What do I need to be able to do in a driving test?

What do I need to be able to do in a driving test?

A driving test is an assessment of your driving performance. You will need to demonstrate that you can operate the vehicle safely and legally in traffic. So, it is important for you to practise and develop the following skills necessary to pass the Q-Safe Practical Driving Test, and in doing so become a safer driver. 

The following 12 points extensively cover the majority of requirements and expectations of the Q-Safe Driving Test in Queensland. The requirement for each point is written immediately under each heading, and the ability level you should be aiming for is written after ‘You will be expected to:’ sub-heading.

1. ANCILLARY VEHICLE CONTROLS

Safe drivers operate all ancillary controls correctly while maintaining full control of the car. You must be able to start the engine correctly and must always wear a seat belt. You should never open the door while your car is moving or use a mobile phone while your car is moving or stationary.

You will be expected to:
• Operate all ancillary controls correctly, using controls and switches as needed when you drive.
• Have your mirrors adjusted for the best view of the traffic behind you.
• Wear a correctly fitted seat belt.
• Respond appropriately to the car's instruments.
• Refrain from using a hand-held mobile phone.

2. GEARS, CLUTCH CONTROL AND STALLING

Safe drivers use the clutch and gears effectively to maintain control and to prevent stalling. You must control the clutch to produce a smooth take-up of power and assist you to change
gears, and your gear selection must be appropriate for the speed you are travelling and the driving conditions. You should use all gears during your driving test. You must also control the vehicle to prevent unnecessary stalling.

You will be expected to:
• Select the appropriate gear for the situation.
• Coordinate clutch and gear control to make smooth gear changes.
• Avoid over-revving on take-off and during gear changes.
• Control the clutch and gears to avoid stalling the car.
• Keep your foot off the clutch unless you are changing gears or preventing the car from stalling. 

 
3. ACCELERATING AND BRAKING

Safe drivers use the accelerator and brakes to effectively maintain full control of the car at all times. You must operate the accelerator smoothly and progressively to both accelerate and decelerate, and use the brakes to smoothly and progressively slow the car appropriately for the situation.

You will be expected to:
• Operate the accelerator smoothly and progressively.
• Avoid over-revving the engine.
• Operate the brakes smoothly and effectively to maintain control of the car.
• Prevent the car rolling back when starting on a hill.
• Use the handbrake correctly when securing the car and ensure it is fully released when driving.

4. STEERING

Safe drivers steer a safe and steady course appropriate for the road and traffic conditions, using a steering method that allows full control of the steering wheel and the car. You must steer accurately and at the appropriate time, maintaining a safe and steady course for the road and traffic conditions. You must operate the steering wheel using the hand-over-hand or pull-push method.

You will be expected to:
• Steer accurately and stay on track.
• Steer in a way that assists you to control the car.
• Steer with both hands unless you are operating vehicle controls.
• Keep your hands on the outside of the steering wheel.
• Keep your hands in a position that allows you to adjust your steering.

5. ROAD POSITION

Safe drivers choose the best road position for the driving situation. You must choose the appropriate road position for the conditions, selecting the best lane to drive in and positioning your car safely within the lane. You also must overtake, and stop or park correctly.

You will be expected to:
• Maintain a safe, legal position on the road.
• Choose the best position for the road and traffic conditions.
• Drive safely within the lane.
• Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so.
• Stop or park only when it is safe and legal to do so.

6. TURNING POSITIONS

Safe drivers select a road position that ensures a smooth and safe flow of traffic when turning. You must select and maintain an appropriate road position on approach, during and immediately after turning in a variety of situations, including multi-lane roads, roundabouts and intersections.

You will be expected to:
• Select and maintain the correct road position when turning.
• Turn from the correct marked lane (when the road has marked lanes).
• Stay within the lane or on the correct side of the road when turning.
• Take the appropriate course when turning at a multi-lane intersection where you are allowed to turn from more than one marked lane.

