Wendouree Ballarat 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.

Yes, Wendouree Ballarat is considered easier than Melbourne centres. As a regional city, it has less traffic, wider roads, and simpler road conditions. The area around Lake Wendouree offers quieter routes. It's a good option for those who find Melbourne centres too stressful.

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.

Key challenges include: 1) Merging from the service road onto Learmonth Rd when exiting VicRoads, 2) Large multi-lane roundabouts that require correct lane selection, 3) Multiple 40 km/h speed zones near Lake Wendouree and schools that require attention to speed changes.

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.

Routes cover the Wendouree area including Learmonth Rd (60 km/h), residential streets behind VicRoads (50 km/h), and main roads like Sturt Street and Victoria Street. The Lake Wendouree area may also be included with its scenic routes and 40 km/h zones.

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.

Learmonth Road outside the test centre is 60 km/h. Residential streets are typically 50 km/h. Watch for 40 km/h zones near Lake Wendouree, school zones, and sections of main roads like Sturt Street and Victoria Street.

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.

Practice the Learmonth Rd exit from VicRoads - you need to merge into fast-moving traffic. Familiarize yourself with 40 km/h zones around Lake Wendouree and schools. Practice multi-lane roundabouts as they're common in Ballarat. The quieter environment makes practice easier.

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.

If you miss a turn, continue driving safely and legally - you won't lose points for taking a wrong route. Never emergency brake or make sudden movements. The examiner will redirect you. Focus on safe driving rather than panicking about missed turns.

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.

Wendouree Ballarat is significantly easier than Melbourne centres. Benefits include: less traffic, wider roads, simpler intersections, and a calmer environment. The 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne may be worth it for a less stressful test experience.

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.

Ballarat has large multi-lane roundabouts which are a key challenge. Select the correct lane well before approaching the roundabout. For turning right, be in the right lane early. For going straight, either lane may work. Check roundabout markings carefully.

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%.

Regional centres may have limited booking slots, so book well in advance - potentially over a month ahead. Avoid school hours when 40 km/h zones are active. Mid-morning on weekdays typically has lighter traffic. Check availability early if traveling from Melbourne.

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.

Wendouree Ballarat is ideal for nervous drivers due to its calmer environment. Take deep breaths if nervous and adjust your pace. The regional setting is more forgiving than Melbourne. Focus on completing each action during the test without overthinking results.

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.