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National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996)

Notices

K53 Practical Driving Test for Motor Vehicle Drivers, Volume 1 - Light Motor Vehicles : Code B

3. Implementation of the test

 

Testing shall only be conducted during normal office hours on weekdays, from 07:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays from 07:00 to 13:00. No testing shall take place on Sundays and Public holidays.

 

The examiner for driving licences shall not comment on, mention, or discuss any error made by the applicant during the test, nor may he/she assist the applicant during the execution of any manoeuvre or action.

 

The examiner shall record all the relevant information required on the test report.

 

The examiner shall not pose any questions to test the applicant's theoretical knowledge during the practical test.

 

The examiner shall not allow anyone or anything to hinder, instruct or obstruct an applicant during a test and the applicant shall be under his/her direct  supervision at all times.

 

Only the examiner, representatives of the Inspectorate/Provincial monitors or supervisor of examiners may accompany applicants during tests.

 

From the commencement of the yard test to the completion of the road test, the following items shall be marked throughout:

Violation of traffic law
Uncontrolled/Dangerous action, and
Collision/Mechanical failure.

 

Any travelling to be done in the vehicle being used for the test may only be done after completion of the pre-trip inspection and shall be driven by the applicant.

 

Should the applicant at any stage fail the test and in the opinion of the examiner, it would be unsafe for the applicant to continue driving, the examiner may drive such vehicle when returning to the driving licence testing centre.

 

On completion of the test the applicant shall sign the test report and a copy shall be handed to the applicant, after it has been discussed with him/her.

 

3.1 Yard test

 

Before the commencement of the yard test the examiner shall inform the applicant of the following:

(a) that the yard test (the pre-trip inspections and manoeuvres) shall be completed within 20 minutes, (stopwatch time),
(b) stopping shall be permitted at any stage during certain manoeuvres,
(c) observation shall be done and signals given as though on a public road,
(d) wearing of a seatbelt shall not be necessary during the yard test,
(e) should the test be terminated at any stage, the full test shall have to be repeated,
(f) all road traffic signs, signals, rules and markings shall be obeyed,
(g) touching any obstacle or mounting a kerb shall not be permissible,
(h) no uncontrolled or dangerous action shall be permitted,
(i) the push and pull method of steering is not required during the yard test, and
(j) questions may be asked pertaining the above.

 

The examiner shall guide the applicant to the starting point of every yard test manoeuvre, instruct him/her to apply the parking brake, select neutral and cancel the signal. (If applicable)
All errors made during both the 1st and the 2nd, attempt shall be recorded. (entering and leaving)
The instructions and explanation to conduct a manoeuvre during the yard test shall only be given whilst the vehicle is stationary prior to the commencement of that specific manoeuvre.

 

3.1.1 Pre-trip inspection

 

A physical pre-trip inspection shall be executed irrespective of the weather conditions on instruction and under supervision of the examiner for every test.

 

Exterior (Module 1)

(a) The examiner shall accompany the applicant to his/her vehicle, where a pre-trip exterior inspection shall be conducted, prior to entering the vehicle.
(b) The examiner may allow minor defects to be rectified, however, no extra time shall be allowed and the stopwatch shall not be stopped.
(c) Should any of the items indicated on the test report under the headings "Pre-trip inspection" be inoperative, the vehicle will be considered unroadworthy and the examiner shall circle the black block under the heading "ROADWORTHINESS" on the test report, make a cross in the "FAIL" block and immediately discontinue the test.

 

Interior (Module 2)

(a) The examiner shall request the applicant to enter the vehicle and operate the lights, (dipped beam and main beam) direction indicators, brake lights, wipers and horn on request.
(b) The examiner shall request the applicant to proceed with the pre-trip inspection.
(c) The examiner may allow minor defects to be rectified, however, no extra time shall be allowed and the stopwatch shall not be stopped.
(d) Should any of the items indicated on the test report under the headings "Pre-trip inspection" be inoperative, the vehicle will be considered unroadworthy and the examiner shall circle the black block under the heading "ROADWORTHINESS" on the test report, make a cross in the "FAIL" block and immediately discontinue the test.

 

3.1.2 Alley docking (to the left and right) (Modules 15 and 16)

 

The side from which the first manoeuvre is executed shall be determined by the examiner.

 

Entering

 

The examiner shall inform the applicant of the following:

(a) stopping is permissible at any stage, and
(b) a 2nd (final) attempt may be made if the Ist attempt was unsuccessful, provided that no obstacle has been touched.

