Bendigo Driving Test

Once you arrive at VicRoads and are allocated a Licence Testing Officer (LTO), the first step of the assessment is to complete a Pre-Drive Safety Check before commencing the driving test.

During the Pre-Drive Safety Check, you will be asked to identify and operate several vehicle controls, including:

• Turn indicators

• Brakes

• Horn

• Headlights (high and low beam)

• Hazard lights

• Windscreen washers and wipers

You will then be required to identify the handbrake and the front and rear window demisters.

After completing the safety check, you will be instructed to start the engine and directed to exit the VicRoads car park and begin the drive test assessment.

The Drive Test assessment route is divided into two stages.

Stage 1 takes approximately 10 minutes and involves simpler driving tasks in a lower-risk traffic environment. During this stage, you will be required to complete either a reverse parallel park or a three-point turn (but not both).

Stage 2 takes approximately 20 minutes and involves more complex driving tasks in busier traffic conditions.

At the end of Stage 1, the Licence Testing Officer (LTO) will instruct you to safely pull over to the kerbside. The LTO will then record your Stage 1 results on the assessment sheet and calculate your score. Only applicants who achieve a satisfactory result in Stage 1 will be permitted to continue to Stage 2.

Throughout the drive test, the LTO will assess your overall driving ability, including areas such as:

• Observation skills

• Vehicle control

• Lane positioning and lateral position

• Compliance with road rules

• Safe decision-making

If you make a serious driving error, but no other road users are affected and no dangerous situation is created, a Critical Error (CE) may be recorded.

The drive test will be terminated if you receive more than one Critical Error during Stage 1 or more than two Critical Errors throughout the entire assessment.

If you perform a dangerous manoeuvre or create an unsafe situation, an Immediate Termination Error (ITE) will be recorded. Receiving an ITE will result in the immediate termination of the drive test.

Once the drive test is completed and you return to VicRoads, the LTO will calculate your final result by combining the scores from Stage 1 and Stage 2. The LTO will then provide feedback on your performance and advise whether you have successfully completed the assessment.

If you pass the driving test, you will be issued a temporary licence and your photo will be updated if required.