Do not drive if you are fatigued

As novice drivers, we tend to want to drive at all times, whether or not we feel comfortable and fully operational, even more than mature drivers. This is particularly because novice drivers are more likely to disregard the possible risks associated whilst driving with either fatigue or drowsiness, hence suggesting how beginners, especially on the P’s will tend to drive no matter their physical condition. Furthermore, because of their usual good health and young age, most P-Platers consider themselves more able to stay alert and awake. However, this is not a good practice.

Statistics from around the world show that driving when tired causes more crashes. In NSW, 20% of road deaths are due to fatigue. Crashes due to fatigue are four times more likely between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Many who are tired tend to fall asleep and lose control of the car. And if you are asleep when you crash, the chances of you surviving are less. Even if you don’t fall asleep, if you are tired, your reaction time becomes slower, you are less attentive, and your decision-making abilities get affected. This is common with people who have sleeping disorders (such as sleep apnoea) and those who do not get adequate sleep (6 hours minimum).

For the novice driver, the best way to make sure you do not have an accident on the way is to make sure you have got an adequate amount of rest, fueled by a good sleep. Ignoring your body’s signals can be fatal. Another way to ensure a safe journey is to get someone else to drive you while you take a nap. You can switch when he or she needs a break.

If you don’t have someone to take over for you, consider sleeping over at wherever you are and driving back later (preferably in the early morning, but if that is not possible rest for at least a couple of hours). This practice is recommended by the Australian authorities and at AutoGear driving school in Dee Why, we recommend that you pull over, take a nap, and then start again. Finally, always remember, do not consume alcohol before driving. These good practices are all ingrained in you by our conscientious driving school in Dee Why, where we believe in the unspoken motto of ‘stop, revive, survive’.

Lawful Parking: Avoid Fines

An important and yet ignored part of driving is the parking. Many fail to heed the rules of the road when parking, citing many excuses as they think it could not matter for short periods. But it does affect others. Parking rules make sure that vehicles stop at the proper place so it would not inconvenience others or be dangerous.

Parking lawfully is easy and should be adhered to at all times, and is a main component in our teaching at our driving schools in Homebush. First, check your mirrors and make sure there are no pedestrians or other vehicles coming. Make sure your parking brake is on. For manual vehicles, ensure that gears are on 1stgear for downhill and reverse for uphill while automatic cars should be on park. If you are going more than three metres away from the car, remove the key from the ignition and lock all doors and windows if there is no one in the car.

Do not park in the following areas or situations: in a “no stopping”zone, in a “no parking” zone, in a clearway zone, along a car that is already parked (double parking), on a median strip or traffic island, blocking a footpath, on a safety zone, within 10m before or after a safety zone, within 20m before or 10m after a pedestrian crossing/marked foot crossing/children’s crossing, within 20m before or 10m after a bus stop, and within a metre of another vehicle (unless you are angle parked). The fines for such parking are high, but easily avoidable if you follow lessons at Autogear driving schools in Homebush.

Also, most importantly, in parallel parking, park as close as possible to the curb. You should be within any marked lines and at least one meter from any other parked vehicle. On a one-way street, you can park the vehicle on the right-hand side of the road.

Do not leave children or pets alone in the car. It is dangerous to both them and the vehicle. Babies can easily dehydrate in a hot car and die. The same is true for animals.

Finally, do not park in a spot designated as accessibility parking unless you are or are transporting a current (Mobility Parking scheme) MPS permit holder and the permit is displayed in the parked vehicle.

Drive Safely in the School Zone

A school zone is a designated area where there is a school nearby and the presence of school children. In NSW more than one million school students travel to and from school each day. This means you must be very careful when driving because they may hurry across the road or come running on to the road without heeding oncoming vehicles. At Autogear Driving School in Lidcombe, we pay special attention to these conditions and rules.

The speed in school zones is at 40km/h, and is applicable within the area marked by the two signs “school zone” and “end school zone”. This applies only on gazetted school days (easily available online) and times shown on the sign (8-9.30 am and 2.30-4 pm). These school zones are marked with school zone signs. There are also flashing lights, indicating it is a school zone. Thus, these zones have no parking zones and other parking restrictions. Also, school buses come to and leave these areas regularly in the morning (8.00-9.30) and in the afternoons (2.30-4.00) so you have to keep an eye on those and students getting into and out of these buses. These are marked with signs saying “school zone”. Do not speed over 40km/h between the “school zone” and “end school zone” signs.

These signs and lights will guide you safely through a school sign, so pay attention to the road signs and lights for everyone’s safety. We, at Autogear Driving Schools in Lidcombe look forward to helping you navigate these zones and signs.

Be Focused while Driving

Focus road sign with dramatic blue sky and clouds.

Focus on your task is nowhere more important than with driving. The activity requires concentration and active focus. You can look at the dashboard once in a while to ensure your car is running in proper order (Correct speed ,no heating, fuel tank check, etc.), but at no time must you take your attention away from the act of driving. This is why mobile phone usage is banned in NSW, and the world over, when driving. Our driving instructors in Homebush are quite strict when it comes to road rules and safety. While they will patiently guide you, these driving instructors in Homebush will teach you how to avoid distractions while you’re driving.

