Last Minute PDA Tips

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Make sure your log book declaration is signed and filled out at the back (if you have one).
Reverse park your car and check in 15 minutes before the test.
Make sure your car has:

• Tyre tread
• Working windows
• Functioning brake lights

 Come to a complete stop until you feel the car fall back before scanning for traffic,
(Stop as close as possible to the line, preferably before checking for cars.)

Check left for cars indicating to turn past you before entering the middle.
Don’t just check the right-hand side.
Check left again once you are in the middle. Check left in the middle on the roll if possible.

 Check your rear view mirror when or before you brake — this is part of the assessment. Don't overdo the mirror or check your side mirrors constantly as this is distracting and will cause path and flow issues.

 You must show clear evidence of a shoulder (blindspot) check:

• Before leaving the kerb after being parked for more than 5 seconds
• Before changing lanes
• Before entering a form one lane
• Before overtaking an obstacle
• Before swinging out to forward park on the left
• Before swinging out for a 45-degree reverse park

You do not have to indicate and check your blindspot after reversing from a driveway. You do not have to check your blindspot before entering a driveway. Both of this can cause flow issues.

•  One handed (“washing the dishes”) — only when reversing
• Push and pull — permitted
• Hand over hand — permitted and easier
• You can let the wheel slide itself straight after turns as long as your hands maintain skin contact

Do not:

• Hold the wheel from the inside
• Cross your arms beneath the wheel at the elbows

•  Indicate 5–10 seconds before turning or pulling over (ideally around the same time as braking).
• Always indicate left when exiting a roundabout.

 When the light turns green and there is no arrow, move one car length across the stop line and wait straight for the oncoming traffic.
If there is no oncoming traffic, you can turn without waiting.

If there’s no gap while you’re waiting:

• When the light turns orange, begin slowly rolling
• Let opposing cars clear
• Then, you may clear the intersection on red

 If you're in the left or right lane and are asked to turn at a side street or roundabout, make sure you change into the correct lane without being prompted.

 If you're at a T-junction and are prompted to turn left then right, or right then left, make sure you turn into the correct lane so that you don’t get a flow error for turning into the closest lane and then changing lanes after.

 You can use any appropriate method:

• Swing out 45 degrees or more and reverse in
• Count the three lines and do the 90-degree method
  (When counting lines, don’t just stare solidly to the left — also look where you're going!)

You can use a reverse camera — but you must physically check over both shoulders and the rear window.

 If you aren’t happy with your park, you can fix it a couple of times.
Don’t give up or wait for the assessor to prompt you — correct it yourself confidently.

 Before you're prompted to turn around, look ahead for houses or side streets.

• Every house has a driveway
• Almost every side street is suitable for a turn
• This way, when you're prompted, you can indicate early (5 to 10 seconds before entering a driveway)

If you're not looking ahead:
You’ll end up indicating late and braking suddenly for a last-minute opportunity.

Railway crossings have a keep clear zone painted in a yellow honeycomb pattern.
When turning across railway tracks, look ahead into the turn.
If there’s traffic on the other side, don’t go onto the tracks — wait before the honeycomb.
You’ll fail if you have to stop inside the keep clear zone.

Also:
Check left and right as you approach a railway crossing — don’t just rely on the boom gates.

Every road other than a 50 km/h zone will have:

• Two speed signs at the beginning
• A reminder sign roughly every 30 seconds

If you enter a road and haven’t seen a speed sign yet, default to 50 km/h until you see clear evidence of the actual limit.

Begin scanning the right-hand side of the roundabout early for traffic flow.
It’s advisable to begin looking as you start braking on approach.