Tips for passing practical driving test

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267 posts

Ultimate Geek

#388966 6-Oct-2010 21:50

A testing officer will be checking for one mirror check every 10 seconds - use rear vision mirror mostly and sometimes side (driver) wing mirror. Basically just dont worry and drive normally. All you have to watch is that you do everything appropriately... e.g reversing really slow into a car park is fine... rather than too fast and run the risk of 'getting marked down' (I mean REALLY slow). Just be really pedantic about everything.

You should really only be asked to do no more than 2 slow driving skills... e.g parallel parking, reversing into a driveway and 3 point turn etc...

Just relax and drive as you normally would is the best advice really.

Good Luck!

rscole86

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#388982 6-Oct-2010 22:23

You are not able to do a practice test on the day. But you can organise to do a test with an AA instructor, and just tell them when you book that you will be sitting your restricted soon, and you want to have a trial run with a test scenario. They will run it just like the test, and will tell you where you went wrong, and what you will need to focus on.

alphafemale

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Wannabe Geek

#389130 7-Oct-2010 12:16

Thanks everyone... very insightful!

allstarnz

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#389184 7-Oct-2010 14:03

also, if you're driving a diesel, make sure you have your road user charges up to date!! My colleagues daughter had an instant fail because they were behind

Not much to add other than make sure you indicate off roundabouts (it's amazing who doesn't).

Also listen to your tester. The guy who tested me was giving me ques as to what he was looking for with subtle hints in his conversation.

graemeh

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#389247 7-Oct-2010 15:58

If the testers are like the ones in Wellington then short dress, skimpy top and good makeup will greatly improve your chances of passing.

Sad but true.

Balchy

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#389253 7-Oct-2010 16:18

Impress the instructor with some sweet drifting, you'll get it easily

For billions of years since the outset of time, every single one of your ancestors survived, every single person on your Mum and Dads side, successfully looked after and passed onto you life. What are the chances of that like?

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sarg

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#389423 8-Oct-2010 08:54

NZTA has info on the testing requirements.
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/practical-tests/on-day-of-practical-driving-test.html

that would be an ecumenical matter

Geese

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#389498 8-Oct-2010 11:25

3 things I got pinged on during license test...

- When on open road where 2 lanes merged to 1, and I knew I was the only car for as far as the eye could see, and he noticed although I indicated AND looked in mirror, I did not physically turn my head to look back over my shoulder.

- Did not accelerate fast enough from 50km to 100km after passing the sign (In my defense my car was a gutless auto and the 100km zone starts heading up steep hill, I was actually pushing my car as fast as it would possibly go without activating kick-down or redlining it all the way to 100kmh in each gear).

- Did not accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h fast enough after doing U turn. Again nobody within 1km behind at the time, and I would describe the rate of acceleration (for the car) as moderate/brisk.

Balchy

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#389501 8-Oct-2010 11:27

Hehe, I got pinged for doing 100km/h in a 50 zone, whoops!

k14

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#389512 8-Oct-2010 11:47

All I can remember is make sure you follow the 2 second rule. They will pounce if you don't do that.

heavenlywild

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#389529 8-Oct-2010 12:32

Oh and I forgot to mention...

Can someone please think of the children!!! :P

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nickd

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#389648 8-Oct-2010 17:21

If it is anything like my test was: Make sure your passenger seat belt is full length and not slightly short, so that it may fit around the guys guts even with the seat pushed all the way back and drive at 60km/hr because the guy was in a rush and just wanted to get around the course quickly.

Krisando

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#389802 9-Oct-2010 06:52

In Sri-Lanka and many other countries, when you pay to get your drivers license. Now that's how to get yours the safe way!

kingjj

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#389814 9-Oct-2010 10:06

Don't run an orange light!! I got pinged when I first sat my restricted for running an orange right turning light. The light turned orange just before I entered the intersection, apparently I could have safely stopped. Thats an automatic fail :-( That was the second turn I made, failed within 30 seconds haha expensive 30 seconds!

Behodar

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#402596 10-Nov-2010 10:34

I see that there's a link to here from a new thread, so I don't feel too guilty about resurrecting this one :)

I failed my first test by accidentally going at ~40 km/h along a road marked as having roadworks (the road itself was fine but I completely forgot that you're supposed to go through roadworks at 30). So, keep an eye open for roadworks!

The tester also directed me past multiple school buses, presumably to ensure that I slowed down to 20 km/h.

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