About to Get Learner's Permit, Any Advice?

realfancyman on 04/08/2019 - 16:59

Got my learners test booked in for next week, wondering if anyone has any tips for the test as well as the driving itself? In South Australia for any state specific info.

I've done the RAA multiple choice and give way questions a bunch of times and at the stage where I'm passing every time now. Going to be learning with my parents, and will definitely be taking advantage of the Keys2Drive program.

Already organised to be added as an authorised driver on the insurance so covered if anything comes up.

Would greatly appreciate any advice :)

Automotive Driving

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mylicence.sa.gov.au
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Comments

          • brad1-8tsi on 06/08/2019 - 07:40

            @p1 ama: When i got my motorbike licence I'd already had my car licence for 2 years.
            This meant:
            1) No restrictions on what size bike I could "learn" on (was 250cc for a learner IIRC).
            2) I got my learners permit and immediately booked the test for the earliest available date a week later.
            3) The test consisted of me riding up the road; doing a feet up U-turn under the watchful eye of the tester and then an unsupervised lap around the block.

            As a result, I'd rate my riding abilities as being fairly crap. I didn't know about counter-steer until I'd had my licence 17 years. I'm still a crap rider due to too many bad habits.

            The general standard of riding was improving for a while, then the trendy, mid-life crisis Harley riders started followed by the delivery riders on scooters who have appalling riding skills, poor road sense and no sense of self preservation.

            • p1 ama on 06/08/2019 - 20:16

              @brad1-8tsi: Geez, sounds much easier in your time. Now you have to go to a weekend course to get a bike license. People are a better rider for it though.

              The general standard of riding was improving for a while, then the trendy, mid-life crisis Harley riders started followed by the delivery riders on scooters who have appalling riding skills, poor road sense and no sense of self preservation.

              I'd still say that, in general, riders are more competent than drivers. I think it's partly because they have better skills (on average), but also a big part of it is just awareness. Being in a car is the most dangerous thing we do on a regular basis, but it feels safe to be in an enclosed box. When you ride, it feels more dangerous, so I think you act accordingly.

              Delivery riders are terrible - I work in the CBD and they just do the most dumb things (e.g. riding on footpaths, I've seen close misses with pedestrians). I've seen one go the wrong way down a one-way steet. Just idiotic, I wonder how long till there's a tragic accident.

  • Euphemistic on 05/08/2019 - 09:24
    +2

    Another tip: when you first start out in a car find somewhere with NO other cars around to get a feel for how the car works. Ie empty car park, new subdivision in the weekend, industrial area after hours, farm paddock. Don’t attempt ANY busy traffic areas until you are at least familiar with steering, braking and accelerating.

    Only when you are reasonably confident in your car handling should you head into peak hour.

  • Scorpex on 05/08/2019 - 10:49
    +4

    Indicate. Every time your car moves sideways. On the road, in car parks, even in the drive way at home. Do it when you can't see any other cars around….it's the car that you don't see that is the problem. At least five flashes. Make it an automatic habit so that you never have to remember to indicate, and you never forget.

  • backpaqer on 05/08/2019 - 12:20
    +1

    Live in the country? Just remember to open the paddock gate first. Live in the suburbs? Just remember to open the paddock gate first! ;)

  • k-rokfm on 05/08/2019 - 13:21
    +3

    Also learn some basic checkovers of the car - so you know what to look for if anything is damaged / unsafe.

    Learn how to change a wheel

    • Jcww on 05/08/2019 - 14:17

      ++++++++

  • rave75 on 05/08/2019 - 14:34

    for L test (mcq questions), as long as you know the road rules / read the sample questions to familiar yourself, you will be fine.

  • grr1701 on 05/08/2019 - 15:27
    +2

    Seriously, learn ALL the road rules! Not just the ones to help you pass the test. I have spoken to so many learners (I was a high school teacher) who flatly refused to learn the road rules and figured they would keep going back and re-doing the test until they got a pass. They have set themselves up to be the ones who do the wrong thing and then argue that what they did was right (because they’re ignorant of the REAL rules). JUST LEARN THE ROAD RULES WHILE YOU’RE STARTING OUT.

