Tips for passing practical driving test

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alphafemale

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#69338 6-Oct-2010 17:11

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to ask if any of you has any tips for me. I am going to take my preactical driving test in 2 1/2 weeks time. Can you please shed some light on what I should expect and what is expected from me?

I've practicing within the city, motorway driving and basic parking...

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5060 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#388829 6-Oct-2010 17:15

Stop at a Stop sign. That's right, even if there are no cars within 100kms, you still must fully stop at a stop sign.

Drive at or below the speed limit. So 50 means 47-50km/hr, not 55.

Indicate early.

Look at your rear view mirror from time to time - they like this, even though you are going straight ahead.

Drive a car with everything working - lights and indicators.

And drive with TWO hands on the wheel:)

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

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Snowflake

#388831 6-Oct-2010 17:24

three point turns and parallel parking were staples in the driving test years ago.

seriously though, if you are fit to drive you should pass it. if not, you'll have to go away and practise some more. if you're not fit to drive, i don't really want you to pass the test! :P

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heavenlywild

5060 posts

Uber Geek

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#388835 6-Oct-2010 17:32

I don't think I was asked to do any parking. Did a 3-point-turn though.

boby55

1539 posts

Uber Geek

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#388843 6-Oct-2010 17:45

Keep Calm, Don't Stress out about it!.

Make Sure you keep looking in all your mirrors even tho you know nothing is there.

Keep an eye out for children / people crossing the road and slow down WELL before if you see any.

Other than that, if your ready to to get your license you will be fine. If not Lets hope Im not on the same stretch of road as you :D

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

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#388849 6-Oct-2010 17:50

I did my full in 2009 and there was no parallel parking.

Are you sitting your restricted or full license test?

If you are going for your full i heartily recommend doing a defensive driving course, as well as being generally good, they go for a drive with you after it which I found to be a great prep for my full test.

alphafemale

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#388869 6-Oct-2010 18:42

Regs: three point turns and parallel parking were staples in the driving test years ago.

seriously though, if you are fit to drive you should pass it. if not, you'll have to go away and practise some more. if you're not fit to drive, i don't really want you to pass the test! :P

Thanks,,, err but how do you define "fit to drive" so far out of all my practice and lessons with my instructor he managed to be alive and I havent hit/scratch anyone...

on a serious note I've been practicing as much as I can

alphafemale

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#388870 6-Oct-2010 18:43

nickb800: I did my full in 2009 and there was no parallel parking.

Are you sitting your restricted or full license test?

If you are going for your full i heartily recommend doing a defensive driving course, as well as being generally good, they go for a drive with you after it which I found to be a great prep for my full test.

for my restricted,,, and I was i think spaced out when I booked for it online coz' i booked it in Auckland CBD at 8am good luck on me

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nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

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#388874 6-Oct-2010 18:54

Ahh restricted, yeah youll be sweet, just make sure you stop at stop signs as mentioned above

alphafemale

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#388875 6-Oct-2010 18:55

I assume i shouldn't dread too much ?

rscole86

4973 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#388881 6-Oct-2010 19:14

See if you can go for a practive test before the real one. They will take you on the route, and will point out where you have gone wrong. It will also help you to plan ahead if you need to.

Aswell as stoping at a stop sign, one should not stop at a give way sign, if the road is completely clear. I have heard of some people being marked down for coming to a complete stop, when they could see the roadway was clear.

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#388884 6-Oct-2010 19:24

Also, when stopping at the stop sign, make sure you actually stop at the line, not way before it!! That's how I failed, stopped 5m back and then drove out after pretending to look.....

That was 10+ years ago now though

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

b0untypure1

1426 posts

Uber Geek

#388891 6-Oct-2010 19:44

just stay calm, on my restricted the guy asked me to do a reverse into a driveway, then 3 point turn including that same driveway. this is outside of the norm, but as long as you do what people have mentioned above ull be fine.
also indicate at roundabouts !! i forgot LOL
you can still pass if you make a mistake, the pass is 85% or over.

also the instructors get paid a commission, so they WANT you to pass!
but they must fail you if you score below 85%

alphafemale

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#388932 6-Oct-2010 21:08

rscole86: See if you can go for a practive test before the real one. They will take you on the route, and will point out where you have gone wrong. It will also help you to plan ahead if you need to.

Aswell as stoping at a stop sign, one should not stop at a give way sign, if the road is completely clear. I have heard of some people being marked down for coming to a complete stop, when they could see the roadway was clear.

Thanks... Sorry for being a pain im just quite anxious about it

But do you mean on the day itself I can ask for a practice test? Ill be doing it in CBD...err do you think they allow a practice test?

JMatt94

225 posts

Master Geek

#388947 6-Oct-2010 21:27

I sat my restricted about two weeks ago and was quite nervous but it was simple. :)

Like others have said, always stop at a stop sign, even if you can clearly see no traffic.
Indicate at least 3 seconds before you're about to turn.
Look at your rear view mirror about every 20 secs.
When doing the 3 point turn, make sure you're looking at all your mirrors, checking both ways etc, if the road is narrow, you don't actually have to do it in 3 points, I had to reverse/drive forward about 5 times. Hitting the curb is an instant fail. I was asked to pull over twice, make sure you are looking at side mirror/rear view and looking over shoulder when pulling out. Just take your time when doing these things and you should be fine.

The driving instructor will check indicators/brake lights/wof so just make sure your car is working correctly.

pinkydot

247 posts

Master Geek

#388953 6-Oct-2010 21:32

yeah. check ur indicators/break lights/wof
my friend unable to take the test because one of the break lights wasnt working.
then need to rebook the test again.

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