In this article, I will be sharing my experience with my first attempt for my driving test on 26 October 2021.
I also will share what are things you need to take note of, things you need to prepare as well before your driving test.
Table of Contents
What Do You Need To Bring For Your Driving Test?
During your actual driving test, you will need to bring the following:
- Valid PDL – Screenshot on your phone. I did keep it and save it as my favorite in the photo album for easy access since you also need it for your practical lessons.
- NRIC / Passport – They will need it to verify your identity for both during the warm-up and driving test.
- Training Record Booklet – Not sure about the private candidate, for school students bring along your training booklet just like what you did for your normal practical lessons.
Most importantly, try to be early like 15 mins for example if your warm-up session starts at 9.10 am, I will recommend trying to reach before 9 am if possible. So you will not feel rushed and have ample time like going to the washroom etc.
What time and how long will my warm-up session be?
In my case, it will be about 1 hour and 20 mins before your actual TP driving test timing. It will indicate in your receipt or after you booked your driving test.
But the warm-up session will be a short one and should be completed within 30 mins. As you can see my warm-up is at 9.10 am and my driving test starts at 10.30 am.
How much is the cost for Warm-Up Session and Traffic Police Practical Test?
I have shared in my previous article – How Much Does It Cost To Get A Driving License In Singapore?
It might be different for other schools and the private candidates but the total cost for me will be $249 which includes vehicle rental, practical test, and warm-up session.
Here is the breakdown based on the receipt:
Warm-Up Session Before The TP Driving Test
The warm-up session is useful and for school students likely you will be using the same car during the warm-up session for your actual TP driving test later.
As you know, different cars even the same model might have a slightly different feel when operating the vehicle. It can be minor kinds of stuff like clutch control for the bitting points so I would say the warm-up will be important to let you have a feel to familiarise yourself with the car.
It is a pretty short session which i think is about 30 mins? Basically, it is just like a practical lesson in Stage 4 whereby the warm-up instructor will actually test you through all the stations in the circuit and one random test route. There are no demerit points if you any mistakes.
Leg is shaking or shivering badly
The only problem I have during my circuit is my leg sometimes will shake or shiver even sometimes during practical lessons so when it comes to the clutch control, especially in the circuit can be quite challenging.
I am still unable to find the root cause for this but will cover more in another article for this. I remember very clearly that the car shakes very badly while in the S course until my warm-up instructor asked me to take a short break. I was still able to recall as I am moving in slowly due to there being another warm-up in front of me which is a bit slow. Other than that, there are no other major issues.
When the warm-up session ended, I only can remember that I prayed that my leg will not shiver or shake anymore during the actual driving test later.
My Very First TP Driving Test
So I went to stand beside the car (Car No. 5) again when the time is about 10.20 am to wait for my tester. I can feel the tension where I see other candidates stand beside their car to wait for the tester as well. So one by one the tester came out and call for the name.
When my tester came over to my car and called out my name, he will be asked for my NRIC and also will be showing him my PDL (screenshot from my phone). Once he complete the verification, we went into the car.
First Part – Circuit Station Test
So we move off and drive over to the circuit station in SSDC level 1 and there are 2 unforgettable experiences which are parallel parking and the circuit slope in the circuit for me. The tester also tested the emergency brake after completing all the circuit stations before we move out of the school for the test route.
I am still able to recall that for every station I complete in the circuit, I feel a lighter and lesser burden. And also when after finishing the emergency stop and moving out is like you 50% nearer to passing your driving.
Over here 2 unforgettable experiences during my parallel parking and circuit slope
Tester asked me to stop and went out to take a look at the car during Parallel Parking
As usual, while I am doing my parallel parking halfway and the tester suddenly asked me to stop first and he also told me he has stopped the timer on the tablet. He asked me to wait here and he went out of the car and look at the curb behind my car.
So I switch to neutral gear and handbrake and waited for him in the car although I am quite confident that I did not strike any kerb or mount the kerb but it could be very close to the kerb.
After that, he went back to the car and ask me to continue with my parking. In fact, I lost the momentum where should I turn for my steering wheel. So what I did was, I secretly peep out quickly of my window and take a look at the front wheel which was able to tell me what should I do for my next maneuver.
The vehicle rolled back slightly while on the slope
As usual, my leg foot somehow still shaking since the warm-up session earlier so when doing the circuit slope try to move off from the slope and it rolled back which cost me 2 additional demerit points.
The tester did ask me whether I am aware that it is rolling back and I just replied back, yes because my leg was shaking and trying hard to control it.
Test Route 3 – SSDC
After completed my circuit and we moveout of the school for the 2nd part of the driving test. I naturally feel more relieve and keep telling myself already halfway there to completing everything.
The tester did not really bring me to go the entire test route and while we going straight to the U-turn point which I realised I am on test route 3. So I would the whole test route is about 50% shorter. Maybe I am lucky as my last revision was also going on test route 3 too.
Before the U turn point, I made one quite serious mistake that makes the tester quite shocked. There is road work going on and it is on the left lane. Therefore, I switched over to right lane and after road work I returned back to my left lane once it is safe. The mistake I made was while changing back to the left lane, it was a bend and should not change lane at the bend which is one of the item is the assessment driving test checklist.
This error cost me 6 demerit points and in fact I do not know that I not allowed to change lane at the bend. Maybe I did not make this mistake before during my lesson and also I do not know that this action will also cause demerit points. I feel it is important to read through and understand the assessment test checklist first instead of making mistakes without knowing.
After that mistake, I hope I can make my way back asap to the schoool to end the test in case I make more unknown mistake. But luckily, nothing major happen after that mistake so I returned back to school safely.
Waiting For The Driving Test Result
So after parking the car at the side, the tester asked me to take a sit and wait for the result. During that time, I wondering that changing lane at bend will cause me how many points and I feel I should be safe enough to pass the test.
The waiting is quite fast, so when I saw the tester holding the paper and ask me to go over to one side and brief me those mistakes I made during the test and he also remind me about lane changing at the bend area and not to make same misake again in the future.
When he contiune and flipped over to the 2nd page, I finally saw the PASS word and really feel more relieved. In the end, I got 16 points in total for my first driving test.
Things To Do After You Pass Your Driving Test
After the tester explained to me, I also went back to the customer service to collect my training booklet which I hand over during my warm up session. And also the customer service will help you to process and collect back the remaining balance in your SSDC account.
Next, when I at back home and submit my QDL application online via SPF website and there are some questionnaires and a short video for you to watch as well. The application for QDL will cost $50.
Do note for school, the photo you took during your enrolment will be use for your Driving license but you have the option to change the photo which will require additional process.
How long will it takes for you to receive your Driving License?
They will mail your driving license via regisered mail. The processing time is fast because I receive by driving license on 1st November which actually take about a week after you submit your QDL application.
Final Thoughts
I understand that the whole journey from learning all the way to your actual driving test can be tiring and tough. Hopefully with all these personal experience that I shared will able to help you with your learning.
For those who already just passed their driving, it will be another level or challenge whereby you are on your own without any instructor and most importantly do drive safely too.