The Bundoora Driving School specialises in the VicRoads Bundoora drive (licence) test routes.
Every test route will require you to do a Parallel Park or 3 Point Turn (or both). You will also be required to do multiple lanes changes, and lane merges, where appropriate indicating, blind-spot checking, and right-of-way knowledge, will be made note of. But in my opinion, they are the easier parts of the test. The more difficult parts are what you may be under-prepared for..
For example, in most test routes, you will be required to perform right-hand turns from side streets into multi-lane roads where there may or may not be a median strip. You need to be aware of your turn priority against vehicles approaching from all directions (including from car-park exits and service lanes) and be comfortable knowing when you may and may not enter the median strip and at what angle (some of the median strips in Bundoora are quite narrow and the potential to have part of your vehicle protruding is high)…… Similarly there may be what appear to be simpler left and right hand turns, but these may involve the presence of trees and parked vehicles that may obstruct your view. Again, knowing how to approach these turns is of great benefit.
Using ‘slip-lanes’ for left hand turns into multi-lane roads in the Bundoora testing area can also pose problems for some drive-test applicants (especially at the larger intersections where you need to be aware of any vehicles diagonally approaching the lane that you have been instructed to turn into).
Additionally, there are a few roads where it is quite easy to inadvertently exceed the speed limit unless you are familiar with them.
In Summary:
The VicRoads Drive Test is made up of a pre-drive check and two stages of on-road driving. You will only progress to the second stage if you pass the first stage, and the on-road stages may only be attempted following satisfactory passing of the pre-drive check.
IMPORTANT: Please note that, prior to attempting your Drive Test, you must have successfully completed an “online” “Hazard Perception Test” at one of the VicRoads designated HPT locations.
Pre-Drive Check:
Knowledge/Operational Functionality:
You must know where the following controls are and how to use them:
– Headlights (Low & High beam);
– Indicators;
– Hazard Lights;
– Brake Lights;
– Windscreen washers / wipers;
– Horn;
– Handbrake;
– Front & rear demisters.
Stage One – On-road:
Basic Driving Ability:
The first stage is designed to assess your safety as a driver in less challenging conditions. You will spend about 10-15 minutes driving then stop the car while the licence testing officer calculates your score. If you do anything unsafe, the drive test will be terminated and you will fail.
The licence testing officer (LTO) will give you specific instructions during the test (eg. “at the next street, turn right”; “at the next set of lights, turn right from the left turning lane”; “at the next set of lights, turn left into the 2nd lane”). You must follow his/her instructions and show that you can drive safely and efficiently. If you are unsure of an instruction, you may ask for it to be repeated.
The first stage will include:
– Starting the car;
– Left & right turns at intersections (controlled & uncontrolled);
– Changing lanes;
– REVERSE PARALLEL PARKING;
– or doing a THREE POINT TURN.
The LTO will be paying close attention to your observation skills, including adequate mirror use and blind spot checking, as well as the correct positioning (lateral and protrusional) of the vehicle for turns. Knowledge of vehicular turn priorities will also be noted.
