New Lynn – Full Lesson NotesSearching / Observation
Do more searching. Move your head, not just your eyes. Always know what is happening ahead, beside, and behind you.
Road Positioning
On narrow and winding roads, keep left at blind corners. You may drive over empty bus stops if it is safe to do so.
Hazard Identification
Actively look for hazards at all times—pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars, side streets, and oncoming traffic.
Pedestrian Crossings
Check both sides before and while approaching. Cover your brake and be ready to stop.
Traffic Lights
At green lights, still check both sides for late vehicles, emergency services, and red-light runners.
Dual-Lane Roads
Avoid having vehicles sitting in your blind spot. Adjust speed or position to stay visible.
Merging & Lane Changing
Make nothing sudden. Always indicate early and check blind spots before moving.
Cornering
Roll around corners smoothly. Do not brake hard while turning.
Downhill Speed Control
Control your speed early. Avoid heavy braking—use gentle braking and gears if needed.
Cyclists
Cyclists may move around parked cars. Look ahead, expect this, and adjust your speed and position safely.
Roundabouts
Aim to be ready to stop, but do not stop for no reason. Use cover vehicles to your advantage and always indicate when exiting.
Steering
Move your hands properly and make bigger turns when needed. Do not drop your hands when slowing down.
Turning Bays
Move fully into the turning bay first, then slow down. Indicate and check the centre mirror and blind spot before braking.

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Lesson Notes – Glenfield​
Pre-Test Vehicle ChecksBefore your driving test, make sure you check the fuel level, WOF, registration (rego), indicators, brake lights, and tyres. Any vehicle issue can result in the test being cancelled.
Observation & AwarenessAlways increase your searching—move your head, not just your eyes. No matter how much you think you are looking, you must recheck continuously and stay aware of what’s happening ahead, beside, and behind you.
Give Way SignsDo not stop unless required. Approach slowly enough to give way if needed. You must be able to see at least 100 metres in both directions. If visibility is limited, it is unsafe—stop and edge forward carefully to improve your view.
Right TurnsFind the centre of the road before turning and do not cut corners. Stay on your side of the road at all times.
Left TurnsBefore turning left, always check the cycle lane and your left blind spot. Slow down early, position the car correctly, and make sure the path is clear before turning.
U-TurnsAlways indicate and check your blind spot before moving. Keep left and complete the turn safely. At roundabouts, indicate right while turning, then indicate left to exit.
Curbside ParkingDo not block driveways or stop on yellow lines. The vehicle must be within 30 cm of the curb and parked reasonably straight. Always indicate and check your blind spot before stopping and when moving out.
Blind CornersSlow down before the corner and roll through smoothly. Drive to the road conditions and keep left.
Braking & TurningBrake gently before the turn and roll through the corner smoothly. Avoid hard braking while turning.
RoundaboutsAngle the vehicle correctly when entering, look for cover vehicles, and always indicate when exiting.
Turning Bays, Merging & Lane ChangingAlways indicate and check your blind spot before moving in. Make smooth, controlled movements—nothing sudden.
Roadworks & Speed ZonesWhen a 30 km/h sign is posted, slow down and remain at 30 km/h until you pass the roadworks end sign.
Parallel ParkingAlways indicate before stopping and before moving out. Check mirrors and blind spots and stay aware of what is behind you.
Hand PositionKeep both hands on the wheel. Don’t drop your hands when slowing down or turning.
Speed ControlWatch your speed carefully, especially downhill where it is easy to go too fast. Once you leave a lower-speed zone, smoothly adjust back to the correct speed for the new limit.

Key Points – Westgate Full Test Lesson Notes

Steering
Use clear and confident steering. Move your hands properly and make bigger steering movements when needed, especially at low speeds and tight turns. Avoid small, lazy movements—turn the wheel smoothly and with purpose.

Searching / Observation
Always over-search rather than under-search. Do not look only while turning—your main searching should be done before the turn and again after completing it. Aim to see at least 100 metres in both directions whenever possible. Move your head, not just your eyes.

Roundabouts
Angle the car correctly as you approach. Look for “cover vehicles” to help you judge safe gaps. Keep scanning both sides and always indicate left when exiting the roundabout.

Left Turns
Before turning left, always check the cycle lane and your left blind spot. Slow down early, position the car correctly, and make sure the path is clear before turning.
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Right Turns
Keep the car straight while waiting to turn. Do not angle too early or cut corners. Move only when it is safe and turn smoothly into the correct lane.

Key Points – City (New Lynn) – Full Notes

​Roadworks

• When a 30 km/h sign is posted, slow down to the posted speed.
• Stay at 30 km/h until you pass the End Roadworks sign.

Roundabouts

• Check both sides before entering.
• Use cover or shadow vehicles to help you enter safely.
• Indicate correctly when exiting.

Orange Lights

• If it is safe to do so, aim to stop.
• Only continue if stopping would be unsafe.

Curbside Parking

• Park within 30 cm of the curb.
• Always indicate and check your blind spots before stopping and moving off.

Speed Control (Hills)

• Control your speed when going uphill or downhill.
• Avoid sudden braking or acceleration.

