Practical licence test tips?

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gzt

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#140703 18-Feb-2014 07:36

I'm adding a passenger endorsement to my licence and part of that is a standard full driver licence practical test. I've read through the guide.

The main thing added is something about 'naming hazards while you are driving around the set route'. Anyone have some experience with that part and what they are looking for?

There are some hints about it in the guide but not as specific as I would like.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/photo/docs/full-test-guide.pdf

Keen to hear of any other hints or potential gotchas in the new practical also.

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Mad Scientist
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#989425 18-Feb-2014 07:58

Pay some money and do a mock test with an experienced instructor

Guaranteed to answer all your questions and give a the pass barring unforseen circumstances like someone rear ending you

scuwp

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#989426 18-Feb-2014 07:59

1. Turn up on time
2. Make sure your vehicle is in WoF condition
3. Turn up on time
4. Don't speed
5. Turn up on time

But seriously, you just need to verbalize your defensive driving as it says in the guide. You do it instinctively as a driver (or at least you should) the hard part is recognizing what you are doing and putting it into words, so practice doing this beforehand. It's basically like thinking out loud, i.e. "car at intersection on my left, reducing speed, ready to brake..." or "cyclist ahead, moving over to the right to the right slightly"...or "car following closely behind, increasing following distance to car in front to compensate".

Whats the risk/threat?
What are you going to do about it?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Disrespective

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#989442 18-Feb-2014 08:42

Yeah, mention any perceived risks and how you would avoid them.

For example, you might see a pedestrian walking along, they could be a threat if the visibility of them is poor and they decide to want to cross the road. You would then manage your speed accordingly and track them as best you can.

Cars from driveways, kids playing nearby, cyclists, other cars on the road coming towards you/behind you. Etc etc.

But yeah, turn up on time.

trig42

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#989447 18-Feb-2014 09:06

And don't take too long to pull away from a stop/give way.
Had a friend that failed because he was at a give way, stopped and checked to his right and the car behind him tooted. If the car hadn't tooted, he would have passed.

As for the verbalizing, just be aware or hazards - cars pulling out of driveways, parked cars, bikes, pedestrians and intersections.
Also, be sure to regularly check your mirrors.

It is my opinion that they fail you on your first time (doubles their revenue).

Kingy

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#989450 18-Feb-2014 09:13

trig42: And don't take too long to pull away from a stop/give way.
Had a friend that failed because he was at a give way, stopped and checked to his right and the car behind him tooted. If the car hadn't tooted, he would have passed.

I highly doubt someone tooted at him just because he stopped at a give way. In fact you're probably better off basically coming to a stop just so you can check both ways.

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Lyderies

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#989453 18-Feb-2014 09:20

trig42: And don't take too long to pull away from a stop/give way.
Had a friend that failed because he was at a give way, stopped and checked to his right and the car behind him tooted. If the car hadn't tooted, he would have passed.

As for the verbalizing, just be aware or hazards - cars pulling out of driveways, parked cars, bikes, pedestrians and intersections.
Also, be sure to regularly check your mirrors.

It is my opinion that they fail you on your first time (doubles their revenue).

You also cannot be given points for being tooted at, he must have done something wrong or been sitting their past a certain amount of time (to long)

I'm going to noob myself past judgement

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trig42

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#989457 18-Feb-2014 09:26

Yeah, the guy said too long. But He wouldn't have noticed if he wasn't tooted at.
He was on roads he didn't know (I live on Waiheke, and we can no longer take practical tests over there as the council removed the Island's only 80km/h zone, so Waiheke people have to bring/arrange acar in Auckland to do a test).

Buzz Bumble

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#989458 18-Feb-2014 09:27

Kingy:
I highly doubt someone tooted at him just because he stopped at a give way.

Some idiot will do. :-\

If you really want to impress the tester with your knowledge of all of the road "rules", then remember:
- Always drive at least 10km/h faster than the speed limit signs says.
- Always speed up when the traffic light turns orange.
- Only stop at a red traffic light if the other traffic is not already moving.
- When the traffic light turns gree, squash the accelerator right to the floor instantly.
- Zig-zag along the lanes trying to get a few cars further ahead of your "competitiors".
- Indicators should never be used correctly.
- "Stop" signs mean slow down slightly.
- "Give Way" signs mean don't bother to look.
- Park in the Disabled and Parents parking spots whenever possible.
- ...

