Victoria · VicRoads Drive Test Criteria · chapter 4 · 22 min read

Overview, Procedures & Assessment Criteria

1. Overview of the Drive Test

1.1 Introduction

In 2007, the Victorian Government made changes to the driver licensing system. New requirements were added to the Graduated Licensing System (GLS), particularly for young learners who need a minimum 120 hours of supervised driving experience before taking the probationary licence test.

A driver who obtained a learner permit on or after 1 July 2007 and is under 21 years when applying for a probationary licence:

• must have held the learner permit for at least 12 months before taking the probationary licence test, and must present a Log Book and ‘Declaration of Completion’ signed by them and their supervising drivers to show they have accumulated the required number of driving hours.

VicRoads, with the help of Australian and international experts in novice driver safety, developed a new on-road driving test to help identify those learners who are ready to drive safely on their own. The new Drive Test focuses on assessing the skills required to drive safely. It applies to all licence applicants from 1 July 2008 onwards.

The GLS encourages learners to practise driving in a range of different conditions and in a staged progression, from basic skills in quiet areas to more complex driving situations as they approach their licence test. Gaining this experience will help learners acquire safer driving habits and increase their chance of passing the Drive Test. It is intended that the Drive Test will help motivate learners to obtain the required level and breadth of experience.

This booklet provides detailed information about the Drive Test. It includes the assessment criteria for all test items, along with information about the structure of the test. It will help professional driving instructors work with learner drivers as they approach the Drive Test, but it should not take the place of a well-structured learner period that includes high levels of supervised driving experience in a broad range of driving situations.

During the test, the applicant is directed to drive around a fixed assessment route and asked to perform specific driving tasks (such as turns or lane changes) at various locations. The Licence Testing Officer (LTO) uses a set of specific assessment items to record how well the applicant performs each task.

VicRoads LTOs have passed a training program on the practical application of the test assessment criteria. The training program provides specific knowledge and skills to enable the LTOs to apply the assessment criteria reliably in a range of different test situations.

To help ensure the safety of licence applicants, LTOs, accompanying instructors and other road users, the Drive Test is divided into two stages. Stage 1 involves some relatively simple, low-risk driving tasks in a less challenging traffic environment. Applicants who fail Stage 1 are not permitted to attempt Stage 2, which assesses safe driving skills in day-to-day driving tasks in busier traffic situations. In this way, potentially unsafe applicants are excluded from the test before they can pose a danger to themselves and others.

1.2 Test route stages

A Drive Test assessment route comprises two stages. The first takes 10 minutes and involves relatively simple driving tasks in a low risk traffic environment. Stage 2 takes 20 minutes and involves more challenging driving tasks in busier traffic situations. At the end of Stage 1, the LTO directs the applicant to pull over to the kerb so scores for that stage can be entered on the score sheet and totalled. Only applicants with a satisfactory assessment for Stage 1 can proceed to Stage 2.

• Stages 1 and 2 of the Drive Test must be undertaken during a single test booking. They cannot be split into separate appointments.
• 1.3 Driving tasks
• There are two types of driving tasks in the test route:
• Assessable driving tasks are manoeuvres such as turns, lane changes, straight drives and a reverse parallel park. Each assessable task has several associated Task Assessment Items that the LTO uses to record how well the task was performed.
• Linking manoeuvres are inserted between assessable tasks to create a continuous route that begins and ends at the VicRoads Customer Service Centre. Linking manoeuvres do not have associated Task Assessment Items.
• There are seven assessable driving tasks in Stage 1 and at least 14 assessable tasks in Stage 2. There can be up to 21 assessable tasks in Stage 2 of some test routes, because some tasks can be assessed more than once.
• The assessable driving tasks used in the Drive Test are listed in Appendix A – Assessable tasks.
• 1.4 Assessment items
• For each assessable driving task on the route, the route guide specifies two, three or four Task Assessment Items that the LTO must assess and record. For a detailed description of each Task Assessment Item, see Section 4.
• The Stage 1 Task Assessment Items for some tasks differ from those used in Stage 2. This recognises the different functions of the two stages. Stage 1 assessment items were selected for their ability to identify applicants who might drive unsafely in Stage 2. Assessment items for Stage 2 were selected for their ability to distinguish between applicants who are ready to drive safely on a probationary licence and those who need more supervised experience on a learner permit before being ready for solo driving.
• Three other types of assessment are used in the Drive Test:
• Stage Assessment Items apply to the applicant’s performance during the whole of Stage 1 or the whole of Stage 2. The Stage Assessment Items are described in detail in Section 5.
• Critical Errors are recorded at any time they occur during the Drive Test, whether during an assessable task or not. The Critical Error types are described in Section 6.
• Immediate Termination Errors are also recorded at any time they occur and result in the immediate termination of the test. The Immediate Termination Error types are described in Section 7.