Losing focus for even a second could, sadly, be the difference between life and death. This is also why if you are tired you must not drive. That will cause you to fall asleep and that would lead to road accidents.

Even loud music can be a distraction. It is ideal to have soft music, but if you are not a fan or prefer something else, have music playing softly. This should function as a companion for when you are bored or sleepy but will not cause you to lose focus on the act of driving.

Being focused means also that you pay attention to vehicles coming from either side. Make sure you pay attention to your blind spots and have enough space on either side to avoid collisions. Remember to scan the road environment and watch for motorcycles, especially when you approach intersections. Cars have blind spots that can be large enough to obscure your view. Look over your shoulder before you make a move of any kind. Check your mirrors and blind spots often, and give motorcycles room in traffic.

Adjust your mirrors when you get in so that they are optimized. And when taking turns or overtaking vehicles, check your side mirrors. Add to this mindfulness of what may come ahead such as pedestrian crossings with the possibility of pedestrians coming from your blind side. Plan ahead for such situations: if you see a vehicle in front stopped or slowing, adjust your speed and prepare to come to a halt if necessary.

Driving is a pleasurable activity that carries risks if you are not focused when driving, so shut off all distractions and focus on getting from point A to B safely

Driving Through Hazardous Conditions

When you come for driving lessons in Auburn, one of the things we teach you is driving through hazardous conditions, Drivers need to adjust their behavior in bad weather. To avoid the increased risk of crashes in wet weather, drive to the conditions and slow down. For safe braking, allow extra distance to the vehicle in front. Our driving lessons in Auburn will take you through driving in such conditions.

Most importantly, when driving, do not speed up. Drive at a steady, manageable pace. Whether you are driving in storm, flood or snow, this will give you time to react. If in storm and/or flood, keep an eye on the level of the water. You don’t want it engulfing you and getting into the system! Also, keep towards the middle of the road. Also, pay attention to the environment: trees may become uprooted and either flow towards you or fall on vehicles or on to the road. Being alert will help you avoid any catastrophes. Also, if you can, get out of the flood, wait it out. If you can stop your journey at a safe place, do so and wait till the roads clear out a bit.

On the other hand, if you are driving in snow conditions in some other part of the country or the world, remember to check your tyres, battery, brakes, cooling system, engine and windscreen before you leave. Also, check whether the roads you will be traveling on are accessible and open. Always keep to the media updates on weather and traffic conditions. Plan ahead for alternate routes, and keep extra time to get to where you are going. Having a navigator of your location and destination is also a good practice. Driving lessons at Autogear in Auburn will help you prepare for such conditions.

Do I Need Driving Lessons to Pass the TEST?

Taking driving lessons off a friend or family member can often result in acquiring bad driving habits and it is unlikely they will know all the correct procedures that a professional and qualified driving instructor at Autogear Driving School, Dee Why will know. For example, observation, gap size selection, follows distance, and the timing of signals.

It is a good idea to start learning to drive with a driving instructor at Autogear Driving School Dee Why and when you have a good understanding of the correct procedures, incorporating private tuition can aid in your experience.

Drivers qualified from another country wishing to pass the NSW driving test often ask, “Do I need driving lessons”?

The answer is often “yes”, although not usually many.

In this situation, it’s often a case of eradicating inconsistent practises gained over the years in driving overseas that aren’t suitable for acquiring an Australian driving license. If you are asking the question “do I need driving lessons”? Then the answer is likely “yes”, if you are not entirely confident in areas such as:

The above are typical areas that experienced drivers fail in, during their driving test due to acquiring bad habits over the years. The instructors at Autogear Diving School Dee Why are proficient in identifying and teaching you through such habits!

The RMS examiners do track these details very closely and people taking the test can fail if they do not perform the tasks they’re asked to correctly, in accordance with approved techniques. So, don’t take chances. Make sure that you’ve learned to do things in the right way as not only will this help you in the test, but also with the rest of your driving life.

How many driving lessons do i need?

There are many factors that need to be taken into account on how many driving lessons it will take you to reach test standard. Learning to drive is expensive so picking the right driving instructor and school is important. We at Autogear Driving School Homebush offer an initial assessment lesson at a discounted price. This is to give the instructor an overall indication of your ability to drive. The instructor will then provide you with the amount of hours you will need to reach test standard.

Experienced drivers from other countries who are seeking an Australian license usually require far fewer lessons than beginners. It may only take two to five lessons for them to learn what they need to know. However, experienced drivers have deeply held habits that may not match the driving style that’s required to pass the Australian driving test. Although they may be safe and competent drivers, the process of unlearning their existing driving style and adopting a new one can be very difficult.

The excellent driving instructors, at Autogear Driving School in Homebush can make a difference on how much you pay and how many lessons it takes for you to acquire the required skills to pass the test.