 

The examiner shall instruct the applicant:

(a) to position vehicle at starting point,
(b) to reverse into the demarcated area without touching any obstacle,
(c) that no forward movement will be permitted, and
(d) that a 2nd (final) attempt may be made if the 1st attempt was unsuccessful, provided that no obstacle has been touched.

 

Leaving

 

The examiner shall instruct the applicant to steer out of the demarcated area without touching any obstacle, and stop where indicated.

 

3.1.3 Incline start (Modules 17 and 18)

 

The examiner shall instruct the applicant:

(a) to stop where indicated without allowing the vehicle to move backwards,
(b) to move off without rolling back, and
(c) that only one attempt shall be permissible.

 

3.1.4 Turn in the road (Module 19)

 

The examiner shall instruct the applicant:

(a) to position vehicle at starting point,
(b) turn the vehicle around within the 12 metre roadway, without mounting any kerb and by using two forward and one reverse movements, to face in the opposite direction, without touching the demarcated line with any wheel, and
(c) complete the manoeuvre, the vehicle shall exit the demarcated area on the left hand side of the road. (It is not necessary to stop before exiting)

 

3.1.5 Parallel parking (to the left and right) (Modules 20 and 21)

 

The side from which the first manoeuvre is executed shall be determined by the examiner.

 

Entering

 

The examiner shall inform the applicant of the following:

(a) stopping is permissible at any stage, and
(b) a 2nd (final) attempt may be made if the 1st attempt was unsuccessful, provided that no obstacle has been touched or the kerb mounted.

 

Leaving

 

The examiner shall instruct the applicant:

(a) to steer out of the demarcated area without touching any obstacle or mounting the kerb, and stop where indicated, and
(b) that the number of movements to leave the parking bay are unlimited.

 

3.2 Road test

 

3.2.1 Prior to the commencement of the road test the applicable information and instructions shall be given to the applicant whilst the vehicle is stationary and the engine is switched off.

 

3.2.2 Following a pre-established test route, the examiner shall not give any instruction to carry out an illegal action, and shall instruct the applicant:
(a) well in advance,
(b) in a clear, concise and audible manner,
(c) if necessary, repeat any instruction,
(d) giving, as far as possible, one instruction at a time,
(e) that, if he/she has a physical disability, he/she shall nevertheless attempt to check the appropriate blind spot,
(f) that, should the test be terminated at any stage, the full test shall have to be repeated, (this includes the yard test and road test)
(g) that the wearing of the seatbelt is now compulsory as well as the "push and pull" method of steering, and
(h) all road traffic signs, signals rules and markings shall be obeyed.

 

3.2.3 A lane change, at least one of the hand signals and emergency stop shall be executed irrespective of the weather conditions on instruction of the examiner during every test.

 

3.2.4 For the purpose of this test the following shall constitute a road test:
(a) the duration of the road test shall exceed 20 minutes,
(b) the pre-established test route which complies with minimum requirements shall be completed, and
(c) when 45 minutes has elapsed, provided that the minimum requirements on such test route have been met.

 

3.2.5 Emergency stop:
(a) During the road test, the applicant shall be instructed by the examiner to stop the vehicle at a safe place at the side of the road
(b) The stopwatch shall be stopped after stopping the vehicle and started when moving off.
(c) The examiner shall inform the applicant when the vehicle has stopped, the following:
(i) that he/she shall give the instruction to "Stop" when it is safe to do so, and
(ii) the vehicle shall be brought to a complete standstill in the shortest possible distance as if in an emergency, e g a child running into the road.

 

3.3 Collision

 

3.3.1 Should the applicant cause a collision or be involved in a collision which is considered to have been avoidable, circle the black block under the heading "COLLISION/MECH.FAIL." on the test report and make a cross in the "FAIL" block and immediately discontinue the test.
3.3.2 Should the collision be considered to have been unavoidable a cross shall be indicated in the white block under the heading "COLLISION/ MECH.FAIL.", and the applicant shall be given the option of completing the test if the vehicle IS still roadworthy.
3.3.3 If the vehicle is unroadworihy and/or the applicant wishes to have the test deferred, a cross shall be made in the block marked "DEFERRED" and the test discontinued, provided that no black block was circled prior to the collision

 

3.4 Mechanical failure

 

3.4.1 Should the test in progress be terminated due to mechanical failure of the vehicle, the test shall be deferred, and a cross shall be made in the "DEFERRED" block, provided that no black block was circled prior to the mechanical failure.

 

3.5 Deferred test

 

3.5.1 Should a test be deferred, the reason shall be recorded under "GENERAL REMARKS".

 

3.5.2 Should the test be deferred at any stage the applicant shall again be subjected to a full test.