2. Drive Test procedures

2.1 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:

• 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 demister rear 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 relevant 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.

2.2 Minimum assessment required

Unforeseen events such as road works on the test route may prevent the applicant from completing some assessable tasks. This does not invalidate the test, provided the following requirements are met:

• At least five of the seven tasks in Stage 1 (including the reverse parallel park or three- point turn) must be undertaken before the applicant can proceed to Stage 2.
• The test is considered to be complete if at least 17 tasks across both stages are undertaken (including the reverse park or three-point turn, at least two lane changes, and at least one straight drive).

If these requirements are not met, the assessment will be incomplete and a re-test is required. 3. Understanding the assessment criteria

• 3.1 Definitions
• Crossing: Children’s crossing: A part of the road with stop lines marked on the road and ‘Children Crossing’ flags mounted on red and white striped posts on either side of the road.
• Marked foot crossing: A part of the road with pedestrian lights facing pedestrians crossing the road and traffic lights facing vehicles driving on the road and indicated by a different road surface or two parallel lines or rows of studs or markers on the road surface.
• Pedestrian crossing: A part of the road painted with parallel white stripes and indicated by a pedestrian crossing sign (walking legs symbol), with or without flashing yellow lights.
• Crosswalk: The marked portion of the road where pedestrians cross at a pedestrian crossing, a children’s crossing or a marked foot crossing (all defined above). The area between the crosswalk line and any vehicle stop line marked in advance of the crosswalk line does not form part of the crosswalk.

• Figure 1: The yellow-shaded area indicates the crosswalk at a children’s crossing.
• Diverging: Any lane change, lane merge or lateral movement within the lane (whether marked or unmarked) of at least a car width.
• Evasive action: Any change of course or speed (including swerving, stopping, slowing or accelerating) by another road user to avoid a potential collision with the applicant’s vehicle.
• Head check: The applicant looks back over their left or right shoulder through the vehicle’s side windows (not the rear window) to check for other road users in blind spots that cannot be seen in the mirrors.
• Lane: A portion of the road intended for use by a single line of traffic. The left and right boundaries of the lane may be defined by pavement markings (lane lines, centre line or edge line) or by the kerb, the edge of the sealed road surface or the centre of the road.
• Lateral: Movement sideways or from side to side (differs from forwards and backwards).

Merging: 1. A single vehicle joining a traffic stream (e.g. when a vehicle pulls out from the kerb), or

2. Two or more traffic streams joining to become one stream (e.g. when two adjacent lanes join to become a single lane).

Road user: The driver or rider of a motor vehicle or the rider of a bicycle or a pedestrian.

Traffic: Includes not only motor vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.) but also bicycles and pedestrians.

Turning: Changing direction to travel from one road into another road at an intersection. Does not include driving around a curve or bend when continuing on the same road.

• 3.2 Types of assessment
• There are four types of assessment items used in the Drive Test.
• Task Assessment Items Task Assessment Items assess one aspect of driving performance during a specific, assessable driving task at a specific location on the test route. For example, Observation might be assessed when turning right from Smith Street into Jones Road. Task Assessment Items are not assessed while driving between assessable driving tasks. They contribute to the applicant’s point score for Stage 1 or Stage 2. The Task Assessment Items are defined in Section 4.
• Stage Assessment Items Stage Assessment Items assess an aspect of driving performance (either Control or Lateral Position) during assessable tasks and linking manoeuvres throughout Stage 1 and again throughout Stage 2. They contribute to the applicant’s point score for the relevant stage. The Stage Assessment Items are defined in Section 5.
• Critical Errors Critical Errors are recorded at any time they occur during the test, not just during assessable driving tasks. They are recorded if an applicant makes a serious driving error (including an illegal action) that does not meet the conditions (set out below) for an Immediate Termination Error. For example, a Critical Error is recorded for failing to signal before changing lanes when there are no other vehicles nearby and no dangerous situation is created. Full details of each Critical Error type are provided in Section 6.
• The Drive Test will be terminated immediately (and the result recorded as ‘Not Successful’) if the applicant commits more than one Critical Error during Stage 1 or more than two Critical Errors over the course of the entire test.
• Immediate Termination Errors Immediate Termination Errors are recorded at any time they occur during the test, not just during assessable driving tasks. An Immediate Termination Error is a driving action that:
• causes another road user to take evasive action causes immediate danger to road users or property will cause immediate danger to road users or property if the LTO or instructor does not intervene unnecessarily increases the risk of a collision.
• For example, an Immediate Termination Error is recorded for failing to give way to another vehicle or a pedestrian when turning.
• Note that the applicant is not considered to have caused another road user to take evasive action if the other road user’s action was unnecessary.
• The Immediate Termination Error types are described in Section 7. An Immediate Termination Error committed at any time during the test will result in immediate termination of the Drive Test.

