7 Proven Tips to Pass the Oral Test in Mauritius on Your First Try

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gices
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Namrata_Ramdewon
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To obtain a driving licence in Mauritius, you have to pass 2 tests – a theory and a practical one. The theory part is most commonly referred to as the oral test because it used to be conducted as an oral examination. People who do not understand English or French usually take the actual oral version of the test which involves an examiner reading the questions and answers out loud in Creole. However most learner drivers nowadays opt for the 'computerised' version (in quotes) of the test.

Here are my 7 proven tips to help you pass the oral test the first time round:

  • Familiarise Yourself With the Highway Code
  • Choose Quickly As You Have a Time Limit
  • Mark an Answer Even If You're Not Sure
  • Don't Worry About the First 5 Questions
  • Try to Recognise Traffic Signs When You're Out
  • Ask Experienced Drivers When In Doubt
  • Practice, Practice and Practice

Tip 1 : Familiarise Yourself With the Highway Code

You can buy a book to start learning the Highway Code or use an online oral test platform like Clever Dodo for more convenience. It really doesn't matter which method you choose to be honest but you need understand the different traffic signs and the rules & regulations around operating a vehicle on public roads.

This is on what they will be testing you for at the end of the day, so you can't just wing it. Well you can but you want to pass on your first attempt right?

Tip 2 : Choose Quickly As You Have a Time Limit

When you sit the test, you will have 20 minutes to answer 40 questions on the Highway Code. Although you have 30 seconds for a given question, if you are not able to answer within that 30 seconds period, you will not get the opportunity to go back to that question again as the computer system will move on to the next question until all 40 questions have been shown which then triggers the end of the exam.

So remember to mark your answer for each question before your 30 seconds time limit is up. And for those who are quick to answer, unfortunately you cannot go to the next question until all 30 seconds have elapsed.

Tip 3 : Mark an Answer Even If You're Not Sure

answer sheet

Contrary to popular belief, although the test is supposed to be computerised, only the questions and answers will be displayed on a computer screen but you will need to circle your chosen answer (A, B, C or D) on a sheet of paper as there’s no way to mark down your answer on the computer system itself. There is also an audio system in the test centre which reads out the questions & answers for everyone to hear, hence the name audio visual test.

So following on from the previous tip, since questions will not be read out or shown to you again, it is crucial that you choose an answer. It doesn't matter whether it's right or wrong, you need to select something at least. Maybe you can get lucky but if you don't select anything, that's definitely going to be recorded as incorrect.

Tip 4 : Don't Worry About the First 5 Questions!!!

To pass the oral test, you can make a maximum of 6 errors but if you get any more questions wrong, then you will fail. You should know that the first 5 questions do not count and are only included in the test to make you feel comfortable with the system, so only the 35 questions which follow carry points.

This means you should focus your attention on the questions starting from the 6th instead, as they will determine your overall score.

Tip 5 : Try to Recognise Traffic Signs When You're Out

When travelling to school, university or work, you're bound to see a lot of traffic signs on the way. Pay close attention to them and try to guess what they actually mean. Speed limits are very intuitive but controlled traffic flow can be more challenging. If you're travelling on the bus, you'll see plenty of signs on the motorway and when you're walking around in the city, there are loads of pedestrian and cycling ones to be aware of.

Tip 6 : Ask Experienced Drivers When In Doubt

Not everything makes sense in the beginning. So if there's something you're not sure of, don't be embarrassed to ask more experienced people like parents/friends/family who have been driving for a long time and can help you understand the bits that are a bit more complicated. Parking restrictions, for example, are tricky as there are set times when they are in force and it may take you some time to get your head around them.

A lot of learners find it hard to ask for advice and therefore miss out on simple and easy explanation of various things. Don't be one of them!

Tip 7 : Practice, Practice and Practice

Let's face it, the more you practice something, the better you become at doing it. So it goes without saying that you should be practising enough times to become confident you're going to nail it when the time comes.

To get an idea on where you currently stand in your understanding of the Highway Code, you can try our learner test below.

Clever Dodo Online Learner Test

Since this is a skill for life, you shouldn't memorise the questions/answers. So don't learn by heart because you need to understand the concept and rules behind those questions to become a good driver. Revise well and you'll be fine.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the test, your answer sheet will be scanned by the police officer in charge and you will get your results immediately. If you fail, you will need to book another test and will have to pay another Rs500 again (fee for oral test appointment). For the learners who pass, they can now concentrate on the practical side of the driving test but for the less fortunate ones, it means another trip to re-take the test in Port-Louis or Curepipe at a later date.

Anyway, good luck to you all and I hope you pass with flying colours or at least the 4 colours of the Mauritian flag :)

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gices
gices Level 6
I'm a Software Developer and the co-founder of Clever Dodo. Born in Mauritius and now living in the UK, I usually blog about fitness, music, spirituality and driving topics to pass on my knowledge.

27 Replies

The paper they hand to us consists of small circles now ( 2013)
They give you a black permanent marker.
You have to be very patient at first.
As soon as you go into the room , you will be seated downstairs.
They will call names one by one to sign ( don't remember what that was lol )
Then all of the batch will move upstairs.