Turning Bays & Flush Medians

• Use them properly and fully.
• When merging out, always indicate and check your blind spot.

Narrow Roads

• Indicate and check blind spots when moving over white lines or toward the centre of the road.
• Be prepared to give way if space is limited.

Right & Left Turns

• Aim to stop where you can see 100 metres ahead.
• Angle the car to match the road.
• Move your hands higher on the wheel to make bigger turns when needed.
• Always follow the give-way rules.

Dual-Lane Right Turns

• Stay aware of vehicles beside you.
• Avoid having vehicles sitting in your blind spot during the turn.

Left Turns into Dual Lanes

• You may turn left if the left lane is clear.
• You do not need to wait for both lanes to be clear.

Car Park Markings

• Drive slowly.
• Indicate when moving or turning.
• Watch carefully for oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

Searching & Hazard Awareness

• Look off the road for hazards, not just straight ahead.
• Always know what is around you — ahead, beside, and behind.

​Key Points – New Lynn Full Test Lesson Notes

Steering
Use clear and confident steering. Move your hands properly and make bigger steering movements when needed, especially at low speeds and tight turns. Avoid small, lazy movements—turn the wheel smoothly and with purpose.

Searching / Observation
Always over-search rather than under-search. Do not look only while turning—your main searching should be done before the turn and again after completing it. Aim to see at least 100 metres in both directions whenever possible. Move your head, not just your eyes.

Roundabouts
Angle the car correctly as you approach. Look for “cover vehicles” to help you judge safe gaps. Keep scanning both sides and always indicate left when exiting the roundabout.
​
Left Turns
Before turning left, always check the cycle lane and your left blind spot. Slow down early, position the car correctly, and make sure the path is clear before turning.
​
Right Turns
Keep the car straight while waiting to turn. Do not angle too early or cut corners. Move only when it is safe and turn smoothly into the correct lane.

Lesson Notes
​Pre-Test Vehicle Checks
Before your driving test, make sure you check the fuel level, WOF, registration (rego), indicators, brake lights, and tyres. A vehicle issue can result in the test being cancelled.

Observation & Awareness
Always increase your searching--move your head, not just your eyes. No matter how much you think you are looking, you must recheck continuously and stay aware of what’s happening ahead, beside, and behind you.

Give Way Signs
Do not stop unless required. Approach slowly enough to give way if needed. You must be able to see 100 metres in both directions. If visibility is limited, it is unsafe--stop and edge forward carefully to improve your view.

Right Turns
Find the centre of the road before turning and do not cut corners. Stay on your side of the road at all times.

U-Turns
Always indicate and check your blind spot before moving. Keep left and complete the turn safely.

Curbside Parking
Do not block driveways or stop on yellow lines. The vehicle must be within 30 cm of the curb and parked reasonably straight. Always indicate and check your blind spot.

Blind Corners
Slow down before the corner and roll through smoothly. Drive to the road conditions and keep left.

Braking & Turning
Brake gently before the turn and roll through the corner smoothly. Avoid hard braking while turning.

Roundabouts
Angle the vehicle correctly when entering, look for cover vehicles, and always indicate when exiting.

Turning Bays, Merging & Lane Changing
Always indicate and check your blind spot before moving in. Make smooth, controlled movements--nothing sudden.

Roadworks & Speed Zones
When a 30 km/h sign is posted, slow down and remain at 30 km/h until the roadworks end sign.

Parallel Parking
Always indicate before stopping and moving out. Check mirrors and blind spots and be aware of what is behind you.

​Glen Innes – Restricted Lesson Notes

Before your driving test, make sure the following are checked and in good working order:

• Fuel level
• WOF and registration
• Indicators and brake lights
• Tyre condition

Observation & Awareness

• Increase your searching--move your head, not just your eyes.
• Stay aware of what’s happening ahead, beside, and behind you.

Speed & Braking Control

• Avoid hard or sudden braking.
• Always check your centre mirror before slowing down.
• In 30 km/h zones, slow down and remain at 30 km/h.
• When travelling downhill, stay under the speed limit and control your speed early.

Turning & Positioning

• Right Turns: Do not cut corners—stay on your side of the road.
• Dual-Lane Right Turns: Stay in your lane throughout the turn.
• Blind Corners & Sharp Turns: Keep left and drive to the road conditions. Slow down before the turn.

Turning Bays (Left & Right)

• You must use turning bays at all times.
• Indicate, check your blind spot, move fully into the bay, and keep indicating while waiting to turn.

Merging & Lane Changing

• Always indicate and check your blind spot before moving.
• Do not brake hard or unnecessarily when merging or changing lanes.

Flush Medians

• Do not block traffic.
• Merge into and out of flush medians correctly.
• Always indicate and check your blind spot.

Roundabouts

• Indicate when exiting.
• Look for cover vehicles to help you enter safely.

Parking

• Curbside Parking: Indicate and check your blind spot. The vehicle must be within 30 cm of the curb.
• Parallel Parking: Always indicate left and check mirrors and blind spots before stopping and when moving out.

U-Turns & Three-Point Turns

• Always indicate and check all blind spots before moving.

