Graduation day
Last month we went into detail about how you go about obtaining a learner’s licence and towing lessons for the EB and EC1 driving codes. Now, we take you inside what it’s like to pass out.
So, you’ve made the effort to at least download the K53 app and have been learning the dos and don’ts of road regulations. You’ve obtained your learner’s licence and now you just have to go and pass out. Here’s the catch: You have to do this through a driving school. It’s not just that they teach you the important sequences of using the controls while you’re behind the wheel but also the starting sequences, interior and exterior inspections and a whole bunch of other information that’s vital to making you a safe and competent driver.
The thing is, as much as we’d like to believe corruption is being rooted out of our system, it seems the system is constructed in such a way that would require someone, no matter how experienced or competent a driver, has to spend a significant amount of money in order to come out with a pass – especially when you’re up against the authorities for the first time.
We’re not saying that a pass without a driving school is impossible, but the chances are pretty good that you’re not going to pass without going through a school and learning the K53 system inside and out.
THE SKILLS Exterior inspections
You’re required to blurt this out in parrot fashion, but it really does help to understand the meaning of what you’re saying and repeating it when you’re under the cold, hard scrutiny of the testing official. You start in the front of the vehicle by saying that you’ve checked under the vehicle for leaks and obstructions.
Then you move to the front fender and lift the driver’s side windshield wiper. Run your finger along the rubber and say that the windshield wiper is undamaged.
Then, bend down alongside the front right tyre and mention that the tread depth is sufficient (the legal minimum is 1 mm), that the tyre sidewall is undamaged, that you’ve checked that the air pressure is correct and that the valve cap is secure. From here, you move back to the bonnet and say you’ve checked under the bonnet as well, specifically the water, oil drive belts and brake fluid.
Once those are out of the way, you slowly move around the vehicle to complete the exterior inspections. Every time you pass a tyre, say that you’ve checked it (same as the first). You’ll also need to show that the towing vehicle’s tail lights are clear and free of damage. Then, show the testing official that the trailer has been secured properly and that the power plug is connected. You also need to tell the testing official that the trailer’s licence disc is valid and up to date. Check the reflector strip and move around the rear and show that the trailer’s lights are working, clear and free of damage. You also need to tell the testing official that the fuel cap is closed.
When you’re doing the EC1, you have to check that the battery and cabin is secured and that there are no obstructions between the double wheels.
Interior inspections
The officer will be positioned either right outside or inside the vehicle for this one. You will need to acknowledge that the doors are closed, that the parking brake is engaged, that the vehicle is in neutral, that there are no obstructions in the footwell, and that the mirrors and driver’s seat have been adjusted to you. After that, it’s time for the yard test.
Left turn, Clyde
This is a crucial part of your driving career. To be able to merge left safely is a must. It’s a left turn for obvious reasons. We drive on the lefthand side of the road, like Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as our immediate African neighbours. >
You’ll have to demonstrate your prowess within demarcated lines in the test yard. After you pass the first line (the official will show you when the exercise has to be started), you’ll have to check your rear-view and leftside mirror and the left blind spot before indicating left. Just before you turn left, you check the blind spot again. Midway during the turn, you check the mirror and blind spot. And once the vehicle and trailer combination has cleared the turn and the steering wheel has been straightened, you check the blind spot one more time. Better safe than sorry.
The incline start
Here you’re required to stop your vehicle and trailer on an incline and drive off smoothly without rolling backwards, stalling, jerking or spinning the wheels. You get one attempt.
Remember to stop where the instructor indicates without allowing the vehicle to move backwards. Apply the handbrake, select neutral and check the mirrors and the blind spot. In Schalk’s case, he had to perform a right turn immediately after, so he had to signal his intention. You then select first gear and obtain clutch control.
Observe 360° and release the handbrake. With an incline start you will likely need to accelerate as well as obtain clutch control in order to achieve enough revs to stop the vehicle from stalling or rolling backwards.
The 40 m reverse
This is the exercise I failed when I went for my first appointment in July. Some might disagree, but I found it hard to keep the combination straight while the vehicle is pretty much idling. This is the one exercise in the yard where the officer will be checking to see if you’re using the clutch to control your speed, because that’s not allowed. When the clutch is depressed, either all the way or halfway, and you’re not shifting, that’s seen as an uncontrolled action and is a fail.