For Beginners, the time it takes to get up to speed vary considerably. Some learn in as few as 10 or 15 lessons, but few require more than15 of professional driving tuition. To reach test standard, qualified instructs are officially required in NSW if you are below 25 years of age.

The most important thing to remember is that the time it takes you to prepare for the practical driving test does not in any way reflect on the ultimate quality of your driving. It’s usually the over confident new drivers who find themselves in trouble.

You will find our qualified instructors, at Autogear Driving School Homebush will take you through the journey and will help you in passing the test. During the structured lessons, you will gain an understanding of road signs, road markings, hazard perception and various meanings of hazards that the instructor will help you to understand.

How to choose the best driving school for you

In choosing a driving school, there are a number of steps that you can take to find the best fit. You’ll want to engage the best quality instructor you can afford, somebody who’s skilled, experienced, and a good match to your learning style. Our instructors at Autogear Driving School, Macquarie Park have wealth of experience and professional teaching skills to deliver what you want.

The first thing you should do is define your needs. Think about your past history and about who you feel comfortable with as an instructor. Do you prefer someone who is strict, no nonsense and directly critical, or would you prefer an instructor who takes a more positive approach? If you think that nerves are going to be an issue for you, then you may do particularly better with our instructors at Autogear Driving School, Macquarie Park with someone who has a more relaxed and positive style.

Ask your friends and colleagues who they’d recommend. If time is critical, you need someone who’s flexible and accommodating. If you have a strict budget, then you may need to work within that. However, don’t rank cost above all else. Sometimes the cheapest cost per hour translates to the greatest number of lessons being required accompanied with the most stressful experience.

As with any driving school, our positive reviews for high passing rate indicated how at Autogear Driving School, Macquarie Park we provide you with the ultimate service, and best chance of passing whilst doing the least possible lessons. Don’t believe us? Just have a browse through out honest reviews! Or alternatively ask friends who have passed the driving test of their opinion on instructors at Autogear Driving School, Macquarie Park.

Is this the right instructor?

While anyone can supervise you learning to drive provided they hold an appropriate licence, your instructor must have a valid instructor permit. This should be displayed on the cars windscreen. Their Instructors are legit professional.

The Driving Instructors Act requires that driving instructors meet minimum standards relating to competency in driving instruction, probity and character, in order to protect the community and to benefit the driving instruction industry.

If the licence isn’t displayed, then the instructor is not qualified and not accredited by the RMS. A self-trained supervisor isn’t necessarily a bad option, although bear in mind that he or she had limited competences.

Your driving instructors at AutoGear driving School, Epping are professionals at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case with some other instructors. Learner drivers often make mistakes, it’s part of the process. Unlike other instructors, They will remain calm and patient no matter what your mistake. They will always guide you and accommodate your learning process, in a highly practical and logical manner so as to avoid such mistakes.

If your instructor tends to raise their voice due to your mistakes, this will most likely detract you from your learning process as you will be placed in constantly tense. Hence, we ensure you that our instructors at AutoGear driving School, Epping are helpful and patient aimed to gradually build your confidence.

On occasions, people just don’t ‘click’. If you find your instructors teaching techniques difficult to understand, don’t be afraid to question. Ultimately, if your instructor fails to provide a technique that allows you to easily understand the process, find another, such as Autogear and embrace our customised and tailor-made lessons specifically for you through our driving instructors at AutoGear driving School Epping.

Getting your licence in Chatswood, NSW

Are you planning on getting your licence in Chatswood?

Then, the first thing you should tick off from your list is finding a good driving school in Chatswood to complete your driving lessons. Because the right driving school can do all the difference in obtaining your driving license process.
When you are looking for a driving school in Chatswood to register with, the most important thing you should keep in mind is that only a qualified and experienced school can help you obtain the right knowledge and the driving skills.

So, it’s essential to find a good school to complete your driving lessons with.

But what makes a driving school a good one?

Reputation

With a little bit of a researching, you can find the reputation the driving school in Chatswood you are going to register with, holds for their service. Are they properly qualified? Do they have a high pass rate? What’s their reputation for client satisfaction?

Teaching skills

After all, you are going there to learn. Thus, ensuring that the instructors have great teaching skills and a well-planned lesson series is essential. A good driving school in Chatswood will offer customized lessons too. For an example at Autogear Driving School we offer customized lessons for overseas licence holders to fit their existing driving skills and for novice drivers to fit their learning style.

Safety

Safety should be priority number one when you do anything, so is when learning to drive. Which is why responsible driving schools like Autogear Driving School pay close attention to make all our driving lessons risk free while teaching the value of safe driving.

Apart from that, the vehicles they are using, packages they offer, fees they charge and the additional services they provide are some of the things to pay attention to when selecting a driving school to get your driver licence in Chatswood.

If it is a good driving school it should have the latest set of vehicles. For an example, all our vehicles are dual control cars with comprehensive insurance coverage and our service includes pick up and pick off services so it’s more convenient for you.

Book Your Lessons

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