  • field1985 on 05/08/2019 - 15:29
    +4

    I would get a front & rear dashcam. So if you have any issues, arguments with parents, or accidents, you can review the situation later and learn from it.

    That would have saved me a lot of arguments with my parents.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 16:59

    (Do not) make it a lifetime habit to use a smartphone while driving.

  • kaleidoscope on 05/08/2019 - 18:12
    +1

    • take paid lessons… your parents may know lot about driving but driving exam is different.

    • obey road rules. this should not stop after getting the permit, they are there for a very good reason.

    • going above speed limit is not a skill. if your car goes faster its not your talent, but rather the engineering behind it. Your skill is to be a sate driver at all times.

    all the best!

  • panorama on 05/08/2019 - 18:58

    I'll be safe your in SA—- good luck with your driving….be careful

  • toblerone21 on 05/08/2019 - 21:19

    From memory (4-5 years ago)you have to get all 8 give way questions right to pass, you should breeze past it. The 2nd, multiple choice questions are where you are allowed to get a maximum of I think 5 questions wrong out of around 50. Like a few others have commented, start off practising in an empty car park and get a feel for the car, build your confidence up. I know there is an urge to get on the road as quick as possible so you can get your ps quicker, but the last thing you want to do is drive on a main road at peak times panicking at the wheel while some bogan behind you is beeping his horn and tailgating you.

    Once you're comfortable on the roads, try and get as much driving experience as you possibly can- it's a good opportunity for your 'qualified supervising driver' to pick up on your bad habits and correct them. Then once you have completed all your hours and 12 months have passed, do your research online and book the best rated driving instructor near you. CBT is the way to go if you want to feel comfortable with the driving instructor and you can actually see progression on paper, they try and milk the lessons a bit (more $$$$) but you're guaranteed to pass once every assessment is ticked off (should be finished within 8-9 lessons) compared to VORT where you mostly always hear of horror stories. Wonder if Dodgy Dave is still around lol

    Good Luck!

  • cloudy on 05/08/2019 - 22:17
    +1

    Be aware of your surroundings, if you have time check your mirrors, it’s good to know the cars around you, especially on long straights. If you suddenly not see them in your mirror chances are they could be in your blind spot now. Or if you need to change lanes you know what colour car to look out for etc.

    Imagine situations where an accident can occur. Eg, three lane road, and left most and right driver can at the same time want to move to middle lane( read this today, but I’ve imagined it before).

    Try to position yourself out of potential trouble, ie, if your near the back of a pack of cars, let yourself drift to the back and drive in heaps of space. Or if your near the front of pack, try to gain a gap forward. It’s hard to have an accident with another car if there aren’t any cars nearby.

    Drive predictably, if you ever get lost or whatever, it’s good to try to be considerate and try move yourself out of the way if you can.

    I do note it’s not always possible, but just extra things to consider.

  • TailsK on 06/08/2019 - 07:28

    I'd suggest getting a few lessons from a professional driving instructor (not just one free lesson). They'll help you form good driving habits if you get the driving lessons early.

  • UNO on 06/08/2019 - 14:22

    Make sure you are covered with comprehensive car insurance!

  • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2019 - 18:26
    +1

    When you do your practical driving test, choose wisely which centre to do it at .
    I did my test in small country coastal town (Kiama) . I would have struggled much more if I did my test in city driving. Whatever place you book for your test, they don't drive far from the office. So if you have choice of a few places in the area, choose the area with easiest traffic and driving conditions.

    The multiple choice test, is mostly just common sense, but try your best to learn all of the book Anyway. Remember, after you pass the test, you end up getting fined for not knowing (following) all the road rules, plus demerit points . So best learn it all properly now, though I did pass the learners test myself without reading book, just used a bit of logic and reasoning to answer the multiple choice.

