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.



Similarly, please understand that what I am going to share here is based solely on my own experience and ideas. It may or may not work for you. Feel free to feedback or adapt any of the pointers to suit your needs.

Before the practical test, you, will go through a warm up session with your instructor and test car. This will be your last chance to practise and revise on the circuit courses and one of the test route. For the Traffic Police Practical Test, you will be driving in your test car with a tester from the Traffic Police Department sitting beside you. You will first go through the courses in the circuit (in no particular order and some may not be tested) followed by one of the 10 test routes. Points will be deducted on any mistakes you made during the test. In order to pass, you need not more than 18 points deducted (read the full account of my Traffic Police Practical Test).

Update: I came across this page that shows the passing rates of different schools and private lessons. Not trying to form an opinion here but the statistics should give you an idea of how others fare and perhaps spur you a bit to be more diligent.

Preparation

• Familiarize test route: Familiarize with all the routes before the test. It is good to know some of the riskier part of each of the route eg slopes, pedestrian crossings, the mandatory give-way to bus yellow box and the left turn only lane (around Teck Whye and Bukit Gombak MRT). Fortunately, the routes are quite repeated, divided mainly between Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang. Make sure you try out all the routes during your stage 4, 5 and revision.
• Google maps: Use google maps to simulate driving along these routes. It is a good and free way to familiarize - of course if you're willing to spend or have lots of time at hand, you can take a cab or cycle along the routes. It is good if you can do that on the day before the test to take note of any road works.
• Night lessons: Book a few lessons at night to familiarize with night driving - unless you plan only to drive in the day for the rest of your live! At least you learn how to turn on the head lights. Some lessons are not advisable to be put at night. I know sometimes it is not possible (trust me, as a working person, I understand) but try as far as possible not to.
• Stage 3 parking and S and crank course - the ‘feel’ is quite different when doing it at night than in the day. As positioning of the car is quite important, a slight difference could mean kerb mounting or extra maneuvers.
• Overtaking - less car at night means less chance to learn how to overtake
• Final Review and Revision - this is the last chance for you to practise before the test so try as far as possible to make it a day lesson. In fact, there is no revision slot available for 9:10pm. Nonetheless, I still think that the 7:30pm lesson is a bit too late.
• Prepare for rainy day: It is also good if you manage to have some lessons on rainy days (I know you can’t control this). You get to learn how to on the wipers and rear window defogger. Also remember to follow the 4s rules while driving in adverse condition. Who knows you many end up in a thunderstorm during your test day. At least try to visualize in your mind if you really didn’t have a chance throughout the course. At least know where are the wiper, headlight switches. Better be prepared than be taken off guard.
• Revision: For first time practical test, you don’t need to take up revision lesson before the test but it is advised to take at least one before the test. Reason being the earliest test date you can get is normally 2 weeks later (if you are not picky of the timing). By that time, you could have forgotten some of the stuff. It is good to have one revision 1-2 days before the test. Do not take revision lesson on the day of test. You will be drained by the time you reach the test (there is a warm up session just before the test so you still have a chance to practice a bit) - take note that you may not get your group instructors for revision lesson and warm up. .
• Test time slot: Most difficult test timing - 730am - people rush to work and send kids off to school which means many impatient drivers around. According to one of my instructors, statistically, there is no difference in the passing rate. Probably the tester knows it and become more lenient.
• Rest: Ample of rest the night before the test. Last minute cramping only makes you more stressful and do more harm than good

Taking the test

• Dress appropriately: Dress smartly (and sharply) and do not be sloppy. Respect your tester. 
• Be early: Arrive at least 10min earlier 
• No coffee please: That's for me. Too much caffeine makes my hands shiver slightly and may impact my driving
• Different car: You may not get your group instructors during warm up. You may not even get the same car as what you had in Final Review or revision lessons. Please be aware of this and don't get shocked
• Greetings: Greet your tester. It is a form of respect. At least a "hi".
• Drive as usual: I know it is easier said than done. But the last thing you want is to panic and forget everything you have learnt so far. 
• Be courteous = confidence: During the test, you will find that many cars (especially BBDC L-plate cars) will give way to you. Wave at them as a sign of gratitude. It may also be seen as a display of confidence by the tester
• Beware of killer mistakes: There are some mistakes that you just can't afford to make but can easily be made if you are not careful - mount/strike kerb or stop at yellow box/pedestrian crossing or over the stop line. Be extra caution when you are near these areas
• Aim for 0 demerit points in circuit: Try not to make any mistakes in circuit. For school candidates, you should be more familiar with circuit courses. As one of my instructor put it, circuit courses are very static. Just follow the steps and it should be fine. Driving on the streets is more dynamic and unpredictable.
• Exaggerated actions: Sometimes, the tester may not notice the action your are performing especially if it is quite subtle. For example, when you check blind spot, it pays to exaggerate a bit by turning your head more (instead of just shifting your eyes). The idea is to make sure the tester knows what you're doing instead of leaving it for him to guess. In fact, if possible, voice out every action. "Signal left, check rear window, check side mirror and blind spot etc"
• Time your next maneuver: This is something debatable.  The idea is to set the stage so that it is easier to perform the next maneuver. For example, you know that you're going to do a right lane change and you're now stopping at a traffic light with many vehicles beside and behind you. To set the stage, you can drive slower when the light turns green so as to let all vehicle to move pass you. Now the road is clear and easier for you to do lane change. You may get penalized for slow in moving off but that is just only 2 points. Unable to lane change would cause you even more points and unnecessary stress. Another example is at the up slop pedestrian crossing along Teck Whye Lane. Sometimes, you could adjust your speed upslope so that you do not need to stop (and perform the difficult moving off slope maneuver) on the slope. When there is nobody crossing the road or nearby, speed up and get pass the crossing quickly. If you see from far that there are people crossing, slow down to let all of them cross and once all of them have crossed, speed up - it does not always work. It very much depends on the crowd.
• Street traffic is unpredictable: This really depends on the traffic situation on that day. There could be sudden road works or cargo lorry unloading or emergency ambulance or even accident. The weather could suddenly turn worse into thunderstorms or haze (seriously?). On the streets, expect lesser drivers to give way to you even if you are on double L. I had a taste of this during my test. So keep yourself alert and look far while driving (that's why ample of rest the night before is crucial). Anticipate what kind of obstacles you may encounter along the way. During your warm up, take note of any roadworks along the way.

Here, I wish you all the best in your driving test. I hope the above tips and tricks would be of help to you. Most importantly...