Advantages and disadvantages of going for try-sell lessons

Here is a question that many of us would consider as a student in the driving school, that is, whether you should take up try-sell lessons. In the previous post, I have explained the concept of try-sell and provided some tips to enhance your chance of getting a try-sell slot. Here, I would like to...

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Tips to increase your chances of getting try-sell lessons

By definition, try-sell lessons are lessons that are cancelled by other students in the school. When a student cancels a lesson that she has previously booked, it will be released back to the pool of available slots for other students to snatch (literally). If a student cancels a slot 2 days or more...

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My tips and tricks to pass the driving theory test

Now, here is what everybody wants to find out. I believe this would be the most important post in this blog. I do hope that it would be able to help you to pass your tests. Update: I came across this page that shows the passing rates of different schools and private lessons. Not trying...

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My tips and tricks to pass the driving practical test

Here I will write about the tips and tricks I used in order to pass the practical test for class 3 manual. Most of the pointers are general pointers meaning it applies to both manual as well as automatic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Similarly, please understand that what...

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DAY 114: Singapore Traffic Police Practical Driving Test

Finally it is here Today is the day of reckoning. It is the day that will decide whether my hard work and determination for the past 3 months would paid off or whether I would be $400 poorer (due to retake). With so much effort, time and money already spent in order to reach this stage, it is hard not...

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DAY 112: Revision Practical Lesson

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); My one and only revision lesson. In the end, I decided to only take up 1 revision lesson. I think I spent a bit too much on the lessons already. And I think (somehow able to tell myself) that I am not that bad. Luckily, after 3 weeks without practice, my skills didn't deteriorate much. My moving-off was still smooth. I could still remember all...

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DAY 95: Stage 5 Practical Lesson 5.01 Final Evaluation

Finally, the last stage of my practical lesson. It was on the same day as my lesson 4.04. When I got my car number and realize that it was parked in area C (outside the canteen) I knew that it would be my team leader. If you have followed my previous post, you would know that my team leader is one of the strictest instructor I encountered. I started to plan for retaking the lesson next week. True...

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Theory Lesson PPL 5.01 Risk Forecast Training (RFT) which I didn't attend

The Risk Forecast Training was something new. In fact, after I passed the Stage 3 Review, the instructor introduced me to this lesson. If I opt for it, I only need to attend 2 lessons for stage 4. It would save me $100+ dollars. However, I decided not to go for it as I think I needed more practice on the test routes and circuit courses. What is the point of saving $100+ if in the end I failed my test...

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DAY 95: Stage 4 Practical Lesson 4.04 Courteous and Considerate Driving

Today was the last lesson for stage 4. My lane change still not good especially in heavy traffic. Instructor say it is too slow. I tend to turn steering wheel too much. I need to do a gradual shift to the next lane (this includes going into merging lane) . Anyway I passed. So the next lesson would be...

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DAY 88: Stage 4 Practical Lesson 4.03 Defensive Driving Part III

This was the second lesson of the day. For this lesson, I practiced on test route 3 and 5. The clutch of today’s car was very stiff. There were a few times I didn’t manage to clutch in fully. I stroked a kerb during the first crank course (first time strike kerb). The traffic was heavy on the streets. I had a hard time changing lane as there was a road block in the middle lane at Bukit Batok Road....

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DAY 88: Stage 4 Practical Lesson 4.02 Defensive Driving Part II

For today's lesson, I chose to do test route 4 and 6. There was once in the circuit I accidentally did a lane change at the zig-zag line before the zebra cross. Instructor told me that it would be an immediate failure during test. Things to take note: Don’t overtake in zig zag line - there is one...

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DAY 86: Stage 3 Practical Lesson AT1.01 Automatic-Transmission Car

I finally went for my auto car lesson. It was a night lesson. Driving an auto car was much smoother and easier as compared to manual car. One reason was because the auto car I  drove was a newer model. The car was also slightly wider. The accelerator and foot brake were more sensitive. The steering...

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DAY 80: Stage 4 Practical Lesson 4.01 Defensive Driving Part I

Today lesson was to familiarize with 2 test routes as well as to revise on the circuit courses. The instructor asked me to select 2 routes to drive. I chose test route 1 and 2. Things to note: When you need to lane change several lanes, make sure to cancel signal after one lane change and only signal again when doing the next lane change. Do not keep signal on the whole time. (I get different advice...

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DAY 79: Stage 3 Practical Lesson Stage 3 Review (again...)

Today was my Stage 3 review again (check out what happened in my previous stage 3 review here). I felt my low speed control smoother after yesterday’s grilling lesson. This time I passed. It was a different instructor. He even brought me to the streets to do 3 point turn. After spending 2 weeks quarantined in the circuit, I became unfamiliar with street driving. Fortunately it all came back swiftly...

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DAY 78: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.10 Stage 3 Review

This is the second lesson of the day. It is my stage 3 review. I was unfortunate to get a super strict instructor. I later found out from my friend that he's the strictest of all instructors in the group, also the strictest I met so far, even stricter than my group leader. He told me that I need to maintain lane discipline even in the circuit (ie keep to left most lane). Otherwise, 6 points would...

