Your Car or Mine - DrivingCoach Instructor Stories

How to complete your interior check for the k53 test?

The interior check merely counts 12 points as part of the yard test, yet many learner drivers get this wrong,

And thus fail to shown the driving examiner that they are skilled in k53 and a competent driver.

We recommend a simple formula to check the 10 items in order of four-two-four: (4-2-4)1. Doors

2. Park brake

3. Neutral

4. Obstructions

Two Adjustments - 2

5. Seat

6. Mirrors

Four Instruments - 4

7. Operation of Lights

8. Operation of Indicators

9. Operation of Wipers

10. Operation of Horn

The test consists of the following checks:

Four Checks - 4

We recommend mention the significant points, check the vehicle is ready to be driven, and most importantly show the examiner through body language (i.e. touch or point to each of the items) that you are checking your vehicle is properly setup.And the K53 manual has the following 17 points to check:

Module 2:

1. Ensure (from driver’s seat) that parking brake is applied.

2. Ensure gear lever is in neutral position. (In “P”or “N” for automatic transmission)

3. Check for obstructions.

4. Check for warning lights and gauges, where applicable.

5. Check seat adjustment for correct driving position.

6. Check all mirrors for maximum rear view vision.

7. Turn ignition key to be in the “on” position without starting the engine.

8. Check electric windows operation, if applicable.

9. Check all instruments on instrument panel and mention any changes.

10. Check operation of front and rear lights, indicators, horn and wipers.

11. Switch ignition off and return all switches to “off” position.

12. Check steering for excessive free play.

13. Check pressure on brake and clutch pedals.

14. Return wipers to normal position, where applicable.

15. Check that doors are properly closed and that passengers are conversant with operation of

doors.

16. Fasten seatbelt and request passengers to fasten seatbelts.

17. Ensure that passengers are conversant with operation of release mechanism of seatbelts.

Note A:

The examiner shall request the applicant to operate the lights, direction indicators, horn and wipers,

where these shall be checked for operation, by such examiner.

Note B:

The examiner may allow minor defects to be rectified, however, no extra time shall be allowed. (The

stopwatch shall not be stopped)

Note C:

Item 1 and 2 as well as 5 and 6 shall be checked in sequence.

Cape Town, what a lovely place it is indeed. Running a driving school here is possibly one of the best things you can do. The folks out here is friendly and the scenery is just awesome. Dont feel like doing parking? Then how about a scenic drive towards Camps Bay. You get to experience all kinds of road conditions, ranging from heavy traffic to tight turns and narrow roads. Slow drivers and fast, irresponsible drivers.

So unlike the other conventional driving schools, we actually make learning how to drive fun and memorable. So go on, give us a try!

As a Driving Schoool based in Cape Town, we are very concerned about the amount of cyclist who were injured or killed on our roads in the last few weeks. Besides me being a driving instructor, i am also a keen cyclist. It has become very clear that something drastic needs to be done to resolve this issue.

Being on the road most of the time, i see a lot of rights and wrongs committed by cyclist and motorists alike. Just last week one Sunday morning i saw a cyclist jump a red robot and narrowly being missed by a car. I see cyclist riding 3 to 4 next to each other on public roads and showing motorist the finger when one comes to close. I also see motorist who drives like maniacs, showing no regard for cyclists.

I would really like to know how many cyclist out there has had a “near death” experience while cycling and from motorist who found that cyclist disregard the rules of the road. For the last few weeks i have been staying off the road with my bike and now instead train on a spining bike at the gym. It is not nearly as fun and and challenging as road cycling but i would really like to see another Cape Argus Pick n Pay cycle tour next month. It will then be my 8th race.

I think we should all be reminded that the roads is there for everyone and that we need to repsect the rules of the road as it is there to keep us safe.

I found this very interesting article online: For those who failed their drivers test a few times could relate to this.
“A dogged South Korean grandmother has failed her driving test 771 times, police said Thursday, but a local newspaper reported she will keep trying.
The 68-year-old, identified only by her last name Cha, has taken the test almost every working day since 2005 in the southwestern city of Jeonju. She failed again Monday for the 771st time

“It was a record-breaking number here,” Choi Yong-Cheol, a police sergeant supervising the test in the city’s Deokjingu district, told AFP.
“I wonder if she will try it again for a 772nd time.”
The Korea Times said Cha will in fact be back for another attempt.
Choi said that Cha cannot pass the preliminary written section of the test, averaging scores of 30-50 whereas the pass mark is 60 out of 100.

Local media said that Cha sells food and household items door to door at apartment complexes, carrying the items in a handcart, but wants to get a car for her business.
Police estimate she has spent almost $3 600 to take the written test.

“I feel sorry every time I see Cha fail. When she passes, I’ll make a commemorative tablet myself and give it to her,” one officer was quoted as saying.”

Anybody out there who can match this?