Melbourne Outer Eastern Driving School

Vehicle

SAFETY

Check

VicRoads Ringwood Drive Test:

The Melbourne Outer Eastern Driving School specialises in the VicRoads RINGWOOD drive (licence) test routes.

Since recently opening (December 2020) in response to the large backlog of applicants caused by the Covid lock-downs, the VicRoads Ringwood office has quickly become the most popular VicRoads drive-test location in Melbourne's outer eastern region.

Every test route in Ringwood will require you to do a Parallel Park or 3 Point Turn (or both). You will also normally be required to do multiple lane changes, and lane merges, where appropriate indicating, blind-spot checking, and right-of-way knowledge will be made note of. 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 and left turns from side streets into multi-lane roads. You need to be aware of your turn priority against vehicles approaching from all directions (including from side streets feeding into the road you have been asked to turn into).... 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.

Traffic lights initially controlled by "arrows" that then become just traffic lights with "no arrows" are quite prevalent in the Ringwood testing area.... knowing where to position yourself at these intersections as well knowing when it is or isn't permissible to turn is essential.

Sometimes just exiting and re-entering the VicRoads Ringwood car-park (where you may need to deal with vehicles approaching from the opposite direction in often congested narrow side-streets), in addition to being able to park your vehicle in what may be the last available (awkward) space, can prove to be more difficult than you may expect.

As such, it is recommended that you acquaint yourself with the area that you will be doing your test in, and I would be happy to help you do that.

# NEW RINGWOOD LOCATION: 93A Heatherdale Rd, Ringwood. #

On Monday 4th April 2022, a NEW VicRoads drive-test location in Ringwood opened for business. It is to be known as the VicRoads Ringwood TIC (Testing & Inspection Centre). This office will run concurrently with the existing 28 Warrandyte Rd office for a few months, and will eventually become the sole testing office for Ringwood.

(please call / text me (BRENDAN) on Mob: 0423 164 943).

Drive-Test Times:

VicRoads Ringwood (By APPOINTMENT only):

(Mon-Fri): 8:30 - 3:30.

(Testing is occasionally conducted on Saturdays - please check with VicRoads)

Address (1): 28 Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood.

Address (2): 93A Heatherdale rd, Ringwood.

Talk to Brendan (0423 164 943) if you wish advice on the best times to do your test, or if you wish to use him for your Drive test.

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”.

Talk to Brendan (0423 164 943) if you wish more information on the Hazards Test.

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 2nd roundabout, turn left”, “at the last roundabout turn right, finishing in the left 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.

Talk to Brendan (0423 164 943) if you are unsure about how to do these.

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 turns into multi-lane roads;

- Parking in preparation for 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.

Talk to Brendan (0423 164 943) if you are unsure about how to do these.

Overall Advice:

The Drive-Test lasts approximately 30-40 minutes of “drive-time” (approx. 1 hour if you include administrative times before and after the test).

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). 

Please feel free to call or text Brendan on:

0423 164 943

(or Ph: 9884 1868, but please try Mobile number first)

( If Brendan doesn’t answer his mobile immediately, please leave a voicemail

or text message and he will generally get back to you within an hour.....

ie., he will probably be on a lesson / test and unable to answer you. )

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Melbourne Outer Eastern Driving School

(www.melbourneoutereasterndrivingschool.com.au)

(specialising in the

VicRoads Ringwood

Licence Testing routes)