7. OBSERVATION, SCANNING AND SHOULDER CHECKS

Safe drivers are aware of their surroundings; they continually monitor other road users and road conditions and respond in a defensive manner if a road or traffic hazard occurs. You must constantly scan, observe and monitor the driving environment in every direction to maintain a high level of awareness, using the rear vision mirrors on the approach to any hazard or potential hazard. You must respond quickly and defensively if a hazard occurs.

You will be expected to:
• Continually scan and observe the road space ahead, beside and behind your car.
• Regularly check your mirrors so you know what is happening behind you.
• Check your blind spots before changing your road position.
• Look behind you before and while reversing.
• Be aware of traffic conditions beyond the immediate vicinity of your car.
• Respond in a quick and defensive manner if a road or traffic hazard occurs.

8. SIGNALLING

Safe drivers signal their intentions to turn or diverge to other road users before they do so. You must signal in the correct direction for long enough to give road users sufficient warning of your intention to turn, diverge, change lanes, move to the edge of the road, or enter a line of traffic. You must signal for at least five seconds before moving off from a stationary position.

You will be expected to:
• Indicate for as long as necessary to let other road users know your intentions.
• Indicate for at least five seconds before moving off from a stationary position.
• Keep the indicator on until you have completed the manoeuvre.
• Stop indicating within five seconds of completing the manoeuvre.

9. JUDGEMENT

Safe drivers carefully observe traffic and choose a safe gap so other drivers don't have to take evasive action and aren't unnecessarily delayed. You must judge and utilise a safe gap in traffic when negotiating intersections, changing lanes and merging, responding appropriately to traffic and pedestrians.

You will be expected to:
• Decide which gap allows you sufficient space to safely complete the manoeuvre.
• Select and drive smoothly into the first available safe gap in traffic after observing the conditions.
• Reject unsafe gaps.
• Respond to the speed and distance of traffic and pedestrians.

10. SAFETY MARGINS

Safe drivers ensure there is an appropriate buffer zone around their car, leaving sufficient distance between their car and the vehicle in front to allow time to deal with unexpected events. You must maintain an appropriate following distance from the vehicle front for the driving conditions and a safe distance between your car and other vehicles, cyclists and obstacles you are passing. You must also ensure you are in the correct position when you stop in a line of traffic.

You will be expected to:
• Adjust your speed to maintain an appropriate following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• Leave a safe distance when passing or overtaking vehicles and roadside obstacles.
• Change your road position to create space from hazards.
• Leave the appropriate minimum distance for the speed zone between your car and the bicycle when passing cyclists.
• Keep a distance of one to two car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you when stopped in traffic.

11. SPEED CHOICE

Safe drivers choose the speed that best suits the driving conditions, continually traffic and road conditions and adjusting their speed as required. You must drive at a safe and legal speed, progressing with the flow of traffic at a speed appropriate for the situation. Your acceleration should be smooth, progressive and appropriate for the conditions.

You will be expected to:
• Comply with the legal speed limit.
• Drive a speed that is suitable and safe for the conditions.
• Vary your speed appropriately, speeding up or slowing down to suit the conditions or manoeuvre.
• Smoothly adjust to a suitable and safe speed.

12. SIGNS, TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND ROAD MARKINGS

Safe drivers obey road signs, traffic signals and road markings. You must obey any regulatory road sign, traffic signal or road marking, noting that you are allowed to drive over single and double continuous white dividing lines to avoid an obstruction or to pass a cyclist so long as you can do so safely.

You will be expected to:
• Comply with all road signs and traffic signals and road markings.
• Come to a complete stop at stop signs and lines, stopping before the stop line or as near as practicable but before entering the intersection if there is no line.
• Safely and effectively drive through intersections with traffic lights, without blocking the or causing unnecessary delays.

The underlying message here is to practice regularly, especially when your driving test is coming up. Try to compare your ability level with that of a safe driver. It is important to be developing robust safe driving habits.

Other relevant posts:

How can I pass my practical driving test?

Improvements to the Q-Safe Practical Driving Test - effective 29 June 2015

Learn to drive in Cairns