BUZZ BOX DRIVING SCHOOL

License Information

Practical License Test

In VICTORIA you must complete a 30 minute practical driving test. The practical driving test has set performance criteria that must be met when you are driving. When you complete a driving lesson with Buzz Box driving school we will go over this practical driving test criteria with you.

First there is a pre drive check in which you must be able to identify the following items

  • Indicators and brake lights
  • Wiper/washer control(s)
  • Headlights - high/low beam
  • Horn
  • Hazard Lights
  • Seatbelts
  • Demister(s) front and back
  • Handbrake

You must be able to start the engine.

Please note that during the drive test you will be required to have your vehicle's headlights on low beam.

During the test, the testing officer will award points for your driving performance when you demonstrate the following safe driving skills:

Observation

Safe drivers are aware of other road users and road conditions at all times while driving. You should look ahead of your car and use head checks and your mirrors to maintain a high level of awareness – especially when turning at intersections, changing lanes, and entering or leaving the flow of traffic.

Signal Use

Safe drivers communicate their intentions to other road users. You must signal for long enough - at least three seconds to warn other drivers and road users before turning or changing lanes and for at least five seconds if you’re pulling out from the kerb.

Gap Selection

When moving into the traffic flow, safe drivers choose safe gaps so other drivers don't have to take action to avoid a crash. They also choose the first safe gap to enter and don't cause delays to other road users. You must carefully observe the traffic and choose the first safe gap when moving into traffic from an intersection, when merging, or when moving from the kerb.

Speed Choice

Speed choice is a key issue for safe driving - exceeding the speed limit by as little as 5 km/h increases your crash risk. Safe drivers do not exceed the speed limit
but when it is safe to do so they drive close to the speed limit so that traffic can flow smoothly. They continually monitor traffic and road conditions and adjust their speed if needed. You must show that you can drive within the speed limit at a speed suitable and safe for the conditions.

Following Distance

Following other vehicles too closely is a significant cause of crashes – especially for young drivers. Safe drivers leave sufficient distance between their car and vehicles in front so there’s time to deal with unexpected events. You must leave at least 2 seconds between you and any vehicle ahead - and longer in poor driving conditions. You should use the same following distances when changing lanes and merging.

Lateral Position

Safe drivers choose the best lane to drive in, steer a smooth path and stay completely within the lane. They keep a safe distance between their car and other road users, including parked cars. During the test, you must choose the correct lane and position your car safely within the lane at all times.

Stop Position

When you are required to stop - for example at Stop signs, traffic lights, and crossings - you must stop the car in the correct position. Safe drivers stop close to (but not over) the Stop line. This ensures the safety of other road users and gives the driver the best opportunity to detect potential hazards and to select a safe gap before moving off.

Control

Safe drivers are in full control of the vehicle at all times. To demonstrate this you must accelerate and brake smoothly during all manoeuvres, avoid stalling the engine, and if you are driving a manual use the clutch and gears smoothly.

Low Speed Manoeuvring

In a VICROADS practical license test you will be asked to demonstrate either a Reverse Parallel Park or a Three Point Turn.

Reverse Parallel Park

You will be asked to pull up next to a legally parked vehicle and reverse into the space behind that vehicle.

You Must:

  • look in the direction of travel before and during reversing
  • position your car parallel to the kerb (within 300mm) and be between 1 and 2 metres from the car in front
  • not reverse back further than 7 metres from the vehicle in front
  • use no more than 4 and no less than 2 movements to enter the space and no more than 4 to leave it
  • signal and do a head check before leaving the space

REVERSE PARK

Three Point Turn

You will be asked to make a three point turn (turn your car around) on a road which is not as wide as your car’s turning circle. You should complete this manoeuvre in three movements.