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DAY 78 :Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.08 3.09 Emergency Brake, Three-Point-Turn

In today's lesson, I managed to clear 2 subjects which are emergency brake and three-point-turn. By the way three-point-turn is will not be tested. For emergency brake, the instructor will tap (or slam) on the dashboard and immediately you are supposed to stop the car by stepping hard on the foot brake. You need to REALLY REALLY REALLY hit the brake ALL THE WAY. Do not be afraid you will spoil the...

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DAY 77: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.07 Vertical Parking

Today lesson is on vertical parking. Here are steps from what I understood: One you enter the lane, drive close to the centre while line of the lane. I gauge this by making sure the while line is in line with the left side of the cash card machine attached at the bottom right corner of the windscreen Stop the car, adjust both side mirror so that you can see the rear wheels Chane to reverse gear Signal...

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DAY 77: Stage 2 DS 1.01 Driving Simulator

I finally went to attend my driving simulator lesson today. The idea is to allow you to get exposed to driving hazards that cannot be simulated in real life driving. You attend the lesson with another 2 students. Each student is given about 15min to try the simulator, which is an automatic transmission...

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DAY 76: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.05 3.06 Parallel Parking, Circuit Slope

Today I managed to clear 2 subjects which were parallel parking and circuit slope. I found parallel parking to be the most difficult technique so far as it involved the most actions and checking. Here are steps and indicators to take note when performing parallel parking. For better visualization and clarity, I advise that you refer to the Practical Training Handbook or consult your driving instructor. When...

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DAY 74: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.04 Directional Change

In today’s lesson, I spent some time at the beginning revising the crank and ‘S; course. The instructor felt that my technique for ‘S course was weak as my car was not kept to the outer part of the lane, resulting in the need to turn the steering wheel more and the back wheel was very near to the kerb. In addition, I tend to end up near to the right kerb at the end of the course due to the excessive...

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DAY 72: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.02 3.03 Reversing Technique, Crank Course & ‘S’ Course

I got another try-sell lesson tonight. After doing 2 rounds of warm up, we headed to the parking lot to try out the reversing technique. The instructor placed 2 poles at the side of the parking lot. I learnt to reverse the car either in between the 2 poles or to the left or right side of the poles. It was quite difficult to see the poles at night via the rear mirror. I did several attempts, moving...

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DAY 71: Stage 3 Practical Lesson 3.01 Driving in Circuit

Managed to get another try sell night lesson. Tonight I started my Stage 3 subject. The first lesson was familiarizing with the roads in the circuit. We drove around the circuit, with the instructor giving directions (change lane, turn left, turn right etc). Roads in the circuit are narrower and shorter. There are some parts where I need to perform lane change immediately followed by a left turn after...

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DAY 70: Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.11 Stage 2 Review

Today driving lesson was a review of all the Stage 2 lessons. We drove a few rounds around the circuit and then moved out to the streets. I am now more familiar with night driving. I think the whole lesson was quite alright including moving off the up slope. I passed. By the way, today's lesson was another try-sell night lesson. Things to take note: Must come to COMPLETE stop at the Stop line even...

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DAY 70: Final Theory Test (50/50 Passed)

Took my Final Theory Test today. I was quite worried that I would forget all the practices and evaluation I did 3 weeks ago. In the end I managed to score 50/50! PASSED. I find it much simpler than the practices and evaluations. Things to note: Remember to bring your I/C (or other forms of approved...

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DAY 69: Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.10 Overtaking and Being Overtaken

I managed to get another try-sell night lesson. Today’s lesson was on overtaking (and assist other vehicles to overtake me). The instructor commented that overtaking lesson should not be put too late at night as there would not be many cars to overtake. I told my instructor that my next lesson would also be at the same time tomorrow. So if we couldn’t find any car to overtake tonight, it would be...

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DAY 67: Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.09 Lane Changing in heavy and fast Traffic

Today’s lesson was on ‘Lane Changing in heavy and fast Traffic’. We went around the circuit a few times, performing lane changing several times along the way. Then we moved out to the streets. Apart from lane changing, we did some U turns and also stopping/moving off of slope (at the pedestrian crossing traffic light in front of Bukit Batok CC along Bukit Batok Central road). I found my moving off...

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DAY 66: Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.08 Reacting to Road Hazards

I managed to get a try-sell slot at night. It was my first time driving at night. I decided to start going for night lesson because it is too slow to only have lessons during weekends. Furthermore it is good to have a feel of night driving, unless you're planning to drive only in the day for the rest of your life! However, do take note that there is no practical test at night so if you find that certain...

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Day 59: Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.07 Driving on Slopes

I managed to get a cancelled slot today. Today's lesson is on driving on slope. In the beginning, I did some practices on the circuit's slope before moving out to the streets. Most of the time we were at Teck Whye. There are several up slopes there - One has a T junction right at the top. The other one has a pedestrian crossing at the top. The instructor said that the one with the traffic light is...

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DAY 52: Final Theory Practice and Final Theory Evaluation and Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.06 U-turn and Roundabout (again?)

Final Theory Practice and Final Theory Evaluation In order not to flung the Final Theory Evaluation again (check out what I did in my last FTE attempt), I decided to complete all the practice booklets before going for the evaluation. I spent another 3 lessons today to complete all the booklets. Then I went for the Final Theory Evaluation during the next timing slot. I passed with a score of 98/100....

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