Top 5 bad habits new drivers should not pick up

After the euphoria of passing your driving test is over, it is really important to still keep the key messages taught to you by your driving instructor in the forefront of your mind. However, all too often, new drivers tend to quickly forget everything they have been taught and quickly fall into bad habits that negate the positive defensive driving techniques they have been taught.

The top five bad habits include the following:

• Failing to pay attention,
• Getting distracted with use of mobile phones and gadgets,
• Tailgating,
• Pushing in, and
• The speed up, slow down, speed up syndrome.

Failing to pay attention

During driving lessons, all drivers are taught that they need to be aware of their surroundings, to know who is behind and to the side as well as in front of them, and recognise potential hazards. Checking in the mirror every few seconds and remembering the mirror, signal and manoeuvre mantra, is part of the defensive driving technique that ensures you are in control and aware of what is happening around you. New drivers who forget this put, not only themselves but, other road users in danger.

Getting distracted with use of mobile phones and gadgets

Using mobile phones or trying to reset the satellite navigation system whilst on the move, is a habit that many drivers have and it detracts from keeping your attention focussed on what is happening around you. It is said that if driving and using a mobile then you increase the chances of an accident by up to 400%. Even reaching for a cold drink from a cup holder can be a distraction and you can be easily caught off guard.

Tailgating

Keeping to the two-second rule and not tailgating the car in front is really important. All too often new drivers will get so close to the car in front that if they had to put on the brakes, there would be no chance to avoid a collision. Picking a landmark on the highway, such as a post or sign, and ensuring the vehicle in front goes past it two seconds before you do, will give you space and time to react to a sudden stop. Driving schools advise not looking at your watch but saying the words, “one Mississippi, two Mississippi” as soon as the vehicle in front goes past the landmark which gives you an idea of whether you are far enough away or not.

Pushing in

When driving around in busy cities, one of the worst habits new drivers can get into is to confuse aggressive driving with defensive driving, and start pushing in at busy junctions making everyone else brake for them. This also occurs at highway exits and when changing lanes on the freeway. As a driver you need to look well ahead so that you can spot potential hazards or know when it is safe to change lanes, and this is all part of defensive driving techniques.

The speed up, slow down, speed up syndrome

Finally there is the speed up, slow down, speed up technique, often seen on the freeway particularly with drivers who feel aggrieved at being overtaken so have to put their foot on the accelerator and get in front again. Not only does this affect your fuel consumption but as the driver is fixated with getting past one vehicle they may well fail to spot a potential hazard ahead. All drivers from time to time should take intensive refresher driving courses and there are experienced driving schools in Perth who will give you an honest review of your driving skills and help knock those bad and potentially, life threatening habits on the head.

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Some of the information in this post was kindly provided by City West Driving School, Perth.

How to use peripheral vision for safe defensive driving

Peripheral vision is the sight that occurs just beyond the centre of our gaze, typically as we look straight ahead what we directly observe is with 10 to 20 degrees of our line of sight. However just outside and around that direct line of sight we can detect other objects and this is what is known as the peripheral vision. When the vision is stimulated by movement or flashing lights, this causes us to turn our head to look fully at the object, which is why our car indicator lights flash instead of remaining static.

As human beings we do have the widest range of vision when we are remaining still but this changes when we move at speed, and we are not really designed to go faster than around 15. We don’t have eyes in the back of our head (unless we are high school teachers or astute mothers) so when motoring, making the most of our peripheral vision is a skill taught by our driving school instructors. It is certainly part of defensive driving course techniques and ensures that we make the roads safer for ourselves as well as other highway users.

Driving schools in Perth and Fremantle teach the rudimentary methods of defensive driving and also ensure that students practice using their peripheral vision to gain a fuller awareness of what is happening around them when they drive. Sitting back in the driver’s seat is a good way to start, because it allows you to make the most of your peripheral vision. The driver’s range of vision widens and includes the passengers, as well as the driver’s window.

Another easy tip is to make sure you are not squinting or narrowing your eyes, so wearing appropriate eye wear or prescription sunglasses to deflect the glare will make the most of your peripheral vision. Driving instructors will advise you not just to focus on the one spot ahead, but to keep scanning the road with your eyes and checking your mirror. This is something that will be observed during the driving test as well as it enables you to get the bigger picture of what is happening to the front, back and sides of your vehicle. If you use this scanning technique, then you will soon find out that your eyes catch the movement of a car closing in on the rear or to the side of you.

