Tauranga Driving Lessons

03/11/2020

Contact Dave 027 9239690 for a driving lesson in Tauranga. You may have heard that there is a long waiting list for driving tests at the VTNZ in Mt Maunganui. Too long really. Lately you can wait between 6 - 8 weeks. The good news is that after a 5 year break ... you can once again book driving tests in Tauranga ... now from the VTNZ located on Edgecumbe Rd/9th Ave. The new test route takes you around Cameron Rd, through the Tauranga CBD, and sometimes out through the suburbs. Lots of lane changes so make sure that you get plenty of practice. Want to know if you can pass the test? Easy! Contact Dave 027 9239690 and we'll have a "mock" test which will include not only your result (whether you have passed or failed) but also a detailed discussion on how the test is graded and what the Testing Officers are actually looking for. Pass a mock test and your confidence increases for the real test. Failing a mock test is NOT bad. It just shows you what you need to work on. Either way, a mock test greatly helps you prepare for your real test. And you really want to pass your Test .... as you may need to wait another 6-8 weeks before you can re-sit due to the long waiting list. Dave 027 9239690

Dave's provided over 13000 driving lessons in Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Experience counts. 0279239690

27/08/2020

Hi Guys. Contact Dave 027 923 9690 for a $70 driving lesson in Tauranga. People are always asking me - how hard is the driving test at the VTNZ in Mt Maunganui? Well, the statistics say that about 65% of people pass their Restricted Test at the Mount. Unfortunately that means about 1 out of 3 people fail. So I guess that makes the test "hard". But the actual drive itself, which takes about 45 minutes, is in no way "hard". Minimal parking. A few lane changes. A couple right hand turns on busy roads. But most of the time you are just driving around either the residential area of the Mount, or if you cross the bridge to Tauranga, driving around the Cameron Rd/Devonport Rd area in the lower Avenues. Not anywhere that will really challenge your ability to handle a car.
So why do one out of three drivers fail?
1) Not enough practice.
2) Don't know the road code.
3) Driving too fast or too close.
4) Not consistently checking blind spots.
5) Inability to perform well under pressure.
Over the years I've sat in the backseat of about 50 tests in Tauranga.
Watching how the Testing Officers grade.
Watching where/why errors seem to be made.
Watching how nerves can impact driving.
I've seen good drivers fail and average drivers pass.
But I've never seen anyone pass the test who didn't know the road code. Can't be done.
You see, I believe passing the test is not so much about how well you can handle the car ... but rather -
Can You Drive LEGALLY?
Often when students are preparing for the test and we have a lesson or two, a lot of our discussion relates to the road code. That's what the Testing Officers are looking at. I want you 100% positive that you are doing the correct legal thing in any situation that might arise on the test. Indecision leads to bad decisions. Bad decisions lead to a third of people failing their test. Don't join the list. You want to be confident before your test? Contact Dave 027 923 9690. Thanks Guys.

18/07/2020

Hi Guys. Contact Dave for a $70 driving lesson in Tauranga 027 9239690. Tests ... Waiting time at the VTNZ Mount Maunganui getting longer. Appears July & August already booked out and into second week of September before there is an open spot. That's a long time to wait. Other options are available ... Whakatane, Rotorua, Te Awamutu and Hamilton. Which is better? Well, statistics would suggest that the pass rate is higher in the "quieter" test locations. Keep in mind that tests in NZ are designed in such a way that you should be able to sit a test anywhere, even a place you've never been, and still be able to pass just using the good driving habits that you've built up through lots of practice. Of course, if you decide to go elsewhere for your test you are likely going to be driving in places that you are not overly familiar with the roads which may lead to confusion which may result in errors. If you are thinking about taking your test I'd suggest booking a mock test with me which we will do in the Mt Maunganui/Tauranga area and afterwards I'll give you an honest appraisal of your chances of passing a test locally and in addition if I believe your standard of driving is high enough that you would be capable of going elsewhere, to less familiar conditions, and still have a good shot at passing. Contact me Dave 027 9239690. Thanks guys.

25/06/2020

Hi Guys. Contact Dave for a driving lesson in Tauranga 027 923 9690.
Driving Tests. The golden rule when taking a test is DON'T drive too fast. Pretty obvious. Not much leeway as 5k over the speed limit is a penalty and 10k over is an instant Fail. So be careful. But careful does not mean crawling along holding up traffic which often happen when a student becomes overly cautious. In general terms try and drive at the same pace as those around you - say 45/50 in a 50k zone unless conditions suggest otherwise. You can certainly be penalized on a test for going too slow. In fact, there is a second type of "too slow" penalty on a test which occurs when a student misses gaps in traffic that normal drivers would take. Missing gaps can create a dangerous situation if the person behind you becomes impatient. You will need to have enough practice before your test that your gap selection is at pretty close to the same level of more experienced driver's. Gap issues often take place at roundabouts and when trying to turn right onto a busy road. Practice! Thanks Guys.

