It’s completely normal for learner drivers to be nervous on the day of their driving test. Like any test, the pressure to perform well can be nerve racking? If your friends and family know when you are going for your P’s test, this can certainly add to the nerves. The other contributing factor when sitting your driving test, is the fact that knowing you will have the RMS testing officer sitting beside you watching your every move.
Like any assessment, preparation is key. Practice! Practice! Practice! Like anything you do, the more you do, the better you get. One way to help settle your nerves is to be well-prepared. Be confident but not cocky. There’s a big difference. We always strongly advise everyone to read the Guide to the Driving Test book. Although the driving test is the practical component, it will assist with everything that you need to know about the test and how to prepare for it.
The are a couple of big myths that we continually hear from our students. One is that the RMS Testing officers are too hard at particular RMS Service Centres. The other popular myth is that the driving test route is too difficult at specific areas. It’s like this, no matter where you drive or who the testing officer is, if you are competent with your hazard perception, driving and decision making skills, then you will have a better chance of passing the driving test.
There are however, other important requirements that learner drivers must be aware of to help pass and get their P’s. This is why we advise learner drivers to invest in the services of a professional driving school will teach you the correct procedures to drive safely and competently as well as everything you need to know to successfully prepare and pass your driving test.
The Driving Test
Considering you’ve had your Learner licence for at least 12 months, logged a minimum of 120 hours driving (including 20 hours of night driving) and turned 17 years of age, then you’re ready to go for your P1 licence.
For more info about the driving test go to Getting your P1 licence.
Common Driving Test Mistakes
We find that when people fail the driving test, it’s because of important minor errors that ultimately turn out to be major ones that cost people their test. Simple things like missing observation checks (commonly known as head checks) – failing to check mirrors and blind spots. Signal errors – either not indicating long enough or just forgetting to indicate when required to do so.
So, let’s take a closer look at common mistakes people make during their driving test.
Blind spots – Failing to Head Check
Any time you move, merge, change lanes, turn or complete a manoeuvre, you must perform a head check. Checking 
your blind spots is paramount and is an essential observation skill. If you continually fail to perform a head check during your driving test, you will not pass. Item 19. FREQUENTLY NOT PERFORMING OBSERVATION CHECKS – Guide to the Driving Test outlines that you will incur this fail item if you repeatedly miss observation checks when required. We conduct head checks to ensure there are no vehicles, pedestrians or any possible hazards that may result in a crash or the safety of any person. Even when you are completing a manoeuvre, you must turn your head at least 90° or chin to shoulder and check your blind spot. You must conduct a head check before you:
- Return to the kerb ready to complete a manoeuvre such as a Three Point Turn.
- Leave the kerb to re-join the line of traffic.
- Diverge, merge, change lanes
- Leave the kerb to re-join the line of traffic.
- Turning at intersections
- Crossing lanes within a roundabout and when exiting.
- Completing a 3 Point Turn.
- If conducting a reverse parallel park, you must do a head check just before the front of your vehicle swings out into the lane or depending on the road, you may encroach over the centre of the roadway.
Did you know that you that when moving off at a green light at traffic lights you must turn your head and check it is safe to proceed? If you have been stopped at a red light, once the red changes to green, you must physically turn your head and check the intersection to ensure that there are no “red light runners” from any direction. The same actions apply when moving off at railway level crossings.
Read fail item 19. FREQUENTLY NOT PERFORMING OBSERVATION CHECKS – Guide to the Driving Test for more information.
Signalling – Failing to Indicate
Did you know that you must signal for at least five (5) seconds before leaving the kerb or a parked position? Drivers must signal at the correct time. If you were too signal to soon or too late, this can confuse other road users. Leaving your indicator on can also result in a problem. Remember, a lot of people assume and therefore may act accordingly like driving out in your path if you have signalled your intent to soon.
If you repeatedly fail to signal when legally required to so, you will not pass your test. You must signal:
To give sufficient warning to other road users, indicate;
- For at least five seconds before leaving the kerb.
- For at least five seconds before leaving a parking space.
- When changing lanes, diverging or pulling over to the kerb.
- When exiting a roundabout.
