Sunbury 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.

Sunbury sits in Melbourne's northern growth corridor with a distinctive semi-rural, semi-urban character. Test routes combine township streets around the Macedon Street shopping area with quieter residential roads that transition into semi-rural zones. Key challenges include multi-lane roundabouts, frequent speed zone changes between 50 and 80 km/h, and roads that sometimes lack clear lane markings. The centre is at the rear of Hume City Council Building.

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.

Sunbury has a 3.7-star Google rating from 176 reviews — a moderate score for VicRoads centres. Several reviewers praise staff as friendly and helpful, with short wait times and plenty of parking. Some examiners are noted for being thorough and professional during the drive test. However, a few reviews mention inconsistency in service quality, so experiences may vary depending on which examiner you get.

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.

Common fail reasons include: 1) Poor lane discipline at multi-lane roundabouts — you must be in the correct lane well before approaching, 2) Missing speed zone transitions, especially when moving from 50 km/h residential to 80 km/h semi-rural sections, 3) Inadequate observation and head checks at intersections without clear markings, 4) Not managing space on narrower roads when encountering oncoming vehicles. Exaggerate your head movements so the examiner can clearly see you checking.

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.

Routes start and end at the VicRoads centre on Macedon Street. They typically loop through the surrounding shopping centre area with its slip lanes and angled parking, residential streets in the Sunbury township, and roads leading toward semi-rural areas with higher speed limits. Expect a mix of commercial zones near the centre, quiet residential streets, and sections where the character shifts from suburban to semi-rural.

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.

Sunbury features several busy multi-lane roundabouts that are a major test component. Approach in the correct lane early — do not change lanes at the last moment. Follow road markings carefully and indicate your exit. When turning right, position yourself in the right lane well before the roundabout and maintain lane discipline throughout. Check mirrors before exiting and watch for vehicles already in the roundabout.

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.

Sunbury has frequent speed zone transitions that catch many learners off guard. The township centre is typically 50 km/h, surrounding arterial roads may be 60-70 km/h, and semi-rural roads like Sunbury Road reach 80 km/h. School zones drop to 40 km/h during active hours. Begin adjusting your speed before reaching the new zone sign, not after. The examiner watches closely for smooth, timely speed transitions.

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.

Mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays generally offers the calmest conditions. Avoid school drop-off times (8:15-9:15 AM) and pick-up times (2:45-3:45 PM) as these create congestion near school zones. The centre operates 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays only, closed on weekends. Sunbury's growing population means traffic is heavier during peak commute times, so a midday slot is ideal.

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.

Sunbury's semi-rural roads present unique challenges compared to fully urban test centres. Some roads have unclear or missing lane markings, narrower carriageways, and open shoulders. Watch for speed limit changes as you transition from township to semi-rural areas. Keep a safe following distance, be alert for unexpected hazards like agricultural vehicles or wildlife, and maintain a steady speed appropriate for the conditions.

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%.

Sunbury is considered moderately challenging. The semi-rural environment means less congested traffic than inner-city centres like Carlton, which can reduce stress. However, the varied road types — from commercial areas with angled parking to semi-rural roads with higher speed limits — require adaptability. The multi-lane roundabouts are a significant challenge. Practising the specific roads around Macedon Street and nearby residential areas before your test is highly recommended.

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.

Practise driving around the Macedon Street area and surrounding residential streets to get familiar with the road layout. Master multi-lane roundabouts with correct lane positioning. Learn every speed zone change on the likely test routes. Exaggerate head checks so the examiner clearly sees your observations. Arrive early to settle your nerves and familiarise yourself with the car park exit. Book a lesson with a local instructor who knows the Sunbury routes.

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.