VicRoads Drive Test

APRIL 2010

keepingvictoriansconnected

B

The Drive Test criteria change from time to time. Drive Tests may change accordingly. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the most recent edition of this criteria manual. If you are in doubt, check the version available on the VicRoads website.

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Figures ii

Amendments iv

1. OverviewoftheDriveTest 11.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Testroutestages 1

1.3 Drivingtasks 2

1.4 Assessmentitems 2

2. DriveTestprocedures 32.1 Pre-drivesafetycheck 3

2.2 Minimumassessmentrequired 3

3. Understandingtheassessmentcriteria 43.1 Definitions 4

3.2 Typesofassessment 6

4. TaskAssessmentItems 74.1 Observation 7

4.2 Signalling 9

4.3 GapSelection 12

4.4 SpeedChoice 13

4.5 FollowingDistance 15

4.6 LateralPosition 16

4.7 ParkingObservation 22

4.8 ParkingMovement 23

4.9 LeavingParking 25

4.10 TurningMovement 26

5. StageAssessmentItems 285.1 LateralPosition 28

5.2 Control 29

6. CriticalErrors 306.1 TooSlow 30

6.2 FailtoLook 31

6.3 FailtoSignal 32

6.4 BlockPedestrianCrosswalk 33

6.5 MountKerb 35

6.6 Stall 36

6.7 IncompleteStop 37

6.8 OtherIllegalAction 39

7. ImmediateTerminationErrors 417.1 Intervention 41

7.2 DisobeyDirection 43

7.3 Collision 44

7.4 FailtoGiveWay 46

7.5 ExcessiveSpeed 49

7.6 StopatDangerousPosition 50

7.7 FailtoStop 54

7.8 OtherDangerousAction 55

AppendixA–Assessabletasks 59Stage1 59

Stage2 60

Index 63

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iiFigure 1: The yellow-shaded area indicates the crosswalk at a children’s crossing. 4

Figure 2: A signal is required when changing lanes. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 10

Figure 3: A signal is required when diverging, even if no other vehicles are present. 10

Figure 4: A left-turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at the first exit, if the first exit is less than halfway around the roundabout. 11

Figure 5: No turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at an exit that is halfway around the roundabout. 11

Figure 6: A right-turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at an exit that is more than halfway around the roundabout. 11

Figure 7: Correct lateral position on a right turn, keeping left of centre when entering and leaving the intersection. 17

Figure 8: Incorrect lateral position on a right turn, failing to keep left of centre when entering and leaving the intersection. 18

Figure 9: Incorrect lateral position on a right turn from a road with no marked lanes, failing to enter the intersection as near as practicable to the centre line. 18

Figure 10: Correct lateral position for a right turn into a multi-lane road. 18

Figure 11: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn into a multi-lane road, failing to keep left of centre when leaving the intersection. 19

Figure 12: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn, cutting across a double continuous centre line. 19

Figure 13: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn, possibly recorded as an Immediate Termination Error (Other Dangerous Action or Intervention) if there is traffic approaching from the right. 20

Figure 14: Correct lateral position for a left turn from a road with no marked lanes, entering the intersection as near as practicable to the left side of the road. 20

Figure 15: Incorrect lateral position for a left turn, crossing the centre line of the road the applicant is turning into. 20

Figure 16: Correct lateral position when cars are parked at the left side of the road. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 21

Figure 17: Incorrect lateral position when cars are parked at the left side of the road. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 21

Figure 18: Incorrect lateral position on a road with only one lane or line of traffic for the applicant’s direction of travel, failing to keep as near as practicable to the left side of the road. 21

Figure 19: Correct parking movement. Note that the applicant is required to maintain a turn signal (assessed under Signalling) at positions 1 and 2. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 24

Figure 20: Leaving parking, using one reverse movement and one forward movement. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 25

Figure 21: Three-point turn movements, including pulling over to the left kerb (optional). 27

Figure 22: Three-point turn movements, including using a driveway (optional). 27

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Figure 23: Incorrect three-point turn movement, travelling too far up the driveway and entering private property. 27

Figure 24: Stopping before the crosswalk may not provide an adequate view of traffic approaching from the right. 33

Figure 25: The second queued vehicle should not encroach on the pedestrian crossing until the first vehicle has departed. 34

Figure 26: The vehicle on the left stops over the stop line, so a Critical Error (Incomplete Stop) is recorded. The vehicle on the right blocks the marked foot crossing, causing pedestrians to take evasive action, so an Immediate Termination Error (Stop at Dangerous Position) is recorded. 38

Figure 27: Overtaking on the left is not permitted on roads with only one marked lane for the applicant’s direction of travel, so a Critical Error (Other Illegal Action) is recorded. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 40