Read fail item 12. FREQUENTLY NOT SIGNALLING INTENTION – Guide to the Driving Test for more information.
Stop Signs – Failing to STOP
Did you know that when you approach a stop sign, you must stop completely before reaching the actual stop line, and as close as possible to the line?
This is another common mistake we find. Students slowly proceeding through a stop sign and failing to stop. Stop 
means stop! If you fail to stop at a stop sign, you will fail. You must stop the whole vehicle behind the line. Your final stopped position must be within one (1) metre of the stop line and with no part of your vehicle over the line. This is the same for traffic lights also.
Have you ever been stopped at an intersection but found it hard to see oncoming traffic due to parked cars or other obstructions? If your vision is affected by any of these things, you may move forward into an intersection to gain a better view. You can only do this after stopping at the stop line correctly. You must be able to demonstrate caution without affecting other vehicles or pedestrians when moving forward.
Read the Guide to the Driving Test for more information.
Judgement & Decision Making – Failing to Give Way When Necessary
Being able to judge distance by selecting a safe gap can be tricky for some learner drivers and for that matter many
experienced drivers. When entering traffic, changing lanes or turning at intersections, drivers need to be able to competently make critical decisions. We find that roundabouts are probably one of the most common places where people make bad decisions when deciding if to go or not. Sometimes, the main reason for failing to give way to other vehicles, comes down to being hesitant and in-decisive. This then allows for oncoming traffic to be closer to you making it unsafe to proceed. Here are some examples of why you may fail your driving test:
- Not giving way to any vehicle that has priority over you at an intersection.
- Not giving way to pedestrians at marked crossings and intersections.
- Not giving way if required when entering a traffic stream, merging or lane changing.
It comes down to a combination of the three (3) things. Judgement, decision making and experience.
Learner drivers particularly find it difficult to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles over distance. It’s important for learner drivers throughout their learning experience, to focus on and practice entering traffic from intersections to provide them with greater confidence in being able to judge distance and speed, decide if it’s safe to proceed and act. Remember, oncoming vehicles must be at least three (3) seconds away from your intersection to enable a safe gap.
Read 2. FAILING TO GIVE WAY WHEN NECESSARY- Guide to the Driving Test for more information.
Speed Management – Exceeding the Speed Limit
Exceeding the speed limit during driving tests is a common mistake. It can be challenging for learner drivers during their test due to a combination of nerves, inexperience and lack of concentration. Many motorists are generally more concerned about getting caught by the police for speeding. But let’s look at it form a safety perspective. Speed can increase your chances of being involved in a crash as well as the severity of any injuries sustained. That’s if you survive.
Did you know that even if you are a fit and alert driver, it takes about a second or twelve (12) metres of travel for you to identify a hazard, react and brake? And at least another 20 metres to stop. That’s if you are only travelling at 60km/h in good conditions. If you’re travelling at higher speeds, the stopping distance distance is even greater.
You must manage your speed to ensure that it’s safe and legal. Exceeding the speed limit is a breach of the Road Rules and a fail of your driving test. As the driver of a vehicle it is your responsibility to manage your speed to suit traffic, weather and road conditions. Speed Management also focuses on your Crash Avoidance Space (CAS). You must maintain your space to the vehicle in front which is a minimum of three (3) seconds.
If the conditions are poor such as rain, you must increase this distance to a minimum of four (4) seconds. Remember, you must maintain at least one to two car lengths from the vehicle in front when stopped in traffic. This is simply to reduce the risk of crashing into the car in front of you were to be hit from behind.
Speed Management (Continued) – School Zones
For some reason, many learner drivers fail their driving tests because they exceed the speed limit in school zones
during school times. And because of school times, many learners try to avoid booking their driving tests during school times. Why? It’s just like any other posted speed limit except the speed varies during specific times. These days, many school zones have flashing red lights to remind people to slow down. If you are concentrating, which you should be because you are operating a motor vehicle, then school zones shouldn’t be a problem.
If you exceed the speed limit any time during your driving test, you will fail. These times include:
- The 40 kilometre per hour posted speed limit at school zones during the hours
of operation which are outlined on the sign. - The 40 kilometre per hour limit when passing a bus with flashing lights.
