How difficult is the PDVL Test?

So just how difficult is the PDVL Test?

Last week, I went to attend a whole day PDVL course last week at Singapore Taxi Academy. Today I went to take the PDVL Test! There are two papers to pass in order to obtain the PDVL. You need to score distinction in order to pass the test!

In order to pass the PDVL Test, you will need to pass 2 papers:
Paper 1 : 50 Questions (80% in order to pass) meaning you need to get 40 questions right!
Paper 2 : 50 Questions (86% in order to pass) meaning you need to get 43 questions right!

I didn't have time to study for the book and course materials given by the instructor. I was planning to study 6-8 hours the night before but i kept on driving and when i got home. I mingled with my children and tuck them to bed. (They are more important than the PDVL test!)

Afterwards, i felt too tired and changed my attack plan. I decided to sleep early but wake up much earlier to study and revise. I woke up at 6 am (usually 8:30am), took my breakfast and head out STA. I stopped my car in a parking lot beside the road of River Valley, just a right turn to reach STA. Wind down my windows and started reading. I then realized there was so much chapters and notes to go through! I was going through everything really fast and then repeat and repeat until 8:45 am. I started my car, make a right turn to The Herencia, parked and head towards level 4 to STA.

Corridor at Singapore Taxi Academy

Again, i was much earlier than most people. Duh! The test starts exactly at 9 am but if you are late, do not give up on coming as it seems that they have 15 minutes grace for the late comers! There is a big sized handsome young man watching over for my test, make sure your dress code is correct.

Dress code :
1) Collar T-Shirt/Shirt
2) Long Pants
3) Covered Shoes

Also, you need to SWITCH OFF your mobile phone, not silent mode! There is a box beside the tablet for you to put either your NRIC or Driving License for identification purpose and also your mobile phone inside. There are many tablets on the table and you will use the tablet to take your test. No more pen and papers!

You will need to key in your NRIC number and D.O.B on the tablet. Press login, check your particulars, click on "Paper 1 or 2", "Continue" and "Start Test" when the big sized young man says it is okay to start.

I heard from the instructor that there is 600 questions in the pool and the system will randomly pick out 50 questions for your test, so it is meaningless to peep at the person beside you.

During the test, you can choose a checkbox "Revisit Later" at the bottom of the screen for the questions you are unsure and proceed with other questions first. Afterwards, there is two box at the bottom of the screen for you to click . One is "Revisit Questions", another one is "Unanswered Questions".

After you are done with the questions you can answer, remember to check the two boxes below are clear in case you missed out any questions you did not answer! After you answered the questions that you have ticked for revisit, make sure you un-check the tick. Finally, when you are sure that you have all questions answered, just tap on "End Test" to submit the test and wait for your results.

Paper 1
Paper 1 test is on Service Quality, Health and Safety. The things you need to read is the photocopied notes given by the instruction:

a) Section 1.1 - Service Quality, Health and Safety.
b) Driving in Singapore from Mighty Minds (Yes the thick book!)

I completed the Paper 1 in about 30 minutes and passed the test surprisingly! Here are some questions i saw on my test. It may or may not show up for your test as the questions are randomly selected from the pool of 600 questions.

1) What are the 5 key factors of Quality Chauffeured Car Services?
2) Where to display the fares?
3) What is surge pricing?
4) What is the driver's age to drive PHV?
5) What is domestic terrorism?
6) Who are licensed professional chauffeurs?
7) Why does terrorism, racial and religious incident affect you?
8) What is a good driver?
9) Where to stand when assisting a disabled person?
10) What is the healthy level range for BMI?

Paper 2

My next test is Paper 2 which starts at 10 am. I finished paper 1 early than expect have 30 minutes left so i immediately took out the notes for Paper 2 and started reading and memorizing like crazy.

Oh boy, paper 2 is no joke. Paper 2 test is about Rules and Regulations. According to the instructor, the questions are also randomly selected from the pool of 600 questions. It is very important to read the photocopied notes given by the instructor :

a) Section 2.1 - Rules and Regulations (PSV)
b) Section 2.3 - Rules and Regulations (PHC)
c) Section 2.4 - Rules and Regulations (Chauffeured Private Hire Car and Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System)

A lot of questions will come from c) Section 2.4 - Rules and Regulations (Chauffeured Private Hire Car and Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System). The test will ask you questions regarding the penalties of the offenses

Easy ones for like this:
What is the penalties for soliciting for passengers?
1) Fine
2) Demerit Points
3) Fine + Demerit Points
4) Fine + Demerit Points + Suspension

Tough ones are like this :

What is the penalties for soliciting for passengers?
1) Fine $200
2) Fine $500 + 5 Demerit Points
3) Fine $200 + 5 Demerit Points
4) Fine $500 + 12 Demerit Points

I can tell you that there is no shortcuts for Paper 2. You really have to memorize hard and the questions are tricky as well so read properly before you answer. For example:

Tricky ones:

Which of the following is false when you need written permission of the Registrar to install equipment for your private hire car?

1) Smart Phone

2) Radio

3) Television

4) Acoustic equipment

So please allow more time to read and memorize for Paper 2. 

The failure rate for my class is quite high so this is no walk in the park!

Failed! Paper 2 is very difficult!

What to do if i fail the test?

It is not the end of the world if you failed the test. For my case, i completed my paper 2 in 30 minutes or so. When i saw that i failed my paper 2, I quickly left the test room and went to book a retest for 12 pm. My "classmate" came out late and book for retest but the slots were fully booked so he had to take the retest at 2 pm.

There is a administrative fee of $10 for booking a retest. The test paper is $5. I booked only for paper 2 so i paid $15 before GST. Including GST is $16.05. 

If you failed both papers and book for retest for both. They will only charge you one time administrative fee so it will be $10+$5+$5 before GST. So if you fail paper 1, do not go and book for retest first. 

My Lunch At STA

Uber's staffs was kind enough to come walk around asking people to go and take the buffet that was provided by them have while i was plunging my head in the notes to prepare for Paper 2. I did not see the staffs from Grab doing this so +1 to Uber for being considerate and reaching out to us drivers. Their buffet starts at 11 am so if you happen to be there for the test, remember to go and take your free lunch buffet from Uber!

My Thanks

I want to thank our fellow drivers in our discord channel for all the help and advice given. I was given a mind map from (ic3st0rmer) and that really helped me to memorize the demerit point systems for the questions in Paper 2!

Passed the PDVL Test!

Thoughts?
Update : The mindmap is out of date now because STA have changed the rules at least twice from the time of this blog.

Did i miss out anything? Please let me know in the comments.

IIf you have questions , please feel free join our community on Discord App, PHV Singapore Discord Group at https://discord.gg/gGFEPZX (<---Click Here) , available for Android and IOS devices totally free and only requires an email to register. Drivers-to-be are welcome too! 

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