  • Alan Fartridge on 06/08/2019 - 20:04
    +1

    I work for Service NSW and see a lot of people fail the DKT because they have only completed the practice test as study.

    Not sure about SA but in NSW you can view the entire 'Question Bank' and study every possible question and answer.

  • srr on 06/08/2019 - 20:08

    I wish someone told me this before I had my first accident.

    Don’t be pushed to do something, have your own plan of actions.

    I.e. for example if you’re parking your car, and someone is behind you waiting. you shouldn’t be in rush, take your time. If needed go out of the car to check if you fit or ask someone to go out and help you.

    Or, for example, you really need to change lanes and there’s traffic and no spot for you to change. No problems - indicate, slow down if needed, wait for someone to let you change the lane. Don’t overshoot the turn just because there was traffic behind you and you thought you can’t slow down.

    In all cases of course plan well ahead, but you will sometimes be in the situations like I described even if you plan ahead. People can wait no problems, however if you start taking into account inconvenience of other people too much, you will not be able to take the best course of actions for yourself.

    • Euphemistic on 07/08/2019 - 09:52

      Don’t overshoot the turn just because there was traffic behind you and you thought you can’t slow down.

      Missing a turn is it the end of the world. If it is unsafe to change lanes and slowing down will still not get someone to let you in, it will be safer to go around the block. Slowing down so much you need to stop and block the traffic is not the correct action. Planning ahead should prevent having to change lanes so late you can’t get into the lane.

      • srr on 08/08/2019 - 19:41

        Yep I agree sometimes it’s the best to go around the block. More often slowing down will get you in, but main point is have your own plan.

  • p3nf0ld on 06/08/2019 - 20:53

    Get Insurance - it will save you needing to draw mspaint diagrams in the future!

  • knasty on 06/08/2019 - 22:07

    If your car has auto headlight function, use it. I see so many drivers at dusk or nighttime driving without their lights on, or using parking lights only instead of low beams. If your car has fog lights don't use them, unless it's foggy (it's illegal). Check your taillights periodically - on my Uber home tonight I noticed a couple of vehicles (including my Uber when I got out) had working headlights but taillights did not work, and both were dark cars. Best of luck!

  • Skramit on 07/08/2019 - 09:36

    Learn how to use roundabouts properly. I reckon 50% of drivers in simply don't know how they work.

  • Spookware on 07/08/2019 - 10:43
    +1

    Leave your Phone in the Boot of the car.
    Book an advanced driving course as soon as you can afford it.
    Learn manual.

  • realfancyman on 08/08/2019 - 15:56
    +1

    Update, got it!! 8/8 for the give way and 41/42 for the multiple choice :))

    Thanks everyone for your advice and stories, much appreciated!

    • outlander on 08/08/2019 - 19:56
      +1

      Well done laddy. You've made the ozbargain family proud.

      Did you get a good photo?

      • realfancyman on 08/08/2019 - 20:28

        We'll find out in a week or so when I get the actual card in the mail, just got the temporary one ATM. Probably not though 😂

  • sal78 on 24/09/2021 - 02:28

    My parents are crazy m'sian drivers. If I had bern taught by them, god help everyone.

    My son just got his Ls and I found out that I can teach him how to drive eventhough i have zero experience in teaching. I have searched everywhere for a guide in qld and it is non existent.

    The log book app is just purely for logging hrs. Now I know why there are so many bad young drivers and increased accident rates in oz. I much prefer the system back when I learned to drive.

    The log book was a physical book which went through all of the competency required. The instructor would sign off once you pass. Once you have pass all the tasks in the book, at that stage you should be a confident driver and ready for your test. The competency includes country driving and night driving.

    I manage to find something similar through the SA transport website. I will use this as a guide to teach my son and he will have lessons to teach him the tasks that I can't.

    Once he finishes the book then we can start driving hours. It will be pretty easy to get 100 hrs.

    file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/3f/15/EE5D2BCC-1284-4B78-A70C-DDCAA555B2C8/MR195_The_Driving_Companion.pdf

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