Other sudden movements, beyond your control, can also be detected, allowing you to avoid any potential hazards such as a dog running across the road or a car cutting across you to change lanes. Constant monitoring of your surroundings will help you to formulate what is known as an “escape plan” so if someone does brake suddenly due to an unforeseen obstacle in their way, you will have noted that the lane to the side of you is free so you can quickly move into it to avoid a collision. Driving schools in Joondalup, Perth and Fremantle can help in educating you to make full use of your peripheral vision, which is an extremely useful tool to have when driving ourselves and our passengers safely from one place to the next. Speak to a Western Suburbs Driving School instructor today.

What is a Hazard Perception Test?

Responsible driving is a multi-tasking activity of the highest kind. It demands the fullest concentration and attention whilst on the road. One critical error can cause lives and properties and this happens when the driver is distracted. Thus, it is extremely important to develop excellent intuitive reflexes to changing traffic conditions.

Perth driving schools conduct driving lessons aimed at building up the mental, psychomotor, visual perception as well as attitude and physical skills of their students and to keep these skills in balance to achieve excellent coordination and preparedness in making split-second decisions to unexpected situations. With these skills becoming a part of their natural reaction, student drivers will be able to respond calmly to potential hazards when driving.

What is a hazard?

A hazard is anything or any situation that you need to react to avoid a crash. Here are some road hazards every driver must be aware of:

• A vehicle stopping ahead of you 
• Vehicles at an intersection whether you are going to make a turn or go straight ahead 
• Vehicles with indicators on 
• Bicyclists or motorcyclists who appear when you least expect them to 
• Pedestrians coming out from behind parked cars 
• Crossing pedestrians 
• Vehicles changing lanes 
• Gravel surfaces, slippery roads, heavy downpour or fog

What is a hazard perception?

Hazard perception is a complex mental skill a driver needs to fully acquire and develop to be able to identify and avoid potential hazards. It depends upon the visual and auditory perception of the drivers. There are no short-cuts to developing these skills. Only lots of on-road experience and intuitiveness can make one achieve excellent skills in hazard perception.

What is a Hazard Perception Test (HPT)?

Driving schools in Perth prepare students for the tests that they have to pass before they can legally drive. A Hazard Perception Test is an essential prerequisite to getting a provisional license.

A Hazard Perception Test and the driving test assess different types of skills. The driving test focuses mainly on the driver’s car handling skills and adeptness in driving safely around traffic. Hazard perception skills, on the other hand, measure the driver’s ability to assess traffic situations, make driving decisions and manage risks while on the road. Passing both gives the assurance that a driver is not only skilled in driving, but perceptive enough to avoid road hazards.

Details in taking the HPT

The HPT displays a series of moving traffic scenes on a computer screen which will require you to respond to each scene by indicating “when it is necessary to commence maneuver or when it is necessary to take appropriate action” to avoid a crash.

While the HPT is an online examination, there is no extensive computer skills required since the test has simple on-screen instructions and staff to guide you throughout the process. A HPT booklet is also provided containing detailed information on how to pass the test.

If you fail the test, you can take it again the next day or the day after until you pass. However, you need to pay a fee every time you take one.

Exemption from the HPT

There are communities in Western Australia that do not have HPT facilities. An exemption is granted if it is proven that you live outside a radius of not less than 100 kilometers from a HPT facility. If you think you are eligible to apply for an exemption, you will have to complete an ‘Exemption from a Hazard Perception Test’ form. This will be reviewed and a letter will be sent advising you of the decision.

Who is qualified to take the HPT?

If you are 17 years old and have completed your Post PDA Log Book with at least 25 hours of supervised driving experience and a minimum of 6 months from completion, then you are qualified to sit for the exam. Complete the Hazard Perception Test form and then you are able to sit for the exam. Once you have completed your HPT, you are now qualified for a Provisional License.

It is highly recommended that you choose driving schools in Perth which will help you not only in passing the driving test but prepare you as well for the Hazard Perception Test. Driving instructors understand how important hazard perception skills are to drivers, so make sure they teach you not for the purpose of passing this test alone, but most significantly to make you become a responsible driver.



