[SA] Booked a Driving Instructor for a Practice Test

Lbargainhunter2000 on 03/03/2023 - 14:29

Hi,

I'd like some feedback if you've experienced a vehicle on road test (VORT) recently.

so, I've been teaching my daughter to drive (over 100 hours) and I think she's at the level of competency and skill to do the test and get her P. However, before going for the test, I thought i'd book her a driving instructor for an hour or so just so he can assess to see if there's any area that she might need more practice in.

The driving instructor said that she'll never pass the test unless she was taught by an actual instructor because there are certain tricks and tips he could give that the average mum and dad wouldn't know about (or words to that effect) and he recommended she book a few more lessons with him.

Is it really that hard to pass these days without a licensed instructor at your side?

If you didn't go through a licensed instructor, how did you find your test? Any advice?

Thanks.

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 03/03/2023 - 14:36
    +6

    Why not just get her to go for the test and see how she goes? Then go from there

    • bargainhunter2000 on 03/03/2023 - 14:50

      I just want to make sure (to be sure to be sure) that i haven't missed anything when i taught her to drive. Also, in South Australia i think it costs $350 to do the test so i'd rather she passed sooner rather than later :)

      edit: ok just found out VORT costs $195 in Adelaide.

  • AustriaBargain on 03/03/2023 - 14:42

    She's probably right. Things like doing exaggerated blind spot checks. Indicating out of a roundabout, I don't know if it's the law but I never see old people do it. You probably should have started with lessons before doing the 100 hours so you didn't just reinforce your own bad habits without your daughter realising it.

    Probably worth noting that instructors can't perform the test.

    Another option is the CBT logbook. Costs a lot more, takes a bit longer, but it might teach her a little more than doing the test in one go. And if she fails the VORT two times then the CBT would have been cheaper, assuming she can get through the CBT fairly quick.

    • bargainhunter2000 on 03/03/2023 - 14:57

      exaggerated blind spot checks

      yeap i tell her that all the time. If i dont see her checking her mirrors then she didnt check her mirrors.

      Indicating out of a roundabout

      yeap she's doing that. Even when going straight, always indicate left when leaving the roundabout.

      … didn't just reinforce your own bad habits without your daughter realising it.

      good point! I was thinking the 90 minute licensed instructor should pick up on those things.

    • Jono05 on 05/03/2023 - 12:24

      Agree that OP should have started lessons with an instructor first. My daughter just got her L's and her first lessons will be with an instructor.

      A good instructor should be able to do a mock driving test and let you know what you need to work on if anything.

      • Euphemistic on 05/03/2023 - 14:18

        I’d say getting a lesson first thing isn’t a brilliant idea. Best off getting the hang of controlling a car (car parks, quiet streets etc), learning a few basics in traffic then going for a lesson to learn how to drive.

        It’ll take the initial overwhelming phase of instructing away from the paid lesson so she can focus on learning the right way to pass the test.

  • CrispyChrispy on 03/03/2023 - 14:43
    +3

    The driving instructor said that she'll never pass the test unless she was taught by an actual instructor

    My brother finally got his full driver's license just a week or two ago without any paid lessons at all, just lessons from my dad.

    If your daughter feels she needs it, then go for it. If she's confident enough, don't bother.

    YMMV

  • Muzeeb on 03/03/2023 - 14:44
    +4

    Instructors will give extra tips assessors are looking out for and sample test routes. Well worth at least 3 lessons IMHO.

    Sauce Source: did this with both my kids. Both passed first attempt.

    • bargainhunter2000 on 03/03/2023 - 15:12

      Yeah, the extra tips and anything i might've missed is what i was after from an instructor.

  • DuckKnight on 03/03/2023 - 14:48

    I was a nervous wreck and failed the first two times because I was used to having a family member as the passenger. Third time I nailed it because the my learner's was about to expire and the fear of having to renew my learner's outweighed the driving test nerves.

  • JMosk on 03/03/2023 - 14:48

    Are you more concerned with your daughter passing her test or being a safe and confident driver?

    If the goal is purely to pass the test then 1 lesson might be enough.
    If the goal is to give you peace of mind that she's going to be safe when she's driving solo then more than 1 lesson might be a better option.
    Obviously every kid is different

  • Archi on 03/03/2023 - 14:55
    +2

    just let your daughter do the test,
    if she doesn't pass, they will let her know what she needs to work on.

  • boomramada on 03/03/2023 - 14:58
    +1

    There are specific steps that the examiner is looking for during the test, which the experienced driver usually doesn't follow and ends up in an ozb with a dash cam video/ms paint diagram. You don't want that skill set to pass on to your child, hence better go through it with the instructor first.

  • bargainhunter2000 on 03/03/2023 - 15:20
    +1

    Thanks all for your input. I guess I'll see what the Instructor says after her lesson. I might book one more if he thinks she needs more and just go do the test.

  • Euphemistic on 03/03/2023 - 15:59
    +8

    The driving instructor said that she'll never pass the test unless she was taught by an actual instructor

    That sounds like BS and a way to get more lessons out of you. I’d be wary of feedback after a first lesson by that instructor.

    Just taught my kid. I’m reasonably confident I know the rules and can drive safely, although I’m not an angel. I did what I could but wanted to ensure there was best chance of passing wanting to know the ‘tips’.

    In NSW you can do a half day course that gives you 20hrs. It includes a safety lesson and a drive with an instructor. That went well. Then approaching the reqd 120hrs also booked a ‘keys to drive’ free lesson in which a parent rides along. Instructor said good to go. Found out the keys to drive thing is really meant to be early on, but didn’t know about it earlier.

    Kid Passed first try. Friends did similar.