- The learner driver speed limit – 90km/h.
- Speed limits at road works.
Read 5. EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT – Guide to the Driving Test for more information.
Action Requiring Testing Officer Intervention
If at any time during your driving test, the RMS Testing Officer has to intervene, you will fail. You are about to gain your P’s and be on your own so you should be able to make confident decisions and drive without assistance. If the testing officer has to provide you with any verbal or physical assistance, you will fail the driving test. If the Testing Officer has to utilise the dual controls in an instructor’s vehicle, you will also fail.
Read 6. ACTION REQUIRING TESTING OFFICER INTERVENTION – Guide to the Driving Test for more information.
Hi I’m just inquiring I had a problem,the brake light was out in my L2 test and I got the chance to rebooked my test for the next day after it is fixed without paying the fee again,, and I’m unable to make it to this next appointment due to work commitments at the same time and I need to cancel it and move it too another date, do I have to pay for it again Or is the fee still covered.
Please let me know
kind regards
In Tasmania, if your assessment is with a Government Driving Assessor, you are able to do this online up to two days prior to the assessment or by approaching Service Tasmania.
In the event that you will not be undertaking an assessment you should approach Service Tasmania to apply for a refund. Cancellation of assessments within two days without a medical certificate or compelling reason that must be substantiated will not be eligible for a refund.
If your assessment is booked with an Authorised Driving Instructor you will need to discuss their booking policy directly with them.
My daughters driving was perfect. No errors but when she tried to do a reverse parallel park she mounted the lien. Is that an instant fail
In qld?. Kind regards.
Hi Jo,
Mounting the kerb during her driving test will result in an automatic fail. If it’s an angle kerb, she can roll up it as long as she doesn’t mount it. Rolling up an angle kerb will only result in a NCDA (Non-critical Driving Error). However, mounting any kerb at any time during her driving test will result in an automatic fail regardless if any other errors are/were made.
Kind regards
Learn Drive Survive Team
My daughter was failed on her P test for “dry steering”.
When i looked up what it was. It says it’s a “non critical” error, and would not constitute a fail of the test.
Which is correct?
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for getting in touch with Learn Drive Survive. I did email you so we could take a look at your test score sheet however, without looking at it, there must be something else recorded as she can’t fail her driving test just based on a ‘dry steering’ error. She can receive errors for things such as
– placing her hands inside the rim of steering wheel or;
– steering with one hand only, or using the palm of one hand
I’m interested to hear more about this one.
Thanks for contacting the LDS team
Can you have your car in neutral when you are stopped at lights or a stop sign (manual car) or does it need to be in gear at these stop points. Is that a fail if you do that in your driving test?
Hi Jann,
Thanks for your question. Yes you are allowed to place the gear stick in neutral during your test. However, make sure the vehicle doesn’t roll and once the lights change, be ready to move off with the traffic in front.
Regards
Learn Drive Survive Team
can you fail a test for going 10kms over the limit when there was no speed sign on the road,
Hi Michelle,
Yes you can. Exceeding the speed limit is not only one of the most dangerous driving offence, it’s also one of the main reasons people fail their driving test. Here is some info to help you remember the speed limit for certain areas;
In NSW, 40 km/h zones are generally high traffic/pedestrian areas but can also include school zones (during certain times), road works and passing
buses that are picking up or dropping off passengers.
50 km/h speed zones are generally in built-up or suburban areas. Drivers must be aware that if there are no speed signs posted in these areas,
the default speed limit is 50km/h. These areas are typically not as busy with vehicular and pedstrian traffic however, you must always
be constantly scanning for hazards or developing hazards.
80 km/h speed zones are generally found in areas that have divided roads and with no access to driveways.
Hope this information was able to help you.
Regards,
Learn Drive Survive Team
Will you get an instant fail if you forgot to indicate exiting a round about
Hi Michelle,
Failing to indicate is NOT an immediate fail however, it can add to accumulated errors or the same repeat errors e.g not signalling and result in a fail.
Regards
Learn Drive Survive Team
I am scheduled for my PDA on the 4th April and wanted to know if the department offers use of a vehicle for the test and if so, does it cost more?
