Driving Tip – Braking & Slowing Down

Before braking or slowing down, always check your centre mirror — know what’s behind you.

• Indicate if turning or stopping
• Check centre mirror + shoulder check
• Brake smoothly (ease off the accelerator first)

Stay smooth, stay aware, and stay safe.

🔵 Dual-Lane Roundabouts
Position your car to follow the curve of the road and centre island. Use cover vehicles to judge safe gaps, stay in your lane, and always indicate left when exiting.

🔵 Dual-Lane Roads & Turns
Stay within your lane at all times and avoid sitting in another driver’s blind spot.

🔵 Turning Bays
Move fully into the bay first, then slow down. Always indicate and check your blind spot before entering.

🔵 Lane Changing
Maintain your speed, check mirrors, indicate, and perform a blind spot check before moving. Avoid driving beside vehicles in your blind spot.

🔵 Blind Spot / Head Checks
Always indicate and turn your head to check your blind spot — don’t just rely on mirrors.

🔵 Braking / Slowing Down
Check your centre mirror before braking and avoid sudden or harsh braking.

🔵 Right Turns
Don’t cut corners. Stay on your side and turn smoothly into the correct lane.

🔵 Stop Signs
Come to a complete stop — all four wheels must stop. Pause, check both directions, and move only when safe.

🔵 Give Way Signs
Approach slowly and be ready to stop. Make sure you can see at least 100m both ways before moving.

🔵 U-Turns & 3-Point Turns
Always indicate right and recheck your blind spot before moving.
​
🔵 Curbside Parking
Indicate left and check before pulling over.
Indicate right and check before moving off.

Westgate – Overseas Conversion Full Lesson Notes
❌ Immediate Fail

• Stop Signs:
  You must come to a complete stop. All four wheels must stop moving, pause, check both directions carefully, and move only when it is safe.
  

⚠️ Critical Errors

• Dual-Lane Roundabouts:
  Angle the car to match the road and centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles to judge safe gaps. Always indicate left when exiting, stay in your lane, and remain aware of vehicles beside you. Check your blind spot if needed.
  
• U-Turns & Three-Point Turns:
  Always indicate right and recheck your right blind spot before moving.
  
• Curbside Parking:
  When pulling over, indicate left and check your left blind spot before stopping.
  When moving out, indicate right and check your right blind spot before pulling away.
  
• Blind Spot / Head Checks:
  Always indicate and perform a clear blind spot check before lane changes, merging, or entering turning bays. Turn your head, not just your eyes.
  
• Dual-Lane Roads & Turns:
  Stay in your lane and avoid having vehicles sitting in your blind spot.
  

✅ General Notes

• Braking / Slowing Down:
  Always check your centre mirror before braking or slowing down. Avoid braking hard.
  
• Indicating:
  Keep indicating while in turning-only bays. If the indicator cancels, indicate again.
  
• Turning (General):
  Make sure you can see at least 100 metres (around three lamp posts) in both directions before turning.
  
• Left Turns:
  Always check your left blind spot, especially for cycle lanes.
  
• Right Turns:
  Move toward the centre of the road before turning and avoid cutting corners.
  
• Following Distance:
  Maintain a safe following distance. Stay far enough back so you can see the ground behind the vehicle in front and have space to move around if needed.
  
• Hazard Identification:
  Identify and respond to all moving hazards—vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and animals.
  
• Roadworks:
  When a 30 km/h roadworks sign is posted, slow down immediately and remain at 30 km/h until the end roadworks sign.
  
• Car Parks:
  Park with enough space so you can open the doors comfortably. Adjust your position if needed to ensure safe access.
  

Full Overseas Conversion – Lesson Notes

Blind Spot / Head Checks
Always indicate and perform a clear blind spot check before lane changes, merging, or entering turning bays. Turn your head, not just your eyes.

Braking / Slowing Down
Always check your centre mirror before braking or slowing down. Keep braking smooth—avoid harsh or sudden braking.

Roundabouts
Angle the car to match the road and centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles to judge safe gaps. Always indicate left when exiting, stay in your lane, and remain aware of vehicles beside you. Check your blind spot if needed.

