Once you are done with Stage 2 lessons and the theory aspects, Stage 3 focuses on the circuit, while stage 4 and 5 is pretty much a recap. Here you will spend most or all lessons inside the circuit, that you might lose touch driving on the roads.
Just to remind you the lessons I had attended, refer to the snapshot here.
And if you haven’t read my previous blogs on BBDC part 1, 2, 3 feel free to navigate through this list below.
- Bukit Batok Driving School – Part 1
- Bukit Batok Driving School – Part 2
- Bukit Batok Driving School – Part 3
- Bukit Batok Driving School – Part 4
- Traffic Police Test
Lesson 16 (3.01, 3.02) is on driving in the circuit and reversing technique. Well it is a familiarization lesson, in this lesson, my instructor kept guiding and I got the hang of the maneuver at the later stage. Tip: Try to understand the reversing of the car, so it makes parking easier.
Lesson 17 (3.03) is on Crank Course and S course. This is pretty much taught based on the textbook they provide. Tips : drive slowly to get the turning points. If you need a break, pause. For S course, look out of the window and look at the distance between the car wheel and kerb. The bigger the gap, the nearer you are to the other side (risk mounting kerb, or striking it).
Lesson 18 (3.04) Directional Change, it sets the foundation for Vertical Parking.
Lesson 19 (3.05) is Parallel Parking. I found it easier than Vertical parking, because it was memorizing the steps. But you should understand the steps – why you have to do the step, so it would be easier.
Lesson 20 (3.06, 3.07) is on Circuit Slope and is straightforward.
Lesson 21 (3.08) on Vertical Parking, I had a instructor from a different group and I didn’t learn much. He fell asleep while I parked every time. He didn’t highlight the turning point, and made me do corrections. This really frustrated. So over time, I played with the turning points and tried to see what would be the ‘best’ for me. Tip : If you don’t get it or you can’t follow, make your own rule, literally.
Lesson 22 (3.09, 3.10) is on Emergency Brake and 3 point turn (this is not tested during the Traffic Police Test, but useful for real-life driving). The Emergency brake, just make sure you lock your arms and brake firmly! Check blind spot, and then let go of your brake and move off. From what I understood, emergency brake is done in the circuit and no longer on the roads. Tip: During traffic police test, if your tester is looking around, adjusting mirror, be alert he may hit the dashboard, signalling an e-brake procedure.
Lesson 23 (3.11) final part of the stage, the evaluation! It usually serves as a recap of the lessons and use it as a juncture to clarify your questions!
You will need to do a risk forecasting lesson (PPL), before you embark on Stage 4! It’s a lesson to understand how you react to hazards. Since they introduced this, the number of classes in Stage 4 has reduced.
Lesson 24, 25 (4.01, 4.02) – Defensive Driving in test routes, here the instructor will bring you through the two areas – Choa Chu kang, Bukit Batok. They will bring you through these areas highlighting things to take note for test! It can be on things like slowing down at certain traffic lights because it changes fast or how to lane change at Teck Whye. Tip: Try to jot down after your lessons!
Lesson 26 – Stage 5 is the final evaluation. It is a mock traffic police test, so try your best to identify your weaknesses and work on them! At this point you should have already cleared your final theory test and booked the traffic police test.
Lessons 27 – 31 were my revision lessons. It is encouraged to attend at least one revision lesson. I went for 5 because I rather spend the money to pass in one go than repeat again. Well again it depends on how comfortable you are and confident you are. For myself, my revision classes were around the test timing and i did it frequently so that I can gain confidence in a quick period of time. Tip : Book at least 1-2 session a few days before your actual test and near the test timing so you understand the road conditions!
With that I have ended my lessons at BBDC, but to find out more about the actual Traffic Police Test, stay tuned~!