Hi, my learners licence is expiring on 23 March 2007. I have tried making an appointment for a drivers test but all the traffic departments in my surrounding area are fully booked till May 2007. Do you have any suggestions?
Currently most traffic departments in the larger centres have a waiting period of between 4 and 6 months for a drivers test. Many of the traffic departments I have encountered have taken the initiative to assist learners whose learners licences are expiring. There are of course also those departments which would be unsympathetic to your dilemma.
I would suggest that you visit your local testing authority and ask to speak to someone in authority. If you don’t come right try another department.
Whatever you do, keep on trying. Who knows it may be your lucky day!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Too close for comfort - a day in the life of:
Being a driving instructor can be a very scary thing. When I started off in the driving school business I had a Fiat Uno. It used to be known as the “purple turtle” Why? Well it was purple and it was my pride and joy. Anyway back to the story.
One of the first clients I ever took for driving lessons was a lady by the name of Sheila ( real name withheld for obvious reasons ). She used to love wearing these high heel boots that come up to your knees. I arrived at the house, knocked on the door and introduced myself to Sheila. The boots were out in full force. Anyway as we were walking to the car I of course needed to assess whether or not I could trust this person with the “purple turtle”. In other words I needed to make a decision as to whether the client should drive from there or if we should go to a quiet area where we could practice the basics.
This young lady’s response was “Yes” she can drive. So in she got behind the wheel. Adjusted the seat “good”, adjusted the mirror “good”, key in the ignition “good”, start engine “good”, clutch in and select first gear “good”, release clutch too quickly and press accelerator too much “not good”.
Not too far from her house was a sharp left turn. We went around the corner ok. Never straightened the wheel mounted the kerb and almost took out a vibracrete wall.
What I learnt from that experience was that you go with your instinct. Secondly to ensure that the clients wear shoes which are appropriate for driving. You could even drive barefoot if you really wanted to. It helps to give you a good feel of the clutch and the accelerator.
One of the first clients I ever took for driving lessons was a lady by the name of Sheila ( real name withheld for obvious reasons ). She used to love wearing these high heel boots that come up to your knees. I arrived at the house, knocked on the door and introduced myself to Sheila. The boots were out in full force. Anyway as we were walking to the car I of course needed to assess whether or not I could trust this person with the “purple turtle”. In other words I needed to make a decision as to whether the client should drive from there or if we should go to a quiet area where we could practice the basics.
This young lady’s response was “Yes” she can drive. So in she got behind the wheel. Adjusted the seat “good”, adjusted the mirror “good”, key in the ignition “good”, start engine “good”, clutch in and select first gear “good”, release clutch too quickly and press accelerator too much “not good”.
Not too far from her house was a sharp left turn. We went around the corner ok. Never straightened the wheel mounted the kerb and almost took out a vibracrete wall.
What I learnt from that experience was that you go with your instinct. Secondly to ensure that the clients wear shoes which are appropriate for driving. You could even drive barefoot if you really wanted to. It helps to give you a good feel of the clutch and the accelerator.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
What's in the Learner's test?
Hi. I am writing my learners test on Friday and have no idea what to expect. Can you give me some idea as to what is asked, how many questions and how long I have to answer the test.
The learners licence test essentially consists of 68 questions of which the testing officer will do the first four questions with you as practice questions.
The questions are all multiple choice type questions where you choose A, B or C as being the answer. Some of these questions are also combination type questions.
You have one hour to complete the test.
The way to approach the test is to answer the questions at face value. In other words try not to analyze the questions; read the question as it is in its simplistic form and give a simplistic answer. Always remember to consider what is safe and what is legal when answering your questions.
The pass mark is 22/28 for rules of the road, 23/28 for signs and 6/8 for the controls of the vehicle.
The first 52 questions are general rule and sign questions. From there you would go to the section of the exam book where specific rule and sign, as well as the control questions are asked pertaining to the class of vehicle for which you are applying.