You Must:

  • put on your left signal before stopping at the kerb
  • position your car parallel to and within 300mm of the kerb before starting the turn
  • put on your right signal for 5 seconds before leaving the kerb
  • look in both directions before commencing the turn
  • proceed across the road to the opposite kerb
  • look in both directions along the road before reversing
  • look in the direction of travel before and during reversing
  • after reversing, look in both directions before moving off

THREE POINT TURN

If you do any of these things during the low speed manoeuvre you will fail:

  • take longer than two minutes to complete the manoeuvure
  • mount the kerb with both wheels
  • finish positioning your car with the front and/or left wheels more than 1 metre from the kerb
  • take more than 5 movements to complete the three point turn

More information can be found on the VICROADS Getting Your P's web page.

License Information

Practical License Test (As of July 1st 2008)

In VICTORIA you must complete a 30 minute practical driving test. The practical driving test has set performance criteria that must be met when you are driving. When you complete a driving lesson with Buzz Box driving school we will go over this practical driving test criteria with you.

First there is a pre drive check in which you must be able to identify the following items

You must be able to start the engine.

Please note that during the drive test you will be required to have your vehicle's headlights on low beam.

During the test, the testing officer will award points for your driving performance when you demonstrate the following safe driving skills:

Observation

Safe drivers are aware of other road users and road conditions at all times while driving. You should look ahead of your car and use head checks and your mirrors to maintain a high level of awareness – especially when turning at intersections, changing lanes, and entering or leaving the flow of traffic.

Signal Use

Safe drivers communicate their intentions to other road users. You must signal for long enough - at least three seconds to warn other drivers and road users before turning or changing lanes and for at least five seconds if you’re pulling out from the kerb.

Gap Selection

When moving into the traffic flow, safe drivers choose safe gaps so other drivers don't have to take action to avoid a crash. They also choose the first safe gap to enter and don't cause delays to other road users. You must carefully observe the traffic and choose the first safe gap when moving into traffic from an intersection, when merging, or when moving from the kerb.

Speed Choice

Speed choice is a key issue for safe driving - exceeding the speed limit by as little as 5 km/h increases your crash risk. Safe drivers do not exceed the speed limit
but when it is safe to do so they drive close to the speed limit so that traffic can flow smoothly. They continually monitor traffic and road conditions and adjust their speed if needed. You must show that you can drive within the speed limit at a speed suitable and safe for the conditions.

Following Distance

Following other vehicles too closely is a significant cause of crashes – especially for young drivers. Safe drivers leave sufficient distance between their car and vehicles in front so there’s time to deal with unexpected events. You must leave at least 2 seconds between you and any vehicle ahead - and longer in poor driving conditions. You should use the same following distances when changing lanes and merging.

Lateral Position

Safe drivers choose the best lane to drive in, steer a smooth path and stay completely within the lane. They keep a safe distance between their car and other road users, including parked cars. During the test, you must choose the correct lane and position your car safely within the lane at all times.

Stop Position

When you are required to stop - for example at Stop signs, traffic lights, and crossings - you must stop the car in the correct position. Safe drivers stop close to (but not over) the Stop line. This ensures the safety of other road users and gives the driver the best opportunity to detect potential hazards and to select a safe gap before moving off.

Control

Safe drivers are in full control of the vehicle at all times. To demonstrate this you must accelerate and brake smoothly during all manoeuvres, avoid stalling the engine, and if you are driving a manual use the clutch and gears smoothly.

Low Speed Manoeuvring

In a VICROADS practical license test you will be asked to demonstrate either a Reverse Parallel Park or a Three Point Turn.

Reverse Parallel Park

You will be asked to pull up next to a legally parked vehicle and reverse into the space behind that vehicle.

You Must:

REVERSE PARK

Three Point Turn

You will be asked to make a three point turn (turn your car around) on a road which is not as wide as your car’s turning circle. You should complete this manoeuvre in three movements.

You Must:

THREE POINT TURN

If you do any of these things during the low speed manoeuvre you will fail:

More information can be found on the VICROADS Getting Your P's web page.