Hi Amber,
Thanks for reaching out. You will need to provide your own suitable roadworthy vehicle for the PDA. I have provided a link to the Dept of Transport that has a vehicle suitability guide which provides the vehicle requirements when sitting your PDA.
Vehicle Suitability Guide
Hope this helps out.
regards
Learn Drive Survive Team
What if you exceed the speed limit by 1km\hr? Is this an automatic fail?
Hi Mindi,
Although we never encourage anyone to speed, if you travel just one (1) km over the posted speed limit, you will not be failed. During a driving test in NSW, a clear view of the speedometer by the testing officer is required from the front passenger seat. A speedometer can read up to 10km higher depending on the angle it is viewed from. If you travel 1 km over the speed limit, just be certain to correct your speed immediately.
Drive Safely!
Regards
Learn Drive Survive
In regard to blind spot checking, some instructors say you need to do a left blind spot check on every left turn, and a right blind spot check on every right turn, even on narrow residential streets. What is your opinion on this? Also, do you advise to check mirrors when turning?
Hi Jack,
Thanks for reaching out to us! In NSW, failing to check blind spots (also known as observation checks or head checks) when required to do is one of the common reasons why many people fail their driving test. Let’s be honest, many experienced drivers (not all), probably don’t check their blind spots every time they’re reversing, turning left or turning right. It’s probably more common however, for experienced drivers to only their check blind spots when changing lanes.
This is important to know for your driving test. For every left turn from one street to another, you must perform a head check (left side) immediately prior to the turn. For every right turn into a side street or driveway, you must perform a head check (right side) immediately prior to the turn. If you are travelling in a wide street and need to position your vehicle as far left as practical in preparation for a left turn, you must perform a head check (left side) if you need to move across more than the width of the vehicle you are driving. Remember, you must complete the check immediately prior to changing your path or position.
Safety is always paramount when operating a motor vehicle. Being aware of your surroundings can certainly help prevent unnecessary injury or death. Do I advise to check mirrors when turning? You should always check your mirrors every 8-10 seconds regardless. When preparing to turn, you should always check your mirrors before slowing followed by a head check on the side you intend to turn to ensure it’s safe to commit. Just before committing to and during a turn, you should be looking in the direction of your turn or intend turn to ensure it’s safe to proceed. I do not recommend looking into the mirror/s during a turn in event you fail to identify any potential hazard or developing hazard.
Here is some addidtional information regarding head/shoulder checks that will help you know when to check your blind spots. Particulalry for your driving test!
You must check your blind spots immediately before committing to any of the following;
– Returning to the kerb
– Leaving the kerb
– Turning left
– Turning right into a side street or driveway (checking for vehicles that may be overtaking you). You don’t need to check your blind spot when turning right at a ‘T’ intersection
– Changing lanes (you don’t need to head check when changing lanes IMMEDIATELY after a concrete median strip or parked vehicles).
– Diverging (changing the position of your vehicle on the roadway in preparation to turn or to avoid a hazard).
– Reversing (you must turn your head and look back in the direction of travel prior to and whilst reversing. However, you don’t need to constantly be looking back. It’s a combination of checking behind, ahead and to the sides).
If you’re under the age of 25, have you considered completing the Learn Drive Survive Safer Drivers Course? You will learn how to be a safer driver through low risk driving techniques. You will also receive 20 additional hours in your logbook.
I hope this provides you with some useful information and helps you on your driving journey!
Safe driving.
Regards
Learn Drive Survive
Hi,
I am at a loss and need clarification. My son’s instructor has failed him for not moving over to the far left to turn right at an intersection….single lane. They state you don’t want a car coming along side you, so if a car behind wants to turn left it is unable to. How can he be turning right with his right blinker on and asked to move right over to the left. She has marked it as an illegal act/procedure, twice now. I didn’t teach him that. Another son looked into it and found out it is possibly a hook turn….move to the left to turn right. But this I think maybe for cyclists? We only hope he doesn’t get this instructor again for his next one. Thank you very much.
Hi Melissa,
We have sent you an email.
