Driving Test

[skpreo]

Just took drum driving test and failed in the beginning itself.

I used to do perfectly well in the practice sessions. I like to know from others one thing. Is the width of track in the ROP wider or narrower than the width in the training area?

Also I have a doubt about strategy. After some reversing, everyone starts with one full steering turn. Is it possible to come into the right track with just this manoeuvre? And when the car aligns parallel to the drums on both sides, just straighten steering and reverse?

Can anyone who passed the test recently please comment and help me. I used to do more complicated tasks.

[Alhamask]

welcome to Oman Forum. can't comment much coz I got mine over 10 yrs ago. I suggest you keep trying coz practice makes perfect.

[skpreo]

Thanks for the reply.

But hardly of any use to me. Only a new license taker can answer my question.

[ogie]

I passed my drum and slope on the first attempt .. It's easy I think (coz im a women and it's automatic) :-) ... but they failed my first road test saying that im too fast at the corner ... well im prepared for that ... my advise is .. keep practising ...

[skpreo]

Since Ogie has passed recently, do you recall how you made the turn? This was my question. Only one full steering turn and later make it steady?

[SKS]

skpreo,I got my license a few months back.I faced the similar problem in drums test.Then i found out that the arrangement of the test drums are slightly different from the one i practiced.Keeping that in mind i made some adjustments and i could clear the drums test in the 3 rd attempt.It is possible with one full turn of the steering,but the point you stop before turning is important.I would suggest you to practice in different drums before taking the next test.Wish u all the best.

[hino]

The key to passing the drum test is to make our turn earlier than the mark. The thing is if you make your turn after the mark there is no way you can pass. But if you make your turn before the mark you can always make minor adjustments. But of course it goes without saying, don't turn very early.

In order to fix the point of turning use indications of your car. For eg, remember the approx. position of the drums with respect to your window at the point of turning while at the practice area.

[polcat]

the ROP drums are placed a few inches narrower; the instructors make you practice for weeks & months on drums that are fairly easy to do. Did you notice that smirk on your instructors face when he saw you hit the drums? Yep, that was it.

when you practice on those lousy drums, try to stick as close as possible to your left (driver's) side as you can; that is, barely a few inches space. That is the realistic space you will get at the ROP site. and if the instructor yells at you, just ignore him with the wave of your right hand (make sure to use the whole hand and not just the middle finger).

btw, stick to one technique that you are most comfortable with, no one cares if you get thru in one turn or eleventeen! just get it done!

if you want to be confused further, read on: initially, i did start off with the "half-turn, straight backup, re-align, straight backup" method. it did work, works always if u get your first step done right. If you can master the 2nd technique (which i did after a few tries), you can not go wrong with it. But you need to begin turning gradually and keep reversing aaaalll the way, so you make a long arch backing up into the drums. and that's it!

but i did not try the 2nd technique at the test; since i had not practiced in the ROP configuration of tighter arrangement. and yeah, i cleared the drums/slope at first try.

trust me, you won't need luck if you have practiced enough! The road-test, is another story.

[Slimster]

What exactly is the requirement in this test? Do you have to drive through narrow gaps between drums and then park in various places with little space to spare? Are they looking for vehicular control and spacial awareness? Do they fail if you go back/forward a few times when in theory a manouvre is possible in 1 go?

[hino]

The test requires you to reverse park in a narrow space marked by drums, from both the left and right side of the space. You're not allowed to change gears after you start reversing, but if your engine switches off its fine. Its not very tough but people get nervous and fail.

[Slimster]

The test requires you to reverse park in a narrow space marked by drums, from both the left and right side of the space. You're not allowed to change gears after you start reversing, but if your engine switches off its fine. Its not very tough but people get nervous and fail.

Thanks.

So it sounds like a case of getting as close to the drum you can see as possible on one side, knowing that this means you should miss the other invisible one (unless someone moved the drums closer together Top Gear style!).

