Driving test with the new rules

snotser94

Im doing my driving test earlie next week and im just wondering has anyone done it with the new rules and what sort of questions will they be asking? Seeing as the new rules are just in no one seems to know.

starlit

Not sure of what new rules you are speaking of, recent one was the even lower drink limit, but if its to do with the compulsory 12 EDI lessons, chances are likely they would only be attempting to do the test from last month or this month onwards. If they got their first learners permit last April, 4th of April onwards.

They would have to have 1st learners permit for at least 6 months before they could attempt the driving test.

If they are doing the EDI lessons then they are likely to only be doing the lessons every two weeks, twice a month, 2 lessons per month it would take the 6 months to get 12 EDI compulsory lessons completed if they were done well to satisfaction and passed each lesson. Its unlikely they could attempt the test without having passed each of the 12 lessons before moving on to their next lesson.

They can complete as many lessons after the 12 compulsory lessons if they wish. Depending how well they have progressed between their lessons and practise sessions in between lessons.

**Timbuk2**

I think you've got your wires crossed a bit!

The driving test itself isn't changing, per se. Are you referring to sitting the driving test under the Essential Driver Training (EDT) program? The actual practical test element is unchanged, you are still asked a few basic theory questions beforehand, brought outside, asked to do engine checks / control checks, and asked to drive, just like before. The only difference is, if you obtained your first learner permit on or after 4th April 2011, you will be required to have sat 12 lessons and you'll need to present your logbook to the tester.

You aren't referring to the theory test, are you? Because the theory test has been recently upgraded, but again, it's just an updated question bank, the level of difficulty has necessarily changed.

Good luck!

starlit

Depending which system you entered your first learners permit in will determine what system you be in. If you got your first learners permit before 4th April the new rules won't affect you.

If you received your first learners permit on or after 4th april 2011 then you had to have completed and passed your 12 EDI lessons before completing the test and have had your 1st learners permit for at least 6 months before attempting the test also regardless which system your learner permit has been put through.

You still have to complete the driving test like everyone else has I would imagine. I don't think there are any major new rules with regards to the driving test just test standard has gone up. Everything nearly has to be done to a tee, no room for mistakes even minor ones! You might not have many of them occurred in your test but could be faulted on a few and could be built up without you realising it. You could be faulted for small things like you wouldn't take much notice of. Some people might conflict on this regarding stalling or being in the wrong gear for situation and so on.

Best of luck with your driving test. If its the theory test then you would need to know what ever extra questions and new rules that are added in.

With the test itself, you be asked questions on the rules of the road anyway, know your signs, markings, rules of the road in general. Know the most common type questions any ways. You be asked to demonstrate a couple of vehicle checks. Explain a few things and they'll ask about vehicle controls too both primary and secondary controls.

Be able to apply the rules of the road as well as what you have learnt and put into practise into your driving test. Treat it like a lesson. If you done ok in the lessons and had a pre-test lesson/mock test then you be doing fine.

Good luck with it and safe and happy motoring!

**Timbuk2**

doovdela wrote: »

You still have to complete the driving test like everyone else has I would imagine. I don't think there are any major new rules with regards to the driving test just test standard has gone up. Everything nearly has to be done to a tee, no room for mistakes even minor ones! You might not have many of them occurred in your test but could be faulted on a few and could be built up without you realising it. You could be faulted for small things like you wouldn't take much notice of.

Good post doovdela, but just about this bit: The standard of the test hasn't gone up directly. You can still make mistakes and pass, the grading scheme remains the same, i.e. Grade 1s do not directly affect the test result, you fail if you have 9 Grade 2s overall, 4 Grade 2s on one line or 6 Grade 2s in one section, or you fail if you have one or more Grade 3s. So in theory, you can make 8 Grade 2s (serious mistakes!) and still pass.
But it is expected that the standard of candidate will go up as a result of EDT - the proportion of those passing their test first time will (we expect) rise. However, driving tests aren't marked against fellow test-takers, you will be just marked for the competence of your driving in the 30-40 minutes of your test!

starlit

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Good post doovdela, but just about this bit: The standard of the test hasn't gone up directly. You can still make mistakes and pass, the grading scheme remains the same, i.e. Grade 1s do not directly affect the test result, you fail if you have 9 Grade 2s overall, 4 Grade 2s on one line or 6 Grade 2s in one section, or you fail if you have one or more Grade 3s. So in theory, you can make 8 Grade 2s (serious mistakes!) and still pass.
But it is expected that the standard of candidate will go up as a result of EDT - the proportion of those passing their test first time will (we expect) rise. However, driving tests aren't marked against fellow test-takers, you will be just marked for the competence of your driving in the 30-40 minutes of your test!

Ya I suppose it hasn't majorly. Just my instructor says the standard has gone up since he did his test. Its a lot harder to pass and be faulted on minor things though I know you can still pass with a certain number of faults. Oh ya course, you can still pass and make mistakes, there isn't person who hasn't done a test and not have had some faults/mistakes and still pass. I am not too concerned about the grade 1's its the grade 2's I be more concerned about.

I don't know will the EDI lessons increase the chances of people passing first time it might and it might not sometimes it takes a bit more practice and experience behind the wheel and being ready for the test to actually pass it at all often take to the second time to pass it no matter how good a driver or mistakes or little mistakes being made.

We will just have to wait and see. Statistics will determine that I suppose on the RSA website in months/years to come if there is any difference in the pass rate first time between the old and new system.

Ya that's true. Competency of your driving skill is what will be marked. Then testers have a quota to meet too they will either feel like passing you or not but then again all depends how well the candidate does in their test. There is no reason why they should fail if they are well prepared and drive competently and have less grade 2 faults than the limit.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Roadskill

Try not to worry about what others have said to you or hear say. Do the best you can and listen to your instructor carefully. If you don't pass you obviously were not ready or nerves got the better of you. Any good instructor can teach 100% of people how to pass the test but it's up to you to actually do it.
Research shows it can take up to 60 hours of driving practice to be at a test standard but again that is not across the board some take more others less.
Do your best and good luck. You can always try again.;)