Hi James here from One 2 Pass Driving School, your friendly Caloundra Driving School Instructor.
As per normal on my blogs, I’m going to base this on my own personal opinion or experience and / or supported from sources, facts and / or legislation quoted for driving on Queensland’s roads.
Today I’m going to talk about your practical driving Examination test day.
So this is a great topic… A topic that I discuss most days with my students as part of my cabin drill with every student who will eventually sit or is sitting their practical driving examination test.
When I’m talking with parents of students, or the students themselves, I commonly hear that I or my son or daughter struggles with anxiety.
Why am I talking about anxiety?
On practical driving examination test day, all students feel some kind or excitement or anxiety because they are nervous about passing their practical driving test to gain their red P’s licence. Don’t kid yourself about these feelings, you and your good self, this it’s completely normal!
How to do I book my practical driving examination?
An individual is required to book his or her test on https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au – book a Practice Driving Test and confirm their booking.
As of March 29th 2021 you will now have to also complete the Hazard Perception Test.
Ive booked my Practical Driving test.
Once you have booked your practical driving test, you will need to contact James from One 2 Pass Driving School, phone or text on Ph:0449 199 231 to book your pre lesson / test / car / hire for your practical driving examination test.
We can use your vehicle for the practical driving test with your permission.
Practical driving examination test booked with TMR and appointment scheduled and confirmed with One 2 Pass Driving School.
So how does the practical driving examination test day work?
Together we allocate the time required for testing. I schedule and allocate time for your pre lesson and test and collect you at your chosen pick up location or meet you at a selected TMR Transport Department location. We complete our pre test lesson and arrive at the nominated TMR office in plenty of time. In this pre test lesson we practice and complete the required manoeuvres required for passing your examination. You will only be required to complete 2 manoeuvres when testing.
During our informative pre lesson we discuss, Observation and Scanning, Shoulder Checks, Mirrors, Signalling, Traffic Hazards, Judgement, Safety Margins, Progress, Signs/Signals/Markings, Speed.
All key topics that every qualifying driver should be normal skills as part of their normal driving habits.
Time required for todays testing.
The overall time required for todays pre lesson – test is about 2.5 hours long.
Normally a 1 hour pre test – lesson, + 25-30 min check in time at the TMR office, 25-30 minute examination test time. Finally, 15 minutes to get new licence and then 15 minute drive home.
Arriving at the TMR site office.
Upon our safe arrival at the Transport office we park and secure the vehicle. We make our way inside the offices to register for a Practical Driving Test. You are required to have your Drivers Licence with you.
From July 2021 will be required to have passed your Hazard Perception Test and pass before proceeding forward with the practical driving test.
For international Students testing you may be required to have your Passport and / or other forms of photo Identification with you – other forms could be Medicare card, Bank Cards, Rental agreement, a pay check summary or may Utilities agreement. International students who require a language translation or a certification of your drivers licence, if English is not your first language for successfully testing.
If an International young or mature age Student requires a translator, this will need to be organised in advance prior to your testing day and have TMR approval.
Your Examiner.
Once you have checked in at the TMR office and completed the necessary paperwork with the administration officer, you will be assigned an Examiner for testing and you are advised to wait with the vehicle your testing in. Your examiner will identify their student and introduce them self.
Please be respectful of your examiner. Remember, their professional experience surpasses your experience and this is their professional occupation with current knowledge of the QLD road rules.
Pre Vehicle Checks.
Your testing examiner will ask you to sit in the vehicle and initiate pre vehicle checks.
First:
Externally safety checks of the vehicle. This includes a visual walk around and check all necessary vehicle lights and sound the horn.
Second:
The testing examiner will sit in the vehicle beside you and ask you to demonstrate the locations or functions of 2 items. These could include; Mirror adjustments, Headlight/Dip, Wipers, Washers, Demister front/rear, Air Conditioning, Hazard Lights, Seat Adjustment and use of the rear view mirror day/night.
Third:
Your testing examiner will explain that today we are testing. They will note they understand that all students are likely to be nervous and try to relax and drive like its a normal drive. The testing examiner will also explain that they also are required to make necessary notation during the test. If you see the examiner making notations, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have made an error. This is a legal requirement for your practical driving test. Once everyone is settled and happy, your examiner asks you to start your driving test.
During the Examination drive.
The testing examiner will give your clear and concise instructions for driver routing.