Some people tend to say they are harsh.
But for me it was a good experience.
We got nice staff who kept joking to break the stress :)
Overaal : good experience !

6 Reply
gices
gices Level 6

Thanks for sharing your experience. Looks like you've passed :)

Do you still remember how many questions were on actual traffic signs compared to being open questions? If you can give us a percentage, that would be great. Thanks.

My pleasure :)

Around 30 were on traffic signs and around 8-10 open questions.

If you revise well, you can easily get all traffic symbol questions correct. They are so direct!
The other questions might be little bit more confusing .
So secure the maximum number of marks with the traffic symbol questions!

Hope it helped!
Best of luck to the future drivers! :)

gices
gices Level 6

Thanks for sharing your experience, very much appreciated.

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Swift Level 1

Thumbs up for the nice welcome. The police officer who gave the instructions before and after the test was cheerful and joked with everyone. Very helpful as waiting for the exam or for the results can get to the nerves. :)
Tips: read the book and do all the tests. It will show which areas one is unsure about. Different stop signs, bends and junctions, give way signs, reaching a two way after coming out of a one way, no parking or standing signs... Only one answer per question, so it's very logical and no traps as such. Good luck!

Fluffy_Unicorn
Fluffy_Unicorn Level 1

Hi, I was wondering how much it costs for the oral test?

3 Reply
gices
gices Level 6

Oops, I thought I mentioned it in the article. The oral test fee is Rs500. I've updated the post to include this now.

2 Reply
Fluffy_Unicorn
Fluffy_Unicorn Level 1

Thank you :)
Do you happen to know the fee for the practical test?

gices
gices Level 6

That's Rs500 too.

3 Reply
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Swift Level 1

Hello, I recently passed the oral exam. It was free.

anonymous_4
anonymous_4 Level 1

Traffic branch is a corrupt department. What the hell of giving someone a license when the person has to hire someone to drive his car. The test performed by police officers are bogus. They do whatever they want during the test and write whatever they want on the result. Its disgusting. Life is already expensive here, and the Mauritian govt made a sweet present to Mauritians by increasing drive test from Rs60 to Rs300 and then Rs300 to Rs500. All this in a period of ten years. The system itself is rotten

3 Reply

Part of it is true . Not all are bogus.

1 Reply
roshanbhujun
roshanbhujun Level 1

Hello, i know i am reviving a dead thread but a little of help would be highly appreciated. If i want to know where someone having a learner can drive ?
on which roads and so on ? where do i need to look online ?

2 Reply
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Kavish789 Level 1

I have learner for autocycle only.Do i need to send an appointment and resit for oral to get my learner for motocycle or just need to get another stamp directly without appointment?Please reply..thank you

1 Reply
marcelquintas
marcelquintas Level 1

This is actually a good question, I have been reading many articles on the topic of obtaining licenses in Mauritius and not one of them has stated whether or not a provisional license for either motorcycles or vehicles allows one to actually operate the motorcycle or car.

It makes sense that in Mauritius they would allow for it as most countries follow this law but with limited responsibilities. Can anyone offer more insight on this matter?

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Neh1234 Level 1

hello my first time oral test will be on 02/02/15 am afraid everyday I practice the exercise BTW can u tell me what type of question has bn asked over there your experience thanks

1 Reply
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Swift Level 1

Hello, it's not very difficult. You have to remain concentrated till the end, that's all. There is a sort of run test at the beginning for everyone to be used to filling the exam sheet. So, the first 5 answers don't count in the total.
One advice: finish ALL the tests in the book. And go over the errors twice, go back to the page, read about it and try to understand why u got confused.

Recurrent questions:
- one way road becoming two-way road,
- difference between different types of STOP signs,
- no parking no stsnding sign,
- recognize a side road from a bend,
- difference between signs according to their shape n color,
- signs near cross-heres,
- give way sign,
- cross roads ahead sign,
- types of roads and the color associated,
- read whether a bend is to the right or the left
- priority on a narrow road

These are the main signs that.. as a driver you must master for ur own security! Good luck! And maybe ask someone to flip through the book and ask u random questions and u draw the answer. :) Make it fun!

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xero Level 1

thought the oral test was free

1 Reply
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Swift Level 1

Yes, I recently passed it and it was free.

Samimah
Samimah Level 1

This article is very helpful I've just apply for a learner and waiting for the call to go to oral.

1 Reply
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BadFundodo Level 1

I had the best grades for the test aha..Yeah, they shout out loud the results.

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Willow20 Level 1

Hello,I need some help. Can i cancel my oral test for tomorrow?

henagopaul
henagopaul Level 1

When do you receive your leaner license? is it after having passed your oral test?

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Neh1234 Level 1

thank you dear will do as u said.

please.Can you tell me which website should I apply for my learner driving lisence?

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omeshwar98 Level 1

The highway codes book is it necessary to buy it or we can get it online

gices
gices Level 6

It's not available online but is a great reference book.

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