Figure 28: If an applicant commences a manoeuvre that will cause immediate danger, the instructor or LTO should intervene. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 42

Figure 29: Immediate Termination Error (Collision) – mounting the kerb of a roundabout or striking the kerb hard enough to cause discomfort to vehicle occupants. 45

Figure 30: Critical Error (Other Illegal Action) – driving on a part of the roundabout intended for use only by heavy vehicles. 45

Figure 31: Immediate Termination Error (Collision) – mounting or driving over a part of the roundabout not intended to be driven on by any vehicles. 45

Figure 32: Stopping at a dangerous position while waiting to turn right, blocking a lane of oncoming traffic. 51

Figure 33: Stopping at a dangerous position that intrudes into a line of moving traffic. 51

Figure 34: Stopping at a dangerous position that intrudes into the path of cyclists on the intersecting road. 51

Figure 35: Stopping at a dangerous position that intrudes into an intersecting traffic stream. 52

Figure 36: After stopping at the stop line, the driver is permitted to move forward to view approaching traffic, but must not obstruct a line of moving traffic. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.) 52

Figure 37: Stopping before the crosswalk may not provide an adequate view of traffic approaching from the right. 53

Figure 38: The second queued vehicle should not encroach on the pedestrian crossing until the first vehicle has departed. 53

Figure 39: Driving on the wrong side of the road when approaching an intersection unnecessarily increases the risk of collision with a vehicle that may be approaching from the right, so an Immediate Termination Error (Other Dangerous Action) is recorded. 58

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iv Amendments

Date Section Amendment

June2008 5.4SpeedChoice Clarificationof‘schoolzone’as“anareaidentifiedbyaspeedlimitsignwiththeadditionalwords‘school’or‘schoolzone’.(Noteoperatinghoursaredefinedbythesign.)”

June2008 5.8ParkingMovement

Correctionofdefinition

July2008 8.2DisobeyDirection

Clarificationofdefinitionas‘repeatedly(onthreeoccasions)’

Feb2009 2.1 Testcanproceedifapplicantunabletoidentifydemistercontrols

Feb2009 3.1 Addeddefinitionsfor‘children’scrossing’,‘markedfootcrossing’,‘pedestriancrossing’,‘roaduser’and‘traffic’

Reviseddefinitionof‘crosswalk’

Feb2009 3.2,6.8,7.8 ClarificationofdefinitionofImmediateTerminationError

Feb2009 3.2 Clarification:anunnecessaryevasiveactionbyanotherroaduserdoesnotleadtoanImmediateTerminationError

Feb2009 4.1,4.2,6.2,6.3,7.4

Fail to Look or SignalsplitintotwoseparateCriticalErrorcategories–Fail to Lookand Fail to Signal

Feb2009 4.7,4.8,4.9,4.10 CorrectionofitemcodesforsomeStageAssessmentItems

Feb2009 4.1 NAcanberecordedforObservationifapplicantwearingsunglasses

Removedrequirementnottosignalwhenadriverinthenextlanecouldbealarmedbythesignal

Clarification:Observationrequiredwhendivergingintoabicyclelane

Feb2009 4.2,4.6,4.8,4.9,4.10,6.7,6.8,7.1,7.3,7.6,7.8

Diagramsaddedtoillustrateassessmentcriteria

Feb2009 4.2 Clarification:Signallingbeforeleavingaroundaboutnotusuallypracticable

CustomerServiceManagertodeterminewhethersignalpracticablewhenleavingroundabout

Mustnotsignalwhenitcouldmisleadotherroadusersaboutwheretheapplicantintendstoturn

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Date Section Amendment

Feb2009 4.2,6.3 Signalrequiredwheneverpullingoutfromaparkedorstationaryposition

Clarification:IncorrectsignalresultsinNoforSignallingbutnotaCriticalError

Feb2009 4.2,6.3,7.4 Clarification:Signalrequiredwhendivergingbyatleastthewidthofthecar,oranyothertimewhennecessarytowarnotherroadusers

Feb2009 4.3 Clarification:Gap Selectioncanonlybeassessedifthereisatleastonetrafficunitapproaching

Feb2009 4.4 Removedirrelevantreferencetolanechanges

Feb2009 4.4,7.5 Clarification:ImmediateTerminationErrorforspeedingbyanymarginforanydurationinaschoolzoneappliesonlyduringschoolzoneoperatinghours

Feb2009 4.4 Clarification:Applicantsnotnecessarilyrequiredtoobeyspeedadvisorysigns

Feb2009 4.5 ChangedrequirementsforFollowing Distanceduringlanechanges

Feb2009 4.6 Revisedrequirementsforlanechoice

NewrequirementsforLateral Positionduringturns

Newrequirementtokeepasfarleftaspracticableonroadswithonelaneforapplicant’sdirectionoftravel

