Practical license test rules in WA

personally I think its a load of bullshit

 

In NSW, the general "rule" was that they would always find some reason
to fail you on your first attempt.

I was never sure if it was to make sure they kept themselves busy (and
in a job) with the re-testing, or some attempt to affect the pysch of
the testees.

David

 

I've been taught that you need to always maintain the dominant position on
the road and in the case of a left hand turn one should close of any
opportunity for someone to slip in between you and the kerb.

I must say, this is not really a rule as such but more of a safety thing.
When I did me test not so long ago, I had been warned prior to my test by
my instructor that some examiners do look out for this.

May I ask where did your son do his test? It just that there are some
examiners that are "easier" than others. I felt that I've had a
pretty good run with my tests, got both my car and bike licence first shot
both at the same centre, and for those WA readers who care to know, I did
my tests at Midland.

 

This is leaving sufficient room for the cyclist who could be further around the corner?
Not that a cyclist is necessarily going to be far left,
at speed downhill road crap is equally to be avoided.

Andre

 

I'm currently learning to ride here in Perth.

My first lesson was almost entirely road craft - where to position the
bike on the road under various circumstances and conditions, when to
indicate and when not to, etc.

That was one of the points the instructor raised that the examiners are
picky about - when turning, if you're against a kerb (eg left turn, or
traffic filter to the right), make sure there's no room for another
vehicle to get in.

On a separate note, he asked "If you pull up behind a car at the lights,
what's the worst that could happen."

I promptly answered "being rear ended" - which quite surprised him,
partly 'cause it was the right answer, and partly because I'd read about
it online (not had direct experience or known someone who has).

As a general aside, when I've taught people to drive (siblings, etc)
I've always recommended they have a couple of instructor paid lessons at
the end to find out exactly that kind of thing - what the examiners get
picky about.

prk.

 

My bike test at Midland was harsh. After that I went to Armadale and had
a much easier time of it.

When I was going for my car licence (back in 1998 mind), my instructor
recommended that people go to the Welshpool centre instead of Midland,
even though Midland was closer, because of the difficult tests.

 

I promptly answered "being rear ended" - which quite surprised him,

Hm, learning with a bloke in Forrestfield by any chance? Sounds very
similar to my first lesson, including that question.

 

My son just failed his driving test in Perth, mainly because he did not
keep close enough to the kerb when turning left. The argument goes that
another rider could squeeze in and create a dangerous situation.
Has anyone had a similar experience? I mean failing a test because of a
somewhat shrouded rule.
Made me feel quite inadequate, having been his learner supervisor.....
(I have honestly never heard of such a rule.)
Let alone the frustration for him to wait another 4 weeks for a second
chance, especially in summer.
Any comments?

Cheers

TonyS

 

It is. Just grin and bear it.

The real test runs for the rest of your riding life.
The real right line is the one which doesn't get you killed.

-----sharks

 

OK, but what's the worst thing that could happen. Not really a high
speed issue. And what about the often present sand and gravel near the
kerb? Better keep clear of that

The test was done in Willagee. Appointments are hard to get.

 

Really, I'm either really skilled or I must've got lucky. I thinks it
was more likely the latter.

Difference centres have different quirks. Places like Welshpool although
it might seem like an easy place with long wide roads, but because it is
an industrial area you get a lot of big trucks thundering down the
highways.

Midland was nice, did runs up an back along Great Eastern Highway, turned
down a side street to do u-turns and emergency braking.

I heard that some of the Morley examiners are quite tough. They will
*really* test you.

West Perth is nice, my brother did his car license there and its are
pretty good area except for the heavy traffic and hills. Heard that the
examiners there are ummm... more "fair", thats not to say that other
aren't but y'know.


Don't know much about the rest cos they're a bit far from me.

 

Paul Raj Khangure wrote:
Paul, thanks for your comments.

What's the probability? How often do we actually meet other bikes.

All fine but you have to put it in perspective.

Sorry but the whole test thing sounds far fetched, no link to the real
thing that kills motorcyclists: Speed, attitude, risk taking, driving
skills and traffic awareness, you add more. I (we) watched the bike
safety awareness video the cops are showing (we joined the last police
coffee run, together with 350 other motorcyclists)and it made sense.
This test still feels like a set up to me.

 

Angelo from Streetsmart Riding (I think that's the name).

In Wattle Grove - but looks like a newish house, so he may have moved
there recently.

prk.

 

I don't know - but I just put it down as one of those 'tricks' that you
need to know to pass the exam, not necessarily needed for regular
riding.

I'll need to ask my instructor next lesson whether that applies when
there is debris - gravel / sand / etc - on the road, or whether it's
alright to swing a bit wider around it.

A couple of other things I've been told to do / not to do in the exam
are:

When pulling in, ensure you leave enough space between the bike and
the kerb so that your foot is on the road, next to the kerb. If you pull
in so that your foot is actually on the kerb, you lose points.
Supposedly this is to force cars to swing wide around you, rather than
trying to squeeze past in the same lane, and possibly knocking you over.

When approaching a railway crossing, you _have_ to look both ways.
You don't have to at traffic lights, but you lose points if you don't at
a railway crossing.

In both cases (as turning close to the kerb to stop a bike going by),
there appears to be a legitimate reason for the action, despite the
unlikelyhood (IMO) of such a situation occuring.

*shrug*

I'm sure they judge those important in the exam as well, but have
additional things they look for.

I'm a learner, I'll do what the instructors recommend as best practice
if it will satisfy the examiners that I can ride well enough to be
allowed out by myself.

I'd suggest you take your son for at least one, possibly two lessons
with an instructor, purely so he can be aware of all the things the
examiners are going to look for / black mark on.

It will give him something to be aware of and practice until the next
test too.

Cheers,

prk.

 

So if you find you get killed; just back up a bit and take the OTHER line!

 

Any one know any tricks for Mandurah???
Would be much appreciated

 

Reminds me of when I had a bike roadworthied in Perth years ago, tried
fist in the norther suburbs (Wanneroo transport depot?) and the pricks
defected it twice on minor stuff. Was given the heads up and went down
to, I think, Freo where they waved it through without dramas.

Bill

 

I believe it's more about common sense and courtesy.

 

Ironically enough, I saw this occur this afternoon, whilst driving.

I pulled up at the lights, behind a motorbike, which was signalling to
turn left. The bike was quite far from the kerb.

Whilst the lights were still red, a cyclist pulled up to the lights, to
the _left_ of the motorbike.

So when the lights changed, there was quite a bit of confusion as to who
went where - with the cyclist (on the left) going straight, and the bike
(on the right) trying to turn left.

The motorbike ended up pulling ahead of the cyclist, then turning left
in front of him, so there was no collision - but it was a rather odd
thing to watch.

prk.

 

It is the same guy Angelo, that's right. Yeah he must have moved
from Forrestfield.

Say hi for me! You learning on a GN250 then?