Regards
LDS Team
My son failed getting his licence for not looking threw the rear window while doing a reverse park it was his only mistake the actually reverse park was perfect they classified it as a critical error is this right?
Hi Jodie,
We sent you email regarding your question. Can you please check that when you have the time.
Regards,
LDS Team
Hi,
I have a doubt –
assume I want to turn right from intersection and the signal is green for me, also the pedestrian signal is green.
Can I cross the stop line > wait a little > turn right after pedestrian signal becomes Red?
Hi Sah,
Thanks for your question. In short, yes you can move forward into the intersection over the solid white STOP line when a green light or green turn arrow is displayed. Continue cautiously to ensure there are no other pedestrians running to make the green pedestrian signal. If entering the intersection, don’t travel too far where your positioning may interfere with other vehicles or pestrians.
In addition, when turning right at traffic lights, you can enter the intersection in preparation to make a right turn unless a red right turn arrow is displayed. When preparing to turn right on the ‘open’ green lights (no green arrow), you may move forward over the solid white STOP line. Remember, do NOT proceed into the intersection against a red turn arrow. If there’s already a vehicle in front of you also waiting to turn right, remain behind the STOP line.
If you’re waiting past the stop line to turn right at an intersection controlled by open green traffic lights and they turn yellow, don’t panic! Just assess the oncoming traffic and when it’s safe, complete the turn to clear the intersection regardless if the lights have turned red.
Hope this answers your question and provides you with some clarity.
Kind regards
Learn Drive Survive Team
Hi, I sat my P1 driving test recently for the first time and was failed for not being stationary and stopped when putting sunglasses on, as both hands were off the wheel, even though I did this very quickly. I was nearing the exit of an enclosed car park and car was not rolling. There was no danger as I checked. Nowhere is this mentioned as a ‘critical error’ and it happened not 1 minute into the test and the person didn’t tell me I’d failed one minute in, so I did the entire circuit drive and performed all requests perfectly (as I was told afterwards) not knowing I’d already failed! That’s extreme in my opinion and costly financially too.
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for sharing your driving test experience. To be honest, I haven’t heard of this type of fail happening before. I sit on the fence with this one. Yes, it is a bit harsh considering you were travelling at a very slow speed and it took a split second to put your sunglasses on. However, on the other hand, if you had kept one hand on the steering wheel, you would have been ok. The fact that you removed both hands obviously raised a huge safety risk. I understand the financial restraints it has on many people but unfortunately, there is a criteria that examiners must abide by. On a positive note, at least you were able to complete the test route and see what was involved. This should also help better prepare you for your next test.
Best of luck for your next test Carrie. We wish you every success 🙂
Regards
Learn Drive Survive Team
My son failed his drivers test because he was doing 36km/h in a school zone and the instructor told him to do 37km/h. As he fluctuated between 36 and 37 the instructor told him again To sit at 37 and then told him it was immediate fail as he repeated himself. Is doing 4km under the speed limit in a school zone an offence or is this instructor on a power trip repeating an instruction that is not against the law, so he can fail students on him having to repeat themselves.
Hi Bernadette,
This one seems a little odd. Travelling below the posted speed limit even by 5km/h is very common in many driving tests everyday. From the information you’ve provided, the only thing that I can think of was that the test was outside of school hours (am or pm) and the actual speed limit was possibly 50km/h or 60km/h? The other thing is that testing officers will not tell the learners to sit on a specific speed. Usually, they will only tell them to ‘slow down’ if they’re exceeding the posted speed limit. Without knowing exactly what the tester said, it makes it difficult to offer any other explanation.
If you would like to email us his test score sheet, I would be more than happy to provide you with feedback of where he received any errors and how to help prevent him from making simple errors in his test. enquiries@learndrivesurvive.com.au
Kind regards
Learn Drive Survive
Hi my daughter has failed her ps test in nsw based on not doing head checks the teacher said she did plenty but not at the crucial times what are the crucial times eg when she’s turning left how long before she turns left should she check her blind spots and when doing a manoeuvre if she missed to many head checks in that manoeuvre is that considered as one miss check or will they class that as 3?
Hi Jacqueline,
I will send you an email so that I can assist you further.
Regards
Learn Drive Survive Team