Hannah Gary was an amazing driving instructor! He is friendly, very knowledgeable of the test routes and made me feel very confident to pass my test and become a better driver. Thanks Gary 😊 would recommend to everyone. Ethan Mora Always punctual, and covered good routes in practice for the actual test. Great personalities as well. Olivia Rogers Gary helped me build my confidence and was an amazing, calm and kind instructor. I had the best experience! Thanks so much 😊 Sahil Patil Thanks Gary for your guidence. I had an exceptional experience learning to drive with Gary. His patience, professionalism, and ability to teach driving techniques in a clear and easy-to-follow manner made the entire process seamless. Gary’s calm demeanor and constructive feedback helped me build confidence behind the wheel. I particularly appreciated his focus on key areas such as speed control, road safety, parking, and lane changes, ensuring I was well-prepared for real-world driving. I highly recommend Gary to anyone seeking a knowledgeable and supportive driving instructor. Yeshine Agampodi Northway driving school and the instructor Gary are amazing at making you feel as comfortable as possible when learning. He takes you through all the possible test areas enough times so that you feel confident in driving safely, and thoroughly prepares you for each of the areas. Gary is a wonderful instructor, being calm, patient and encouraging, and is evidently experienced. Super easy to pass with him as an instructor. Highly recommend! Anastasia Jesica I had an excellent experience learning to drive with Gary. His calm and reassuring approach made me feel relaxed and helped ease my nerves, especially during my driving test. I often feel anxious while driving, but Gary’s support gave me the confidence I needed. Gary provided detailed and clear instructions throughout my lessons, ensuring I fully understood every aspect of driving. He explained everything thoroughly, from basic maneuvers to more complex scenarios, and even gave me helpful tips specific to the test itself. Thanks to Gary, I felt completely prepared and confident during my driving test, and I passed with ease. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a patient, knowledgeable, and supportive driving instructor! Good luck for those who want to take the test! Batool Fatima I took a few driving lessons from Gary, he was really helpful and I passed my driving test on one go! Highly recommend this place!! Tamolwan Srinutiyanun I have a driving test with Gary and he very helpful, calm, and very kind, affordable price so happy ☺️☺️ Priyanka Shivaraj Hurray! I got my driving license today at VIC Roads Bundoora. I had a fantastic experience learning with Gary. He was incredibly patient, professional, and skilled at driving techniques in a clear and easy-to-follow way. His calm demeanor and constructive feedback helped me build confidence behind the wheel. I especially appreciated his focus on speed controls, road safety, parking, or lane changes. If you're looking for a reliable and supportive driving coach, I highly recommend Gary. Thanks for making my learning journey so enjoyable!
How to choose your Drive-Test Instructor
by Admin
The Northway Driving School specialises in the VicRoads Carlton, Bundoora, Burwood East and Broadmeadows drive (licence) test routes.
(VicRoads Licence Testing Centres)
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…
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.
there may be what appears 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 testing area can also pose problems for some drive-test applicants .
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 of the vehicle for turns. Knowledge of vehicular turn priorities will also be noted.
Stage Two – On-road:
Driving on Busier Roads:
If you pass the first stage you will progress to the second stage. The second stage is conducted in busier traffic. It is designed to assess your ability to safely execute normal, day-to-day driving tasks. It will take about 20-25 minutes to complete.
Stage 2 will include:
– Driving in busy traffic;
– Changing lanes;
– Merging with other traffic;
– Left & right turn into multi-lane roads;
– Parking in preparation for the final shut-down procedure;
The LTO will be paying close attention to compliance with road rules; vehicle control, including smooth acceleration and deceleration; demonstration of satisfactory observation before and during manoeuvres; giving and maintaining of satisfactory signalling; lateral positioning in lanes and for turns; protrusional positioning for intersections; and safe gap selection in traffic.
The Drive-Test lasts approximately 30-40 minutes of “drive-time” (approx. 1 hour if you include administrative times before and after the test).
In general terms, the following driving skills will be assessed: Observation; Signal use; Gap selection; Speed choice; Following distance; Lateral position; Stop position; Parking; Three-point turn; Control.
Advice:
-it is highly advised that you “prepare” yourself for the test by having some quality driving lessons;
-(even though you may consider yourself to be a good driver and to have been taught by respected friends and family members, your “real-world” way of doing things may be different to what “VicRoads” expects of you during the driving test).
Consider this when you’re trying to decide on the number of lessons to take up. Northway’s driving package deals are way more affordable and packed with more value over our single driving lesson prices. Call us today to arrange your first lesson and find out where you are exactly and how far you are from getting your drivers licence.
Book Your driving test: Bundoora Driving School
Book Your driving test: Carlton Driving School
Book your driving Test: Broadmeadows driving school