Narrow Roads

• Indicate when moving around parked vehicles.
• Avoid creating bottlenecks and give way when required.

Today’s lesson mainly focused on roundabouts and motorway driving. We worked through the key fundamentals of safe driving, including searching well ahead, being aware of what is behind and beside us, correct use of indicators, smooth speed and brake control, and maintaining proper vehicle position on the road.
We also practised safe gap selection, accurate steering, and making calm, confident decisions—while consistently following all road rules. The session was focused on building awareness, control, and confidence in real traffic situations.

Critical Errors

Dual-Lane Roundabouts
Aim to be ready to stop, but do not stop for no reason. Always indicate when exiting. Use cover vehicles to help you enter safely. Check both lanes and assume that some vehicles may change lanes midway without indicating—stay alert.
Flush Medians
Become comfortable using flush medians. Enter and exit smoothly and confidently.
Steering Control
Move your hands properly and make bigger turns when needed. Do not drop your hands when slowing down.

General Notes


Searching / Observation
Do more searching. Move your head, not just your eyes.
Road Positioning
On narrow and winding roads, keep left at blind corners. You may drive over empty bus stops if it is safe.
Hazard Identification
Actively look for hazards at all times.
Pedestrian Crossings
Check both sides and cover your brake.
Traffic Lights
At green lights, still check both sides.
Dual-Lane Roads
Avoid having vehicles sitting in your blind spot.
Merging & Lane Changing
Make nothing sudden. Always indicate and check blind spots before moving.
Cornering
Roll around corners smoothly. Do not brake hard while turning.
Downhill Speed Control
Control your speed early—don’t brake hard downhill.
Cyclists
Cyclists may move around parked cars. Look ahead and adjust your speed and position.
Roundabouts (General)
Aim to be ready to stop but don’t stop for no reason. Always indicate when exiting and use cover vehicles to your advantage.
Parallel Parking
Use the space behind you. Indicate and recheck for traffic before moving out.
Turning Bays
Move fully into the turning bay first, then slow down. Indicate and check the centre mirror and blind spot before braking.

Critical Errors:
1 - Moving on / off the Road - Parking next to the curb - Indicate and check your blindspot 

2 - Left Turns - check your blindspot. Check for bus / cycle lanes.

3 - Merging - indicate and check your blindspot ( minimum 3 seconds before merging)

4 - Right Turn, Entering Turning Bay - indicate and check your blindspot ( minimum 3 seconds before)

5 - On-ramp - Speed up and then enter motorway.

6 - Off Ramp - Don’t brake for no reason. Move off the motorway and then slow down.

7 - Entering carpark - keep left (beware of cars exiting the car park.

General Notes:

Parallel Parking - use the space behind you .

Right turns - don’t cut corners

Gap selection - be ready before the last vehicle passes.

Cross road / lights - check both sides and make sure there is enough room on the other side.

Avoid potholes / rocks and rubbish on the road.

Gears and Clutch Control:

• Don't look down at gears when changing gears.
• Be in 1st or 2nd gear before turning.
• Push the clutch fully in before changing gears.
• Let go of the clutch before turning, don't ride the clutch around.
• When stopped down hill, just use the foot brake. Let the car roll down the hill.
• Use the hand braking when stopped uphill, before moving off.
• Use 1st or 2nd when going over speed bumps.

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General Notes:

• Parking Curb-Side - You must indicate and check your blindspot before braking. Must be under 30cm from the curb.
• Center Mirror Usage - Check the center mirror every 10-15 seconds on a straight road. Check the mirror before braking. 
• Blindspot Checks / Shoulder Checks -  You must check your left blindspot when moving to the left and right blindspot when moving to the right. Turn your head 90 degrees to the left or right. Don't twist your body, keep your chin up and look next to you.
• More Scanning / Searching Ahead - Activity search for potential hazards, try to see 100 meters on each side. Move your chin and move your head. Check all intersections. Don't lean forward while moving forward.
• 3 Point Turn - You must indicate right and check your right blindspot on the 3rd turn. Use the space around you.
• U Turn - keep left and recheck your right blindspot.
• Right Turns - Find the center of the road before turning, don't rush and don't cut the corners to turn.
• Left Turns - Check the bus / cycle lane before turning, the left blindspot and angle the car with the road. Be slow before turning and you must see 100meters on both sides.
• Roundabouts - Must give way to cars on your right. Angle the car to the left and look for cover vehicles on your left. Alway indicate left before exiting.
• Stopping Distance - Stay further behind trucks and buses. Have a buffer zone around you. Have enough room to move around the vehicle in front of you.
• Following Distance - Double your following distance when behind trucks and buses. Have a buffer zone around you.
• Stop Sign - Stop, pause, check both sides and then move.
• Parallel Parking - Indicate left and check the center mirror before stopping. Use the space behind you and recheck the right blindspot. Don't just use the camera, you must look behind you. Stop before the rear wheel hits the curb.
• Hand Position - Move your hands and make big turns when needed. Don't drop your hands when slowing down.
• Foot Position - Keep your heel on the ground and push with your toes. 
• Roadworks - Posted 30km, you must slow down and stay at the posted speed limit.