HOW TO PASS YOUR DRIVING TEST

Avoid the most common reasons for failing

In Western Australia, the driving test typically lasts for 35 minutes.

During this time, you need to drive to the best of your ability and avoid making mistakes or developing bad driving habits.

Critical errors, highlighted in bold below, can result in an immediate fail. Minor errors, while not immediately disqualifying, can lead to failure if they accumulate.

Here are some common mistakes people make when attempting to pass their driving test.

Failing to stop at a stop sign: Drivers must come to a complete stop and wait for 2 seconds before proceeding. They must stop within 1 metre of the stop line. If stopping short, they must move forward to the line and stop again.

Excessive speeding: Driving 5 km/h over the speed limit.

Not performing head-checks: Failing to do head-checks before moving away from the curb, lane changing, merging, or deviating from a path, and when moving into the path of another vehicle.

Vehicle not road-worthy: Ensure your lights and tyres are in good condition.

Causing a potential crisis: Any action that creates a dangerous situation.

Inability to perform manoeuvres: Difficulty with parallel parking, bay parking,

or leaving something behind.

Failing to give way: Not yielding at give-way lines.

Lack of vehicle control: Stalling, selecting incorrect gears, rolling back, coasting,

riding the clutch, steering incorrectly, over-revving, or not using wipers and demisters when necessary.

Incorrect signalling: You must signal for 5 seconds before moving away from the curb and at least 30 metres before turning, if practical. Signal correctly at roundabouts and cancel your signal within 3 flashes after completing a manoeuvre.

Assessor intervention: If the assessor has to intervene to prevent an accident or potential accident.

Assessor assistance: If the assessor has to help the candidate, depending on the situation.

Disobeying traffic laws: Not following any traffic law, regulatory sign, or road marking.

Failure to follow directions: Not following the directions given by the assessor.

Understanding how the driving assessment is structured is crucial. Many people believe that manoeuvres are the primary reason for failure, but on a driving test, you can attempt a manoeuvre several times before failing. Therefore, perfecting your general driving skills is more important. Unlike manoeuvres, you typically only get one chance to perform driving tasks correctly, as driving errors are usually not correctable during the test.