Listen for clear and concise instructions and complete the tasks. Check for road signage. Follow the rule of the road. Indicate appropriately. Stop at stop signs. Give way to all road users when necessary. Do not cross solid white lines unless you are exiting or entering a road.
How long is the examination drive?
Your examination time is approximately 25 – 30 minutes long.
During this time following the examiners clear instructions you will be asked to complete 2 of the 5 manoeuvres required and demonstrate. You may be required to demonstrate a reverse parallel park, turnaround, hill start, u-turn or a straight line reverse (gear change for automatics).
Upon completing your drive test time you will return to the TMR transport office, park and secure your vehicle and ready for your debrief.
Examiners debrief.
Listen carefully to the report from your testing examiner. If you have areas that require focus and energy, take this advice onboard. Be humble and accept your outcome.
Only you as the driver on the day of testing can be responsible and accountable for the drive you have driven and completed. Hopefully you have passed your practical driving examination. Congratulations!
Today you were successful in passing!
After the testing examiners debrief and passing the test, you select another practical driving test ticket.
When your new ticket number gets called out and you sit at the selected numbered desk. The TMR administration officer will check if your personal particulars are current and correct in the TMR database.
You will be asked if you would like a new photo for your new licence?
You will be asked how long you would like your new licence for, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year etc?
You will be issued a paper copy of your licence and advised that your new licence will arrive in the post between 2-4 weeks. Keep the drivers licence document with you at all times whilst driving any vehicle.
Today you were unsuccessful in passing!
After the examiners debrief today you have been unsuccessful on this attempt.
Listen carefully to the report from your examiner. If you have areas that require focus and energy, take this advice onboard. Be humble and accept the outcome.
Only you as the driver on the day of testing can be responsible and accountable for the drive you have driven and completed. This is not the end of your world! You will need to reschedule a new practice driving test appointment on https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au
The drive home.
James your friendly Sunshine Coast Driving School Instructor who you’ve had driving lesson with will drive you home or to your nominated drop off destination.
Because you have passed your Red P’s test, you are no longer legally able to drive my One 2 Pass Driving School vehicle.
Be sure to purchase some Red P’s from any reputable outlet and attach them on your vehicle if you haven’t already done so!
James your friendly Caloundra Driving School Instructor’s advice is….
You have your red p’s, it’s time to spread your wings.
Drive with a 360* visual, observing all other road users who aren’t paying attention. Leave enough space to stop in front of you for vehicles to stop behind you!
Your first 5 solo drives;
Keep the radio / music volume level low, plan and prepare your route / journey in advance, leave with plenty of time to arrive safely at your destination. Become super familiar with travelling without an audible buddy, be extra cautious while driving, enjoy the drive you’ve got this!
That was a whole lot of information there about examination day. I hope this was helpful indeed.
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Ph: 132 380
If you need to book your driving test examination.
Youtube – TMR:
QLD POLICE SERVICE:
Emergency Ph: 000
Non Emergency Ph: 131 444
Crimestoppers Ph:1800 333 000
QLD Ambulance Service
Emergency call Ph: 000
General enquiries and first aid courses
Ph: 13 74 68
QLD Fire Service
Emergency call Ph: 000
As a Sunshine Coast Driving Instructor I’m available in all of these suburbs for driving lessons; Caloundra West, Bells Creek, Golden Beach, Pelican Waters, Caloundra, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Aroona, Little Mountain, Currimundi, Baringa. Lessons book and fill fast so book early for your preferred times and dates so as not to miss out or be disappointed.
As a Caloundra Driving School Instructor you might also see me teaching a lesson in Nambour, Woombye, Forest Glen, Buderim, Tanawha, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headlands, Mooloolaba, Minyama, Buddina, Mountain Creek, Sippy Downs, Warana, Bokarina, Birtinya or Wurtulla.
If you follow me on Instagram / one2pass or Facebook / One2Pass Driving School I use the following hashtags. #One2Pass #driving #school #Caloundradrivingschool #Instructorjames #passedfirstgo #gotmyredPs #drivinglessons #covidsafe #successful
I hope you enjoyed todays blog. Please remember, this blog is based on my own personal opinion and experiences that may be supported by facts, legislation or sources that I have quoted from.
Safe driving fellows road users,
James your One 2 Pass Driving School friendly Caloundra Driving School Instructor.