For more information on Hazard Perception, City West Driving School in Perth, Australia can help regarding any questions on hazard perception tests or anything related.

What type of driver's license do I need for different vehicles?

You need to be aged at least 16 years to qualify for a driving license. There are different types of driver’s license you can obtain, and this depends on the type of car you wish to drive. For most people, the ability to drive means mobility and the ability to go places and do things they could never before. However, driving also poses danger if you have not been taught to drive the right and safe way by a registered driving school.

You are entitled to apply for a brand new driving license if you have never held one before. Even where your driver’s license was cancelled because of alcohol or drug-related issues, the law allows you to re-apply for one, but only after you meet certain conditions. The first step is to identify the right driving instructors in Perth, and go to them for driving lessons. However, the law requires that you must be 16 years old in order to take driving lessons. You must pass by scoring 24/30 in the theory test in order to be eligible for the learner’s permit.

The next step requires you to learn how to drive, where your supervised driving hours must not be less than 25 hours. These supervised hours must be entered in your Pre- PDA Log Book, and the best Perth driving schools will be able help and prepare you on the best ways of going about such an exercise. The third step is to go for the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA), and you only qualify to sit for this one if you are aged not less than 16 years and six months. Thereafter, a Post-PDA Log Book will be issued to you, and you need to post not less than 25 hours of supervised driving on this document.

Step 4 requires that you pass the Hazard Perception Test (HPT), and for this, you must be aged 17 years and above. You only qualify for the HPT if not less than 6 months have passed since you sat for the PDA, and the time you wish to take this test. This applies regardless of the type of driving license you are interested in getting from the best driving instructors in Perth. Subsequently, you will get a Provisional Driver’s License, which is valid for 2 years. For the first 6 months, the law requires you to display white on red ‘P’ plates on your vehicle, and you can only drive during the daytime.

The following are the different class of vehicles and the driver’s licenses you need for each:
a) Moped Class (R-N)
b) Motorcycle Class (R-E), LAMS Approved
c) Motorcycle Class (R)
d) Car Class (C)
e) Light Rigid Heavy Vehicle Class (LR)
f) Medium Rigid Heavy Vehicle Class (MR)
g) Heavy Rigid Heavy Vehicle Class (HR)
h) Heavy Combination Heavy Vehicle Class (HC)
i) Multi-Combination Heavy Vehicle Class (MC)
j) Special Tractor Vehicle Classes
k) Special Wheelchair Licenses

Therefore, you should choose the right driving schools in Perth where the driving license you wish to obtain, based on the type of vehicle you would like to drive, is offered. Perth has various top driving schools and there are driving lessons you need to take to get the right license.


For more information on driver's licences and vehicles, Western Suburbs Driving School has the info and knowledge to guide you on anything driver license and vehicle related.

Who legally can and can't teach you to drive

Driving a car or motorcycle in Perth without a proper license can cost you a fine of up to $3,000. Alternatively, the local authorities can decide to imprison you for not less than one year for this error. Worse still is the fact that you could be banned from holding or applying for a license for the next six months. In order to avoid such scenarios, you need to work on obtaining this license legally, and this starts by going to the right person to teach you driving. Look for the legally registered/licensed driving school in Perth to teach you all you need to know about driving.

Perth laws require you to take such lessons only from licensed driving instructors. What this means is that only duly licensed professionals in this area can offer driving lessons in Perth. The instructor must also be the holder of a current and valid driver’s license, for a period of not less than 4 years. This current and valid license should be for the class of car you wish to teach someone how to drive. If you want to teach someone how to ride a moped, the law requires you to be in possession of a valid and current driver license for not less than 2 years.

There are many driving instructors in Perth and you must know how to separate those with valid licenses from those lacking the same. If the driving instructors fail to attach an ‘L’ sign to the vehicle whenever students are inside the vehicle, they are guilty of an offence, and the relevant authorities could take action against them for risking lives. Learning how to drive can be tedious, and it is important to get good quality instruction. If you are related to the instructor, your needs will not be met as fully as when learning from professional driving schools in Fremantle.

