Learner driver resources

Transcript

[Music]

[Text on screen: Department of Transport Practical Driving Assessment]

[Visual: A directional sign showing a yellow ‘L’ plate and the words learner drivers only.]

[Visual: Onscreen text reading ‘Lili the candidate’ with a photo of Lili. The camera cuts to Lili walking from a carpark into a DTMI Service Centre.]

Narrator: Welcome to the Department of Transport. We're here to make your Practical Driving Assessment go as smoothly as possible. Take a seat and when it's time your assessor will call your name.

[Visual: Lili walks into the Service Centre and sits down.]

Bev: Hi I'm Bev. 

[Visual: Bev walks out of an office holding a clip board. The camera cuts to a photo of Bev with onscreen text reading ‘Beverley the assessor’.]

Narrator: Have your learners permit or proof of identity and your completed logbook ready with the declaration on the last page signed by your supervisor.

[Visual: Bev and Lili walk towards a service counter and Lili hands over her documents to Bev who checks them.] 

It's always a good idea to complete more than the required 50 hours of supervised driving to make sure you are prepared and confident to sit the test.

If you need to wear prescription glasses make sure you bring them on the day. Your assessor will ask a few questions, and you'll be asked to sign the authorisation for the PDA to be voice recorded.

Bev: This tablet records our voices while we're driving is that okay with you? 

Lili: Yeah, that's cool. 

Narrator: Now the PDA begins.

[Visual: Bev and Lili move outside]

Bev: All right, to the car! Okay Lili I'm just going to check over your car first, if you want to hop in, just wind the window down a little bit so you can hear me.

[Visual: Lili moves around the car and climbs in.]

Narrator: First up your assessor will conduct a roadworthy check of your vehicle they'll make sure your rego is up to date, that your brake lights and indicators are working...

Bev: Okay Lili indicate right. Put your foot on the brake and let it go.

Narrator: ...and there are no warning lights on the dashboard. Make sure that your tires have at least 1.5 mm of tread. 

[Visual: Bev moves around the car assessing each of the items mentioned.]

Bev: Okay indicate left.

Narrator: Your car needs to have a centrally mounted park brake and make sure the floor and rearview mirror are free of any obstructions. If you fail to meet any of these criteria your assessor may terminate your PDA and you'll need to re-book which could be at your own cost.

[Visual: Bev enters the car and sits in the passenger seat.]

Bev: Okay Lili before we start, I have to give you a standard rundown, okay?

[Visual: Lili nods yes.]

Bev: All right, during this assessment I'll be watching you drive. In order to pass you have to show me that you're driving to the standard set by the Department of Transport. We'll be doing some exercises along the way, but I'll ask you to pull over before each one and tell you exactly what it is I want you to do. Ok?

Lili: yes

Bev: I'll be giving you directions either left or right I'll use my hands as well but if I'm not saying anything you need to continue on the street that you're on.

[Background: Bev continues to talk to Lili with instructions.]

Narrator: We're almost ready to get the PDA underway. Now is your chance to raise any concerns or questions you have. Our assessors are trained to help you through nerves or anxiety, but they can't give you any advice on how you should drive.

[Visual: Lili commences driving]

Narrator: Also make sure you disclose any hearing difficulties, language barriers or disability that may impede understanding the assessor's instructions.

The assessor will be watching to make sure that you are checking your blind spots and using the mirrors correctly and that you always have correct hand placement on the wheel.

Bev: Turn right.

[Visual: The vehicle Lili is driving comes to a T-junction, with a white vehicle passing turning right and a blue car passing through.]

Narrator: Other things to look out for include correct use of indicators and vehicle accessories like the window wipers or demister if they are needed.

[Visual: the camera cuts back and forth between Lili driving inside the car and watching the car from outside at street level as she negotiates intersections and a roundabout.]

You'll also be assessed on how you fit in with traffic and stick to the posted speed limit as well as smooth gear changes if you're driving a manual.

If the assessor finds you are not meeting the requirements at any time during the test, you'll be asked to return to the Centre. The assessor will use their tablet throughout the assessment to take notes but make sure you don't look down at the tablet when you are driving.

Your PDA will include two exercises that we call ‘stopping for shopping’ and ‘left something behind’. Each exercise combines two low-speed manoeuvres in an everyday driving situation.

[Visual: The car is pulled over in a parking bay and cuts to Bev talking.]

Bev: We're going to do our first exercise it's called ‘stopping for shopping’.

[Visual: The camera cuts between aerial, street level and views inside the car as Lilli completes the exercises.]

Narrator: For example, during ‘stopping for shopping your assessor will ask you to drive to a nearby car park. 

Keep left when driving through the car park and be aware of people with trolleys and prams in the area. When you get there, you can find yourself a space where you can do a forward park manoeuvre.

You will then exit the parking space. 

Then you'll need to drive through the car park to find yourself a suitable spot to conduct a reverse park manoeuvre.

If you need to adjust your park, remember to look behind you for other cars and people before moving the vehicle.

Bev: This street on the left. On this street turn right.

Narrator: The second exercise will begin at the side of the road where you'll be asked to begin driving along the road. 

Bev: Pull over on this side of the street. Okay Lili, we are going to do the ‘left something behind’ exercise.

Narrator: Remember to check mirrors and your blind spot and use your indicators when you leave the curb. After some distance your assessor will tell you that they have left something behind.

Bev: Lili, I've left something behind.

Narrator: You will need to return to where the exercise began by completing a series of manoeuvres which could include using a driveway to turn around or conducting a U-turn, it's up to you.

When using a driveway to turn around choose which driveway you use wisely. Be sure to look out of your back window and keep an eye out for pedestrians before you reverse out of the driveway.

When doing the exercises be sure to follow directions, check your blind spots and windows, indicate correctly and be in control of the vehicle.

Once you have completed your second exercise and the assessor has had a chance to assess your driving skills it's time to return to the centre to find out how you went.

[Visual: Lili drives back to the centre. Lili and Bev enter the centre on foot.]

Bev: Lili well done you've met the standard, congratulations! 

Lili: Thank you! 

Bev: I do have some feedback though, so I need you to listen.

[Background: Bev continues to talk to Lili, providing feedback.]

Narrator: Once back at the centre, your assessor will offer you some feedback on your driving if you would like that advice. You're allowed to make some mistakes during a PDA, but your assessor can advise on how to fix those mistakes before they become a habit.

Bev: ...and there was one missing indicator on the roundabout, other than that, that was really, really well done. Congratulations! 

Lili: Thank you!

[Visual: Camera cuts to another driver and another assessor and then to a blue car with an ‘L’ plate in the back window.]

Narrator: If you weren't successful this time, don't give up, take your assessor's feedback on board, spend some more time practicing your driving skills and try again.

[Visual: someone looking through the Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers guide.]

Ask one of our Customer Service Officers for the free Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers guide which has some hints and tips and even includes some practice PDAs in the back.

[Visual: someone using the DoTDirect app on their mobile phone.]

When you are ready you can book and pay for your next PDA through your DoTDirect account.

[Visual: A customer service officer passing a customer two red ‘P’ plates.]

If you've met the requirements to pass your PDA it's time to get your provisional license. 

[Visual: A customer service officer operating a camera.]

One of our customer service officers will process the fee and capture your photo and signature for your license card.

[Visual: a person signing their name.]

Now the only thing left to do is grab a selfie with your P plates!

[Visual: A proud Lili holds two red ‘P’ plates.]

[Text on screen: Government of Western Australia. Department of Transport. Transport.wa.gov.au]

End of transcript