The VicRoads Practical Drive Test usually takes 30–35 minutes and is conducted in three stages. Each stage is designed to assess your safety, decision-making, and ability to drive independently.
🚗 1️⃣ Pre-Drive Safety Check
Before driving begins, the testing officer will check that you can safely prepare a vehicle for driving. You may be asked to identify or demonstrate:
⦁ Indicators and brake lights
⦁ Horn and mirrors
⦁ Basic vehicle controls
⦁ Your overall readiness to drive safely
✅ No driving occurs at this stage — it’s all about safety awareness.
🛣️ 2️⃣ On-Road Driving – Stage One (Approx. 10 minutes)
This stage takes place in quiet, low-traffic areas and focuses on core driving skills, including:
⦁ Vehicle control and steering
⦁ Obeying speed limits and road signs
⦁ Correct mirror use and signalling
⦁ One low-speed manoeuvre:
⦁ Reverse parallel parking OR
⦁ Three-point turn
This stage helps the examiner assess your basic competence.
🚦 3️⃣ On-Road Driving – Stage Two (Approx. 20 minutes)
This is the most important part of the test, conducted in busier traffic conditions. The examiner assesses:
⦁ Lane changing and gap selection
⦁ Hazard perception and decision-making
⦁ Safe positioning and spacing in traffic
⦁ Intersections, roundabouts, merging, and turns
This stage demonstrates whether you can drive safely and independently.
⚠️ Unsafe decisions or serious errors may result in immediate test termination.
📌 What the Examiner Is Assessing
Throughout the test, you are evaluated on:
✔ Safety
✔ Observation
✔ Vehicle control
✔ Compliance with Victorian road laws
For full and official details, visit:
👉 https://transport.vic.gov.au/road-and-active-transport/registration-and-licensing/licences/probationary-licence/drive-test-for-a-victorian-drivers-licence