The practical road test demands a very high standard of road craft and skill. Here is the best advice that I can give to someone attempting a VORT:

  1. Take some lessons from a driving instructor
  2. Practice. Yes, practice the skills you have learned during your lessons
  3. Be prepared. Know what to expect during the test.

If you were doing an exam you wouldn't just roll up on the day and expect to pass without putting some work into it. You would revise the work you did during the course. You would look at previous tests to understand the format of the questions and the detail required. You might do practice tests.

You will notice that this is a very long page which is in keeping with the reality that the VORT is a very difficult test to pass. Most people, my geuss is over 95%, who drive in SA today would fail a VORT, including your parents. There are a couple of reasons for this; most drivers today would have not received any driving instruction and the standard for driving is higher in SA than any other state.

You may say that this is unfair or some money making scheme. However, if the standard of driving is to improve in this country how else would it be done? It is a fact of life that if you want your licence in this day and age you must reach a much higher standard than those previously. Your competent driving skills could easily save a life!

At over $120 a test you don't want to have to do more than one VORT!

Be prepared

The System of Car Control

The System of Car Control (SOCC) is the basis for safe and competent driving. It should be practiced for the entire test if a candidate has any chance of passing. Your instructor will explain the system to you and make sure you use it correctly and consistently.

Slow speed manoeuvres

You can read the "Driver's Companion" slow speed manoeuvre section to become familiar with the detailed requirements for each of the manoeuvres.

You can read the slow speed manoeuvre pages of this website to get step-by-step procedures, hints and guidelines for each of the manoeuvres.

The general drive

Test scoring

The candidate must achieve a minimum of 90% to pass. The slow speed manoeuvres make up 10%, that is 2% each with no partial marks (you either get the 2% or nothing). The remaining 90% is marked on the general drive.

During the VORT the assessor will be marking a recording sheet for specific items during the drive. Here is a list of common faults to illustrate the standard that is required to pass.

Mirror faults: Failing to check the centre mirror prior to signalling or braking

Signal faults: Failing to signal for a reasonable time before slowing to turn

Approach faults:

  • Approaching an intersection to turn too quickly causing the vehicle to go around the corner roughly or not allowing sufficient time to make observations prior to the turn
  • Approaching an intersection to stop or give way too quickly causing the car to stop abruptly or jerk unnecessarily

Position faults: Incorrect positioning (too far forward/back or to the left/right)

  • Prior to turning left or right at an intersection
  • At a give way or stop sign
  • Turning right from a laned road
  • Entering a busy laned road

Observation faults:

  • Failing to look in both directions when turning at an intersection, including at traffic lights and roundabouts
  • Failing to do a blind spot check before changing lanes

Judgement faults: Missing an opportunity or choosing a gap causing minor adjustment of speed of other road users when:

  • Entering a busy road
  • Turning right from a busy road
  • Turning right at a traffic light

Sequence faults: Failing to follow the correct sequence for the SOCC

  • Signaling before checking the mirror when turning
  • Signaling after checking the blind spot during a lane change

Vehicle Control: Unable to use all of the controls competently

  • Unable to use the windscreen wipers, hazard lights and air conditioner/heater when required
  • Unable to use the brakes and accelerator competently to provide a smooth ride without unnecessary jerking and jolting
  • Unable to select the correct gear when required

Safety Margins: Travelling too close

  • When following another vehicle
  • When passing another road user or stationary object
  • When stopping behind another vehicle

Progress:

  • Driving along the road and through intersections at an unreasonable speed which causes obstruction to other road users

Special: Dealing with unusual situations inappropriately or awkwardly

  • Moving around a bus at a bus stop
  • Moving past a garbage truck
  • Moving out to the way of an emergency vehicle

Immediate Fail Items

Yes, these are the big, bad ones. Any breach of road law will result in an instant fail as will having the instructor intervene either by physically taking control of the car (brake, steering) or instructing/advising the candidate to avoid a dangerous or embarrassing situation (eg. to avoid being left stranded in the middle of a traffic light intersection).

Here is a list of common road law breaches that result in an immediate fail:

Moving off from the kerb (The all time favourite imediate fail item):

  • Failing to signal for five seconds when moving off from a stationary postion

Stop signs (The second favourite):

  • Failing to stop
  • Failing to stop behind the stop line

Straddling the lane lines (Another popular one): Moving across a lane line (even just a little bit) without signaling/signaling long enough and giving way to traffic in the other lane

  • When changing lanes
  • When moving around parked cars on a laned road

Exceeds speed limits: By any amount

  • School zones where children present
  • Roadworks

Safety margins: Getting too close to any object for the speed of the vehicle

  • Tailgating
  • Passing parked cars closer than 1.2m when driving at 50-60 km/hr

Obstruction/give way: Causing another vehicle to slow or change direction when it has the right of way

  • When changing lanes
  • When entering a busy road
  • When turning right from a busy road or a traffic light intersection

Signals: Failing to signal when turning

Disobeying traffic lights, signs and road markings:

  • Failing to give way at a giveway sign
  • Failing to stop behind the stop line
  • Failing to proceed at a green light (including a green arrow)
  • Mounting a kerb or traffic island

Driving in a manner dangerous or driving with undue care and attention:

  • Use your imagination here

Failing to comply with reasonable direction:

  • When asked to do a slow speed manoeuvre, given a reasonable amount of time and distance to demonstrate it

Intervention by the instructor: Verbally or physically to:

  • Prevent an accident (SSSSStttttoooooppppp!!!!)
  • Prevent a dangerous situation occurring (Slow down!)
  • Gain control of the car (Braking, steering)
  • Prevent a continuing traffic offence (You have to go now)
  • Prevent confusion to other road users (You must go, you have right of way)
  • Assist in operating the car controls (Where are the windscreen wipers?)

The assessor's behaviour

The assessor will carefully explain the conditions of the assessment. They will give the candidate clear directions on where to go and what to do. If the candidate is unsure or simply forgets what was asked of them they may ask for the direction to be repeated or confirmed. Any direction that is given by the assessor must only be carried out if it is safe and legal to do so. The assessor will not try to "trick" you into doing something wrong (eg. ask to park in a no parking area) and will give you reasonable time or opportunity to carry out their directive.

The assessor is unable to provide assistance to the candidate during the assessment.

If you are unsuccessful the assessor will give you an explanation and provide you with a copy of the test marking sheet detailing your performance. If you are a learner driver you must wait a minimum of two weeks before you can book another VORT. Overseas conversions may be done after 3 days.

Performance during the test

Everyone gets nervous when they are being assessed which will naturally result in a lower performance. It is said to expect a reduction in competency of 25%. Consequently, a candidate must be capable of performing well above the minimum requirement to pass the test.

Be prepared and good luck!