Passing out tips...

Can someone who passed out recently or recently'ish tell me how it all works.

From arriving basically.

Well. You get there, you go upstairs. They put you all in a big room, you wait for ages, and then your examiner comes in and calls you out.

You go out to where you parked your car, you do the internal and external pre-trip inspections.

He directs you to drive to the yard (don't do anything until he tells you to!). You do all the yard tests (the order differs, depending on how many other cars there are in the yard); on the last test he adds up your points and if you failed on points already he'll tell you (if you did something that causes an immediate fail, like touching a pole, he'll tell you immediately).

Then he directs you out onto the road - he'll tell you when to turn, if he doesn't say turn at an intersection you keep going straight (unless he's previously directed you to a turn only lane, of course). He'll direct you round, and eventually back to the yard, where he'll direct you where to park.

He'll add up your points, and tell you if you passed or failed, and give your points sheet. If you passed, you go back upstairs, do the admin stuff, go downstairs and pay, go back upstairs (I think) with the receipt, and you're pretty much done!
 
It's not as bad as it seems man. TMI can overwhelm anyone. CathJ, calm down :p
You just go there and wait your turn. Then you drive! He will instruct you all the way so don't worry.
 
Thanks CathJ, suddenly, I'm nervous...

You will be, it's natural. And when you're waiting, and waiting in the room, and people are being called out, you'll be incredibly nervous. But once you get in the car you'll be fine :)

Definitely go and drive around the area, that'll definitely make you feel more confident. They have a couple of routes, but drive around the traffic department, down to Ottery Hypermarket, past Makro, round the other side of Ottery Hypermarket. There's another section that they took me on, can't remember exactly where it was, though.

Don't get nervous about getting nervous ;)
 
It's not as bad as it seems man. TMI can overwhelm anyone. CathJ, calm down :p
You just go there and wait your turn. Then you drive! He will instruct you all the way so don't worry.

Nah, knowledge is power :D
 
Thing is, I have 2 tests.
I booked my first at Green Point and it's on the 28th Jan at 9:45 (62 days to go) and then went to Hillstar and booked again for the 12th December at 7:45 (15 days to go)

I really can't fail the first one because when I think about it, I just know I wont.

I'm just worried that's all.

I promised my GF in Germany that when she gets back (for a holiday in 19 days) that I'll have my drivers.
 
Thing is, I have 2 tests.
I booked my first at Green Point and it's on the 28th Jan at 9:45 (62 days to go) and then went to Hillstar and booked again for the 12th December at 7:45 (15 days to go)

I really can't fail the first one because when I think about it, I just know I wont.

I'm just worried that's all.

I promised my GF in Germany that when she gets back (for a holiday in 19 days) that I'll have my drivers.

Hillstar's a much better place to do the test, but at least you have a backup. Just don't forget to cancel the 2nd appt if you don't need it, so that some other poor person can get a slot!
 
Hillstar's a much better place to do the test, but at least you have a backup. Just don't forget to cancel the 2nd appt if you don't need it, so that some other poor person can get a slot!

I think cancelling that appointment will be the most amazing thing ever! That's how happy I'll be.
 
My test is in Hillstar and I haven't done any driving in that area (all my driving and such as been in CBD central) but I plan to do some driving in that area closer to the day of the test (like a week or so)

Will you be able to use a car that you know for the test?

Definitely get your school to take you on the Hillstar "routes" - they should know them. Also go to the practice yard they have at the Hypermarket in Ottery.

Remember not to roll back on the hill, so many people fail like this. Rev car and take foot slowly off the clutch so you can feel the car wanting to move forward. I'm sure you've done this a lot but make sure.

Make sure you stick to at least 5 - 10km/h less than the speed limit, especially when going through the "built up areas". Also make sure you don't go too fast on the "open stretch" part.

Know simple things like your vehicle pre-check, hand signals in case they ask, keeping both hands on the steering wheel and using them correctly when turning, making sure you check every single side road, indicating in and out of lanes, indicating until your entire car is in the lane etc.

Good luck!
 
I can remember when I started my driving lessons, I used to dread them, now I look forward to them.

I am planning on having a talk with my instructor tonight about getting more strict with me, because it's coming to D-DAY and I know he lets me miss a few things here and there but I want his A game.

But having said that, he is very good.

I pass out, he (and the rest of you) become my new heroes*! :)

*Awesomeness super powers :D
 
Trust me, I hated driving and was schit nervous on the day. My appointment was actually brought forward by a few months and you can imagine what went through my mind. I was nervous and got the one parallel parking wrong the first time, but I just asked him if I can redo it, which I did and it went well. The important thing for me was just to make sure I get out of the parking area. Once that was accomplished, I knew I would pass, cos driving on the road is easy.

Ye I was nervous to, I didnt look under the car in my inspection, messed up at the first parallel parking, I received 48 out of 50 for my yard test. I managed 20 out of 100 for the open road driving, then I hit a yellow light, had to argue with the guy for 20 minutes before he agreed it was yellow and not a red light...:o
 
Ye I was nervous to, I didnt look under the car in my inspection, messed up at the first parallel parking, I received 48 out of 50 for my yard test. I managed 20 out of 100 for the open road driving, then I hit a yellow light, had to argue with the guy for 20 minutes before he agreed it was yellow and not a red light...:o

Anyone know how the scoring works?

Because JK8, If I am thinking right, you should've failed. :confused:
 
I showed my GF this thread but long story short, she sent me the following via e-mail.

As long as you know what to do you will be fine nicks. Just take lots of rescue remedy and be yourself. There are so many stories about Hillstar and driving tests, everyone has a story to tell.

The only thing I have to add, even if you think the cop is not looking at you he is! Don't look at the scoring card or at him, keep your eyes on the road and checking the mirrors at all times. And when checking don't only use your eyes, move your head a little so they can see, as they can't always see just your eyes moving if they are looking down and scoring. If they can't see any movemnet then they think you aren't checking. That's what the cop (and my instructor) told me.
 
Merc, what did you do wrong that you got another chance?

Their parallel parking area was a bit different to what I practiced on, so I was a bit off the first time. Then I just asked him if I could redo. I think you're allowed 3 redos.

Ye I was nervous to, I didnt look under the car in my inspection, messed up at the first parallel parking, I received 48 out of 50 for my yard test. I managed 20 out of 100 for the open road driving, then I hit a yellow light, had to argue with the guy for 20 minutes before he agreed it was yellow and not a red light...:o

I totally forgot about the inspection. Make sure you know it.

Yeah, gdiza your gf and PostmanPot is right.
 
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Take cash with you in case.

Luckily I have never done the K53 method (still drive on my international permit ;)). A guy I know is an instructor and even they say the whole thing is a load of sh|t. This you can plainly see by the quality (or lack thereof) of driving in South Africa.

My advice is pass it (or buy it) and then forget it and learn how to drive. I can recommend BMW's Advanced Driving Course.
 
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