Here are some of the most common reasons why people fail the restricted licence test.

Not giving way

Make sure you obey all stop signs, give way signs and traffic lights, and make sure you know and follow the give way rules:

• If you’re turning, give way to vehicles not turning.
• If you’re turning right, give way to all vehicles coming towards you, including those turning left.
• At a T-intersection or driveway, if you’re on the road that is ending (bottom of the T), give way to all traffic on the continuing road (top of the T).
• Remember, ‘Top of the T goes before me’.
• In all other situations, give way to all vehicles coming from your right.

Don’t forget, if you’re crossing a footpath, bus lane or cycle lane, you must give way to any pedestrians or users of those lanes.

Pick gaps in traffic so other drivers or cyclists don’t have to adjust their speed or change course to avoid you.

Going over the speed limit

Make sure you look out for speed limit signs and keep an eye on your speed. You shouldn’t be over the speed limit at any stage.

Entering a lower speed zone:

• Watch for lower speed zones around road works and schools.
• Slow down before you get to the speed limit sign.
• You should be at the lower speed limit by the time your car passes the speed limit sign.

Entering a higher speed zone:

• Don’t speed up until after your car has passed the speed limit sign.

Not indicating correctly

Make sure you use your indicators when required. People get this wrong when changing lanes and at roundabouts.

If you’re turning left at a roundabout:

• Signal left as you come up to the roundabout.

If you’re turning right at a roundabout:

• Signal right as you come up to the roundabout
• Signal left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.

If you’re going straight through at a roundabout:

• Don’t signal as you come up to the roundabout
• Signal left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.

Not looking out for other traffic or hazards or checking blind spots

Make sure you show good observation skills throughout your test. This includes using your mirrors and doing head checks.

When driving straight, you need to check your mirrors enough to maintain awareness of the traffic around you.

When giving way, look in directions that traffic or pedestrians might come from.

Keep an eye out for smaller road users – especially bikes, scooters, motorcycles or pedestrians.

Check your mirrors before braking.

Before turning or changing lanes:

• check mirrors before signalling
• do a head check before moving.

At a railway crossing, look in both directions for trains.

When making a three-point turn:

• look in both directions and do head check before moving across the road
• do the same immediately before reversing away from the kerb.

Not turning into correct lane at multi-lane intersections

Make sure when you’re turning at a multi-lane intersection that you turn into the lane nearest you. However, if there are arrows or broken lines to show you can turn into another lane, follow them.