In this article, I will share my experience and some other useful resources that are covered in the subjects under Stage 3 for SSDC.
Previously, I also shared the enrolment process, Stage 1 and Stage 2 as well.
Table of Contents
Class 3 Driving Practical Lesson – Stage 3 Overview
In Stage 3, it will be a short and fast one as there are 5 subjects in total. 2 of them will be doing the parking in the circuit.
Subject 26 – Vertical Parking
Subject 27 – Reacting to Road Hazards
Subject 28 – Lane Changing Part 2 (Heavy Traffic)
Subject 29 – Parallel Parking
Subject 30 – Review All Prior Lessons with Test Route
Subject 26 – Vertical Parking
This subject will be tested during your practical test so it is recommended you can practice as much as possible during your revision and practical lessons.
To clear vertical parking, you need to ensure the following:
- To complete within 3 minutes, else it will be an immediate failure
- Not to mount the kerb as this also result in immediate failure
- Striking the kerb will cost you 10 points for your practical test. I do hear from instructors that sometimes strike kerb can be counted as mount kerb as the kerb is too high.
- You need to confirm safety and do all your safety checks for all the maneuvers you make.
- Try to avoid turning the steering while your vehicle is stationary, this will cost you 2 points. You can use your clutch control, and slightly release it so the vehicle is crawling to do your steering.
In my case, almost every lesson after subject 26 will do vertical parking therefore I feel practice makes perfect is very important. In fact, you can complete it within 1 min after you master it.
Here is the note I took down during my lesson.
- Stop the car near the center white line (further away from the left kerb) and life side mirror should be able to see the parking slot entrance.
- Signal left, switch to reverse gear
- Adjust your side mirror (able to see the wheel)
- Check the rear windscreen and left to right mirror and rear mirror
- Start Reversing until you see the point (the corner of the kerb) hit the left passenger seat window divider.
- Check the rear windscreen before doing a full lock to the left, ensure very low speed.
- Check the left mirror to ensure not to hit or mount the kerb.
- Check the rear windscreen and Straighten your wheel once your car is straight.
- Ensure your both left and right side have sufficient space.
- Once done, switch to neutral gear and handbrake up
- Inform the tester or instructor when you are done
Here are video resources from the Youtube that I watched on the Car Refresher channel
Vertical parking also requires luck where sometimes you can successfully go into the slot on the first try while reversing. Else usually there will be 2 different scenarios like turn in too early or turn in too late. Turning in too late will be easier as require lesser maneuvers over your end.
Here is the note from my instructor where she wrote down the steps needed.
Turning in too early for Vertical Parking
It requires you to do 2 additional manoeuvrers if you turn in too early, your left rear tire position is very close to kerb therefore before it hit, straighten your steering wheel then reverse to ensure your left wheel goes into the parking slot first.
- Make sure to have enough gap to continue to reverse by straightening the steering wheels.
- When your left tyre is near the kerb, do a full lock left
- After which if your right tyre is near the kerb, move your car forward instead
- Then, turn your steering wheel to the left while reversing
Turning in too late for Vertical Parking
If you are turning in too late for your vertical parking, it will be easier than turning to early.
The position of your right rear tire position is very close to kerb therefore before it hit, straighten your steering wheel and move forward first then reverse again while turning your steering wheel to the left.
Here are the steps that the instructor wrote in my booklet.
- Stop before hitting the right kerb
- Move your card forward, and straighten your steering wheel.
- Stop when the center line passes your shoulder
- Reverse and full lock to the left (depends on the gap between the kerb and your wheel)
- If the gap is wide, not necessary to do a full lock left when reversing.
Subject 27 & 28 – Reacting to Road Hazards & Lane Changing Part 2 (Heavy Traffic)
As for Subject 27, it will be like your normal road trip during your practical lessons where sometimes you might encounter road hazards like road work, break down of vehicle, one of the lanes being blocked by other reasons etc. You should react to all different scenarios on the road calmly, slow down or stop if required.
As lane changing part 2 for heavy traffic, it is similar to Lane Changing Part 1 in Stage 2. My instructor did ask me to try during peak hours like 6-7 pm whereby there is the bus lane and there will be more cars on the road where people rushing back home after work.
It will be a good experience if you are able to have a feel and try it during peak hours even though it is challenging but should be able to build up your confidence for lane changing.
Lastly, I think your instructor will direct you on the road based on the test routes at this stage.
Subject 29 – Parallel Parking
Similar to Subject 26 – Vertical Parking, this is another important subject too as it will be tested during your practical test.
These are the key things to take note of when you doing your Parallel Parking:
- To complete within 5 minutes, else it will be an immediate failure
- Not to mount the kerb as this also result in immediate failure
- Striking the kerb will cost you 10 points for your practical test. I do hear from instructors that sometimes strike kerb can be counted as mount kerb as the kerb is too high.
- You need to confirm safety and do all your safety checks for all the maneuvers you make.
- Try to avoid turning the steering while your vehicle is stationary, this will cost you 2 points. You can use your clutch control, and slightly release it so the vehicle is crawling to do your steering.
Here are some of the videos which can help you better understand when you doing your parallel parking.
My instructor is a nice person and she wrote this down for me in my booklet for the parallel parking.
For Moving In During Parallel Parking:
- Position your car about 0.5m away from the Kerb
- Adjust your left mirror till 2nd door is disappear
- Reverse once you see the full white kerb, then full lock to the left
- Look from the right side mirror, see a full yellow back kerb then straighten the steering wheel
- Adjust Right Side Mirror, when rear right tyre touches the yellow line then do a full lock to the right
- Your Car Center Position – 1 full white kerb and 1 little black kerb based on your left side mirror.
For Moving Out During Parallel Parking:
- Side Kerb is not near, move forward till see the full white and black kerb.
- Reverse and turn 1 round to the left for your steering wheel
- Adjust Your Mirror Back before you move out.
- Try to maximize the space at the rear, then full lock to the right to move out
Subject 30 – Review All Prior Lessons with Test Route
Your instructor will go through will all the circuit stations including those in Stage 2. It will be like a mini mock test like the practical test.
At this stage, if possible try to practice more circuit stations like both parking, directional change, circuit slope, and S and Crank course during your practical lesson. As practice makes perfect, try to correct your mistake during your lesson rather than during you. practical test.
You should be completing your simulator lessons & auto transmission lesson for class 3 too as all these are needed in order to book for your practical test.
Final Thoughts
That’s all for Stage 3 Subjects and for Stage 4 will be all the test routes, mock tests etc. Try to gain more experience and familiar with test routes for better preparation.
Good luck and Hang it There!