Everything You Need to Know About the Driver Knowledge Test! (NSW)

Driving Test

New South Wales takes driving and road sense critically and spares no errors. You can never pass a NSW driving test without regular practice, a determined schedule and basic to expert driver knowledge. At NSW, you must take a driver knowledge test to pass the first step of your driving exam, which is causally called DKT. You will need to answer regarding road rules and driving safety concerns for automobiles and cars. You can either go for an online procedure or give an in-person test if you are confident enough and have a strong grip on your driving knowledge. 

Introduction to Driver Knowledge Test

The driving knowledge test is an engaging four to six-hour course and exam that needs to be completed before you apply for a licence. It is applicable for 15 years and 11 months online and at least 16 years for in-person tests. You can visit a driving school or enroll online into a driving knowledge course and study well before the main exam. In New South Wales, you have to pass your DKT whether you are a new citizen or are planning to get a license. A driver knowledge test focuses on safe driving practices and learning all road signs that assist a driver to drive, turn, speed up and down accordingly and vigilantly. Passing DKT is mandatory in NSW; you cannot obtain a license without it. 

How to Prepare for DKT?

You must have computer skills and complete practice to prepare for this memory test. As they assess your overall responsibility mindset and understanding of road signs, traffic rules, and secure control driving practices. You can prepare via the following two methods: either handbook or practice tests.

Handbook: You need to go through the "Road Users’ Handbook," which is available online, for free or can be purchased in hard copy from a Service NSW center.

Practice Tests: Take advantage of online practice tests available on the Service NSW website to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for DKT?

Driver Knowledge Test is specified to individuals which are at least 16 years old and have a proof of identity. It is mandatory for all foreigners who settle in NSW to first opt for the DKT or have a residential address in New South Wales.

Booking the Test

You can book this test either online via the official New South Wales Website, by smartphone or laptop. You can also visit the Service Centre and book as per procedure, fee submission and documentation. Your identity documents and card must be with you at the time of your booking because they need information to fill out before they provide you a learner license. 

Test Structure

The driver knowledge test consists of 45 MCQs. These questions are categorized into two parts:

  • General Knowledge: 15 questions.
  • Road Safety and Low Risk Driving: 30 questions.

You must be well-prepared and able to answer at least 12 out of 15 general knowledge MCQs confidently and 29 out of 30 road safety questions correctly to pass. That means about 41 out of 45 must be correct to let you pass DKT. While giving the online test, the program selects questions at random for several hundred possible questions.

Taking the Test

For the driver knowledge test, you should reach the examination site within enough time before the scheduled test time. You will bring the booking confirmation, as a type of proof of your identity and payment for the exam fee if you haven't yet paid online. While taking the test in-person, you must never be overconfident nor blunt in any situation because this driver exam is not the one to take for granted; DKT in North South Wales has an estimated 43% failure rate that increased this year! 

Sometimes, the questions are based on real life scenarios to power the creativity in your mind to give a reasonable solution. Each MCQ has 4 possible entries out of which one is logically correct. 

The questions can be about road signs and their meaning, about turning the vehicle, switching lanes, traffic ethics, roundabouts and safety precautions such as seatbelts. 

Driver knowledge test results are presented right after you've completed the test. In NSW, you can take retests and try to pass with all correct answers with the same fee. It's difficult to pass the exam without practice and the candidate will surely fail. 

What is the Benefit of Passing DKT

Once you have accomplished a DKT result, you will be rewarded with learner's permit, allowing you to begin learning to drive under supervision of a skilled or experienced driver. 

Also, an L plate display is crucial for learner drivers’ vehicles as they follow learner driver rules, and have to keep reports and maintain a driving- hours’ logbook. Learner drivers can put up a red “L” sticker to warn the drivers behind that the driver in front may have minor errors. 

Key Points to Remember

  • Study and practice deeply and revise constantly using the "Road Users’ Handbook" and practicing via mock tests, seeking guides and tutorials online, concerning your driving school and self-help driving books. 
  • Ensure all your documentation and identity proofs are in order before booking and attending the test to avoid issues at the last minute. 
  • Try to concentrate on both general knowledge and road safety questions, as both sections are crucial for passing the test and paying attention on each MCQ for 2 to 3 minutes and rereading them to interpret will not waste your time, in fact, will help you evaluate and understand the logic behind the question. 
  • Practice for at least a month or so before confirming DKT in NSW, as prerequisites for DKT also include control on the vehicle and critical road sense knowledge. 

That was all for today, but if you have any queries regarding your driver knowledge test for NSW, you can consult our Glorious Driving School any time, any day.

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