Feb2009 4.8 Reverseparktobeabandonedifnotcompletedin2minutes

Feb2009 4.8,6.5 Clarification:Nopenaltyforminorcontactwithkerbwhileparking

Feb2009 4.9 Headcheckmustbemadeimmediatelybeforepullingoutfromkerb

Feb2009 4.10 Ifusingadrivewayforthree-pointturn,thevehiclemustnotenterprivateproperty

Feb2009 5.1 Clarification:CriteriafortheLateral PositionStageAssessmentItemarethesameasthecriteriafortheTaskAssessmentItem

Feb2009 5.2 Applicantmustnotcoastinneutralorwithclutchdisengaged

Feb2009 6 Removedprohibitiononrecordingtwoerrorsforthesamedrivingaction

Feb2009 6.1 ApplicantmustnotremainstoppedunnecessarilyatStoporGiveWaysign

Applicantnottostopunnecessarilybeforepedestriancrossingorchildren’scrossing

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Date Section Amendment

Feb2009 6.2,7.4 Clarification:Observationrequiredwhendivergingbyatleastthewidthofthecar

Feb2009 6.4 Exceptiontoprohibitiononstoppingonpedestriancrosswalkappliesonlytofirstvehicleinqueue

ClarificationofwhenCriticalError(Block Pedestrian Crosswalk)shouldberecordedandwhentheexceptionapplies

Feb2009 6.7 CriticalError(Incomplete Stop)toberecordedifapplicantstopspartlyoverthestopline

Feb2009 6.8,7.2,7.4,7.7,8.8 Extraexamplesaddedtoclarifyassessmentcriteria

Feb2009 6.8 ClarifiedwhereonscoresheetLTOshouldrecordtypeofOther Illegal Action

CriticalError(Other Illegal Action)nottoberecordedforcertainerrors

Feb2009 7.2 ImmediateTerminationError(Disobey Direction)toberecordedforasingleinstanceofdisobeyingadirectiongivenbyapolicemember

Feb2009 7.3 ImmediateTerminationError(Collision)toberecordedifawheelmountsthekerbotherthanduringareverseparkorthree-pointturn

Clarification:ImmediateTerminationError(Collision)notrecordedfordrivingoverpartofroundaboutdesignedtobetraversedbyheavyvehicles

Feb2009 7.6 ImmediateTerminationError(Stop at Dangerous Position)canberecordedwhenstoppingattrafficlights

Exceptionstoprohibitiononstoppingoverstoplineoronpedestriancrosswalk

Feb2009 7.8 ClarifiedwhereonscoresheetLTOshouldrecordtypeof Other Dangerous Action

Mar2010 6.4,7.6 Updatedexplanation

11. Overview of the Drive Test

1.1 Introduction

In2007,theVictorianGovernmentmadechangestothedriverlicensingsystem.NewrequirementswereaddedtotheGraduatedLicensingSystem(GLS),particularlyforyounglearnerswhoneedaminimum120hoursofsuperviseddrivingexperiencebeforetakingtheprobationarylicencetest.

Adriverwhoobtainedalearnerpermitonorafter1July2007andisunder21yearswhenapplyingforaprobationarylicence:

musthaveheldthelearnerpermitforatleast12monthsbeforetakingtheprobationarylicencetest,and

mustpresentaLogBookand‘DeclarationofCompletion’signedbythemandtheirsupervisingdriverstoshowtheyhaveaccumulatedtherequirednumberofdrivinghours.

VicRoads,withthehelpofAustralianandinternationalexpertsinnovicedriversafety,developedanewon-roaddrivingtesttohelpidentifythoselearnerswhoarereadytodrivesafelyontheirown.ThenewDriveTestfocusesonassessingtheskillsrequiredtodrivesafely.Itappliestoalllicenceapplicantsfrom1July2008onwards.

TheGLSencourageslearnerstopractisedrivinginarangeofdifferentconditionsandinastagedprogression,frombasicskillsinquietareastomorecomplexdrivingsituationsastheyapproachtheirlicencetest.GainingthisexperiencewillhelplearnersacquiresaferdrivinghabitsandincreasetheirchanceofpassingtheDriveTest.ItisintendedthattheDriveTestwillhelpmotivatelearnerstoobtaintherequiredlevelandbreadthofexperience.

ThisbookletprovidesdetailedinformationabouttheDriveTest.Itincludestheassessmentcriteriaforalltestitems,alongwithinformationaboutthestructureofthetest.ItwillhelpprofessionaldrivinginstructorsworkwithlearnerdriversastheyapproachtheDriveTest,butitshouldnottaketheplaceofawell-structuredlearnerperiodthatincludeshighlevelsofsuperviseddrivingexperienceinabroadrangeofdrivingsituations.

