10 things examiners actually look for on your SA driving test
You've done the hours, you've practised the routes, but the difference between passing and failing your South Australian driving test often comes down to small habits the examiner is silently watching for. Here's what they really want to see.
1. Genuine head checks (not just eye flicks)
Examiners want to see your head physically turn over your shoulder when you change lanes, merge, or pull out from a kerb. A quick eye-flick at the mirror isn't enough, they need to clearly see you check your blind spot. Make it deliberate and slightly exaggerated on test day.
2. Smooth, controlled use of the pedals
Jerky braking, sudden acceleration, or "kangaroo hopping" off the line will lose you marks fast. Examiners are looking for someone who controls the car, not someone the car is controlling.
3. Correct speed for the conditions
Driving 5 km/h under the limit feels safe but actually frustrates traffic and shows hesitation. Driving 1 km/h over loses you the test. Aim to sit right at the limit on clear roads, and drop appropriately for school zones, wet weather, or busy areas.
4. Hands at 10 to 2 or quarter to 3
According to the SA Driving Companion, on straight roads your hands should settle into "10 to 2 or quarter to 3" on the steering wheel, only tightening your grip when cornering or braking. Both hands should be on the wheel at normal road speeds. Examiners notice if you're driving one-handed or with your hand resting on the gear stick.
5. Stop lines mean fully stop, no part of your car on the line
At a stop sign with a line, no part of your car may be on or past the white stop line, not just the wheels. The front bumper, the corner of the car, anything. You must come to a complete halt behind the line.
Once you've fully stopped, then you may creep forward slowly to get a clear view of the cross traffic, and proceed only when it is safe to do so.
Examiners watch this carefully. A "rolling stop", even a slow creep, is an automatic fail.
6. Mirror checks every 10 to 12 seconds
The SA Driving Companion states mirrors should be checked on average at least once every 10 to 12 seconds. Examiners want to see you constantly scanning your rear-view and side mirrors, not just before lane changes. Get into the habit during practice so it happens automatically on the day.
7. Safe following distance, minimum 3 seconds
In good conditions, keep at least a 3-second gap from the vehicle in front. Pick a fixed point ahead, a sign, a pole, when the car in front passes it, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three." If you reach the point before you finish, you're too close.
Increase this gap to 4 seconds or more in any of these conditions:
- Wet roads or poor visibility (rain, fog, dust)
- Poor road conditions (gravel, potholes, unfamiliar roads)
- You're being tailgated, leave more space in front to reduce your braking needs
- You're tired, unwell, or distracted
- Driving downhill
If a vehicle is tailgating you, the extra space in front gives you room to brake gently without the car behind hitting you. This is direct from the SA Driving Companion's safe driving strategies.
8. Confident lane positioning
On a laned road (a road with two or more lanes of traffic going in the same direction), you must keep your car wholly within your lane. You cannot straddle the lane lines or drift across them.
That said, you can use the space within your lane to maintain a safety margin from vehicles in adjacent lanes, for example, offsetting slightly to give yourself room if a vehicle in the next lane is drifting toward you.
If you need to switch lanes, you must follow the proper lane change procedure. Don't drift across.
Also avoid driving parallel to another vehicle for long periods, or sitting in another driver's blind spot. Examiners notice this, it shows you understand how to position yourself safely in traffic, not just in your lane.
9. Reverse parallel parking without hitting the kerb
This is where most people lose easy marks. Take it slow. The key is to practise this manoeuvre in your own vehicle before the driving test, every car is different.
There are many reference points used for parallel parking (mirrors, door handles, headrests, kerb positions), but the right ones change from car to car and person to person depending on your seating position, the size of the car, and your height. Don't rely on someone else's reference points, find your own through practice.
Spend time on a quiet street with the exact vehicle you'll be using for your test, working out the points that consistently land your car correctly. That muscle memory is what gets you through on test day.
10. Calm reaction to mistakes
Made a small mistake during the test? Don't panic, don't apologise, don't keep talking about it. Just keep driving safely. Examiners are watching how you recover. One small error usually won't fail you, but visibly losing your composure can spiral into more mistakes.
The bonus tip nobody talks about
Bring water and use the toilet beforehand. Sounds trivial, but nervous tension makes both worse during a 45-minute test. Eat a light meal an hour before. Don't take your test on an empty stomach or a full one.
Want test-day coaching? Our test prep lessons cover the exact Adelaide test routes and drill the habits examiners look for. Book a test prep session today.