Driving Questions

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Behodar

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#677444 27-Aug-2012 10:06

khull: What is more important - watch for signs and your speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit or failing to stop will be an instant fail

Yep, check for signs... I failed my first test when I went faster than 30 through "roadworks" (they'd put the signs up but hadn't actually done any work) and I didn't even notice the sign because it's was a road that I'd been down countless times at 50.

Mark

1653 posts

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#677517 27-Aug-2012 11:28

I can give one sugestion for you .. don't let your parents, family members or friends teach you how to drive.

They'll be loaded up with all sorts of bad driving habits which they'll pass on to you (no slurs against them intended) ... best bet is do the lessons with a reputable driving school.

I did my learning in UK but most the rules seem to make it down here and most the rules are just based on common sense anyway, so I'd guess :

1) Cross = fail .. my guess because "you are not in control of the vehicle"
2) Yes parking break on .. my guess it being a safety thing, less change of accidently accelerating or being shoved forward into another vehicle/person if someone drives into the back of you.
3) Yes both hands on ... because "you are not in control of the vehicle" otherwise.

just my guesses ... I try to be drive properly but I know I've loads of laziness induced bad habits that have snuck in :-(

Have fun driving :-)

jaymz

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#677521 27-Aug-2012 11:34

Phexx: Hey everyone,

I have had my learners liscene for about 2 weeks now. I've done plenty driving in that time including driving (and revsering) a trailer...

Anyway, I have a couple of questions regarding some fairly minor stuff. I've obviously had a supervisor in the car with me when driving but some of these may be more opinion based rather than the law.

1. Crossing arms - I make an effort to avoid doing this but according to my dad it is an insta-fail (in the UK anyway). Would I fail my restricted test if I did cross my arms? Also, hands at quarter to three, is it required?

2. Parking brake when stopped at lights - same as above, I try to do it, but is it required for a pass? Also, putting the car into neutral (for auto tranny)?

3. Both hands on steering wheel - same again, I try to do this but would I fail if I was steering with one hand casually?

I got 4 driving practices with the AA from my parents for my b'day so I'll be taking those in a few months, I just wanted to know now so that I don't start any poor habits.

Also, does anyone have a basic tips for learning, things they like to catch you out on? Thanks!

Congrats on getting your license firstly!

With the crossing of arms, i was taught early on to shuffle my hands around the steering wheel when turning, thus leaving one hand always connected and the second one not far away. If you have your arms crossed when driving (more of an issue in pre-power steering cars) and you hit a bump/curb and the wheels get twisted back you will break your arms. It isnt so much of an issue now, as the power steering will soften it, but that is the reason why that rule is in place.

With the both hands on the wheel, don't get into the habit of only having one hand on the wheel. Most people do it cause they get tired of holding both arms up (i did it too) but the human body is pretty neat, cause you can train it!! so you can hold the wheel at all times. It gives you far more control of the car, cause you never know what might happen out of the blue while driving.

The handbrake (or e-brake) should only be used for hill starts and when parking the car. not for use while stopped at lights. The same goes for the transmission, leave it in drive.

For advise on driving, get as much practice as you can with anyone who is willing to let you drive. experience all sorts of situations, take the "harder" way home, with lots of round-a-bouts and stop signs. Don't be afraid of what other drivers think.
Use the AA practice lessons as soon as, they will give you loads of tips and helpful things! and when you are ready to sit your test, go in for one more lesson just to make sure you having picked up any bad habbits along the way.

Good luck!

TheUngeek

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#677555 27-Aug-2012 12:21

You won't find quick racks in the vast majority of competition cars in nz

Talkiet

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#677557 27-Aug-2012 12:22

TheUngeek: You won't find quick racks in the vast majority of competition cars in nz

Not on circuit cars, no...

[edit: Sorry, of course you're right when you get to club level!] I was using it as an example that there's sometimes large variances between cars (and peoples' shapes and sizes) so any guideline about how to grasp a steering wheel should be considered as such...

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

tardtasticx

3075 posts

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#677605 27-Aug-2012 13:33

freitasm:
tardtasticx:?2. I never learnt to drive manual, but in autos you have to have break on when stopped because it goes forward slowly if you don't. Lol.

When you stop at lights you use the foot brakes regardless of being manual or automatic.?

tardtasticx:?And remember to give way properly. It's dumb. I got told off for giving way to someone I didn't have to, which is lame but apparently you can't do that either.

It's not dumb. People have to drive with the same rules. Decisions are made on a split second. If there are someone behind you that expects you NOT to give way then you slowing down to do so can cause an accident.

Rules are rules. If you have the right to go you should go, unless it's a clear situation where the other driver is not paying attention an accident will occur.

Yeh I realised that after, hence the second edit.

And yes obviously if there is going to be an accident then give way by all means, this would have been the case if I didn't give way on my test, but apparently he would rather I had hit the side of this idiots car than make it safe for everyone.

richms

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#677612 27-Aug-2012 13:44

Giving way is different to avoiding an accident.

Richard rich.ms

Equinox IT

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nickd

447 posts

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#677729 27-Aug-2012 17:54

My 1 and only tip. Do your test at Westgate out West Auckland way when you do your restricted. I never got out of the carpark or above 20km/h hahaha

tardtasticx

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#677896 27-Aug-2012 23:31

richms: Giving way is different to avoiding an accident.

You know what I mean.

Peppery

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#677903 28-Aug-2012 00:53

tardtasticx: get insurance! Atleast 3rd party. Saves you a whole lot of trouble down the line. Trust me. Learner driver scraped my car the other day, no insurance for her, cost $1702 to repair my car. Little things add up. Cars aren't cheap.

Yes! Make sure you have insurance!!!!!!!! Exclamation for added effect. Got rear ended and a minor dent to the back on Alten Road a month or two ago by an uninsured woman in an old Ford. No biggie, but my car cost a fair chunk of cash for an 18 year old so keeping it nice is a priority. She tried avoiding my calls once she figured out what my caller ID was, every excuse in the book, "i'm unemployed, have children" etc (despite her earlier stating she worked at WINZ). Filled out my insurance claim form, dropped it off at the panelbeater. They called her and her attitude changed pretty quickly. The final bill to fix a bumper on a Volkswagen? $1,200.

Also, I read a tip a while ago to start recording video/taking photos on your phone when you do get into an accident. That way you have some sort of proof of what happened so they can't argue their way out of it and you have something to stand on if it does have to go to court.

stevenz

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#678282 28-Aug-2012 17:31

Despite it being (marginally) more dangerous to do so, they like you to _obviously_ turn your head to look in mirrors rather than just look with your eyes.

Generally speaking, if you don't break any road rules, they are very unlikely to fail you.

They might not like you trying to be clever by balancing on the clutch when stopped on a hill rather than engaging the hand brake though.

@KnightNZ

TheUngeek

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#678285 28-Aug-2012 17:38

Anyone holding on the clutch on a hill needs a punch. Use the foot brake

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