U-Turns & Three-Point Turns
Always indicate right and recheck your right blind spot before moving.
Curbside Parking
When pulling over, indicate left and check your left blind spot before stopping.
When moving out, indicate right and check your right blind spot before pulling away.

Indicating
Keep indicating while in turning-only bays. If the indicator cancels, make sure to indicate again.

Turning (General)
Ensure you can see at least 100 metres (around three lamp posts) in both directions before turning. Slow down early and be ready before moving.

Left Turns
Always check your left blind spot, especially for cycle lanes.

Right Turns
Move toward the centre of the road before turning and avoid cutting corners.

Following Distance
Maintain a safe following distance. Stay far enough back so you can see the ground behind the vehicle in front and have space to react if needed.

Hazard Identification
Identify and respond to all moving hazards--vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and animals.

Roadworks
When a 30 km/h roadworks sign is posted, slow down immediately and remain at 30 km/h until you pass the end roadworks sign.
​
Car Parks
Park with enough space so you can open the doors comfortably. Adjust your position if needed to ensure safe access.

Areas to Work On

Dual-Lane Roundabouts
Position the car so it follows the curve of the road and centre island. Look for cover vehicles to help judge safe gaps. Always indicate left when exiting, remain in your lane, and stay aware of vehicles beside you. Check your blind spot if needed.

Dual-Lane Roads & Turns
Stay within your lane at all times and avoid driving alongside vehicles sitting in your blind spot.

Turning Bays
Move fully into the turning bay first, then slow down. Always indicate and check your blind spot before entering the bay or turning.
​
Lane Changing
Maintain your speed and avoid slowing down unnecessarily. Check mirrors, indicate, and perform a blind spot check before moving across. Avoid staying beside vehicles in your blind spot.

Key Points to Focus On

Right Turns
Do not cut corners. Stay on your side of the road and turn smoothly into the correct lane.
Stop Signs
You must stop fully— all four wheels must stop moving. Pause, check carefully in both directions, and move only when it is safe.
Give Way Signs
Approach slowly and be ready to stop. If it is safe, move off without unnecessary delay. Make sure you can see at least 100 metres in both directions before going.
Dual-Lane Roundabouts
Angle the car to match the road and centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles to judge safe gaps. Always indicate left when exiting, stay in your lane, and remain aware of vehicles beside you. Check your blind spot if needed.
U-Turns & Three-Point Turns
Always indicate right and recheck your right blind spot before moving.
Curbside Parking
When pulling over, indicate left and check your left blind spot before stopping.
When moving out, indicate right and check your right blind spot before pulling away.
Blind Spot / Head Checks
Always indicate and perform a clear blind spot check before lane changes, merging, or entering turning bays. Turn your head, not just your eyes.
Braking / Slowing Down
Always check your centre mirror before braking or slowing down. Avoid sudden or harsh braking.
Dual-Lane Roads & Turns
Stay in your lane and avoid having vehicles sitting in your blind spot.
Steering & Hand Position
Keep both hands on the wheel. Do not drop your hands when slowing down—maintain good steering control.
Speed Control
When travelling downhill, monitor your speed carefully and stay within 4 km/h of the speed limit.

Key Points to Focus On:

Turning Bays
Move into the turning bay first, then slow down. Always indicate and check your blind spot before entering the bay or turning.

Lane Changing
Maintain your speed and do not slow down unnecessarily. Check mirrors, indicate, and check your blind spot before moving lanes, and avoid driving with vehicles sitting in your blind spot.

Narrow Roads
Look ahead and avoid creating bottlenecks. When passing parked cars, indicate and check your blind spot before moving out and return smoothly to your lane.

Observation and Searching
Increase your scanning. Check the centre mirror before braking and check your blind spot before changing lanes, merging, or using a flush median. Checking mirrors regularly helps you stay aware of traffic around you.

Curbside Parking
When pulling over, indicate left, check the centre mirror, and check your blind spot before stopping.
When moving off again, indicate right, check the centre mirror, and check your blind spot before rejoining traffic.

