How to Bounce Back After Failing a Driving Test in WA

In this session, we focus on situational awareness, particularly when handling unprotected right turns without a green arrow and merging traffic, two common challenges that often lead to test failures of driving tests in WA. You’ll see how small changes in observation, decision-making, and timing can make a huge difference between passing and failing your test. At the end of the video, I share some interesting advice that every learner driver in Australia should hear before booking their next driving test.

Real Lesson With Steve from Driving School WA

Failing a driving test can be a challenging experience. When you’ve put in the time, money, and effort to prepare, and it doesn’t pay off, it can be frustrating. However, the truth is that most drivers who fail the first time don’t lack skill. They simply need better awareness.

In this video lesson, you’ll join Steve from Driving School WA as he works with a student who didn’t pass their driving test with another instructor. This is the student’s first lesson with Steve. It’s a perfect example of how proper guidance can completely change a learner’s mindset and driving performance.

What This Driving Lesson Covers

This lesson focuses heavily on situational awareness — one of the most critical skills tested by assessors in Western Australia. You’ll see how the student learns to:

✅ Handle unprotected right turns without a green arrow
✅ Merge safely with fast-moving traffic
✅ Maintain awareness of vehicles in blind spots and side mirrors
✅ Read traffic flow and timing at busy intersections

Each situation is broken down by Steve in real time, helping learners understand the “why” behind every decision. It’s not just about passing the test — it’s about developing the mindset of a confident, safe driver.

The Importance of Situational Road Awareness

Many learner drivers in WA focus so much on technical control that they forget the most critical skill of all: awareness. Even if you know how to do something correctly, you must intercept the change in road conditions first to implement the knowledge.
Situational awareness means knowing what’s happening around you, predicting what could happen next, and reacting safely.

In the driving test, this skill makes all the difference between a pass and a fail. A missed mirror check, a poorly judged gap, or a hesitation at an intersection can all lead to an automatic fail — not because of poor control, but because of poor awareness.

Why Learners Often Fail Unprotected Right Turns

One of the most common reasons for test failure in WA is misjudging unprotected right turns. These are intersections where there’s no green arrow — you must give way to oncoming traffic and decide when it’s safe to turn.

In this video, Steve walks the student through several unprotected right turns, showing how to:

• Position the vehicle correctly before the turn
• Judge safe gaps in oncoming traffic
• Stay calm under pressure when traffic builds up behind you
• Avoid “freezing” in the intersection when the light turns amber

By the end of the lesson, the learner’s confidence noticeably improves — and so does their ability to make safe, independent decisions.

💬 Real-World Advice That Makes a Difference

At the end of the video, Steve shares simple but powerful advice that every learner driver in WA should hear before booking their next test. It’s about mindset, observation, and patience — the three foundations of driving success.

This lesson isn’t just for those who’ve failed a test before. It’s valuable for:

• Learners preparing for their first driving test
• Parents helping their kids practise
• Instructors looking to improve their teaching approach
• Fully licensed drivers who want to refresh their awareness and habits

🌟 Why This Video Matters

Driving isn’t about memorising test routes or “tricks” to impress an assessor — it’s about understanding real traffic behaviour and making safe, confident choices. This lesson demonstrates how a single session can significantly transform a driver’s understanding when they receive patient, structured feedback.

At Driving School WA, we believe that every driver deserves to learn in a supportive, practical environment, one that builds fundamental skills for life on the road.

Watch More Driving Lessons

You can watch more real driving lessons on Driving School WA 👉 YouTube channel:  

If you’re preparing for your driving test or struggling with unprotected right turns or any other aspect, Steve’s videos are a must-watch.