NSW Driving Test Basic driving techniques

NSW Driving test Basic driving techniques

The key to good driving technique is smoothness, and the secret to smoothness is good preparation.

DRIVING POSTURE
When you first get a car take the time to adjust the seat and controls to suit your
height and build. Correct driving posture reduces fatigue, improves your control
and allows the safety features of the vehicle to operate effectively.

SEATBELTS
For seatbelts to work effectively they should be adjusted ‘low, flat and firm’.
• Low – placed below your hips to fully secure your body weight.
• Flat – no twists, turns or folds.
• Firm – about every 15 minutes when you drive pull the belt firm to remove any
slack.

AIRBAGS
Airbags are a supplementary restraining system (SRS) designed to be used in
conjunction with seatbelts. To get the most benefit from the driver’s airbag the
steering wheel should be adjusted low, facing the driver’s chest rather than the face.

BRAKING TECHNIQUE
Correct braking is done in two stages, first put light pressure on the brake pedal
and pause (set up the brakes), then progressively apply the necessary braking
pressure (squeeze).
Two-stage braking (set up and squeeze) improves braking effectiveness, reduces
the likelihood of skidding and provides better control.
Harsh or excessive braking pressure may cause skidding and a loss of control,
particularly on wet or gravel roads.

STEERING TECHNIQUE
There are two main steering techniques, ‘push/pull’ and ‘hand over hand’.
Regardless of which method is used some general rules apply:
• Steering must be smooth and progressive.
• Reduce speed before steering and wait until the vehicle begins
to straighten before accelerating.
• When steering keep both hands on the outside of the steering wheel and
thumbs along the rim.

NSW Driving Test CRASH AVOIDANCE SPACE

CRASH AVOIDANCE SPACE
A safe low risk driver maintains a crash avoidance space completely around the
vehicle. The crash avoidance space is managed by adjusting the vehicle’s speed and
road position.
To determine the crash avoidance space to the front of the vehicle you need to
take into account two key factors – reaction time and response time.
Reaction time is the time the driver needs to:
• See the information.
• Perceive what it means.
• Decide on a response.
• Instigate that response.
A driver who is fit, concentrating, alert and not affected by alcohol, drugs, fatigue
or a distraction, will still require about one and a half seconds to react to a hazard.
Response time is the time required to take action. Generally a minimum of one
and a half seconds is needed to respond. In many situations braking may be the
only possible response. Swerving is rarely appropriate and can result in a more
severe crash, for example a head-on collision.
A total of three seconds crash avoidance space is needed to react and respond to a
situation in front of you. You may need even longer in poor conditions such as in
rain or darkness.
The three-second gap, explained on the next page, can be used when following
another vehicle or if there is potential for something to move into your crash
avoidance space.

FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE
To calculate a three-second crash avoidance space when following another vehicle
use this basic technique. As the rear of the vehicle in front of you passes an object
at the side of the road such as a power pole, tree or sign, start a three-second
count ‘one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three’.

If your car passes the object you picked before you finish the three-second count,
you are following too closely. Your crash avoidance space is not large enough. Slow
down, and repeat the count again until the three-second crash avoidance space is
achieved.
In poor driving conditions, such as rain, night and gravel roads, it may be necessary
to increase your crash avoidance space to four or more seconds.
To reduce the risk of driving into the rear of a vehicle, the three-second crash
avoidance space is essential, as the vehicle in front has the potential to stop very
quickly if it collides with another vehicle or stationary object

THE THREE SECOND GAP WILL CHANGE DEPENDING ON YOUR SPEED.
The following table shows the crash avoidance space needed for these speeds
Speed Crash avoidance space
60 km/h 50 metres
80 km/h 67 metres
100 km/h 84 metres
110 km/h 92 metres
POTENTIAL FOR SOMETHING TO MOVE INTO THE CRASH AVOIDANCE SPACE
The three-second gap can also be used for situations where there is potential
for something to move into your crash avoidance space; for example a car in an
adjacent street could fail to give way and pull out in front of you.
Safe low risk drivers experienced in maintaining a three-second following distance
are able to mentally judge a three-second crash avoidance space in front of their
vehicle. If there is potential for a hazard to enter this crash avoidance space, reduce
your speed to create a buffer. It is necessary to maintain the crash avoidance space
for all potentially hazardous situations, including blind corners and crests.
Many of the crashes that occur each day in NSW could be avoided if drivers
actively maintained their crash avoidance space.

NSW Driving Test – Safe Driving

NSW Driving Test  Safe Driving

Low risk driving
Driving is never risk free, but you should aim to drive ‘low risk’. A low risk driver has good observation, speed management and road positioning skills.
OBSERVATION
The key to good observation is scanning.
Scanning is keeping your eyes moving, checking in one area for a couple of
seconds and then moving your eye to another area.
When scanning look:
• In the distance.
• At the road surface.
• To your left and right.
• Regularly at your mirrors and instruments.
SPEED MANAGEMENT
Drive at a speed that is within the speed limit and this will allow you to react and completely stop within the distance you can see is clear. When you see potential
hazards, slow down and prepare to stop (referred to as setting up the brakes), for
example when pedestrians are close to the road or when other vehicles may turn in
front of you. If you cannot see at least five seconds ahead you must slow down.
Slow down on wet, icy or gravel roads where it will take longer for your vehicle to
stop.

NSW Driving Test – Vehicle Control

NSW Driving Test – Vehicle Control

Your ability to control the vehicle is assessed by the way you handle the tasks involved.