Good luck for the test!
The learners licence test essentially consists of 68 questions of which the testing officer will do the first four questions with you as practice questions.
The questions are all multiple choice type questions where you choose A, B or C as being the answer. Some of these questions are also combination type questions.
You have one hour to complete the test.
The way to approach the test is to answer the questions at face value. In other words try not to analyze the questions; read the question as it is in its simplistic form and give a simplistic answer. Always remember to consider what is safe and what is legal when answering your questions.
The pass mark is 22/28 for rules of the road, 23/28 for signs and 6/8 for the controls of the vehicle.
The first 52 questions are general rule and sign questions. From there you would go to the section of the exam book where specific rule and sign, as well as the control questions are asked pertaining to the class of vehicle for which you are applying.
Good luck for the test!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The alley docking pole bump
Hi, my name is Sheila. I have failed my drivers test three times already; every time I seem to have a problem on the alley docking and end up bumping a pole. Please help!
From personal experience I find that a lot of new learner drivers tend to struggle with learning how to reverse a vehicle. When it comes to learning how to do alley docking, I would suggest that you just concentrate on following the curve of the poles. I know most driving schools teach methods for alley docking. I however prefer equipping my learners with skill. Always remember that where you are looking when you reverse is ultimately where you will end up going.
So if you stare at the poles you will probably end up going into one of them. The key is to focus on the space between your vehicle and the poles on the side you are busy with. Try keep about a half a meter space between your vehicle and the poles. Also look up ahead where you want the corner of the car to go. Now guide the car there. Whatever you turn on the steering wheel to go in is what you must turn back to straighten your wheel.
Let me know how it goes. Practice makes perfect.
From personal experience I find that a lot of new learner drivers tend to struggle with learning how to reverse a vehicle. When it comes to learning how to do alley docking, I would suggest that you just concentrate on following the curve of the poles. I know most driving schools teach methods for alley docking. I however prefer equipping my learners with skill. Always remember that where you are looking when you reverse is ultimately where you will end up going.
So if you stare at the poles you will probably end up going into one of them. The key is to focus on the space between your vehicle and the poles on the side you are busy with. Try keep about a half a meter space between your vehicle and the poles. Also look up ahead where you want the corner of the car to go. Now guide the car there. Whatever you turn on the steering wheel to go in is what you must turn back to straighten your wheel.
Let me know how it goes. Practice makes perfect.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Clutch control
I struggle a lot with my clutch control. The car seems to cut out all the time when I try and pull away. Do you have any suggestions?
Learning clutch control is probably one of the most important aspects of the whole driving experience. The main cause of stalling the vehicle is either too much clutch or too little petrol.
The way I teach clutch control would be to select your gear (the handbrake would of course be up to prevent rolling). Press on the accelerator first to get the engine to run at a higher idling speed. Keep it at a constant idle speed. Listen out for the sound of the engine that you are not giving too much petrol. Now start adding the clutch to where you feel a tugging on the vehicle as if it wants to move. Now keep the clutch steady, release the handbrake and the car will move away. Only add more clutch once the car has started moving. Once it has moved away take your foot completely off the clutch and away you go.
Learning clutch control is probably one of the most important aspects of the whole driving experience. The main cause of stalling the vehicle is either too much clutch or too little petrol.
The way I teach clutch control would be to select your gear (the handbrake would of course be up to prevent rolling). Press on the accelerator first to get the engine to run at a higher idling speed. Keep it at a constant idle speed. Listen out for the sound of the engine that you are not giving too much petrol. Now start adding the clutch to where you feel a tugging on the vehicle as if it wants to move. Now keep the clutch steady, release the handbrake and the car will move away. Only add more clutch once the car has started moving. Once it has moved away take your foot completely off the clutch and away you go.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Runaway Car
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE UNATTENDED WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, OR ELSE IT MIGHT RUN AWAY
Too much to do, too little time. Get up at 6 am. Get dressed for work. Get the kids dressed. Have breakfast. Pull the car out the garage. Run into the house. Round up the kids. Where is the wife? Hurry we must leave or we will be late for school and work! Out the house we go.
