Driving 2024, Wrapped

Tips for Singapore CDC School 3A

Useful resources:

  • Car Learner Chat - best usecase is for instructor reviews + clarifying anything unsure!
  • Discord Bot to notify when Class 3 / 3A Slots are released (the most useful and effective method by far): leave notifications on and rush to book when slots are released!

Personal Timeline:

  • Enrolled CDC 3A Normal (no oneteam / EV or whatever!) 090524
  • Completed TP Test 121124 (18 points, phew)

Pointers to bear in mind:

  • Download the CDC mobile app, all bookings will be made through there! If an option hasn't opened up to book a particular module (simulator / VPC / LDCS) yet, then the pre-requisites haven't been completed
  • Clear BTT / FTT ASAP
  • More things will be explained in the induction programme so it's actually worth paying attention to it!
  • There are some skippable lessons (once booked there's no need to show up), but since money is paid I'll just go for them anyway
  • Once done with Module 1, book simulator slots once available on the app, halfway through Module 2, VPC (Vehicle Pre-operative check) and LDCS (Learner Driving Competency Screening, basically like a mock practical test) will open up
    • Don't beat yourself up for LDCS if you do badly! Just remember to practise all that you've learnt and check blindspots. They basically use computer vision to record you and deduct points like the actual test (just that assessment in the actual test would be done by a person, not a programme, I think)
  • Once done with VPC + LDCS + Simulator + FTT, book TP test! TP test for schools should have quite a bit of slots, but booking will still be made 2 months in advance. Don't fret if you can't get slots for Module 3 yet, just camp and you'll be able to clear Module 3 with 3-4 lessons.
  • Finishing all test routes is NOT a pre-requisite for booking the test, so my suggestion is to book once that function is unlocked on the app to get your licence faster! Of course, feel free to book more lessons if you're not confident.

How the following is structured: lesson number - date - instructor - objectives completed

Lessons:

  • Total 19
    • Induction 21/6
    • 1st 23/7 - 0946 David Phua - Moving off and stopping the car (Module 1 S4)
    • 2nd 22/8 - 0381 Chia Teck Meng Alex - Steering wheel control (Module 1 S5), Braking (Module 1 S7),
    • 3rd 28/8 - 0381 Chia Teck Meng Alex - Blindspots (Module 1 S8), Kerb side stopping and moving off (Module 1 S9)
    • 4th 31/8 - 7076 Patrick Tan Wei Teck - Driving through junctions (Module 1 S10)
    • 5th 4/9 - 7089 ?? - Review Evaluation for Module 1, Narrow Courses (S and Crank, Module 2 S12)
    • 6th 6/9 - 0946 David Phua - Slope (Module 2 S13), Familiarization Driving (Module 2 S14)
    • 7th 10/9 - 0381 Chia Teck Meng Alex - Observation of Traffic Rules and Regulations (Module 2 S15)
    • 8th 13/9 - 9001 ?? - Lane Change (Module 2 S16), Negotiating right turns (Module 2 S17) + VPC (Vehicle Pre-operative Check)
    • 9th 14/9 - 1277 Muhammad Izwan - U Turn (Module 2 S18), Review Module 2
    • 10th 1/10 - 0946 David Phua - Reversing (Module 3 S25), Directional Change (Module 3 S26)
    • 11th 2/10 - 0946 David Phua - Vertical Parking (Module 3 S27)
    • 12th 5/10 - 1248 ?? - Parallel Parking (Module 3 S28), Reaction Response (Module 3 S29), Test Route 1
    • 13th 8/10 - 0529 Mus Mulyadi - Learner Driver Competency Screening (LDCS, double digit >40 demerit points lol)
    • 14th 11/10 - 0336 Lawrence Goh - Test Route 5, 7, 12
    • 15th 31/10 - 7076 Patrick Tan Wei Teck - Test Route 3, 4, 8, 9
    • 16th 1/11 - 0336 Lawrence Goh - Test Route 6, 10, 11
    • 17th 6/11 - 0381 Chia Teck Meng Alex - Practice
    • 18th 11/11 - 0946 David Phua - Practice
    • 19th Warmup + Test

Driving Test Tips

Reaction response:

  1. Follow crank course procedure when turning in
  2. Controlled braking until front two wheels hit ramp
  3. Hit accelerator then step on brake
  4. Change reverse
  5. Check back
  6. Reverse then step on brake
  7. Full lock right
  8. Reverse when full lock right
  9. Check back then reverse until back two wheels hit ramp
  10. Accelerator then step on brake
  11. Switch to drive
  12. Move down then step on brake
  13. Signal left
  14. Crank course procedure when moving out

Parallel parking:

  1. Keep close to left (0.5m)
  2. Pull to number / stop sign ahead
  3. Signal
  4. Turn down mirrors
  5. Check back
  6. Reverse until kerb cannot be seen
  7. Full lock left
  8. Reverse with full lock left until black kerb seen on right mirror
  9. Straighten
  10. Check back
  11. Reverse straight Back wheel touch yellow
  12. Full lock right
  13. Reverse until back wheels gonna touch kerb
  14. Straighten
  15. Put to drive
  16. Full lock left
  17. Move forward
  18. Put to park + lift hand brake
  19. When moving out reverse until back wheels gonna touch
  20. Put to drive
  21. Reset mirrors
  22. Full lock right
  23. Signal right check blind spot move out

Vertical parking:

  1. For s course lots aim back door window frame corner then full lock left
  2. For crank course lots aim 1.5 curb away

Directional change:

  1. Full lock and straighten into lane
  2. and vehicle id thing align with right kerb
  3. Keep driving until either cannot see orange strip for 18/19 or cover cone fully for 14/15 (or the numbers might be switched around), make sure car straight
  4. 3.5 kerb full lock reverse turn right
  5. Align straight return to wheel straight
  6. When exiting half wheel right and shoulder past right kerb then full lock left

Misc:

  • If turn too close to one kerb can move out straight and reverse back in
  • Make sure to change lane to left on Ubi Avenue 2
  • Keep to right lane when turning right