Drive Test procedures

Pre-drive safety check

Before beginning the Drive Test the LTO will direct the applicant to perform a pre-drive safety check

1.The applicant is required to identify and operate the following vehicle controls:

1. The applicant is required to identify and operate the following vehicle controls:

• turn indicators
• brake lights
• horn
• headlights (high and low beam)*
• hazard lights
• windscreen washer and wipers.

2. The applicant is required to identify the handbrake.

3. The applicant is asked to identify, but not operate, the following controls:
windscreen demisterrear window demister (where fitted).

4. The applicant is required to start the engine.

If the applicant fails to satisfy the requirements in Items 1 and 2, or if any of the vehicle controls listed in Items 1 and 2 do not operate correctly, the applicant is not permitted to undertake the Drive Test.If the applicant fails to identify the controls listed in Item 3, the LTO should point out the elevant control(s) to the applicant, but still allow the applicant to undertake the Drive Test.If it becomes necessary to use one of these controls during the Drive Test and the applicant requires assistance to operate the control, an Immediate Termination Error (Intervention)
should be recorded.The pre-drive safety check does not contribute to the applicant’s test score.

* The LTO should direct the applicant to turn the headlights on (low beam) throughout Stages 1 and 2 of the Drive Test.

Hazard Perception Test in Victoria

To get your probationary licence you must pass the Hazard Perception Test. You must pass this computer-based test before you can attempt the on-road Drive Test.

A hazard is something that increases your risk of a crash. The Hazard Perception Test checks that you can recognise and react to hazards such as other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. It presents you with traffic scenes where new drivers are more likely to crash. It checks your ability to observe the whole road scene and to respond safely to possible hazards.

You need good hazard perception skills to drive safely and avoid crashes. These skills are explained below in the Hazard perception skills section. It is important that you understand this information so that you can correctly respond to the questions in the Hazard Perception Test.

You must be at least 17 years 11 months before you can do the Hazard Perception Test. The test results are valid for 12 months. If you don't obtain your licence within 12 months of passing the Hazard Perception Test, you will have to sit the test again.

What happens during the Hazard Perception Test?
During the test you will watch 28 short videos taken from a driver’s perspective. For each video you must indicate when you would react if you were the driver (e.g. slow down, overtake, start to turn, move off, or no action). Each video runs for approximately 30 seconds and you must click the mouse when you think it is safe to perform the required task, unless you decide no action is required.

Your responses will be assessed in terms of safety.

You will have 45 minutes to complete the test. A score of 54% or more is needed to pass.
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Preparing for the Hazard Perception Test

Get as much supervised on-road experience as possible in a broad range of driving situations. Drivers under 21 must complete a minimum 120 hours of supervised experience before they can apply for a probationary licence.

Supervising drivers and driving instructors can help you to fine tune your hazard perception skills by using some of the techniques described in the Learner Kit.

You can also look at Drive Smart, which is a free CD-ROM training product that can help you become a better, safer driver.

Go to Drive Smart.
Hazard perception skills  New drivers are more likely to have a crash, particularly in the first 12 months of driving. This is because hazard perceptions skills take a long time to develop. It's not about how well you can control the car. Experienced drivers scan the road better and are quicker to recognise that a hazardous situation is developing. They can then take action before a dangerous situation develops. This provides them with better safety margins and more time to react compared to new drivers.

So it's important for you to learn to recognise and avoid hazards, to improve your safety and the safety of other road users.

What is a hazard?A hazard is anything that increases your risk of having a crash. This includes anything that you have to react to so you avoid a crash. Important hazards or things to look for that could result in a hazard are:

• Vehicles stopping ahead of you.
• Other vehicles at intersections - whether you are turning or going straight ahead.
• Curves in the road or changing road surfaces.
• Vehicles with their indicators on.
• Motorcyclists - especially as they can appear when you are not expecting them.
• Pedestrians near buses or trams.
• Pedestrians stepping out from behind parked cars.
• Pedestrians crossing the road.
• Other traffic when turning.
• Vehicles merging or changing lanes.
• Slippery/gravel surfaces or rain/fog.

What is hazard perception?
Hazard perception is a complex mental skill where you are able to identify and avoid potential hazards.

Unfortunately, there are no short-cuts to becoming an experienced driver and developing good hazard perception skills. You can't develop hazard perception skills from a book or DVD; you need lots of on-road experience.

Good hazard perception involves:

• Scanning for hazards all around your car - keep your eyes and head moving to look for potential hazards and changes in the road environment such as unexpected road users (e.g. motorcyclists, pedestrians).
• Recognising potential hazards.
• Planning well ahead.
• Anticipating potential hazards and reacting early.
• Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. This will give you plenty of time to react to unexpected hazards. For example, keep at least a two second gap in front and keep plenty of space around your vehicle as a safety margin.
• Driving at a safe speed for the conditions.
• Slowing down and stopping if required.
• Making safe decisions while dealing with more than one potential hazard at a time.

This may seem like alot to do, but it will become easier as you get more driving experience.

Common crashes for inexperienced drivers
The most common types of crashes for new drivers are:

• Rear end crashes involving two vehicles travelling in the same direction.
• Crashes involving turning right in front of oncoming traffic.
• Being hit by right right turning traffic.
• Colliding with other vehicles coming from the opposite direction (head on crashes)
• Running off the road on a curve or bend, or on a straight section of the road, and hitting an object such as a tree or parked vehicle.These common crash types suggest that new drivers have problems detecting and avoiding hazards at intersections, on curves and in traffic. 

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Best ways to avoid common crashes

The best ways to avoid crashes in these situations while you are developing your hazard perception skills are to:

• Slow down and always drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
• Leave larger gaps between your vehicle and the one in front (always use the two second gap rule).
• Focus all your attention on driving and don't get distracted by passengers or by doing other things in the car.
• Never drive when you are tired or affected by alcohol or other drugs.

Doesn't the on-road drive test show I can drive safely?
The Hazard Perception Test and the Drive Test assess two different types of skills.

The Drive Test focuses mostly on car handling skills and your ability to drive safely in traffic. This is limited to the driving conditions around the test centre on the day of your test. Testing your hazard perception skills in different driving situations is also important.
In combination with the Drive Test, the Hazard Perception Test:

• Provides more information about your ability to drive safely than the Drive Test alone.
• Helps focus on skills that have a close relationship with crash risk
• Includes traffic situations that may never occur during the on-road Drive Test  www.darshandrivingschool.com.au

About the Drive Test

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
• cooperate 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 testIf 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 assessmentA 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.
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Drive test

RoadworthinessYou 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.

Automatic condition & removing the conditionIf you do your probationary licence test in a vehicle with automatic transmission, 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.
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change your address with Motor Vehicle Registry

You can change your address with Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) online, by telephone or by visiting a motor registry.

Online

Customers who hold a NT driver licence or a NT vehicle registration can change their residential or mailing address online.
To update your address online you must provide your:

• The transaction number located on the upper right hand side of your renewal notice or
• Your customer ID and your licence number; or
• Your customer ID and your registration number.

Telephone

If you want to change your address by telephone, call 1300 654 628.To update your address via telephone, you must provide your:

• Licence or registration number
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Current address
• New address

Motor Vehicle Registry

If you want to change your address in person, you must provide your:

• Driver licence number or registration plate number(s)
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Current address
• New address

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