In my previous article, I have shared some of the tips, resources like youtube, and experiences for my Stage 1 practical driving in SSDC.
The main aim is to help the readers here to have a better understanding while you have the driving lesson as most of us may still have some question marks even after the lesson.
As usual, I will be doing the same thing as well for Stage 2 in this article. Let’s take a look what are the subjects covered in Stage 2 for my SSDC lesson. Do note that the subjects might be different if you are taking class 3a or other schools.
Table of Contents
Class 3 Driving Practical Lesson – Stage 2 Overview
Here are all the subjects in my Stage 2 Practical and in total there are 12 subjects in total including the review lesson in the last part of stage 2.
Subject 14 – Gear Shifting Part 2 (Road) Gear 3 & 4
Subject 15 – Left Turns and Filter Lane
Subject 16 – Speed Control
Subject 17 – Pre-drive Check
Subject 18 – Driving in observance of traffic rules
Subject 19 – Circuit Slope
Subject 20 – Lane Changing Part 1
Subject 21 – Reversing and Directional Change
Subject 22 – Right Turns
Subject 23 – U-Turns
Subject 24 – Three Point Turn, Emergency Brake, and Narrow Courses
Subject 25 – Review Lesson (Subject 14- 24 )
Subject 14 to 16 – Gear Shifting Part 2, Left Turn & Filter Lane and Speed Control
For Gear Shifting Part 2, it is similar to Part 1 and just that you need to use gear 4, especially on the main road. In my case, I remember the instructor expects you on those main roads with a speed limit of 60 -70 km/h, you should be on gear 4.
You can refer back to Gear Shift Part 1 to recap and there is a video on changing gear. Do note, do use gear 4, especially on the main road as the instructor will expect you to use gear 4 instead of gear 3.
For Subject 15 which is the left turn & filter lane, I can say that it is already covered in stage 1 doing. The only difference in stage 2 is since you covered the lesson on using gear 4, the instructor will see how you shift the gear down and your speed control while doing the filter lane and left turn, and this also covered the speed control as well in Subject 16.
For speed control, even though you are able to stop the car using gear 4, it is recommended to shift down your gear when you approaching to stop the car, for example, traffic junction is on the red light.
Subject 17 – Pre-drive Check
I am not sure how important is it for this subject but I feel it is good to know more and understand some of the things covered in this subject like the engine oil etc. It will be useful once you own a car, at least you have a small bit of understanding.
It covered how you the tire, and engine oil, open the cabin, check the exterior of the car, use the spare tyre etc.
Subject 18 – Driving in Observance of Traffic Rules
In this subject, basically will driving on the road and need to ensure you understand the traffic rules for traffic lights, signs and yellow boxes, the priority at the intersection.
Subject 19 – Circuit Slope
This subject is important as this will be one of the stations for your practical test. Here are the steps that I took down during my learning:
- Step 1 – Going up to the slope, brake and clutch in to stop
- Step 2- Handbrake Up
- Step 3 – Remove Your Foot from the Brake Pedal, this is to check whether your car will roll backward. If rollback, it should be your handbrake did not up fully.
- Step 4 – Signal Right – Getting Ready For Moving Off
- Step 5 – Step Accelerator/ Gas Pedal (Rev at least 2,000 – 3000 RPM) and try to hold it here
- Step 6 – Slowly Release Your Clutch to Biting Point
- Step 7 – Do Safely Check – Check Your Mirrors and Blind Spot
- Step 8 – Handbrake Down, Maintain Your Biting Point on the Clutch Pedal
- Step 9 – Your car should be slowly moving up the slope once your handbrake is down.
You can also view this video for more tips.
Subject 20 – Lane Changing Part 1
I feel lane changing will be a very important subject as we will be doing lane changing very often during practical lessons. Here are some of the common scenarios:
- Doing Right Turn – Changing from the last lane to the first lane for right turning
- After Right Turn – And you doing your right turn, you need to switch back to the left lane
- Road Hazards – Like road work, tree cutting whereby a heavy vehicle on the left lane, etc
For every lane change, all the checks are similar, do not hurry, look carefully and determine before you do a lane change. It is important to do the following:
- Check rear and side mirrors
- Turn your Signal
- Check mirrors again
- Check blindspot before you start to switch lane
- Signal off after you complete the lane change.
Here is another video with some tips for lane changing
Subject 21 – Reversing and Directional Change
In Subject 21, I assume your instructor will expect you to do maneuvers while reversing.
In my case, the instructor will place the 2 metal poles and ask you to do a reverse between the 2 metal poles without hitting them. It will require maneuvers to left or right depending on your car position.
As for directional change, it is also one of the test stations for your practical test in the circuit. Here are some of the steps that I note down during my lesson:
- Try to position your car in the center as much as possible.
