Pakenham East VicRoads Driving Test Routes Book Test

You can book your Victorian drive test online through the VicRoads website (vicroads.vic.gov.au), by phone on 13 11 71, or in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. You must have passed both the Learner Permit Knowledge Test and Hazard Perception Test (HPT) before booking.

Pakenham East sits in Melbourne's fastest-growing southeast corridor, so test routes blend quiet new-estate residential streets with the busy Princes Highway at 80 km/h. Speed zones change frequently — from 40 km/h school zones to 50 km/h residential areas to 80 km/h on the highway. The centre relocated from the old Stephenson Street site and now operates from 129 Treloar Lane.

To take the VicRoads drive test, you must: be at least 18 years old, have held your learner permit for at least 12 months, completed 120 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night) if under 25, and passed the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). You also need a roadworthy registered vehicle.

Stage 1 uses quieter 50 km/h streets like Stephenson Street, Main Street, Rogers Street, and Snodgrass Street for basic skills and parking manoeuvres. Stage 2 moves onto McGregor Road and Eagle Drive (40 km/h with roundabouts), Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road (60 km/h), and the Princes Highway (80 km/h). Routes cover approximately 19 km over about 35 minutes.

The VicRoads drive test costs $51.80 plus a $21.50 appointment fee, totalling $73.30. Under the Motorist Package, the first online Learner Permit Knowledge Test and Hazard Perception Test are free. If you fail, you pay the full drive test fee again but the appointment fee is waived if you rebook.

Top fail points include: 1) Rolling stops — not coming to a complete stop behind the line, 2) Driving too slowly on the Princes Highway — under-speed is penalised just like speeding, 3) Poor lane positioning before roundabouts on McGregor Road, 4) Inadequate head checks when changing lanes, especially merging onto the highway, 5) Failing to adjust speed smoothly during frequent zone transitions.

Victoria has the highest driving test pass rate in Australia at 75%, well above the national average of 62%. Even the lowest-performing centre in Victoria (Dandenong at 67%) still exceeds the national average. 9 out of the top 10 pass rate centres in Australia are in Victoria. (Data: EzLicence 2024-2025)

The VicRoads drive test takes approximately 30 minutes. It starts with pre-drive checks (seatbelts, mirrors, indicators, wipers, lights), then covers suburban driving and may include higher-speed roads. You will do either a three-point turn OR reverse parallel parking (examiner chooses). The test has two stages covering different road environments.

The Princes Highway is the most challenging part of the Pakenham East test at 80 km/h with multi-lane traffic. You must merge confidently and match the flow of traffic — hesitating or driving well below the limit is a common fail point. Signal early, check mirrors and blind spots thoroughly, and maintain steady lane discipline. Practise merging at highway speed beforehand to build confidence.

Instant fail items include: running a red light, speeding, not stopping at stop signs, failing to give way, causing danger to other road users, any collision, not checking blind spots when changing lanes, and any action requiring examiner intervention. Forgetting to cancel your indicator after a lane change can also result in a fail.

Bring: your current learner permit, proof of identity, a roadworthy vehicle with current registration and insurance, and your supervising driver (who must hold a full licence for 2+ years). Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The vehicle must have L plates displayed and no warning lights on the dashboard.

McGregor Road and Eagle Drive feature multiple roundabouts that are heavily tested. You must select the correct lane well before entering — left lane for left turns and straight, right lane for right turns and U-turns. Signal clearly on approach and exit, check for pedestrians near crossings, and maintain a steady speed through each roundabout. Multi-lane roundabouts require strong lane discipline.

Yes. Drivers from recognised countries (UK, USA, Canada, NZ, EU, Japan, Singapore and others on the Austroads list) can convert directly without tests. Drivers from non-recognised countries including China must pass the Knowledge Test, Hazard Perception Test, and Drive Test. A NAATI certified translation is required for non-English licences.

