Getting Drivers License

tsume

tsume

The Pervy Sage
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I've been stalling on doing this for a long enough time as there is always something in the way, but I just realised that they will always be something in the way. There is always studies, I was never able to get a family member to take me to the booking station, bookings are taken during the holidays etc. etc.

I think it's time I take the bull by the horns, but they are somethings I would like to know before continuing. I stay off the wits campus if it would make answering my questions easier.

1-Which is the best test centre, where they wont be a back-haul of unavailable dates? Also what is the expected time frame from booking to test date?
2-Can I request a date, or will I be handed one and that's it with no negotiation?
3-I'll probably need a quick run over on what I will be tested upon, so any recommended driving schools?
4-Will the driving school be able to pick me up and take me to the booking centre and to the testing area on the day?
 
tsume said:
I've been stalling on doing this for a long enough time as there is always something in the way, but I just realised that they will always be something in the way. There is always studies, I was never able to get a family member to take me to the booking station, bookings are taken during the holidays etc. etc.

I think it's time I take the bull by the horns, but they are somethings I would like to know before continuing. I stay off the wits campus if it would make answering my questions easier.

1-Which is the best test centre, where they wont be a back-haul of unavailable dates? Also what is the expected time frame from booking to test date?
2-Can I request a date, or will I be handed one and that's it with no negotiation?
3-I'll probably need a quick run over on what I will be tested upon, so any recommended driving schools?
4-Will the driving school be able to pick me up and take me to the booking centre and to the testing area on the day?
Click to expand...

1- Dont know, dont live in Gauteng.
2- you are given a date and cannot negotiate (at least with my expirience).
3- Refer to answer 1.
4- Yes, ALL driving schools offer this, its best to do the test in the car that you have been practicing with.
 
Last edited:
If you are in Gauteng: always call the callcentre at 8am when they open...that way u get the best available date (ie, ppl who failed 2 confirm their bookings automatically forfeit their dates & its given to the next person)...remember you have 5 working days to physically confirm (fill in form, fingerprints etc etc at the testing centre)
Just double check because I am not sure if they are still using this system.
 
In the exact position as you. Must do it this june/july.
 
Chief Whip said:
If you are in Gauteng: always call the callcentre at 8am when they open...that way u get the best available date (ie, ppl who failed 2 confirm their bookings automatically forfeit their dates & its given to the next person)...remember you have 5 working days to physically confirm (fill in form, fingerprints etc etc at the testing centre)
Just double check because I am not sure if they are still using this system.
Click to expand...

They're back to booking in person, no more centralised booking system.
 
Edenvale is very good and efficient.
you will need photos, R228, ID and take an eye test.
Its relatively painless there, you can pop in any time, queues are manageable.
I failed test on Thursday they gave me another booking for the following Monday (passed) after a bit of pleading. They are open to pleading if dates are available - they also test on Saturdays.
Edenvales route is quite easy - two or three so called tricky spots, an instructor will show you the way and point them out.
To learn the basics of K53 and the route I suggest BJ's in Edenvale, ask for Jabu, he has been doing this for 15 years and is good. I would suggest at least 3 lessons to learn the route and the observations and to correct any bad habits and then practice in your own car as much as you can- there is a test yard in edenvale which you can go to for R25 1 hour practice, so you can fine tune the moves in your own car - this saved me for my second test. You can use their car for the test but it is expensive, R400 and if you fail in the yard, you feel a bit peeved. Generally if you leave the yard then you should pass, learn emergency stop and quick hand signals.
 
lived666 said:
Edenvale is very good and efficient.
you will need photos, R228, ID and take an eye test.
Its relatively painless there, you can pop in any time, queues are manageable.
I failed test on Thursday they gave me another booking for the following Monday (passed) after a bit of pleading. They are open to pleading if dates are available - they also test on Saturdays.
Edenvales route is quite easy - two or three so called tricky spots, an instructor will show you the way and point them out.
To learn the basics of K53 and the route I suggest BJ's in Edenvale, ask for Jabu, he has been doing this for 15 years and is good. I would suggest at least 3 lessons to learn the route and the observations and to correct any bad habits and then practice in your own car as much as you can- there is a test yard in edenvale which you can go to for R25 1 hour practice, so you can fine tune the moves in your own car - this saved me for my second test. You can use their car for the test but it is expensive, R400 and if you fail in the yard, you feel a bit peeved. Generally if you leave the yard then you should pass, learn emergency stop and quick hand signals.
Click to expand...

Whoa man in PE i spend R120/h on lessons (this is the minimum standard, some schools charge R160) Oh and when i failed my first test the next closest date was 5months after the day of failure. if i fail my next drivers my learners becomes void... max pressure.

say if i get 4 lessons and spend R230 on a booking and R450 on hiring a car for test day, the cost quickly can become over R1k... is madness :D

The worst part about this is that CPT has a normal queue of 1month and i decided to book my drivers in PE rather, thinking that it would be a better (since PE is smaller etc etc)

The Traffic Dept is decent, short queues (20min to make a booking) but its just the backlog of tests thats frightening, PE needs another test center (or 2) at least.

I personally blame the ANC for this..
 
lived666 said:
Edenvale is very good and efficient.
you will need photos, R228, ID and take an eye test.
Its relatively painless there, you can pop in any time, queues are manageable.
I failed test on Thursday they gave me another booking for the following Monday (passed) after a bit of pleading. They are open to pleading if dates are available - they also test on Saturdays.
Edenvales route is quite easy - two or three so called tricky spots, an instructor will show you the way and point them out.
To learn the basics of K53 and the route I suggest BJ's in Edenvale, ask for Jabu, he has been doing this for 15 years and is good. I would suggest at least 3 lessons to learn the route and the observations and to correct any bad habits and then practice in your own car as much as you can- there is a test yard in edenvale which you can go to for R25 1 hour practice, so you can fine tune the moves in your own car - this saved me for my second test. You can use their car for the test but it is expensive, R400 and if you fail in the yard, you feel a bit peeved. Generally if you leave the yard then you should pass, learn emergency stop and quick hand signals.
Click to expand...

Would you happen to have to have BJ's contact details?
 
Well had a family member call a couple of driving schools (including BJ's), both said they won't be able take to the test centre to book a date...which is where a major problem lies in getting transport to the test centre to book.

Just wanted to ask some more questions:
-Has anyone (or know someone that's) done there drivers test at Langlaagte testing department? Are queues manageable and they open on Saturday's? Or should I rather go for testing centre in Roodeport?
 
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