I can understand the issue with nerves. At least they are OK with stalling (I assume you mean this when you write 'switching off'). I nearly failed my driving test in the UK years ago for driving too slowly. 28mph in a 30mph limit. The instructor said I had a queue of cars behind me. Yes, and I'd need to do 40mph to get them off my ass! I even stalled on my 3 point turn. I passed first time though. The test should be about your ability to control the car and drive safely - the rest comes with practice.

[hino]

Thanks.

So it sounds like a case of getting as close to the drum you can see as possible on one side, knowing that this means you should miss the other invisible one (unless someone moved the drums closer together Top Gear style!).

I can understand the issue with nerves. At least they are OK with stalling (I assume you mean this when you write 'switching off'). I nearly failed my driving test in the UK years ago for driving too slowly. 28mph in a 30mph limit. The instructor said I had a queue of cars behind me. Yes, and I'd need to do 40mph to get them off my ass! I even stalled on my 3 point turn. I passed first time though. The test should be about your ability to control the car and drive safely - the rest comes with practice.

I've heard about the testing system in the west. Since the coaching is very good the majority pass in their first attempt without any hassles. There is also a good degree of objectivity to the testing rather than over here where you have a guy with a uniform and a pen who can do whatever he likes. I also understand that minor mistakes are overlooked. This makes a lot of sense as at the time of testing you don't have much experience.

But who's going to tell all this to the testing department over here?? Nevermind.....

[winxp03]

I've heard about the testing system in the west. Since the coaching is very good the majority pass in their first attempt without any hassles. There is also a good degree of objectivity to the testing rather than over here where you have a guy with a uniform and a pen who can do whatever he likes. I also understand that minor mistakes are overlooked. This makes a lot of sense as at the time of testing you don't have much experience.

But who's going to tell all this to the testing department over here?? Nevermind.....

It should be done by Omani....now that protest is all over Oman....
Driving here in Oman is not how you know how to drive but how you master the street where the guy in the uniform ask you to go on Left or Right. Once you do a minor mistake...then you know what happen...Failed! It's a matter of luck...anyway...

[hasheema]

From Left:

1. Reverse back looking from your back shoulder passenger window till u see the 2nd Drum half in the 2nd row of drums.. (not the immediate row of drums to your car)
2. Stop.. steer Full Left.
3. Reverse till u see 1st Drum on your right mirror.. Stop
3. Check width of Left and Right 1st Drums and make sure that it is equal.. Stop..
4. Steer Straight till u see Handle of the left back door and 1st drum parallel on your left side..Stop
5. Steer Full left.. Reverse slowly till u see Last Drums on both side in your mirrors and make sure their width is equal..
6. Stop.. Steer straight.. Reverse slowly and you are done!!


Meantime keep checking width not proper then adjust from right and left..


From Right:


1. Reverse back and keep looking from the Tiny smallest window from right back passenger window until the 2nd drum is visible..(Stop as soon as u see the 2nd drum)
2. Stop.. steer Full Right..
3. Reverse till u see 1st Drum on your left mirror.. Stop
3. Check width of Left and Right 1st Drums and make sure that it is equal.. Stop..
4. Steer Straight till u see Handle of the right back door and 1st drum parallel on your right side..Stop
5. Steer Full Right.. Reverse slowly till u see Last Drums on both side in your mirrors and make sure their width is equal..
6. Stop.. Steer straight.. Reverse slowly and you are done!!


Meantime keep checking width not proper then adjust from right and left..

[Sadiq ahmed]

Can I get omani DL easly if I have Saudi DL?

[safety]

Can I get omani DL easly if I have Saudi DL?

Yes GCC licenses can be exchanged for Omani license. However, license must be valid and should have been issued at least 12 months earlier.

[Sadiq ahmed]

Thanks safety. Do you mean without any test in oman?

[safety]

Thanks safety. Do you mean without any test in oman?

Only eye test.