I didn’t disengage the clutch all the way, and during the test the officer noticed this and warned me to let go of the clutch completely. The resulting jerk was quite a surprise and the combination gained speed. I didn’t cross any lines or miss the painted box you have to reverse the trailer into, but the difference in speed made it clear I had been “riding” the clutch and that resulted in me failing the test.
If you’re an experienced driver, you’re going to have to unlearn many of your bad habits before going to pass out.
On my second attempt a month later, I made sure to keep my right foot hovering just above the brake, and as soon as the clutch started to bite, I controlled the speed with the brake instead. I passed the exercise.
Alley docking with a trailer
Schalk maintains that this was the most difficult exercise for him in that he was never sure when to start initiating the turn. There is no exact answer for this, but his instructor gave him the sage advice of reversing slowly and turning the wheel quickly.
The important bit to remember is that you have to check the opposite blind spot as well before you start the turn, because you could lose a penalty point needlessly. I preferred turning early and sort of lining up the trailer with the “entrance” in a horizontal line. That gave me enough time to straighten the combination at my leisure. The downside to waiting too long to initiate the turn is that you have limited space in the yard and if you hit the kerb on the other side of the area demarcated for the exercise, that’s a fail. You could also jack-knife the combination quickly if you leave the turning too late.
Also, it’s important to remember that you’re allowed to stop during the procedure and inform the testing officer that you’re going to move forward (in a straight line) a little to line up the combination properly or to your liking. It all counts as one manoeuvre and rather be safe than sorry that you didn’t keep your ego in check and just move forward a little. The nose of the towing vehicle is required to be behind the second row of poles for the exercise to be a success.
Line up and park
The yard test is probably the real tough part of whichever licence you’re applying for. The entry-level EB is slightly more strenuous in that you’re required to also unhitch the trailer you’re passing out with during the yard test. You then have to perform a parallel park manoeuvre (one side or both as determined by the examination officer present) and then you have to reverse your vehicle and align the tow bar with the trailer’s A-frame so that you can hitch. I learned a cool trick at Alpha Driving School that makes reversing toward your trailer a breeze. Remember that if any part of the vehicle touches or hits the trailer before you’ve intended to come to a stop, that’s regarded as an accident and is an >
immediate fail.
You don’t have to perform a parallel park when you’re applying for an EC1.
Start-up sequence
If you’ve passed the yard test, the testing officer will ask you to perform the start-up sequence. This is the final check to see if you’re competent enough to be able to actually be let out onto the road. Schalk had to do his starting sequence before the yard test, so it varies from one testing centre to the next.
You have to show that the parking brake is engaged and that the release button works, that the vehicle is in neutral, and that the warning lights are off. Then you turn the ignition on and check that the warning lights are functioning and that after the initial flash they’re all off, except the parking brake. Lastly, inform the testing officer if the vehicle has an automatic choke.
Once on the road
If you’ve just finished high school or have never had the need to be behind the wheel until your mid-20s, you’ll probably be fine – especially after plenty of lessons with a driving instructor. If you’re an experienced driver, however, you’ll have to unlearn many of your bad habits. For example, you’re not allowed to cross your arms while driving – even though that’s allowed for your yard test.
Another one that many of us aren’t really conscious of is that we tend to depress the clutch pedal before braking. That’s an uncontrolled action according to the law and a fail. Firstly, you need to check your rear-view mirror before braking and only depress the clutch when shifting or coming to a complete stop. After stopping, pull the parking brake up. You need to perform a full suite of observations before moving off. Another way we “cheat” every day is letting our vehicle drift over solid white lines. You’ll have to make sure that none of the combination’s tyres does this. Like when you’re turning right and you cut the corner slightly. Rather go wide. The same goes for the left side of the combination. Go wide so the trailer’s inside tyre doesn’t hit or climb the kerb. Remember to observe. A good rule of thumb is to check your mirrors every time you drive by a lamp post. It feels a little silly, but you get marked negative points if you don’t. Say something like “mirror, mirror” every time you do, to bring it to the official’s attention. Also keep your eye on the speedometer. If you break even one traffic law, it’s an automatic fail.
Also, your road test could lead to moments of uncomfortable silence. That’s totally fine. Stay focussed and resist the urge for idle chitchat with the official. They’re only interested in your driving abilities.
But above all, remain calm. You’ve got this.