Sounds like the happenings in an average suburban home.
Looking towards where I last spotted the car. Not a pretty sight. I am sure I parked the car in the road. I was only in the house for a few seconds. Now the car is gone.
Upon further investigation the car was found 100 meters down the road parked in someone else’s garden. This is what may happen if you leave your vehicle with the engine running and the handbrake down. You laugh; these are real things which happen. Anyway besides the fact that the vehicle may drive off without a driver, someone could easily steal the vehicle.
One of the most important rules of the road for the learner licence test is that you never leave your vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
Can you imagine how embarrassing it must be to have to explain to your neighbour what your vehicle is doing parked in his garden?
Too much to do, too little time. Get up at 6 am. Get dressed for work. Get the kids dressed. Have breakfast. Pull the car out the garage. Run into the house. Round up the kids. Where is the wife? Hurry we must leave or we will be late for school and work! Out the house we go.
Sounds like the happenings in an average suburban home.
Looking towards where I last spotted the car. Not a pretty sight. I am sure I parked the car in the road. I was only in the house for a few seconds. Now the car is gone.
Upon further investigation the car was found 100 meters down the road parked in someone else’s garden. This is what may happen if you leave your vehicle with the engine running and the handbrake down. You laugh; these are real things which happen. Anyway besides the fact that the vehicle may drive off without a driver, someone could easily steal the vehicle.
One of the most important rules of the road for the learner licence test is that you never leave your vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
Can you imagine how embarrassing it must be to have to explain to your neighbour what your vehicle is doing parked in his garden?
Friday, January 19, 2007
How to become a driving instructor?
I would like to open up a Driving School, but I am not sure what are the correct procedures of opening and signing up a legal driving school are. Mandla
Hi Mandla,
The first step would be to approach your local traffic department in order to obtain the relevant documentation to apply to become an instructor. These forms would include an application form, a medical and police clearance. Other documents they would need would be your drivers licence and your identity document. They will make copies of these for their record. Once completed, return to traffic department.
These forms will in turn be forwarded to Department of Transport where they will decide on whether or not you are fit to be tested as an instructor.
Once this requirement is met you can then be tested in terms of the Road Traffic Act. This would mean that you would have to pass the appropriate learner licence and drivers test. Upon passing you would be issued with an instructor certificate.
You would probably have to teach yourself the ropes of being a driving instructor in terms of the K53 system of driving or else you could apply for a position at a reputable driving school to gain the required experience.
In order to register a close corporation you could obtain the forms from a book store and forward it yourself. You could also purchase a shelf company.
Register as a provisional tax payer with South African Revenue Services.
In order to ensure that your vehicle is test ready you could put it through a roadworthy test.
All the best,
John
Hi Mandla,
The first step would be to approach your local traffic department in order to obtain the relevant documentation to apply to become an instructor. These forms would include an application form, a medical and police clearance. Other documents they would need would be your drivers licence and your identity document. They will make copies of these for their record. Once completed, return to traffic department.
These forms will in turn be forwarded to Department of Transport where they will decide on whether or not you are fit to be tested as an instructor.
Once this requirement is met you can then be tested in terms of the Road Traffic Act. This would mean that you would have to pass the appropriate learner licence and drivers test. Upon passing you would be issued with an instructor certificate.
You would probably have to teach yourself the ropes of being a driving instructor in terms of the K53 system of driving or else you could apply for a position at a reputable driving school to gain the required experience.
In order to register a close corporation you could obtain the forms from a book store and forward it yourself. You could also purchase a shelf company.
Register as a provisional tax payer with South African Revenue Services.
In order to ensure that your vehicle is test ready you could put it through a roadworthy test.
All the best,
John
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