4. Task Assessment Items

4.1 Observation

Item code: Obs

Requirements Maintains a continuous lookout ahead of the vehicle, except when making brief checks of the mirrors and other directions.

• When driving straight, checks the mirrors often enough to maintain awareness of surrounding traffic. The required frequency varies with traffic conditions.
• When required to give way to other traffic (such as when facing a Give Way sign, turning across oncoming traffic, or entering a roundabout), looks in the direction(s) from which conflicting traffic might approach before proceeding.
• Checks the internal mirror immediately before braking.
• When diverging (including when entering or crossing a bicycle lane in preparation for a left turn):
• checks the internal mirror and (according to the direction of movement) the right or left external mirror immediately before signalling performs a head check immediately before moving laterally.
• When turning, looks in the planned direction of travel (i.e. in the direction of the turn) before making the turn.
• When making a three-point turn, looks in both directions along the road immediately before moving across the road (before and after reversing) and immediately before reversing out of a driveway or away from the kerb.
• When reversing as part of a three-point turn, looks in the direction of travel while reversing.

Scoring Yes if all applicable requirements are satisfied No otherwise NA if it is not possible to determine whether the requirements were met (for example, if the applicant wears sunglasses and it is not possible to see whether he or she looked in the appropriate direction)

• See also
• When diverging, if the applicant does not check the mirrors AND does not do a head check:
• If no other road user has to take evasive action, a Critical Error (Fail to Look) should be recorded. If Observation is also being assessed for that task, No should be recorded for Observation. If another road user has to take evasive action, an Immediate Termination Error (Fail to Give Way) should be recorded.
• Explanation When diverging, a head check is required to ensure there are no undetected vehicles in blind spots that cannot be checked in the mirrors.

4.2 Signalling

Item code: Signal

Requirements When pulling out from a parked or stationary position (whether on a road or in a car park), activates the appropriate turn indicator for at least 5 seconds before starting to move. Indicator use is required even if no other traffic is present.

• Activates the turn indicator for the appropriate direction (left or right) for at least 3 seconds (even if no other traffic is present) before:
• turning pulling into the kerb changing lanes diverging left or right by at least the width of the car (other than pulling out from the kerb) diverging by less than the width of the car in circumstances where it is necessary to warn other road users of the intended movement (e.g. to indicate that the applicant intends to overtake a parked car before allowing an oncoming vehicle to pass) stopping next to a parked vehicle to commence a reverse parallel park.
• When turning at a roundabout:
• activates the turn indicator in the appropriate direction (left or right) for at least 3 seconds prior to entering the roundabout (see Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6) activates the left-turn indicator before leaving the roundabout if practicable (but note that signalling to leave a roundabout is not usually practicable at any but the largest roundabouts; for each roundabout on a test route, the VicRoads Customer Service Manager will determine whether a signal is required when leaving the roundabout).
• When turning left or right, does not activate the turn indicator so early as possibly to mislead other road users about which street the applicant intends to turn into.
• Maintains the turn signal until the turn or diverge has been completed.
• Cancels the turn indicator if necessary when the turn or diverge has been completed.

Note that if the signal is incorrectly executed (for example not activated soon enough or cancelled too soon), No is recorded for Signalling but a Critical Error (Fail to Signal) is not recorded. Fail to Signal applies only if a required signal is omitted altogether.

Scoring Yes if all applicable requirements are satisfied No otherwise

• See also
• If the applicant fails to signal when required:
• If no other road user has to take evasive action, a Critical Error (Fail to Signal) should be recorded. If Signalling is also being assessed for that task, No should be recorded for Signalling.
• If another road user has to take evasive action, an Immediate Termination Error (Fail to Give Way) should be recorded. No should be recorded for Signalling if the applicant does not activate the signal before leaving the roundabout and it was practicable to do so. A Critical Error (Fail to Signal) should not be recorded.

• Example
• Observed behaviour: The applicant activates the turn signal only 1 second before making a right turn. Assessment: A signal is required at least 3 seconds before turning. No should be recorded for Signalling.

