DRIVING TEST (Class C) - Testing Officer’s Manual - VERSION 3 - Contents

Sep 18, 2026

Manual for assessing low risk driving in the DRIVING TEST (Class C), guiding testing officers through assessment structure, procedures, and scoring. It outlines assessment principles focused on valid, reliable, flexible, and fair evaluation while ensuring safety for applicants and road users. The document explains how a test course is organized into 25 zones with five continual assessments per zone, plus required manoeuvres, and how score sheets capture results using tick and fail item criteria, including immediate failure and test termination conditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages81

Reading Time3 h 24 min

AccessFree to download

Part A General Information

Introduction

Assessment principles

Method of assessment

Zones

Assessments

Scoring

Understanding the score sheet

The role of the testing officer

Part B Low risk driving

Introduction

What is CAS

Applying CAS

Following distance

Reducing speed

Road positioning

Buffering

Intersections and decision

Hazards and response

Making turns and decisions

Setting up

Part C Assessments

Speed management (S)

Road positioning (P)

Decision (D)

Hazard and Response (R)

Vehicle Control (C)

Manoeuvres

Part D Fail Items

Fail Items contents

General notes on failure criteria

Immediate failure criteria

Test termination criteria

Circle check

Fail Items 1 to 19

DRIVING TEST (Class C) Testing Officer’s Manual VERSION 3 Contents Part A General Information Part B Low risk driving Part C Assessments Part D Fail Items | Topic | | | --- | --- | | Part A General Information | Page | | – Introduction
– Assessment principles
– Method of assessment
– Zones | A2 | | – Assessments
– Scoring
– Fail Items
– The test course folder | A3 | | – Understanding the score sheet | A4 | | – Off course | A5 | | – Recording the score and results | A6 | | – The ready reckoner | A7 | | – The role of the testing officer | A8 | | – In car introduction | A9 | | – General security | A10 | | – Copying of driving test course sheets | A11 | | – Notes | A12 | Assessment Procedure Part B Part C Topic Low risk driving – Introduction – What is CAS – Applying CAS to the front (Speed management) – Following distance – CAS when stopped – Vision – Reducing speed – Applying CAS to the sides (Road positioning) – Buffering – Applying CAS at intersections (Decision) – Making turns – Making decisions – Responding when hazards can enter your CAS (Hazard and response) – Setting up Assessments Page B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 | – Speed management (S) | C2 | | --- | --- | | – Road positioning (P) | C6 | | – Decision (D) | C14 | | – Hazard and Response (R) | C19 | | – Vehicle Control (C) | C23 | | – Manoeuvres | C30 | | Part D Fail Items | | | – Fail Items contents | D2 | | – General notes on failure criteria
– Immediate failure criteria | D3 | | – Test termination criteria | D4 | | – Circle check | D6 | | – Fail Items 1 to 19 | D7-D22 | Assessment Procedure A | Part A
General Information | A | | --- | --- | Confidentiality Sections of this document are published on the Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW website in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. The unpublished sections are intended for internal use only and contain information of a sensitive nature and must not be made available to any individual or organisation outside of Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW without the written authority of the Manager Customer Education. Part A – Assessment Procedure A1 A Introduction This manual reflects the requirements of the Road Rules 2008 (RR) . Assessment principles The assessments have been developed with a number of key objectives in mind. These objectives are also important in the administration of the test by the testing officer. 1. Conduct a valid assessment. The test specifically focuses on the skills and behaviour of safe driving. 2. Maintain reliability. Assessments must be made on the basis of reliable evidence. Results should be consistent across a range of testing officers. 3. Provide a flexible assessment. The test can be conducted in a wide range of contexts. 4. Provide a fair assessment. The test must not be unduly difficult or confusing when compared with normal driving, and not require specific local knowledge. 5. Ensure a safe assessment. The course should not create unnecessary risk to the applicant, testing officer or other road users. Method of Assessment The driving test has been designed to assess the applicant’s ability to independently operate a vehicle in a low risk way. The assessments are therefore clearly focused on identifying, and rewarding behaviours that are likely to result in a reduced risk of being involved in a crash. Zones The driving test is conducted on a set test course that is made up of 25 zones. A zone is a length of road, or a combination of several roads, on which five assessments are made by the testing officer. A zone begins and ends at a specific location, usually a cross street. A2 Part A – Assessment Procedure Assessments There are five assessments that need to be made within each zone. All are assessed on a continual basis throughout the zone. In addition to the zones, the applicant is also required to complete a Kerbside Stop an

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Class C driving test assessments?

The test assesses an applicant’s ability to operate a vehicle independently in a low risk way, focusing on safe driving skills and behaviours that reduce crash risk.

How is the test course structured into zones?

The test is conducted on a set course made up of 25 zones. A zone is a road section (or combination of roads) where five assessments are made by the testing officer from a defined start to a defined end location.

How does scoring work during the test?

Applicants receive a tick when they demonstrate appropriate low risk driving techniques. If required techniques are not demonstrated, an “O” circle indicates no score. Fail Items are assessed throughout, and unsafe driving may trigger an immediate fail and discontinuation.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Ethan Miller