Can I go For A Driving Licence Test With My Own Car?
Many people call to ask me this question...Can I go for a driving test using my own car not the driving school one? The answer is yes you can!
It is not a must that you use the driving schools car. 30% of people who learn how to drive in South Africa use their own private cars. It becomes more easy for them because they are used to the pedals of the car and already have the knowledge of operating the car. It is in the learners best interest to use a car that he or she has been taking lessons with.
For example, lets take a person who has been driving for a year and half and using his own car. Now its time for their drivers test, they apply and get a booking in langlaagte testing station or any johannesburg traffic department. Now do you think this person will go and hire a driving school car, just to go for the test? No ways, yes he maybe a master in driving but when it comes to a driving test, you need a car that you are used to driving and have taken lessons with.
The Licencing department are not fussy in using your own car, other than any other reasons, it is cheaper for the applicant to do so. How much do driving schools charge to hire they car for a driving test? I'll tell you, because I have paid that money many times before.
They charge according to the time and petrol. Other driving schools (if lucky) charge you according to the lessons you would have taken. For example, if they normally charge R150 per hour lesson. They would charge you R300 for 2 hours, and you need approximately 2 hours for your driving test.
Other driving schools charge you according to the distance and adding the instructors time on that. Which can all add up to R400, this happened to me when I was living in Kempton park and going for a driving test in Roodepoort Licencing department. Please don't ask me why, was I going all the way to the West rand meanwhile Kempton park licence department is just a corner away (next to the Festival mall). Its because I couldn't get a booking in Kempton park.
Examiners might fail you, if not using the driving school car; False, nothing like that!
Other people are not keen on using their own cars for a driving test, because they are afraid that the driving examiners might fail them. Now I don't really know how true is this, and even if I take off to the testing centres to ask the examiners, we all know the answer!
But on the contrarily you will not fail your driving test, if you will be using your own private car. You are allowed to use your own car, be it an automatic car or manual car.
Most of the times if you are using an automatic car, you will have to use your own car, because most driving schools do not have automatic cars. You will see on the green form that you will be filling in when going to confirm your booking. There will be a space to fill in whether you have an automatic car or manual.
A tip for using your own car
To be in the safe side of the traffic law act, when using your car for a driving test. Cut out an L sign (Learner driver). Stick it on your back window screen.
This is done for the road test. People on the roads turn to be so impatient, that when you stop on a stop sign to do the 5 point check, somebody will be hooting like its the end of the world. And that might make you nervous and do a mistake.
You cannot be failed for using your own car!!!