Duringthetest,theapplicantisdirectedtodrivearoundafixedassessmentrouteandaskedtoperformspecificdrivingtasks(suchasturnsorlanechanges)atvariouslocations.TheLicenceTestingOfficer(LTO)usesasetofspecificassessmentitemstorecordhowwelltheapplicantperformseachtask.

VicRoadsLTOshavepassedatrainingprogramonthepracticalapplicationofthetestassessmentcriteria.ThetrainingprogramprovidesspecificknowledgeandskillstoenabletheLTOstoapplytheassessmentcriteriareliablyinarangeofdifferenttestsituations.

Tohelpensurethesafetyoflicenceapplicants,LTOs,accompanyinginstructorsandotherroadusers,theDriveTestisdividedintotwostages.Stage1involvessomerelativelysimple,low-riskdrivingtasksinalesschallengingtrafficenvironment.ApplicantswhofailStage1arenotpermittedtoattemptStage2,whichassessessafedrivingskillsinday-to-daydrivingtasksinbusiertrafficsituations.Inthisway,potentiallyunsafeapplicantsareexcludedfromthetestbeforetheycanposeadangertothemselvesandothers.

1.2 Testroutestages

ADriveTestassessmentroutecomprisestwostages.Thefirsttakes10minutesandinvolvesrelativelysimpledrivingtasksinalowrisktrafficenvironment.Stage2takes20minutesandinvolvesmorechallengingdrivingtasksinbusiertrafficsituations.AttheendofStage1,theLTOdirectstheapplicanttopullovertothekerbsoscoresforthatstagecanbeenteredonthescoresheetandtotalled.OnlyapplicantswithasatisfactoryassessmentforStage1canproceedtoStage2.

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Stages1and2oftheDriveTestmustbeundertakenduringasingletestbooking.Theycannotbesplitintoseparateappointments.

1.3 Drivingtasks

Therearetwotypesofdrivingtasksinthetestroute:

Assessable driving tasksaremanoeuvressuchasturns,lanechanges,straightdrivesandareverseparallelpark.EachassessabletaskhasseveralassociatedTaskAssessmentItemsthattheLTOusestorecordhowwellthetaskwasperformed.

Linking manoeuvresareinsertedbetweenassessabletaskstocreateacontinuousroutethatbeginsandendsattheVicRoadsCustomerServiceCentre.LinkingmanoeuvresdonothaveassociatedTaskAssessmentItems.

TherearesevenassessabledrivingtasksinStage1andatleast14assessabletasksinStage2.Therecanbeupto21assessabletasksinStage2ofsometestroutes,becausesometaskscanbeassessedmorethanonce.

TheassessabledrivingtasksusedintheDriveTestarelistedinAppendixA–Assessabletasks.

1.4 Assessmentitems

Foreachassessabledrivingtaskontheroute,therouteguidespecifiestwo,threeorfourTask Assessment ItemsthattheLTOmustassessandrecord.ForadetaileddescriptionofeachTaskAssessmentItem,seeSection4.

TheStage1TaskAssessmentItemsforsometasksdifferfromthoseusedinStage2.Thisrecognisesthedifferentfunctionsofthetwostages.Stage1assessmentitemswereselectedfortheirabilitytoidentifyapplicantswhomightdriveunsafelyinStage2.AssessmentitemsforStage2wereselectedfortheirabilitytodistinguishbetweenapplicantswhoarereadytodrivesafelyonaprobationarylicenceandthosewhoneedmoresupervisedexperienceonalearnerpermitbeforebeingreadyforsolodriving.

ThreeothertypesofassessmentareusedintheDriveTest:

Stage Assessment Itemsapplytotheapplicant’sperformanceduringthewholeofStage1orthewholeofStage2.TheStageAssessmentItemsaredescribedindetailinSection5.

Critical ErrorsarerecordedatanytimetheyoccurduringtheDriveTest,whetherduringanassessabletaskornot.TheCriticalErrortypesaredescribedinSection6.

Immediate Termination Errorsarealsorecordedatanytimetheyoccurandresultintheimmediateterminationofthetest.TheImmediateTerminationErrortypesaredescribedinSection7.

32. Drive Test procedures

2.1 Pre-drivesafetycheck

BeforebeginningtheDriveTesttheLTOwilldirecttheapplicanttoperformapre-drivesafetycheck.

1. Theapplicantisrequiredtoidentifyandoperatethefollowingvehiclecontrols:

turnindicators

brakelights

horn

headlights(highandlowbeam)*

hazardlights

windscreenwasherandwipers.

2. Theapplicantisrequiredtoidentifythehandbrake.

3. