Around one in two learners fails their first drive test in Victoria. At Sehgal Driving School, 96% of our students pass on their first attempt — and the difference almost never comes down to raw driving skill. It comes down to preparation, habits, and knowing exactly what the examiner is looking for.
Know how the test is actually scored
The VicRoads drive test runs for about 30 minutes across two stages. Stage 1 covers lower-risk situations; you must perform well enough here to progress to Stage 2, which includes busier roads and more complex decisions. Examiners record repeated minor errors and any critical or immediate-fail errors — like failing to give way, speeding, or requiring instructor intervention.
Understanding this changes how you practise: consistency across the basics matters more than perfecting one difficult manoeuvre.
The five mistakes we see most often
After nearly two decades of taking students to the test centre, the same handful of errors come up again and again:
- Incomplete head checks. Mirror glances aren’t enough — examiners want to see a clear shoulder check before merging, lane changing and pulling out.
- Hesitation at roundabouts. Stopping when there’s a safe gap reads as indecision. Judging gaps confidently takes practice on real roundabouts near your test centre.
- Speed drift. Creeping 5 km/h over in a 50 zone, or sitting 15 under on a main road — both cost you. Glance at the speedo every few seconds.
- Late indicating. Signal a full five seconds before moving off from the kerb, and well before every turn.
- Poor kerbside stops. Practise pulling up parallel and close to the kerb, secure the car fully, and head-check before rejoining traffic.
“Most learners fail on habits, not skills. The learner who checks their blind spot every single time — even on an empty street — is the one who passes.”— Ankur Sehgal, Founder & Senior Instructor
Practise the actual test routes
Examiners use a set of local routes around each test centre. If you’re testing at Werribee, your lessons should cover the roundabouts, school zones and shopping strips the routes actually use. Our instructors run mock tests on these roads so nothing on test day feels unfamiliar.
The week before your test
Book a lesson two or three days before the test to iron out last-minute habits, then rest properly the night before. On the day, arrive early, bring your learner permit and logbook evidence, and take our Drive Test Package — a 60-minute warm-up lesson right before your test in the same car you’ll be tested in. A familiar car and a fresh warm-up settles nerves better than anything else.
Ready to book?
If your test is coming up, we’d love to help you walk in prepared. Book a mock test lesson or our Drive Test Package, and we’ll take care of the rest.