;-)

surfisup1000

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#989459 18-Feb-2014 09:28

Kingy:
trig42: And don't take too long to pull away from a stop/give way.
Had a friend that failed because he was at a give way, stopped and checked to his right and the car behind him tooted. If the car hadn't tooted, he would have passed.

I highly doubt someone tooted at him just because he stopped at a give way. In fact you're probably better off basically coming to a stop just so you can check both ways.

Here i must disagree. You can often see traffic before you reach the giveway so there is no need to come to a complete stop and this is perfectly safe if you have any wits about you.

Compulsory stops are where you must completely stop. Even though some seem a bit silly, there is always a reason such as a past accident so you should completely stop.

Lyderies

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#989460 18-Feb-2014 09:30

trig42: Yeah, the guy said too long. But He wouldn't have noticed if he wasn't tooted at.
He was on roads he didn't know (I live on Waiheke, and we can no longer take practical tests over there as the council removed the Island's only 80km/h zone, so Waiheke people have to bring/arrange acar in Auckland to do a test).

Argh, he should have said he was nervous, thats how i passed mine, just said to my instructor im sh1tt1ng myself, he passed me :)

I'm going to noob myself past judgement

Kingy

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#989464 18-Feb-2014 09:31

surfisup1000:
Kingy:
trig42: And don't take too long to pull away from a stop/give way.
Had a friend that failed because he was at a give way, stopped and checked to his right and the car behind him tooted. If the car hadn't tooted, he would have passed.

I highly doubt someone tooted at him just because he stopped at a give way. In fact you're probably better off basically coming to a stop just so you can check both ways.

Here i must disagree. You can often see traffic before you reach the giveway so there is no need to come to a complete stop and this is perfectly safe if you have any wits about you.

Compulsory stops are where you must completely stop. Even though some seem a bit silly, there is always a reason such as a past accident so you should completely stop.

Oh I completely agree, but at a lot of giveways you can't. Put it this way.. the middle of your practical driving test isn't the time to cut a gap because you couldn't see or judge the speed of the oncoming vehicle properly.

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Lyderies

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#989465 18-Feb-2014 09:33

surfisup1000:
Kingy:
trig42: And don't take too long to pull away from a stop/give way.
Had a friend that failed because he was at a give way, stopped and checked to his right and the car behind him tooted. If the car hadn't tooted, he would have passed.

I highly doubt someone tooted at him just because he stopped at a give way. In fact you're probably better off basically coming to a stop just so you can check both ways.

Here i must disagree. You can often see traffic before you reach the giveway so there is no need to come to a complete stop and this is perfectly safe if you have any wits about you.

Compulsory stops are where you must completely stop. Even though some seem a bit silly, there is always a reason such as a past accident so you should completely stop.

The roadcode disagrees with you, remember in a test you have to follow it OTT, a Uturn for example you have to pull over, check both ways, do the turn and pull over again to pull onto the road, if you dont do this instant fail

A giveway sign does not require you to stop, but it requires you to slow down, if you dont stop on your test more than likely they will fail you for not being safe

I'm going to noob myself past judgement

HowickDota

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#989466 18-Feb-2014 09:38

Observation is key also. Always be looking around. Remember to look up at your rearview when you brake.

gzt

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#989517 18-Feb-2014 10:42

Awesome guys! keep it coming!

scuwp:But seriously, you just need to verbalize your defensive driving as it says in the guide. You do it instinctively as a driver (or at least you should) the hard part is recognizing what you are doing and putting it into words, so practice doing this beforehand. It's basically like thinking out loud, i.e. "car at intersection on my left, reducing speed, ready to brake..." or "cyclist ahead, moving over to the right to the right slightly"...or "car following closely behind, increasing following distance to car in front to compensate".

Excellent explanation. : )

All the way through the test?

HowickDota

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#989558 18-Feb-2014 11:50

gzt: Awesome guys! keep it coming!

scuwp:But seriously, you just need to verbalize your defensive driving as it says in the guide. You do it instinctively as a driver (or at least you should) the hard part is recognizing what you are doing and putting it into words, so practice doing this beforehand. It's basically like thinking out loud, i.e. "car at intersection on my left, reducing speed, ready to brake..." or "cyclist ahead, moving over to the right to the right slightly"...or "car following closely behind, increasing following distance to car in front to compensate".

Excellent explanation. : )

All the way through the test?

I did the test last week, and was only asked to describe the hazards about 4 times in total, once when I was changing lanes and the other times were when I was turning out of a side street. About 15 seconds or so each time, then he'd say that was enough/fine.

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