18/06/2020

Hi Guys. Contact Dave for a driving lesson in Tauranga 027 9239690. Someone asked me the other day - Why is it taking so long to book a driving test at the VTNZ in Mt Maunganui? Well ... first off, it's not the Testing Officers fault.These people are just doing their jobs and have no say in the schedule. Second off, thank your lucky stars that you don't live in Auckland where you will be waiting twice as long! But it appears that the current waiting list at the Mount is well over a month which is not ideal. What can you do about it? Use the extra time to practice and prepare. Since I started giving lessons in 2014 (well over 5000+ lessons to date) I have sat in the backseat of about 50 tests with my students and confidence is crucial to passing a test. How can you become confident before taking a driving test in Tauranga? Contact Dave on 027 9239690 and we'll have a "mock test" which will clearly demonstrate your ability to pass (or fail). But be warned ... a mock test is NOT me telling you that you are a great driver! Just the opposite. We are trying to discover if there is anything that still needs improvement. That's beneficial.... Thanks Guys.

12/06/2020

Hi Guys. Contact Dave 0279239690 for a driving lesson in Tauranga. Had a lesson the other day and we started at the VTNZ in Mt Maunganui where the test is held. My student had recently failed her test and wanted to pass second time around. Turns out that she had made an error within the first minute of the test on the bus lane on Hewletts Rd. Most errors with the bus lane occur due to failing to check blindspots when switching from the car lane into the bus lane. My student had looked over her shoulder ok but was unaware of another road code rule that stipulates that you can only drive in the bus lane for a MAXIMUM of 50 metres. So (unfortunately) when the Testing Officer instructed my student to turn left at the lights ... she popped straight over into the bus lane and probably drove for about 200 metres before making her left turn. Which is an illegal action and usually gets a Critical error on a test. You see... the current Road Code has 370 pages of rules. Lots and lots of rules! Pretty hard to know them all. So maybe have a driving lesson with Dave BEFORE your test. I'd prefer to advise you of these little known rules beforehand ... as it is a real shame when good drivers fail tests simply because of little "technical" lapses. Don't let this happen to you. Contact Dave now 027 9239690. Thanks Guys.

04/06/2020

Hi Guys. Well what's happening in the world of driving lessons in Tauranga? Well, tests are back on as of mid May when we hit level two.It seemed at first that the testing officers over at the Mt VTNZ were wearing facemasks during the tests but that appears to have eased off somewhat. Maybe the TO's get to choose as some seem to wear them and others not. One student mentioned that it was a "bit" hard to hear at first but he soon got used to it. Remember when you take a test in Mt Maunganui - sometimes you stay in the Mt and sometimes you cross the bridge over to Tauranga. You must practice your driving on both sides before your test! Contact me (Dave) on 027 9239690. We'll figure out if you are ready to pass your test.

30/05/2020

Hi Guys. Welcome to my Tauranga Driving Lessons page. If you would like a lesson contact me (Dave) on 027 9239690. Really sorry but I am using my first ever Facebook post to advise you of a sad event. The AA (great company who I have worked with for the last 5 years) will suspend all free driving lessons as of 1 June 2020 due to the Covid crisis. So you will not be able to get the 3 free lessons (Ignition Programme) for awhile. It's sad news because for the last 5 years thousands of students have received these free lessons and EVERYONE thought it was great. Learning to drive with an Instructor for free. Nice. As I'm with the AA I provided heaps of these free lessons (in fact I've provided well over 5000 lessons to people in Tauranga) and it was a very helpful way of learning to drive, learning to drive SAFELY and learning to pass a driving test. But sadly the free lessons are over for awhile. However, the AA is a strong company and they want you to become safe drivers ... so hopefully later in the year, the free AA Ignition Programme will return better than ever. In the meantime, if you are in the Tauranga area, contact me now and we will sort out a driving lesson for you. $70 per lesson. But after already providing over 5000 lessons you can count on the fact that I'm not going to waste your time or money. I'll tell you straight away three things - the current standard of your driving, what you need to work on to improve (practice) and how you sit re passing a driving test. Look forward to hearing from you. Dave.