To attempt the Drive Test you must:

• have passed the eye test and hazard perception test
• be 18 years of age or over
• have held your learner permit for the minimum amount of time
• have completed your Learner Log book and 120 hours of supervised driving.
  
  

The Drive Test helps identify drivers who are ready to drive safely on their own. It checks that you can drive safely and efficiently with other traffic. You must:

• drive safely
• control the car smoothly
• obey the road rules
• co-operate with other road users.
  
  

You are more likely to pass the test if you have at least 120 hours of supervised driving experience in a range of different conditions.

What to bring to the test

If you’re late for your test or don’t have all the items listed below, you will not be able to take the test and your fees will not be refunded.  Your Log Book must be correct and complete or you will not be able to take the test, your appointment and test fees will not be refunded and you must wait six weeks before you can take the test.

• learner permit card
• your appointment number. Book an appointment online or call us on 13 11 71
• your Hazard Perception test results
• a car to complete the test in (see information on allowed cars below)
• your Learner Log Book – correct and completely filled out (only relevant if you obtained your Ls after 1 July 2007 and are aged under 21 when applying for your Ps)
• overseas licence holders must provide a current overseas licence or International Driver Permit
• payment for licence fees (cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Visa and MasterCard).
  
  

Exemption for driver under assessment

A person who previously held an Australian driver licence that has expired or has been cancelled for more that five years, is not required to hold a learner permit to undergo a drive test if;

• the person is driving the vehicle to have his or her driving skills assessed by VicRoads, and
• the licence testing officer conducting the assessment is in the vehicle with the person and holds an Australian driver licence for the category of vehicle being driven.
  
  

A ‘driver under instruction’ plate is not required for the drive test.

Preparing for the test

Detailed information is available to help you pass your test: Find out more about:

Are you ready for the new drive test – Checklist – available in 16 different languages
What happens during the test
How your driving is assessed
Serious errors during the test – mistakes that could cause you to fail
Handbooks for L and P drivers – study the Road to Solo Driving handbook and Learner Kit.

Who is allowed in the car during my test?

A VicRoads licence testing officer will conduct the test. Sometimes a second VicRoads officer may be in the car to receive training or to monitor the testing officer’s performance. This second officer will not affect your test.

When completing your test in dual-control vehicle, your qualified driving instructor (with a Driver Instructor Authority number) can sit in the front passenger seat during your test, but they are not allowed to communicate with you or in any way influence your driving during the test.

Cars allowed for the Drive Test

You will take the test in a car provided by you or your driving instructor. It should be:

• registered, roadworthy, and clean
• fitted with seat belts for all occupants
• able to maintain a comfortable temperature
• fitted with ‘L’ plates
• fitted with a working speedo display on the dashboard that the testing officer can easily see.
• capable of having the headlights (low beam) turned on during the test
• fitted with a centrally mounted handbrake that the front passenger can operate if required (this is unnecessary in a dual control vehicle if a driving instructor is in the front passenger seat)
• fitted with doors that can be opened from the inside (driver operated or automatic locking system must be disabled for the test)
• fitted with normal manual transmission if you want a manual driver licence to be issued.
  
  

Roadworthiness

You don’t need a Certificate of Roadworthiness but the car you use in the licence test must be safe.  The licence testing officer will check some basic safety features. If they’re not OK, your test cannot continue. As a minimum, check these items before going for your Drive Test:

• registration is current (Victorian or interstate)
• tyres have at least 1.5mm of tread all around the surface – anything less is unsafe and illegal.
• tyres are inflated to the correct pressure
• all lights work properly – the headlights (high and low beam), indicators, tail lights, and brake lights.  Ask someone to stand outside the car while you turn them on/off to make sure they work
• windscreen is clean, no chips or cracks
• windscreen wipers (and washers) are working
• horn is working
• brakes should be in good condition.
  
  

Unacceptable test vehicles

The following vehicles are not able to be used in a driving test for legal, safety and practical reasons:

• a taxi or tow truck which is licensed so that it can be only used by a Drivers Certificate (DC) or Tow Truck Driver Authority (DA) holder cannot be used by a non-DC or non-DA holder for the purpose of undergoing a test.(Vehicles with ‘TT’ number plates do not require a DA to drive so may be used for a test)
• vehicles registered as primary producer vehicles. Primary producer registration restricts the use of these vehicles to activities solely in the course of primary production.
• left hand drive vehicles. (This includes heavy vehicles when the vehicle has dual controls – the driver must use the right hand side controls)
• vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• unregistered vehicles displaying ‘traders plates’
• armoured security vehicles
• vehicles without a reverse gear.
  
  

Automatic condition and removing the condition

If you do your probationary licence test in a vehicle with automatic transmisson, you can only drive vehicles with automatic transmission during your probationary period. There will be an ‘A’ printed on your licence card.

At the end of the probationary period, you can drive vehicles with manual transmission without having to do another driving test provided the condition is not required due to a disability.

If you are still on your probationary licence with an automatic transmission restriction the only way you can remove this condition is to pass a test in a vehicle with manual transmission.

When learning to drive in a manual vehicle you must have someone with a full manual licence sitting beside you and display ‘Driver Under Instruction’ plates as well as your ‘P’ plates on the front and back of your vehicle. Driver Under Instruction plates must be 150mm x 150mm with black lettering on a yellow background.