This is not to say that you should never instruct people related to you when they need to learn how to drive. You can still undertake such a task, however once you are satisfied that they are acclimatized with the lessons, you should encourage them to go for professional lessons from licensed and duly registered driving schools. When such lessons are sought from professionals, the students will have the best chance to find out how their driving skills and habits compare to what is legally required of them.

Learning how to drive can be fun, but it must always be examined by going for a driving test. Fortunately, as you have seen from the aforementioned, there are several driving schools in Perth where you can learn and test your skills regarding driving. If the lessons offered are of the highest quality, you will learn all you need to know about road courtesy and safe driving in Perth, or anywhere else in Australia. You will also receive road safety handbooks to help you maintain safety standards while on the roads, both for yourself and for other road users as well.

Be on the right side of the legal requirements by ensuring that you take your driving lessons from the right sources. Go to the right driving schools and ensure they supply you with the relevant certification after taking your driving lessons from a professional instructor and passing the driving test.


For a great school in Perth or Fremantle, Western Suburbs Driving School, has fully licensed and qualified driving school instructors that have all the credentials to ensure you pass your driving test.  

What will you be assessed on during a driving test

Good driving schools in Perth will most assuredly be able to prepare you for the much anticipated but dreaded driving test. Driving lessons delivered by competent driving instructors will ensure that student drivers are given the right training which practices non-distracted, safe and defensive driving skills.

To obtain a Provisional Driver’s License in Western Australia, students have to obtain the Phase 1 and Phase 2 Learner’s Permit. In applying for a Phase 1 Learner’s Permit, the new driver has to be 16 years old and must pass both the eye test and computerized test according to the rules of Western Australia. Once the new driver has obtained the Phase 1 Learner’s Permit, he can now drive under the supervision of someone who has held a full Australian driver’s license for a minimum of 4 years. After holding on to a learner’s permit for 6 months, you are now eligible to sit for the practical driving assessment.

What will you be assessed on?

During the driving test, the testing officer will give you simple yet clear instructions like “at the next street, turn left.” If you are unclear about the instruction, you can always ask the officer to repeat it for you.

The driving test will then be marked as follows:
• YES for every time you do something correctly,
• NO when you do not do it right, or
• N/A if traffic or road conditions prevent you from carrying out the instructions.

Your driving skills will then be assessed based on a performance checklist where you are required to obtain no less than 80% to pass the test and obtain your license.

The performance checklist: 

1. Pre-drive check

Listed below are the controls you must know where to locate and how to use them:
• Indicators and brake lights
• Wiper wash control
• Horn
• Headlights – high/low beam
• Hazard lights
• Seatbelt
• Demister
• Handbrake

Take note that the test cannot proceed if any or some of these controls are not in proper working order.

2. Driving in traffic

During the drive, the testing officer will observe whether you do the following:
• Mirrors. Check the mirror immediately before signaling and before applying the brakes.
• Signals. Signal long enough to sufficiently warn other drivers and pedestrians before turning and at least 5 seconds before merging into traffic or changing lanes. Keep signaling whilst driving in the roundabouts. Immediately cancel the signal after turning or diverging.
• Changing lanes. Before you merge into traffic or change lanes, do a head check by turning your head and looking through the appropriate side window to ensure that no other road users are in your blind spot. Maintain a reasonable and safe gap in the traffic.
• Approaching. Applying the brake smoothly, and engaging the brakes and gears when slowing down or stopping completely.
• Stop position. Stopping the car within exactly 2 meters of the stop line at a stop sign with the front wheels on or in front of the line. If no stop line can be spotted, stop as close as practical to the right before the stop sign or an intersection.
• Judgment. When approaching intersections, slow down smoothly, look at the right direction and react properly to other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Turning. When turning, drive in the correct lane or road position and follow all road markings and traffic lane arrows.
• Progressing. Travel at an appropriate speed and not above the speed limit.
• Position on the road. Drive within the markings on the lane of the correct lane or in the correct lane of traffic.
• Car control. Control the vehicle properly by using the steering, gears and clutch, brakes, accelerator and handbrake.
• Safety margin. Keep a safe distance when following other vehicles on the road.

