Learner turned away from P-plate test

CHANTEL Stonehouse's message to other learner drivers is clear - look after your log book.The Terang teenager was reduced to tears and almost fainted after VicRoads barred her from sitting for her probationary licence.Her log book was deemed too messy and the agency said two signatures from her supervising driver were untidy and possibly forged."I couldn't believe it," the 18-year-old said."They said my mum's signature wasn't her signature. I was shocked. "Others just need to be aware to keep their log book safe and immaculate."All Victorian learner drivers must gain 120 hours' experience on the road, which is recorded in the VicRoads-issued book.Chantel had 135 hours completed in hers.She was set to sit for her P-plates at Warrnambool VicRoads but after her book was refused her test was rescheduled for later that day.During the break Chantel and her mother, Kathy Stonehouse, frantically filled out a fresh log book."We were only able to fill out half of it," Mrs Stonehouse said.VicRoads accepted the new copy but the damage was done."When they got behind the wheel it all got too much and she froze and she failed," Mrs Stonehouse said. "What they did was half bullying. She nearly fainted."Polwarth MP and Opposition transport spokesman Terry Muller could not believe VicRoads refused Chantel's log book."The community wants commonsense to prevail, rather than applicants becoming tearful if a test is abandoned because a page of a log book is filled out or the handwriting is not perfect," he said.VicRoads would not comment on individual cases but its website said no log book would be accepted if:Parts of any pages were damaged, illegible or missing;Log entries had not been completed in pen;Any entries had been deleted or modified;Learner drivers' details were not written at the top of each page; orVicRoads was not satisfied the entries were valid or complete.VicRoads road user safety director David Shelton said the log books created safer young drivers and helped reduce the road toll.Chantel is set to go for P-plates again this week.