  • USER DC on 03/03/2023 - 16:51

    generally speaking VORT instructors are just greedy as F, all they care about it failing people so they can rebook and earn more money.

    Best to do the log book method, where instructor will teach him/her-self and not be worrying about that much on getting less money.

    Keep in mind you fail once, you have to wait like 7 or 14 or something like that days before retest

  • thatonethere on 03/03/2023 - 19:05
    +1

    We had similar scenario - got the kid up to about 100 hours but she wasn't sure she could do the one shot test, instead wanted to do the competency test with an instructor. We found an instructor and they pointed out all the poor driving habits we had (everyone inclusive!). After 5 lessons she was complete and I think the entire family better driver.

  • Benoffie on 03/03/2023 - 22:38

    Sounds dodgy as. We're doing vort and we'll pop the kid through maybe 5? Lessons with RAA just to ensure we haven't stuffed them up etc.

    But after 100 hours, Id be heading straight for the test. Worse case, more practice and go again.

  • sumyungguy on 03/03/2023 - 23:20

    Apparently there's a VORT Operators Manual that sets out the procedures and standards to be applied by Authorised Examiners. I haven't been able to find this online. In my jurisdiction the equivalent manual can be sourced via the web so we're able to ensure manoeuvres are consistent with the assessors requirements. In SA it looks like a lesson with a licenced Motor Driving Instructor might be worth doing seeing as it appears you're not using the CBT&A pathway?

  • Savas on 04/03/2023 - 09:37
    +2

    I had a driving instructor tell me that I wasn’t improving even after 10 lessons with him.. I watched like 10 videos by The Driving Test Guy on YouTube and got my licence in the next week..

    Another one of my driving instructor’s told me I need to check my blind spot twice at all turns ..
    I would watch The Driving Test Guy’s video on blind spots because a lot of people seem confused when to check.. also he has a video where he wears a GoPro when doing a mock driving test.. it really helped me see where my eyes should be looking at on the road.

  • Sinnerator on 04/03/2023 - 09:40

    OP be aware driving instructor may damage the confidence of your kid so he can suck more paid lessons out of you, can you network to find a trusted instructor?

    • bargainhunter2000 on 04/03/2023 - 21:09

      A friend's kid is learning from this instructor so that's how we got his number.

  • md333 on 04/03/2023 - 12:43

    Both my kids have done the test in WA without professional lessons. First one passed first go, second one just had his first go and failed (I think partly not enough practice finding his own way to places and partly bad luck).
    There are a heap of videos on youtube from WA driving instructors going through the details of the tests, what examiners are looking for, what the test routes are. Really good for working out the difference between just safe driving and what is needed to pass a test.
    I think going to an instructor is probably not a bad thing, but saying noone will pass without an instructor is an exaggeration.
    (I'm commenting from a WA perspective, but imagine SA is similar).

  • Jugganautx on 04/03/2023 - 15:34
    +1

    Should have done at least 5 lessons with a driving instructor anyway regardless of how many hours you as a parent have taught them. Most of the time you can just do your Vort with the same instructor and its as smooth as butter.

    • bargainhunter2000 on 04/03/2023 - 21:12

      Most of the time you can just do your Vort with the same instructor and its as smooth as butter.

      i believe the instructor can't be the one testing the student (In SA at least).

  • walktall on 04/03/2023 - 21:03

    Get the free Keys To Drive lesson.
    https://keys2drive.com.au/

    I've done that for both my daughters before their test. They both passed, i thought it was really good.
    Btw this scheme ends soon.

    • bargainhunter2000 on 04/03/2023 - 21:12

      Thanks walktall, I will check it out.

      • md333 on 05/03/2023 - 16:26

        I did the keys2drive lesson with my older son just before his test. The instructor seemed a bit annoyed that we were doing it so late, even though its promoted as something you can do at any stage. Was still pretty good and may have been a factor in passing first go.

    • Muzeeb on 04/03/2023 - 23:07

      Reported as a dupe

  • brosk1s on 05/03/2023 - 00:51

    If you didn't go through a licensed instructor, how did you find your test? Any advice?

    I passed my driving test in 2018 (NSW) on my first attempt with only lessons from my dad. This was fairy common amongst my friends, who all had little to no time spent with licensed instructors. While I was on my last year of Green Ps, I was assessed as competent to drive emergency vehicles as well, so passing my driving test was not a fluke.

    If VORT is too expensive to just hope for the best that your daughter passes (and driving lessons are cheaper), you can also ask for the driving instructor to do a mock VORT - it doesn't even need to be along an official test route, a mock run can not only pick up deficiencies in her driving like a real test, but it can also help her acclimatise to the assessment process while actively learning from her mistakes.

    Nerves can absolutely make her drive worse than she would with you or a driving instructor - there are examples online where people have been so nervous that they have tried to drive away without realising they have not started the engine.

    If the option is available its also highly beneficial to have driving lessons & the test in the same car (your car) that they have learnt in rather than a driving school car they would only have a few hours in. Logically speaking, you should be able to be more confident, competent and smooth when driving a car you have a lot of experience & muscle memory driving, rather than a new one that might not have the same pedal feel or controls in the same place.

  • Euphemistic on 05/03/2023 - 14:21

    Th e best thing an instructor did for my kid was to give him the simple steps to reverse park. I can do it easily, but describing what to do was difficult. The instructor was able to get my kid to do it, with the steps I’ve already forgotten, first time every time.

    • md333 on 05/03/2023 - 16:24

      easily looked up on youtube these days.

      • Euphemistic on 05/03/2023 - 19:57

        True, never thought of that at the time. Round 2 for learners will be this year. Will keep YouTube in mind.

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