- Check Rear Mirror and Left Bind spo
Here is one of the videos from the Car Refresher Course channel in which they shared what are common mistakes to avoid during the directional change.
Subject 22 – Right Turns
In this subject, I assume your instructor will be bringing to do right turn at different road junctions. It will be the same as stage 1 while you are doing your right turning but there are 2 things to take note of while doing the right turn:
- Turning into the correct lane
- Different Types of Right Turn Traffic Lights
Turning into the correct lane
So if you are turning right from the 1st lane (most outer right lane), you should be turning into the 1st lane over the other end. It is important to maintain in the correct lane. Similarly, if you are in the 2nd lane, you should be turning into the 2nd lane too.
You also do note that avoid changing lanes in the junction, and also if you are turning from the 2nd lane, you will notice other cars may actually doing a wider right turn over to the 3rd lane, etc. But as a learner, it is important to keep in the same lane and do maintain good speed control in case other cars from other lanes cross over to your lane.
Different Types of Right Turn Traffic Lights
I believe there will be 3 different types of traffic lights you will encounter while doing right turns and hopefully, it can help you with a better understanding and confidence while doing your right turn.
You can watch the video below as well:
1. Green Amber Red Arrow
Traffic lights with Green, Amber & Red arrows will be the most straightforward & safest ones as you just need to follow the arrow will do. If the arrow light is red, you should stop behind the stop line and not be not turning right only if the arrow light turns green. This type of traffic light will be getting more and more common on the road as it is safer than the old one which allows doing discretionary right turns which I will cover more in the next section.
Here is the photo of the Green, Amber Red Arrow Traffic Light
2. Discretionary Right Turn
For Discretionary Right Turn, it only has one green arrow light. When the traffic light turns green but without the green arrow light, you can position your car slightly forward or to the pocket and turn right if it is safe to do so without any pedestrian crossing or cars from the opposite direction going straight. Here is what the discretionary right turn traffic light looks like:
If you are really unable to determine whether it is safe or your view is being blocked that makes you unable to see any incoming cars from the opposite site going straight, it is recommended to wait until the green arrow light appears then proceed with your right turn.
In addition, there are petitions to urge the LTA to change to green, amber, and red arrow light for safety reasons as there are accidents that happened for the discretionary right turn. You can read more over here.
T Junction
At the T junction, there will be no arrow traffic lights hence you can proceed to turn right when the traffic light is green. Do also note that you need to check if there are any pedestrian crossings on the other side.
Subject 23 – U-Turns
For the U-turn, the traffic lights rule will be the same as the right turn which I just covered in the previous section. But also do note, that you are only allowed to do U-turns if there is a U-Turn Traffic Sign. You should try to do as much as possible till you feel comfortable as during the practical test there will be U-turn for all the test routes.
For my case, the turning point used when the curb on my right side reaches around my shoulder, I will do a full lock to right for my steering well to turn right. Once the car almost straightens, I will straighten back my wheel too.
You can take a look at this video for more information:
Subject 24 – Three Point Turn, Emergency Brake, and Narrow Courses
For Three Point Turn, it will not be tested but it is good to know as you might need to use it after you have passed.
The concept is very simple, is like you trying to a U-turn yet is too narrow so have to do a 3 Point Turn.
For Emergency Brake, the tester or your instructor usually will bang the dashboard. So you have to stop the car immediately using your brake pedal. It will be alright as the stopping will be very harsh. I still recall one of my instructors will hold on to her seat belt tight once she hit the dashboard.
According to my note I took during my lesson, these are the steps applied for E-brake
- Step Brake Immediately
- Clutch In Shortly – It is alright if your engine is stalled for a manual car
- Handbrake on/up
- Switch back to Gear 1
- Mirror Check – Getting ready to move off
- Signal Right
- Handbrake Down
- Check Blindspot and move off once it is safe.
Lastly, for Narrow Courses, there are 2 stations that will be tested as well during your practical test.
Crank Course
The turning point is almost similar to doing the directional change. Here are some of the video resources that I watched during my learning days.
S Course
As for the S course, it is also one of the stations for your driving practical test. I do not have any notes on this but basically have to look ahead and with very slow speed to go through this S Course.
Subject 25 – Review Lesson (Subject 14- 24 )
You will be tested what you have gone through in Stage 2 and by that time you also should be comfortable on the road as well and shifting to gear 4 easily. In addition, these 4 circuit stations ( slope, directional change, crank, and S course) so it is important that you should be easily clear all these stations. If not, I would request to practice more during practical lessons. Practice makes Perfect!
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, this article gives you a better insight and preparation. Do note that when you are on Stage 2, you should be able to start to book your simulator lessons and your auto car lesson (for class 3 only) as well. As there might be a long waiting time if you do not wish to delay your progress.