview mirrors angles properly, and regularly check on your brakes, oil, and water.

7. Before you head out to unfamiliar territory, get a map and learn the side streets.

8. Always consider the safety of the passengers inside your car. Make that your priority so you'll be more mindful of how you'll drive.

As careful as you are, unexpected things can still happen. Your best weapon right now is preparation. Just in case of anything, make sure you have the number of an attorney who will be able to help you. Caution must be practiced whether you're on or off the road. Accidents may be a wakeup call for people to think about what they need to do once they've been given the license. The truth is, driving is a huge responsibility, and one that you need to take seriously.

Just know that the number of accidents every year has increased significantly, and many of these have taken the lives of innocent individuals. While the unexpected may still happen, it never hurts to be extra cautious. That way, you know that you've taken all the necessary precautions before getting inside your car.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_M._Smith

07 June 2010

BASIC STEPS IN OBTAINING MALAYSIAN DRIVING LICENSE

Many dread the thought of driving in the Malaysia especially because of the KL traffic. There are few better ways to see the city and indeed the country.

Important: You can only use your overseas or international driver’s license for 3 months then you will need to get a Malaysian driver’s license.

If you already have a driver’s license then it is important to check with your embassy or a driving school for the procedure on changing your license. You won’t have to surrender your other license but there will be some procedures to follow. When visiting the relevant authorities remember to bring along your passport, work permit (or related info) and two licensed sized color photographs.

For those first timers the following awaits you.

Five-hour road safety course (KPP)

This is conducted in Malay & English (on certain days). After the course, a self-study kit containing a booklet and a CD would be provided. One needs to study for the theory (computerized) test.

Take theory test.

The test is not hard it consists of 50 multiple choice questions of which you can only get 8 wrongs. This test must be passed, if not you can not start the practical lessons. More to the point you have to sit the test again-a real waste of time. Need to mention that once you passed this test, you need to undergo 6-hour Pre-L session comprising of both theory (3 hours) and basic driving (3 hours).

Minimum of 8 hours of driving lessons

This is where the fun begins. Hope you like manual Kancils. It’s not so bad-it teaches humility more than anything else. Here you not only learn to drive but to park as well. The instructors tend to be very helpful and will work on any problem areas. All you need to do is ask.

Take the driving tests. One on the open road, the other in a car park.

Nervous? Don’t be. It’s simple. Just do as you did in practice, don’t be in a rush and everything will be fine. The car park test consists of performing a three point turn, a hill start (which can be a little tricky) and reverse (side) parking. The open road is much more fun, just go for a drive for about 15 minutes, turn around and come back, again don’t be in a rush.

Source: www.expat.com.my

06 June 2010

Get to Know About Driving Courses

Learning how to drive has become the newest basic needs of life and knowing how actually has various reasons. Some work positions require that an applicant to have a driver's license since the position might require the employee to travel to specific locations and perform certain tasks. Driving can also save you from the inconveniences and costs of commuting via public transports.

Driving requires knowledge, skills and responsibility. Learning how to drive may be done in various ways. The most common of all is to enroll in a course from a driving school. This course is set on teaching the student the fundamentals. There are four general groups by which driving courses are classified. The first classification is one that is held inside the classroom, second is online courses and third is correspondence driving lesson. The fourth entails hiring a professional driver to teach you about everything else related in correctly handling a car. From these types you may choose one which best suits your preference.

Cost is also a consideration in finding the best of all driving courses. Practical and actual driving courses costs more than online or correspondence courses. Yet more than the cost of each type of driving course, there are more important factors for consideration to be able to learn how to drive responsibly and properly. With online courses you are sure to get various materials for free that will help you to grasp the idea of driving, probably at your own desired time. Through online courses you may also search about local automotive rules and laws. With practical courses, you are provided with the necessary experience from which to learn about guaranteeing your own safety, your surroundings and the safety of others on the road. This actual driving course may take about 30-40 hours of completion and probably would last in a month.

Attending a driving lesson or course is not just all about learning how to operate a car, steer on the wheels or step on the clutch. When you take on the task of learning the skills of driving, you must understand that you should also learn how to be a responsible driver who cares not only for yourself but also for others who are on the road with you. Defensive driving is one type of driving that provides you with necessary information on proper and safe driving.
On your search to find the right course for you, first check on the certification and license of the driving school or instructor. For this you have to do a background check for both the school and the instructor. You don't want to end up with a driving school that has a shady reputation. Make sure that the school has the necessary certifications from the government for its operation. It should be approved by the local authority to conduct driving lessons and programs, may it be in a classroom or through online means.

The school's guidelines and structures for its driving courses need also to be checked. There should be supplementary materials provided by the school for its offered driving courses. There should be vehicle and public liability insurance as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=W_Tsang