OPERATING THE CONTROLS
Some of the driving tasks that the testing officer will observe and record are
listed here:
Adjust driver’s seat posture and steering column (if adjustable) to ensure you have good control of the vehicle.

Operate accelerator smoothly when accelerating and decelerating.

Operate brakes smoothly and effectively.

Coordinate clutch and gear lever to make smooth gear changes.

Select appropriate gear for the situation including when coming to a stop and parking the car.

Avoid over-revving on take off and gear changes.

Driver’s seat belt is correctly fastened, fitted and adjusted (low, flat and firm).

Apply a brake when starting the vehicle.

Prevent rolling back when starting on hills.

Use park brake correctly when preparing to secure the vehicle and ensure it is fully released when driving.

Steer with both hands on the steering wheel (except when using another control), using either ‘hand-over-hand’ or ‘pull-push’ method with hands on the outside of the steering wheel.

Use other controls such as indicators, windscreen wipers and demisters.

You must be confident in your use of all controls and be able to operate them without being distracted.

NSW Driving Test - Vehicle Control
NSW Driving Test – Vehicle Control

DRIVERS HOLDING AN OVERSEAS LICENCE In NSW

DRIVERS HOLDING AN OVERSEAS LICENCE
If you have a current overseas licence and a permanent resident visa, you are
allowed to drive or ride in NSW on your current licence for a maximum
of three months after arriving in Australia.

To drive with your current licence during the three-month period, you must
not be disqualified from driving or riding and your licence must not be suspended or
cancelled.

You must obtain (not just apply for) a NSW licence within this three-month
period if you wish to continue to drive or ride.

Please note that if your overseas licence is not in English, you must also carry your
International Driving Permit or an English translation with your licence when
driving.

We have a driving school test package that includes a one hour driving lesson then the driving test.
We can prepare you for a Blacktown Driving Test, Castle Hill Driving Test, Penrith Driving Test, Richmond Driving Test and Mount Druitt Driving Test.

Our driving school is located in the Western Suburbs of Sydney and we prepare students for their driving test at Blacktown, Castle Hill, Mount Druitt, Penrith and Richmond.

We do driving school lessons in the following suburbs:
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Click To Book Your Manual Driving Test

Special offers:
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Blacktown Driving School Lessons $50
Mount Druitt Driving School Lessons $50
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Penrith Driving School Lessons $50
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Special offers:One hour driving lesson & driving test,
Blacktown Driving School Test Package $150
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OVERSEAS LICENCE In NSW
OVERSEAS LICENCE In NSW

Driving Lesson testimonial from Deidre.

Driving Lesson testimonial from Deidre

TXT from Deidre 18/8/15.

Hi Cameron

I just want to thank you for taking a chance on me to help me 2 drive again.

Being disabled with above knee amputation is hard .

When you came today you made me feel so comfortable and I was no different than anyone else.

If you are disabled need driving lessons give Cameron a call.  
Have a nice day Deidre.

Deidre lost her right leg,    so driving a standard car on the streets of  Sydney took a lot of   guts.

Well done Deidre. 

Cameron Lata, Camber Driving School, Sydney.

NSW Logbook 20. Preparing for the driving test

NSW Logbook 20. Preparing for the driving test

Learning Goal

Make sure you are prepared to take your driving test.

Learning Content
Review each learning goal carefully to make sure you can achieve each one
Get a copy of The Guide to the Driving Test and familiarise yourself with the test requirments.
Book your driving test and make sure you have all of the relevant paper work you need
Make sure you have correctly filled out the log book and will have thr required hours by the time you do your test, including at least 20 hours night driving.

Facts and Tips
You can book your test in person at the RTA/RMS or call 13 22 13 or online.
Make sure your car is fully roadworthy –   tyres, lights, mirrors etc  before you present for your driving test.

Guide to the driving test

Also maybe check out my video page.  Have a look at:

The Guide to the Driving Test.

NSW Logbook 19. City and motorway driving

NSW Logbook 19. City and motorway driving

Learning Goal
Gain experience driving in complex and busy city traffic and motorway environments

Learning Content
Driving in the city – busy commercial centres
Driving on motorways including –
Using tool booths, e-tags etc
Using on and off ramps
Driving in tunnels
Following direction signs
Electronic signs –  variable speed limit signs
Low risk driving on freeways including increased following distance for speed and avoiding blindspots of other drivers

Facts and Tips
Learner drivers must not drive faster than 90 Km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 90 Km/h
Take advantage of situations like family holidays to get some experience driving on motorways

 

 

NSW Log Book 18. Country Driving

NSW Log Book 18. Country Driving

Learning Goal

Gain experience driving in rural environments

Learning Content

Sealed highways and country roads

Driving on various road surfaces { sealed and unsealed }

Road rules, signs and traffic marking not previously encountered, for example, narrow bridge, railway and stock crossings

Using overtaking lanes

Applying low risk driving in rural environments { managing speed, position, decisions and responding to hazards }

Driver fatigue

Sharing the road with heavy vehicles

Risk of encountering wildlife when driving at dawn or dusk

Facts and Tips
Take advantage of situations like family holidays to get some experience on country roads.
Remember to share the driving. As this is a new experience greater levels of fatigue may be experienced, so change drivers more often.

A driving test pass at Mount Druitt.

A driving test pass at Mount Druitt.

Hi Cam

Its Gonzalo here.

From yesterday {your 3.oo pm appointment}

I passed my driving test this morning.

The lady from the RTA made special mention of the driving lesson.

Thanks a lot Cam. Have a great day.