Focus Driving School

Don’t panic. Put your indicator on so that the other cars will know you are going to park.
Stay calm and wait until the vehicles have passed before you proceed into the parking spot.

Slow down and increase your distance from the cars in front of you, even if you can hardly see them. Put on your headlights to improve your visibility to other vehicles.
In really bad conditions, you may even need to turn on your hazard lights.
Remember, focus as far ahead as possible.

Keep calm. Emergency vehicle drivers are highly trained and know how to deal with heavy traffic. Slow down and look for an opportunity to move out of their way. And always make sure your stereo isn’t up so loud that it’s drowning out sirens or other sounds from the streets.

Slow down and wait for the buses to make their move. Always look ahead so these sorts of situations don’t catch you by surprise.

• Pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) to obtain your learner licence.
• Hold your learner licence at least 6 months, complete 50 hours minimum driving practice and record it in your log book.
• Pass the Driving Ability Road Test (DART) and obtain your Provisional Licence (red P's).
• Have your P1 licence for a minimum of 12 months.
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test and obtain your Provisional P2 licence (green Ps).
• Have your P2 licence for a minimum of 24 months.
• Pass the Driver Qualification Test (DQT) and obtain your full licence.

After 12 months on your P1’s you can attempt the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) – a touch screen computer test that measures your ability to deal with potentially dangerous situations, such as a pedestrian crossing the road, road workers, broken down vehicles and other vehicles stopping ahead of you.

Before sitting your test, you will need to study the Hazard Perception Handbook. You can buy one at your local motor registry or download it free at www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

To practice the Hazard Perception Test, go to
www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/hazardperceptiontest/buildyourskills

• Check that you have the right location, date and time for your examination.
• Check that your vehicle’s tyres, brake lights and indicators are working properly.
• Make sure your vehicle is clean and presentable.
• Check that your logbook has been completed correctly. Therefore all logbook hours have been calculated and the 20 task requirements have been signed by your supervising driver(s). The Declaration of Completion must also be signed by your regular supervising driver and yourself.
• Along with your log book, take your licence.
• It’s best not to tell anyone that you are about to attempt the examination and that way you don’t put pressure on yourself.

• Be at least 17 years of age
• Have held your learner licence for at least 12 months ( if you are under 25 years of age
• Have completed at least 120 hours driving practice, including 20 hours of night driving (if you are under 25 years of age)
• Then Pass the practical driving test.
• When you pass, you will receive your P1 licence and your red P plates.

Each person learns at a different pace. Your driving instructor will assess your driving skills and knowledge, and provide you with a driving program that will achieve your goals. As an indication, a Learner driver could take between 8 and 15 driving lessons before they progress to the examination stage.

To obtain your L plates in NSW, you need to be 16 or older. You then need to front up at an RTA motor registry to take the computer based Driver Knowledge Test (DKT). However before taking the test, you will need to study the Road Users Handbook and the Guide for New Drivers. Both these books can be downloaded from www.rta.nsw.gov.au, where you will also find a list of DKT questions and a practice test. Then when you are ready, you can book your test online at www.myRTA.com or call the RTA on 13 22 13