3. Low speed maneuvering

This part of the assessment will test your control of the car significantly at low speed and in reverse. While the car is stationary, do not turn the steering wheel. In addition, you will be asked to do one of the following low speed maneuvers during the driving test:
• Reverse parallel parking. You will be asked to pull up next to a parked vehicle and reverse into the space behind the vehicle.
• Three point turn. You will be asked to make a three point turn (turning your car around) on a road with less space as your turning circle will allow. You need to complete this maneuver in three movements.

Failure margins

• If you do something illegal or unsafe, you will be deemed failed immediately such as not stopping at a red light, stop sign or stop line, school crossing when flags and signs are displayed to signal pedestrian is crossing.
• When you stop at a location where you place another road user in danger, especially when you collide with another vehicle, a pedestrian or an object like a rubbish bin or a pole near the road.
• Lack of control of the vehicle where the testing officer decides it is unsafe to continue with the assessment.
• Over-speeding for more than 5 consecutive seconds from the time speeding is verified.
• Driving too slowly without any apparent reason for more than 10 km/h under the speed limit.



For more information on what you will be assessed during a Driving Test, City West Driving School in Perth can help you to have all the information so that you can pass your Australia driving test well.

Checklist of questions to ask a potential driving instructor

Are you looking for a driving instructor? Did your last Perth driving school fail you in your expectations and failed to prepare you suitably for your driving assessment? When it comes to searching for a reputable driving school and a qualified and reliable instructor, neither rushing nor being nonchalant would help.

For starters, how do you differentiate between a good driving instructor from a bad one? Learning to drive the correct way from the start is very important. Equally as important is engaging the right instructor who will be able to set you on the right path. How do you assess the suitability of a potential driving instructor? Here is a checklist of some questions you can ask to help you make an informed decision.

Are you a fully licensed and qualified driving instructor?

There are prerequisites before anyone can teach another person to drive for payment, reward or remuneration. A driving instructor must hold a Driving Instructor’s License from the Western Australian Department of Transportation. To obtain this license, an instructor needs to pass a theory and a practical driving assessment that assess an applicant’s ability to provide driving instructions to a learner driver. Remember that an unlicensed instructor could be teaching you incorrectly and could potentially put you and others in danger.

Will you handle all the lessons throughout the course?

Knowing your driving instructor and establishing a comfortable learning environment with him/her are essential to achieve positive and effective results. Having multiple driving instructors throughout the entire duration of your tuition will not be advantageous to you. Your new instructor may need to familiarize your current abilities before taking you to the next level. This will take more time, and more time means additional costs. If you go for local driving schools in Perth, they are more likely to provide you with a more personal teaching approach by letting you remain with the same instructor throughout.

Do you have extensive experience as a driving instructor?

Experience remains the best teacher of all. A driving instructor with a few years of teaching experience will have good knowledge of the car test routes used for the driving test – he’d know them like the back of his hand. He/she can provide you with proper training to navigate difficult areas. Extensive experience will enable driving instructors to have perfected teaching methods and adapt such methods to suit an individual’s varying abilities.

What type of car do you teach in and do I use the same car for every lesson?

A small and easy to drive car is more ideal to learn driving because it will be more maneuverable. It will also help in performing some maneuvers more easily such as 3-point turn, left corner reverse, parallel parking etc. A tuition car fitted with dual control is the most ideal for training so that in case of an emergency, your instructor will able to slow the car down or stop it altogether.

In as much as having the same driving instructor is advantageous, using the same car is too. A different car for every lesson will have you groping around for the clutch, the gears, etc. Everything will feel different each time you sit in a different car and you’ll be spending more time in familiarizing your way around rather than concentrating on your lessons. This may also affect your confidence and ease of mind during the lesson.

How much will it cost me?

The point of saving this question for last is because good value for money is a whole different story to ‘cheap’. An instructor charging considerably lower fees is likely to be someone who employs the strategy to gain students. On the other hand, an ‘expensive’ instructor is charging a higher rate because he’s worth every penny. A good instructor who can teach and prepare you to the standard, will help you pass the test with fewer lessons and fewer assessment attempts thus saving you money.

Always do your homework by speaking to family or friends for recommendations. Taking driving lessons is more than just to help you pass your assessment, it is about learning safe driving and developing good habits right from the start for your own safety and the safety of others.


For a great driving instructor in Perth, City West Driving School is home to a home of expert, qualified and affordable driving instructors that will do their very best to ensure you pass your driving test.