Practical driving test tips

Try a practical driving test before the real thing

The more you prepare yourself for your driving test the more confident you'll be - and less likely to make mistakes. Try these driving test tips a few times before you sign-up for the real thing.

 Each time you drive, can you:

• Show confidence in using the controls of the car
• Leave the kerb safely - even in traffic
• Perform a hill start without rolling back
• Travel at suitable speeds for the conditions
• Maintain a safe gap between you and other vehicles
• Have mirrors adjusted correctly
• Indicate sufficiently before turning or merging
• Check blind spots before changing lanes
• Brake and (if in a manual) change gears smoothly
• Show good judgment at intersections
• Stay in the correct lane/position on the road when turning
• Scan ahead and take suitable action in unexpected situations
• Stop your car smoothly one metre before the line at STOP signs and traffic lights
• Perform a reverse parallel park, a straight line reverse, angle park and a 3 point turn
• Drive without drifting out of the lane?

If you're unsure about your driving test, it can be helpful to get a professional instructor to put you through the paces and give you some practical driving test tips first.