Steering Control
Keep both hands active on the wheel and move your hands properly to make smooth, controlled turns, especially during tight manoeuvres.

Foot Position
Keep your heel on the floor and push the pedals with your toes. This helps maintain smoother braking and acceleration control.

Glen Innes – Lesson 2 Recap 🚗

Good progress today with some key areas to keep working on:

1️⃣ Roundabouts – remember to indicate left when exiting.
2️⃣ Narrow roads – indicate and check blind spots when passing parked cars.
3️⃣ Turning – always make sure you can see 100m both ways before going.
4️⃣ Left turns – give way to all traffic going straight (don’t make them slow down).
5️⃣ Curbside parking – indicate and check your blind spot every time.
6️⃣ Right turns – don’t cut corners, stay in your lane.
7️⃣ Right turns – don’t edge forward while cars are still turning.
8️⃣ Dual-lane turns – keep it smooth when changing lanes after the turn.
9️⃣ Flush medians – no sudden moves, don’t slow for no reason, indicate and check before merging out.
​
Keep practicing these and you’ll see big improvements 💪🚗

Westgate – Overseas Conversion Full Lesson Notes
​
❌ Immediate Fail:

• None

⚠️ Critical Errors

• Roundabouts:
  Angle the car to match the road and centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles to judge safe gaps. Always indicate left when exiting.
• U-Turns & Three-Point Turns:
  Always indicate right and recheck your right blind spot before moving.
• Curbside Parking:
  When pulling over, indicate left and check your left blind spot before stopping.
  When moving out, indicate right and check your right blind spot before pulling away.
• Blind Spot / Head Checks:
  Always indicate and check your blind spot before lane changes, merging, or entering turning bays. Move your head, not just your eyes.

✅ General Notes

• Braking / Slowing Down:
  Always check your centre mirror before braking or slowing down. Avoid braking hard.
  
• Indicating:
  Keep indicating while in turning-only bays. If the indicator cancels, indicate again.
  
• Turning (General):
  Ensure you can see at least 100 metres (about three lamp posts) in both directions before turning.
  
• Left Turns:
  Always check your left blind spot, especially for cycle lanes.
  
• Right Turns:
  Move toward the centre of the road before turning and avoid cutting corners.
  
• Following Distance:
  Maintain a safe following distance. Stay far enough back so you can see the ground behind the vehicle in front and have room to move around if needed.
  
• Dual-Lane Roads & Turns:
  Stay in your lane and avoid having vehicles sitting in your blind spot.
  
• Hazard Identification:
  Identify and respond to all moving hazards—vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and animals.
  
• Stop Signs:
  Stop fully, pause, check carefully, and move only when it is safe.
  
• Dual-Lane Roundabouts:
  Stay in your lane and remain aware of vehicles beside you. Check your blind spot if needed.
  
• Roadworks:
  When a 30 km/h roadworks sign is posted, slow down and stay at 30 km/h until the end roadworks sign.
  

❌ Immediate Fail:

• None
  

⚠️ Critical Errors

• Roundabouts:
  Angle the car to match the road and the centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles to help judge safe gaps. Always indicate left when exiting.
  
• U-Turns & Three-Point Turns:
  Always indicate right and recheck your right blind spot before moving.
  
• Curbside Parking:
  When pulling over, indicate left and check your left blind spot before stopping.
  When moving out, indicate right and check your right blind spot before pulling away.
  

✅ General Notes

• Roundabouts:
  Angle the car correctly with the road and centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles when entering.
  
• Parallel Parking:
  Take your time—do not rush. Recheck your right side before moving out.
  
• Mirror Usage:
  Check your centre mirror every 10–15 seconds on straight roads.
  Always check the centre mirror before braking or slowing down.
  
• Blind Spot / Head Checks:
  Always indicate and check your blind spot before lane changes, merging, or entering turning bays. Move your head, not just your eyes.
  
• Turning:
  Ensure you can see at least 100 metres in both directions before turning.
  