Figure 2: A signal is required when changing lanes. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

Figure 3: A signal is required when diverging, even if no other vehicles are present. Figure 4: A left-turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at the first exit, if the first exit is less than halfway around the roundabout.

Figure 5: No turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at an exit that is halfway around the roundabout.

Figure 6: A right-turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at an exit that is more than halfway around the roundabout.

• 4.3 Gap Selection
• Item code: Gap Sel
• Requirements Selects the first available safe gap in traffic after an initial period of observing approaching traffic to identify a gap.
• Rejects any unsafe gaps.
• Scoring Yes if at least one traffic unit (motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian) is approaching and all applicable requirements are satisfied No if at least one traffic unit (motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian) is approaching and any applicable requirement is not satisfied NA if there are no approaching traffic units (motor vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians) and the applicant does not have to select a safe gap
• See also
• If the applicant’s gap selection is so unsafe it requires another road user to take evasive action, an Immediate Termination Error (Fail to Give Way) should be recorded.
• Explanation Drivers who reject safe gaps cause increased congestion and delays, leading to frustration for other road users.
• Example 1
• Observed behaviour: The applicant is waiting at a Give Way sign to turn left from a local street onto an arterial road. She waits for several vehicles from the right to pass, then continues waiting during a gap when it would have been safe to make the turn. She eventually completes the turn safely during a later gap in the traffic.
• Assessment: The applicant has selected a safe gap, but has failed to select the first available safe gap. No should be recorded for Gap Selection.

• Example 2
• Observed behaviour: The applicant is approaching a Stop sign in a local street and intends to turn left onto an arterial road. As he arrives at the intersection, there is a safe gap in traffic approaching from the right. He stops correctly at the stop line then checks for traffic approaching from the right. By the time the applicant has checked, it is too late to accept the gap so he waits for another safe gap then completes the turn.
• Assessment: The applicant is not required to accept a safe gap that occurs before he has had a reasonable opportunity to observe approaching traffic. Yes should be recorded for Gap Selection.

4.4 Speed Choice

Item code: Speed

Requirements Does not exceed the speed limit by any margin for a continuous period of 5 seconds or more.

• Does not exceed the speed limit by any margin for any duration in an area identified by a speed limit sign with the additional words ‘school’ or ‘school zone’. (This requirement applies only during the operating hours defined by the sign.)
• Does not exceed the speed limit by 5 km/h or more at any time.
• When driving straight, drives at or close to the speed limit when conditions are suitable, but at a lower speed if road or traffic conditions (e.g. driving on a wet or unsealed road, or in congested or slow traffic) make it unsafe to travel at the speed limit.
• When driving straight, does not drive 10 km/h or more below the speed limit, unless road or traffic conditions (e.g. travelling on a wet or unsealed road, or in congested or slow traffic) make it unsafe to travel closer to the speed limit.
• When merging, adjusts speed if necessary to choose a safe gap in the traffic.

Note that speed advisory signs do not set speed limits. Applicants are not required to drive at or below the advised speed if conditions (weather, road and vehicle) allow the applicant to drive safely at a higher speed.

Scoring Yes if all applicable requirements are satisfied No otherwise

• See also
• 1. An Immediate Termination Error (Excessive Speed) should be recorded if the applicant exceeds the speed limit:
• continuously for 5 seconds or more by 5 km/h or more regardless of the duration by any margin for any duration in an area identified by a speed limit sign with the additional words ‘school’ or ‘school zone’. (Note: This applies only during the operating hours defined by the sign.)
• 2. If the applicant travels at 10 km/h or more below the speed limit for a substantial part of the stage, a Critical Error (Too Slow) should be recorded unless road or traffic conditions (e.g. travelling on a wet or unsealed road, or in congested or slow traffic) make it unsafe to travel closer to the speed limit. If a Critical Error (Too Slow) is recorded and Speed Choice is also being assessed for that task, No should be recorded for Speed Choice.

• Example 1
• Observed behaviour: During a straight drive downhill in a 60 km/h zone, the speed of the vehicle momentarily creeps up to 62 km/h. The applicant notices immediately and brakes, reducing the vehicle’s speed back to 60 km/h within 2 seconds.
• Assessment: The applicant did not exceed the speed limit for 5 seconds or more and did not exceed the speed limit by 5 km/h at any time. Assuming this was the applicant’s only breach of the requirements, no penalty should be applied. Yes should be recorded for Speed Choice.

