These “RMS Driving Test Tips”, will certainly help you in preparing for your driving test. Many learner drivers attempt their driving test however, are unfamiliar with certain criteria that must be met in order to successfully pass. Many parents and supervising drivers, do a good job in getting their learner driver up to an acceptable driving skill level. Unfortunately, many parents and supervisors are not aware of certain curriculum that is expected during the driving test.
The driving test is an important step in gaining your Provisional Licence commonly known as P’s. You will be assessed based on your driving performance in a range of situations and your ability to demonstrate low risk behaviours. It is a good idea to read the ‘Guide to the Driving Test’ booklet, as it is a general guide about what is in the driving test. The guide also provides examples of what you must do to drive safely and pass the test. If you would like a hard copy of this guide, attend your nearest Service Centre.
Whilst being assessed during your driving test, some actions and behaviours are classed as fail items. Here is a list of all the fail items along with some examples of how they may happen on a driving test. Below is a list of reasons of why you may fail your driving test. For the purposes of this blog, we have included instances such as exceeding the speed limit, Not stopping at a red traffic light or failing to give way.
Instead, we have included a list of common ‘fail items’ that you should be aware of prior to your driving test.
1. DISOBEYING TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS OR ROAD MARKINGS
- Not stopping at a yellow traffic light when it is safe to do so. You must stop at a yellow light unless sudden braking might cause a crash.
- Not stopping correctly at a stop line. Your final stopped position must be within one metre of the stop line and with no part of your car over the line.
3. COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE, PEDESTRIAN OR OBJECT
- This includes mounting or straddling (one wheel either side of) a traffic dome and mounting the kerb or roundabout.
5. EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT
You will fail if you exceed the speed limit at any time including:
- The 40 kilometre per hour limit at school zones during the hours of operation.
- The 40 kilometre per hour limit when passing a bus with flashing lights.
- The learner driver speed limit.
- Speed limits at road works.
6. ACTION REQUIRING TESTING OFFICER INTERVENTION
- If the testing officer has to give you verbal or physical assistance, including using the dual controls in an instructor’s vehicle, you will fail.
7. CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION
- This fail item covers any unsafe act or behaviour that puts you or others at risk. This includes overtaking in an unsafe manner, or giving way unnecessarily.
8. FAILING TO MAINTAIN PROPER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE
- Allowing the vehicle to roll back more than 500mm when moving off.
- Clutch coasting (allowing the vehicle to roll along with your foot on the clutch) or coasting in neutral.
- Not maintaining effective control of the steering wheel includes one hand steering and letting go of the steering wheel.
12. FREQUENTLY NOT SIGNALLING INTENTION
You will fail if you repeatedly do not signal when legally required to do so.
- Indicate for at least five seconds before leaving the kerb.
- Indicate for at least five seconds before leaving a parking space
- When changing lanes, diverging or pulling over to the kerb
- When exiting a roundabout.
15. UNREASONABLY OBSTRUCTING OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS
You will fail if you unreasonably obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians during the test.
- Drive significantly below the speed limit when prevailing conditions do not require it.
17. NOT PARKING TO THE REQUIRED STANDARD
During the manoeuvres you will fail if;
- The final position of your car is more than one metre from the kerb or obstructing traffic.
- Your wheels are on or over marked parking lines.
- You reverse more than seven metres from the vehicle in front during the reverse park section of the test.
18. FAILING TO MAINTAIN A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
- You will fail if you follow too closely to the vehicle in front (Allow at least 3 seconds in ideal conditions and 4 seconds in adverse conditions).
19. FREQUENTLY NOT PERFORMING OBSERVATION CHECKS
You will incur this fail item if you repeatedly miss observation checks when required. Failing to perform observation commonly known as ‘head or shoulder checks’ is probably one of the most common reasons why learners fail their driving test. To conduct a head check, you must turn your head chin to shoulder. You must ensure to perform a head check any time that you;
- Leave or return to the kerb.
- Merge, diverge or change lanes.
- Are about to reverse, such as in a reverse parallel park and 3 point turn.
- Turn at intersections, leave or join the road.
- Cross lanes within a roundabout on exiting.
Remember: When moving off after being stopped at traffic lights and railway level crossings, you must turn your head and check it is safe to proceed.
When attempting your driving test, make sure you take your time. Don’t hurry anything, particularly at roundabouts and intersections. You need to take your time to make for good decision making. When performing maneuouvres, don’t hurry for any vehicles waiting for you to complete the maneuouvre, as this will most probably cause you to make mistakes. The person you try and hurry for will not pay for your next test fee!