Driving test day preparation is essential if you are a learner driver and you want to have the best shot at passing your P’s test on your first attempt. The Driving Test is a practical assessment that focuses on your ability to perceive hazards and respond to them. A Testing Officer assesses your skills while driving, how well you make decisions, your awareness of other road users and how you share the road with other vehicles.
We recommend booking a driving lesson with one of our friendly instructors who can pass on their experience and help you pass your driving test on the first attempt.
Whether you will use the instructor’s vehicle or your own car, it must be registered and roadworthy. Ensure you have experience driving it and know how to find and use all its important functions and features.
Practicing in the vicinity of the Service NSW Testing Centre you intend to take your test at is highly advisable. If you are familiar with the area, you are more likely to do well on driving test day. Our local Illawarra Service NSW test centres are located at Corrimal, Warrawong and Kiama.
Make sure you have not only completed your required 120 hours of log book driving, but that you actually feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel. If you’re not there yet, we recommend an extra lesson (or as many as you might need) with one of our professional driving instructors.
What You Need to Pass The Driving Test
Your test is scored on your ability to show low risk driving behaviour in a range of situations. The test has five key performance indicators:
- Speed management
- Road positioning
- Decision making
- Responding to Hazards
- Vehicle control
You must do well throughout the duration of the driving test in all of these aspects. Driving a motor vehicle can never be entirely risk free, but you should aim to drive as ‘low risk’ as possible. The assessor is able to take into account that you might be a bit nervous on the day you do your test, but you must show competency in all these areas despite the nerves you might be feeling. The best way to take your nervousness out of the equation is to be well practiced, and we encourage you to have a driving lesson to make sure you feel ready.
Speed Management
During your driving test you must be able to demonstrate your ability to drive at a safe and legal speed, managing your speed to suit traffic, weather and road conditions.
You must at all times:
- Maintain your space at the front of your vehicle.
- Maintain your space when your vehicle is stopped.
- Reduce speed when appropriate.
Road Positioning
For the entire test you must make sure you are in a legal, safe position on the road. This means safely within your lane and not to close to the car in front or other objects and vehicles. You must maintain correct positioning when approaching, stopping at and passing through intersections.
Specialised Manoeuvres
You must successfully complete a Kerb-side stop, 3-point turn and a hill start. If you need a bit more practice to nail any or all of these skills, book a Driving Lesson with one of our qualified instructors now!
Decision Making
You will be required to demonstrate your ability to make safe decisions every time you enter traffic, change lanes, cross or turn at an intersection. When making decisions the assessor must observe your ability to take into account your speed and any necessary changes required due to the positioning and approach speeds of other vehicles.
Responding to hazards
An essential part of low risk driving is the way you use your hazard perception skills . During the test you will be assessed on your ability to recognise hazards and respond in an appropriate fashion. This is something you need to be doing continually whenever you are behind the wheel.
Operating the controls
You must know the location and how to use all relevant controls of the car. You will be assessed on your knowledge and the ability to control the car safely and drive smoothly throughout the test.
Preparation for your Driving Test is Key
The assessor will take into account the fact that you might be a bit nervous on the day of your test, but you must make sure you prove your competency in control of the car. If you have prepared sufficiently, even a few nerves shouldn’t affect your overall driving ability.
These tips will certainly help you on driving test day. However, if you want to make sure you give yourself the best chance of passing first go, we recommend a lesson from our qualified driving instructors.
Anyone can benefit from professional driving instruction. Our driving instructors can help improve your driving and bring to your attention any errors that might reduce your chances of passing the test.
Pass rates are higher when you work with a professional instructor. Drivers who have passed the test with Driving Lessons Wollongong are happy to recommend our driving lessons.