VICRoads Drive Test — 2025 Guide
The VICRoads driving test (Drive Test) is Victoria’s on-road assessment to confirm you can drive safely, legally, and consistently in real traffic. A typical appointment begins with check-in/ID and a brief vehicle safety check, then moves into an on-road drive delivered in two parts. This guide explains the format, the VicRoads drive test criteria, and how to prepare with a focused VicRoads practice test—including fast VicRoads driving test online sessions for road rules.
Are You Eligible? Quick Ready-Check
Bring your learner's permit and a valid photo ID. Make sure any required logbook hours are complete for your age group, and that you’ve passed the Hazard Perception Test before booking. Your practice should include day/night driving, wet weather, multi-lane roads, school zones, and—if you’re in Melbourne—trams, tram lanes, and hook turns. The wider your practice, the fewer surprises on test day.
Tip: Book one exam-style mock drive around the centre you’ll use. Pair it with a short VicRoads online test for road rules the night before.
Book Your Slot
Use the official system to choose a centre you can practise around. Check reschedule/cancellation rules to avoid fees. If you’re still building confidence, avoid heavy peak traffic and school pick-up/drop-off times. Arrive 15–20 minutes early so you can adjust mirrors, breathe, and start in control. A short warm-up drive nearby helps set your rhythm.
Costs & Payments (VIC)
Standard Drive Test and licence issue fees apply, with a separate fee if you need a re-test. Most candidates pay online/by card; check concessions if you’re eligible. A strong first attempt is the cheapest path—top up with a quick VicRoads test MCQ run before the big day.
How the Drive Test Unfolds
Stage 1
Low-risk areas (core skills): Show smooth control and routine observations: starting, stopping, turning, lane position, and legal compliance at lines/signs.
Stage 2
Busier traffic (complex decisions): Expect multi-lane work, merges/lane changes, roundabouts, and—in some metro areas—tram interactions and hook turns. Examiners watch for timely signalling, correct lane choice, safe gap selection, and disciplined mirrors + shoulder checks.
Low-Speed Tasks You’ll Likely Do
You’ll complete one or more tasks at slow speed. Examiners value setup, 360° observation, controlled movement, and a legal finish over speed.
- Reverse parallel park OR 3-point turn: indicate early; thorough shoulder checks; finish close and parallel to the kerb without mounting it.
- Kerbside stop & move-off: park legally, secure the car, then move off with mirrors, signal, and a shoulder check into traffic.
- Hill start / U-turn (as applicable): choose legal spots; manage space and speed; complete observations before moving.
Raise Your Pass Confidence
Fast, explained questions for road rules & Drive Test readiness. Take the VicRoads driving test online now.
How You’re Assessed
The VicRoads drive test criteria focus on safety and rule discipline: hazard perception & gap selection, an accurate observation routine (mirrors plus shoulder checks), lane keeping, correct signals/timing, speed control (incl. school zones), and legal compliance at give-way/stop lines and markings. Think of the VicRoads driving test pass score as meeting standard across behaviours, not a single number.
Immediate termination errors (examples)
- Running a red/stop or forcing intervention to avoid a crash.
- Choosing a dangerous gap or driving in a way that endangers others.
Critical & repeated errors
- Serious lapses short of termination, or minors that add up and affect safety/consistency (e.g., repeated late signals, drifting lanes, missed shoulder checks).
After the Result
Pass: proceed to probationary (P) licence steps (fees, photo, card) and follow P-plate rules.
Didn’t pass: treat the feedback as your map. Book a targeted lesson on those exact points, then run a timed VicRoads practice test to cement the rules you missed before you re-book.
The 4 Biggest Reasons People Fail — and Quick Fixes
- Observation misses: late mirrors or skipped shoulder checks during lane changes/merges/kerb departures. Fix: use a fixed sequence: mirror → signal → shoulder check → act.
- Poor gap selection: rushing turns/merges or hesitating so long it confuses others. Fix: scan early, pick a realistic gap, and commit smoothly at traffic speed.
- Roundabout errors: wrong lane/indicator or give-way mistakes. Fix: rehearse lanes/indicator timing for 1st/2nd/3rd exits; slow earlier.
- Speed management: drifting over limits or not adjusting to conditions. Fix: check the speedo at sign changes; where legal/familiar, use light cruise to stabilise.
Turn Mistakes Into Marks
We detect patterns and serve the right questions to fix them. Take a quick VicRoads online test to check your readiness.
Resources & Downloads
Use official Victorian road rules/handbooks and hazard-perception prep as your base. Build a route-practice checklist that rotates roundabouts, multi-lane merges, tram lanes, and hook turns so your sessions stay focused. For fast revision, run a vicroads driving test online MCQ—timed, explained questions give immediate feedback and sharpen your next drive.