Taking The Drivers Test Code 8 | The Yard and Road Drivers Test

The drivers test is a practical driving test to determine the ability of the driver. The test is done in two situations, 1- yard test, and 2- road test.

Why do they test you?

The purpose is to see how a driver copes with traffic situations, obeying the traffic rules and do you know how to control a car. These are the things that you must be able to do when you are in the yard test or road test.

Should the examiner in any case during the yard test or the road test, terminate the test for a particular reason, the full driving test will have to repeated again, after the learners holder has booked another appointment to be tested.

Every test must be completed in full before another test can take place; the examiner has the right to supervise the sequence of the yard test.

Code 8 is for light motorcars less than 3 metres long.

It is the transport department ethics that you will be not allowed to use your cell phone and smoking is not permissible for the learner driver and the examiner.

The yard test

The yard test is always the first of the drivers licence test, but before you start on it, you have to do the car inspection test.

The following is the manoeuvres of the code 8 applicants:

1. Turn in the road (3 point turn)

2. Steep hill (Incline start)

3. Parallel parking (side parking)

4. Alley docking

The road test

Unfortunately some of us may never get to test on the road, because the road test may only commence on the successful completion of the yard test.

May I use myself as an example; I have been to 2 driving tests, which I have both failed. In both tests I have only managed to get as far as the last test in the yard, in my case it was the ally docking. So I have never got to the road test.

Every driving testing centre has to have pre-established roads, that all drivers licences applicants can take on the day of the test. Meaning the examiners would know that road like palm of their hands, when coming to the condition of testing the applicants.

If you have made it to the road test, this is what you should expert;

1. A more than one lane road going the same direction, with at least two controlled intersections and demarcated road markings where a lane change shall be done.

2. An intersection controlled by four-way stop signs.

3. Four intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic lights.

4. Two intersections controlled by yield signs

5. A road situation where the applicant shall yield right of way at one of the intersections

6. A road situation where the applicant has right of way at one of the intersections.

7. A no busy road to do the emergency stop.

8. 65% of the test route shall consist of public roads in an urban area

9. A right turn shall be made at least at two of the intersections

10. Crossing of two-way traffic shall be made at least at two intersections.

What is the examiner not allowed to do and allowed to do?

• The examiner is not allowed to mention or comment any error performed by the applicant during the test.

• The examiner is not allowed to assist the applicant in performing any driving action.

• The examiner is not allowed to ask questions about the applicant’s theoretical knowledge during the practical driving test.

• The examiner is not allowed to let anyone or anything to hinder or obstruct an applicant during a test.

• The examiner is not allowed to let the drivers licence applicants go out of their sight; the applicant should be under his/her supervision until the test is over.

• The examiner shall only record the relevant information required on the test report.

• The examiner is the only one allowed to accompany applicants during the test.

• The examiner has the right to drive the applicants car back to the testing centre should he/she feel that it unsafe for the applicant to drive.