Yes, some routes pass through school zones with 40 km/h limits during school hours (8:00-9:30 am and 2:30-4:00 pm on school days). Watch for flashing school zone signs and reduce speed before entering the zone. Be extra vigilant for children, school buses, and parents stopping suddenly. If your test falls during these times, strict compliance is essential.

If you fail, you will receive feedback on what to improve. You can rebook immediately but must pay the drive test fee again ($51.80). There is no limit on attempts. Given Victoria's high 75% pass rate, most candidates pass within 1-2 attempts with adequate preparation.

The most common fail reasons are: not making head checks obvious enough (examiners need to see you turn your head), forgetting to cancel indicators after lane changes, poor mirror checking frequency, failing to give way at roundabouts, speeding in school zones (40km/h), and incorrect hook turn procedure in Melbourne CBD.

Pakenham East has an excellent 4.4-star Google rating from 449 reviews — one of the highest-rated VicRoads centres in Melbourne. Examiners Zack and Sarah are frequently praised for their calm demeanour and clear instructions. Staff are generally described as friendly, patient, and supportive, especially with nervous candidates. The facility at 129 Treloar Lane has clear signage and accessible areas, making the overall testing experience smoother than some busier centres.

A hook turn is a right turn made from the left lane, unique to Melbourne CBD where tram tracks occupy the centre of the road. You pull into the left lane, wait for the cross-street light to turn green, then complete your right turn. Hook turns are unlikely in the drive test unless your test centre is in the CBD area (e.g., Carlton).

If under 25, you must complete 120 hours of supervised driving (including 10 night hours) recorded in your logbook. This is one of the highest requirements in Australia. If 25 or older, there is no mandatory hour requirement, but VicRoads recommends extensive practice. Most successful candidates have at least 5-10 hours of professional lessons.

Pakenham is undergoing over $1 billion in road upgrades including level crossing removals, Racecourse Road duplication, and the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road upgrade. You may encounter temporary speed limits, lane closures, or detours on test routes. Follow all temporary signage carefully, reduce speed in work zones, and be prepared for changed road conditions that differ from your practice sessions.

Based on EzLicence data (2024-2025), Melbourne test centres with the highest pass rates are: Frankston (~80%, the highest in all of Australia), Geelong (77%), Werribee (~75%), Melton (~74%), and Bundoora (~73%). All Victorian centres exceed the national average of 62%.

Early morning slots are ideal — traffic is lighter on the Princes Highway before the morning peak. Avoid booking during school drop-off (8:00-9:30 am) if you want to skip school zone complications, or during afternoon rush hour when highway traffic is heaviest. The centre operates 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays only, closed on weekends.

While all Victorian centres have pass rates above the national average, the more challenging ones include: Dandenong (67%), Heatherton (64%), and Broadmeadows (69%). Carlton is perceived as difficult by Chinese learners due to tram tracks and CBD traffic, though its pass rate is around 70%.

Victoria uses a Graduated Licensing System: Learner Permit (age 16+), P1 Red Probationary (age 18+, after 12 months on L), P2 Green Probationary (after 1 year on P1), and Full Licence (after 3 years on P2 or age 22). P1 drivers have a zero BAC limit and passenger restrictions at night.

Exaggerate your head checks so the examiner clearly sees you looking — this is crucial during lane changes and merging. Practise the Stage 2 roads at test-time traffic levels. Ensure your vehicle passes the pre-drive check (lights, wipers, seatbelts, no windscreen cracks). Arrive early to familiarise yourself with the Treloar Lane car park exit. You are allowed up to 16 minor errors but any critical error means immediate failure.

While not mandatory, professional lessons are highly recommended. Most first-time passers have 5-10+ hours with a qualified instructor. Victorian instructors know the specific test routes and criteria. Each hour with an instructor counts as 3 hours in your logbook (up to 10 instructor hours = 30 logbook hours).

You need: your original overseas licence, NAATI certified translation (if not in English), passport and visa, proof of Victorian address (utility bill or bank statement), completed application form, and payment. Permanent residents must convert within 6 months. Temporary visa holders can drive on their overseas licence with an English translation.