NSW Driving Test – Assessment Guide

A clear, friendly breakdown of how the NSW driving test works, useful for learners.

Planning to sit your test in Blacktown or St Marys? See our lesson pricing or check availability.

1. 🚗 Test Overview

  • The driving test checks if you can drive safely and follow the road rules.
  • A Testing Officer assesses you using a Score Sheet across 25 zones.
  • You must also complete:
    • 1 Kerbside Stop
    • 1 Manoeuvre: Reverse park, 3-point turn, or angle park

2. 🧭 Key Principles of the Assessment

  • Valid: Focuses on low-risk driving skills.
  • Reliable: Same standard for every student.
  • Flexible: Can be done in many areas.
  • Fair: Doesn’t need local area knowledge.
  • Safe: Should not create unnecessary risks.

3. 📋 Understanding the Score Sheet

📊 Visual Guide to the Score Sheet

What each column on the score sheet means:

Score sheet columns and what the Testing Officer records
Code Column name What the officer records
S Speed Management Use of appropriate speed and speed-management techniques throughout a zone.
P Road Positioning Use of appropriate positioning (lane/road position) throughout a zone.
D Decision Driver’s observation and decision making throughout a zone.
Z Zone number Ensures assessments correspond to the correct zone number on the Course Sheet.
H Record of hazard Presence of a hazard within a zone (e.g. pedestrian, vehicle, obstruction).
R Response to hazard Appropriate response when a hazard is present (ease off, brake/cover brake, adjust position).
C Vehicle Control Smooth, correct use of accelerator, brake, gears, steering; correct signalling and cancellation.

How ticks, circles, notes and fail items are marked:

Score sheet notation guide
Mark Meaning Notes for you
✓ Tick Positive score; contributes to the final test score. Also used in column H to record that a hazard was present.
O Circle No score recorded in that box. Empty/circled boxes are still part of the overall scoring layout.
F1 – F19 Driver incurred a Fail Item. Always written in the NOTES column as “F” plus the item number (e.g. F7).
(K), (M) Codes used in the NOTES column. (K) = Kerbside stop   |   (M) = Manoeuvre.

Sample layout of the NSW Driving Test Green Sheet (assessment grid):

Assessments (example layout)
Z S P D H R C NOTES
1              
2              
3              
4              
5              
6              
7              
8              
9              
10              
11              
12              
Example only — your actual sheet can show up to 25 zones and additional notes. Open sample Green Sheet .

Each zone is assessed for:

  • S – Speed Management
  • P – Road Positioning
  • D – Decision Making
  • H – Hazard Present
  • R – Response to Hazard
  • C – Vehicle Control

The NOTES column records: H for head check errors, A–E for control issues, and S for signal errors.

4. 👨‍✈️ Role of the Testing Officer

  • BRIEF: Explain the test before starting
  • DIRECT: Guide you through the test route
  • OBSERVE: Watch how you drive
  • ASSESS: Judge your performance
  • RECORD: Mark scores on the sheet
  • DETERMINE: Whether you passed or failed
  • DEBRIEF: Explain your results at the end

5. 🚦 What is Crash Avoidance Space (CAS)?

CAS is the safe space around your vehicle to avoid crashes. You must manage your CAS by controlling:

  • Speed
  • Positioning
  • Awareness of surroundings

6. 🔑 Key Driving Skills Assessed

A. Speed Management (S)
  • Maintain a 3-second gap behind vehicles
  • Leave 1–2 car lengths when stopped
  • Slow down in poor conditions or tight areas
  • Drive at a safe, appropriate speed
B. Road Positioning (P)
  • Stay at least 1 metre from parked/oncoming vehicles
  • Use correct positions for turns and roundabouts
  • Park properly and avoid blocking traffic
C. Decision Making (D)
  • Only join/cross traffic when safe
  • Do head checks before:
    • Leaving the kerb
    • Changing lanes
    • Turning or reversing
  • 3 or more missed head checks = FAIL
D. Hazard and Response (R)
  • When a hazard is nearby:
    • Ease off the accelerator
    • Cover/apply the brake
    • Adjust position if needed
E. Vehicle Control (C)
  • Sit correctly and wear seatbelt
  • Use brake, clutch, gears, accelerator smoothly
  • Signal properly and cancel after turn
  • 3 or more signal errors = FAIL

7. 🔄 Manoeuvres (M)

You must complete:

  • 1 Kerbside Stop
  • 1 Manoeuvre: Reverse park, 3-point turn, or angle park

Each is assessed under: Positioning, Control, and Decision.

8. ❌ Fail Items (Instant Fail Even if Other Areas Are Good)

Item Description
1Disobeying signs, signals, or road markings
2Failing to give way when required
3Hitting anything – car, person, object
4Illegal act or parking manoeuvre
5Driving over speed limit or learner limit
6Testing Officer needs to help you drive
7Causing danger by unsafe driving
8Losing control (e.g. rolling back)
9No action when hazard enters your space
10Not giving way to emergency vehicles
11Ignoring police or traffic controllers
123 or more signal errors
13Refusing any part of the test
14Repeatedly not following directions
15Unreasonably blocking traffic or people
16Receiving outside advice or help
17Bad parking during manoeuvres
18Following too closely (<1 second)
193+ head check errors

9. 🔄 What Happens During the Test?

  • Drive through 25 zones
  • Perform:
    • 1 kerbside stop
    • 1 of 3 manoeuvres
  • Test starts when you sign the score sheet
  • Test ends after results are explained

10. 📄 What is the Green Sheet?

  • Your copy of the completed Score Sheet
  • Shows:
    • Zones completed
    • Ticks (✓) and circles (O)
    • NOTES or any Fail Items
    • PASS or FAIL result