• Left Turns:
  Angle the car with the road and maintain good lane position throughout the turn.
  
• Right Turns:
  Move toward the centre of the road before turning and do not cut corners. Stay on your side of the road.
  
• Vehicle Position:
  Keep left where it is safe and reasonable.
  
• Blind Corners:
  Keep left and adjust your speed to visibility and road conditions.
  
• Merging:
  Always indicate and check your blind spot before merging.
  
• Indicating:
  Keep indicating while in turning-only bays. If the indicator cancels, indicate again.
  
• Narrow Roads:
  Indicate when passing parked cars, avoid bottlenecks, and watch carefully for oncoming vehicles.
  

Restricted Test – ABC Manukau VTNZ
Unfortunately not a pass today, but some clear areas to work on.
❌ Immediate Fail:
School zone speed – travelling at 48 km/h in a 30 km/h zone.
⚠️ Critical Error:
Parallel parking – contacted the curb.
These are important safety areas, especially speed awareness in school zones and better control during parking. We’ll focus on these in the next lesson and come back stronger 💪🚗

Glen Innes – Lesson 1 Notes
​❌ Critical Errors to Avoid

• Blind Spot / Head Checks:
  Always indicate and check your blind spot before lane changes, merging, or entering turning bays. Move your head—not just your eyes.

✅ General Notes

• Car Parks:
  Drive slowly and recheck your surroundings before moving.
• Mirror Usage:
  Check your centre mirror every 10–15 seconds on straight roads.
  Always check your centre mirror before braking or slowing down.
• Gap Selection:
  Do not rush your turns. Choose safe gaps—if other vehicles have to slow down for you, it will result in loss of marks.
• Roundabouts:
  Angle the car to match the road and centre island. Look for and use cover vehicles. Be slow enough to stop if needed.
• Braking / Slowing Down:
  Always check your centre mirror before braking or slowing down.
• Indicating:
  Keep indicating while in turning-only bays. If it cancels, indicate again.
• Turning (General):
  Ensure you can see at least 100 metres (around 3 lamp posts) on each side before turning.
• Left Turns:
  Check your left blind spot, especially for cycle lanes.
• Right Turns:
  Move toward the centre before turning and avoid cutting corners.
• Dual-Lane Right Turns:
  Stay in your lane throughout the turn.
• Flush Medians:
  Be comfortable using them—merge in and out smoothly, always indicate and check your blind spot.
• Turning Bays:
  Move into the bay first, then slow down. Indicate and check before braking—nothing sudden.
• Narrow Roads:
  Indicate when passing parked cars, avoid bottlenecks, and watch for oncoming vehicles.
• Traffic Lights:
  You must stop at orange lights if it is safe to do so.
• Curbside Parking:
  When pulling over, indicate left and check your left blind spot before stopping.
  When moving out, indicate right and check your right blind spot.
• Steering / Hand Position:
  Move your hands on the wheel and make bigger turns when needed. Maintain good control at all times.
• Parallel Parking:
  Take your time—do not rush. Recheck your right side before moving out.
• U-Turns & Three-Point Turns:
  Always indicate right and recheck your blind spot before moving.

Simulated Full Driving Test – Wiri
The simulated full driving test at Wiri was not successful due to the following errors:
Critical Errors

1. Driving approximately 6 km/h over the speed limit.
2. Failing to perform a head check when turning left.

Immediate Fail

• Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.

General Notes

• When exiting a roundabout, avoid indicating too early. Indicate left only as you pass the previous exit before yours.

These areas will need improvement to ensure better safety and test readiness for the next attempt.

Simulated Restricted Driving Test – Glen Innes
The simulated restricted driving test at Glen Innes was not successful due to the following errors:
Immediate Fail

• Failed to stop at an orange light when there was enough time to stop safely.
  

Critical Errors

• Driving approximately 10 km/h over the speed limit.
  
• Travelling too fast to safely give way or stop at give-way signs.
  
• Taking left turns too wide.
  

These areas highlight the need for improved speed control, better judgement at traffic lights, and safer turning techniques to improve overall test readiness.