The top 7 things you need to know for the Kenyan driving test

The Kenyan driving test consists of two parts. In the theory part, you need to show your knowledge of the fundamental driving rules, road signs, model town, and motor vehicle instruments and controls. During the practical test, you go out on the road with an examiner, put your driving theory to work and demonstrate your skillful and disciplined road behavior.

You should, of course, be prepared to answer any question from the curriculum. In actual practice, to help ease your anxiety, we have assembled here 7 key areas that are tested most frequently:

1. The key parts, instruments and controls of a motor vehicle: be able to identify them and describe their purpose.
2. All road signs of Kenya and their meanings: be able to recognize them, name them and explain their meaning and impact on you as a driver.
3. Model town board: correctly use the model town board to demonstrate your understanding of urban driving.
4. Practical driving: starting the engine, handling the handbrake, accelerator and clutch pedal, gear lever, and rear view mirrors, so as to drive away smoothly and skillfully, while demonstrating the necessary awareness of any road hazards.
5. Practical driving: displaying your skills at using direction indicators correctly upon approach to a road junction, and navigating it safely.
6. Practical driving: using the vehicle’s controls such as the foot pedals, gear lever and others in order to slow down, pull over and stop smoothly and safely, and render the vehicle stationary securely using the handbrake, and switching the engine off.
7. Practical driving: displaying your skillful use of the vehicle’s controls and your acute awareness of potential road hazards while you engage the reverse gear and back up as instructed by your examiner.

Be aware that stress is one of the biggest contributors to failure on examination day. If you do not generally handle stressful situations well, that is all the more reason to pay attention to this list of 7. Make sure that you are competent in at least these 7 areas well before the test date, and you will be on your way to a clear and stress-free driving exam. Then you will escape the group of students who freeze and lock up during either of the two tests, despite being faced by very easy questions.

What do you think of this list? Have you recently taken the test? What questions did you get?

Good luck!

• Click here to download our Road Signs of Kenya eBook.
• Click here to test your driving knowledge with our free online Kenya Driving Quiz.