So the final part of my BBDC experience will be on the TP test and my thoughts after attaining my driving licence.
TP Test
To say I was nervous for my TP test would be an understatement. I was totally freaking out on that day. I went for school in the morning for my lessons and then I proceeded straight to BBDC in the afternoon for my warm up and TP test.
I'm not sure if I was late, but once I arrived and took my queue ticket for the warm up, I was immediately called by the instructor. I hurried over and then we proceeded for warm up!
Warm up wasn't exactly smooth since I was a little panicky and made a few mistakes here and there. After the warm up, I remembered the instructor telling me that my turning was not good and that I shouldn't have any high expectations that I was going to pass my driving test. (Who says that to a person going for a test in less than an hour!!!)
I then followed him to level 2 to wait for the actual TP test. There were already a few people sitting down, waiting for their names to be called. After around 15 minutes, my name was called and I proceeded with the tester for the real deal.
The TP test car is the same car which you have used for your warm up thus there is no need for any adjustments if all of them had been made during the warm up session.
Most of the time, the tester would complete the circuit test first before proceeding to the road. This is because if you fail your circuit test, you will not even have the chance to go out on the main road, and there flies your money. 💸💸💸
After the circuit, you will then proceed to the main road. For me, my test timing was 2pm, on a Thursday, thus there were not many cars on the road (thankfully).
Honestly, I thought I would not be able to pass my TP test after the remark made by the warm up instructor and the fact that I was really nervous, but I was really glad I manage to scrap through it as I did not want to go through the entire TP test process again and I do not want to pay another round of test fee.
As for the test fee, here's the break down of it for each attempt:
Practical Test: $33.00
Vehicle Rental: $171.20
Warm-up Session: $38.52
_______________________________
Total fee for each attempt: $242.72
_______________________________
So yes, each attempt is expensive.
From what I've heard, private candidates pay more for their practical test, but their lessons are way cheaper than school's lessons. Some of my friends who took the private route mention that they will be able to book for their practical test once their instructor deem them to be ready for their TP test as they do not have a fixed structure like the school does. However, they also mention that they struggle more in the circuit course as private candidates do not have the luxury of using the circuit as much as the school candidates does. So, I guess it solely depends on what is your preference.
Here's my Class 3A Driving Test Assessment Checklist:
- Moving/Reversing up the ramp: Incorrect technique: 4 points
- Moving/Reversing up the ramp: Incorrect positioning: 2 points
- Forward driving: Fail to slow down when approaching road hazards: 6 points
- Safety Check: Fail to check blind spot: 4 - 4 - 4 points
- Safety Check: Fail to look out for traffic: (a) side road: 2 points
*The strikeouts indicates that the points are not tabulated*
Number of Immediate Failures: 0
Number of Demerit Points: 18 points
Result: PASSED
The final tabulation
Looking at this list, I think I am pretty dangerous, lol, but owell, I barely scraped pass a passed score and I am really glad about it.
Post TP Test
After passing your TP test, you will need to watch a graduation video and then the staff will ask you to fill up a feedback form. You will then be able to apply for your licence online via Singpass after a few hours. I did mine on the next day instead. The licence fee is $50 and it will be mailed to your house address. Congrats if you passed if not, don't worry, you'll be sure to pass the next time round!
A Few Months In...
After a few months of getting my licence, I would say, I am still a pretty bad driver, HAHA. I do not drive often, and for each time I drove, I had my dad beside me just to ensure that I was driving safely. Honestly, I just feel safer with someone experienced beside me and I dare not venture out on my own.
From my experiences, driving out on the main road is far different from when you are having driving lessons. There are many times the traffic rules do not exactly apply and you will just have to gauge the situation for yourself.
Parking is a whole lot different from parking in the circuit. The lessons that the instructors thought in BBDC does not apply out here in the real world. I remember them telling me to turn whenever the tyres of the car touches the line marked in the circuit. Outside, the line does not exist, lol. It is very much different from what you learn in school and I believe that it will take one some time to get used to driving around on his or her own.
These are just some food for thought and experiences vary for each individual.
Till next time!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.