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Special Manouevres

Special manoeuvres Driving test CBR

On the 1st of January 2008, the CBR has changed the guidelines for the execution of the special manoeuvres for the driving test category B. The basics of the previous guidelines for the special manoeuvres still work perfectly fine with regard to controlling the vehicle, however, with the renewed guidelines the emphasis is on more freedom of choice and independency while carrying out the commands.

Independency

The picture of your capability, insight en behaviour in daily traffic as an examinee has become much clearer because of this new way of examining. Basically, the new way of examining is more connected to the reality -after passing your driving test- where adequate and safe reactions to the ever changing traffic situations are required too.

Which commands are to be expected during your driving test?

• The turning command

  For the turning command, the examiner will command the examinee to follow the road in the opposite direction. The examinee will choose the place and the method to execute this command. The options are: a half turn, a three point turn, reversing round the corner or a combination of these three options. The examinee is supposed to come up with the right solution based on a good assessment of the traffic situation.

• The parking command

  The examiner could also choose a parking command on a road or in a car park. The examinee is supposed to park the car as close to the indicated location as possible. This location could, for instance, be the entrance of a shopping centre. Again, the examinee decides how to carry out the command.

• The stopping command

  Another option is the stopping command. The examinee is supposed to stop as close as possible to the vehicle before him, and to participate in traffic immediately after. This can be done on both the right side as well as the left side of the road. The examinee has to show a proper assessment of the length of the car's nose.

The examiner will chose two of these three options. Besides this, the examiner could randomly ask you to do the hill start. Not only the technical aspect is important when performing the special manoeuvres. The choices that are made before these manoeuvres, such as the location, the timing and the way the command is carried out, are also taken into account.

What to focus on

• Keep it calm, take your time, observe and take the right actions;
• Look for a safe and logical location to carry out your commands, do not make it too difficult for yourself;
• Be clear to the other road users, if necessary, by using your indicators or hazard warning lights;
• Try not to obstruct the traffic flows while carrying out the commands; stay on your own side of the road as much as you can;
• Reverse driving should be avoided as much as possible, except during bay parking etc. Reversing is the least safe and it is hard to keep an overview of the traffic situation;
• Carefully read the articles of the RVV (54 + 55) below and apply all that is written in these articles while executing the manoeuvres. A proper way of using the indicators provides clarity and is required by you as a driver.

RVV = Regulations of traffic rules and traffic signs Article 54:

Drivers who are about to carry out a special manoeuvre, need to give way to the other road users.

Special manoeuvres are:

• Driving off;
• Reversing;
• Driving onto the road from an exit, or driving into an entry. (It is preferable to give way to the driver coming from the exit);
• The ongoing lane = driving onto the motorway via the acceleration lane and leaving the ongoing lane via the deceleration lane (in case of a combined acceleration and deceleration lane, it is preferable to give way to the driver leaving the ongoing lane = motorway; this stimulates a free flow of traffic on the motorway);
• Changing lanes (Make sure to always look over your shoulders and check the 'blind angle');
• Turning (This also counts when executing the special manoeuvre).

RVV = Regulations of traffic rules and traffic signs Article 55

Drivers of motor vehicles and moped riders have to use their indicators (or arm) in case they:

• Are about to drive off (every time they start participating in traffic);
• Want to overtake other drivers of a motor vehicle;
• Want to leave or drive onto the ongoing lane or motorway;
• Want to change lanes;
• Want to move sideways in any other way (as an indication: any overtaking manoeuvre that takes up more than the width of a cyclist).