• Example 2
• Observed behaviour: During a straight drive in very heavy rain and poor visibility, the applicant drives at 55 km/h on an arterial road with a speed limit of 70 km/h. Other drivers are travelling well below the speed limit.
• Assessment: Driving well below the speed limit is justified by the conditions. No penalty should be applied.

4.5 Following Distance

Item code: Foll Dist

Requirements When driving straight in good conditions, maintains a following distance of at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.

• When driving straight in poor conditions (e.g. on a wet or unsealed road), maintains a following distance of at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
• After changing lanes, resumes the applicable following distance (2 or 3 seconds, depending on conditions) behind the vehicle in front as soon as practicable.

Scoring Yes if the applicable requirement is satisfied No if the applicable requirement is not satisfied NA if there is no traffic within 5 seconds ahead and the applicant does not have to maintain a safe following distance

Explanation The applicant needs more time and distance to stop the vehicle if a hazard is detected in poor conditions (such as on a wet or unsealed road) than in good conditions. Applying 2 and 3 second gaps is consistent with information provided to drivers in VicRoads handbooks and educational resources.

• 4.6 Lateral Position
• Item code: Lat Pos
• Requirements On roads with more than one lane marked for the applicant’s direction of travel, selects an appropriate lane for the driving task, including:
• When turning left or right from a road with marked lanes, commences the turn from a lane from which the relevant turn (left or right) is permitted.
• When turning into a multi-lane road, complies with road markings (if any) that require the turn to finish in a particular lane; and does not mislead other drivers by turning towards one lane and then changing direction to finish in a different lane.
• When travelling straight through an intersection, does not select a lane marked for turning traffic only.
• Does not drive in a bicycle-only lane (except when entering or leaving the road, pulling over to or out from the kerb or overtaking a right-turning vehicle, in which cases the applicant is permitted to drive in a bicycle lane for up to 50 metres).
• Does not travel in the left lane if it is intermittently blocked by parked vehicles and another lane is available.
• When turning right:
• keeps left of the centre line (if any) or centre of the road (if no centre line) when entering the intersection and when leaving the intersection (see Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 10, Figure 11 and Figure 12) if turning from a road without marked lanes, enters the intersection as near as practicable to the centre line (if any) or the centre of the road (see Figure 9) if turning right at an intersection other than a T-intersection or a roundabout, passes to the right of the centre of the intersection, unless road markings or a ‘Hook turn only’ sign impose a different requirement. Note that it may be difficult to judge where the centre of the intersection is located, so applicants should be penalised only for very clear breaches of this requirement.
• When turning left:
• does not cross the centre line of either the road the applicant is turning from or the road the applicant is turning into (see Figure 15) if turning left from a road without marked lanes, commences the turn from as near as practicable to the left side of the road (see Figure 14).
• Positions the vehicle wholly within the lane (except when changing lanes) and does not wander from side to side within the lane.
• When driving along a road with only one lane or line of traffic for the applicant’s direction of travel, positions the vehicle as near as practicable to the left side of the road. Note that it is not considered practicable to drive close to the left side of the road if this would require the applicant to diverge frequently around parked vehicles (see Figure 16, Figure 17 and Figure 18).
• Maintains a lateral clearance of at least 1.2 metres from parked vehicles whenever possible (see Figure 16).

• Maintains a safe lateral clearance from vehicles travelling in other lanes.
• Does not contact any kerb when turning right or left or negotiating a roundabout.

Scoring Yes if all applicable requirements are satisfied No otherwise

• See also
• Lateral Position is also assessed as a Stage Assessment Item in both stages of the test.

Explanation

Driving unnecessarily in the kerbside lane when there are parked vehicles should be avoided because it results in frequent lane changes or diverges that could potentially create conflicts with other vehicles.

Keeping a 1.2 metre (car door width) clearance from parked vehicles allows for the possibility that the parked vehicle’s occupant may open the door without first checking it is safe to do so. However, in some situations (e.g. narrow local streets with cars parked on both sides) keeping the desired clearance may not be possible.

Figure 7: Correct lateral position on a right turn, keeping left of centre when entering and leaving the intersection. Figure 8: Incorrect lateral position on a right turn, failing to keep left of centre when entering and leaving the intersection.

Figure 9: Incorrect lateral position on a right turn from a road with no marked lanes, failing to enter the intersection as near as practicable to the centre line.

Figure 10: Correct lateral position for a right turn into a multi-lane road. Figure 11: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn into a multi-lane road, failing to keep left of centre when leaving the intersection.

Figure 12: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn, cutting across a double continuous centre line.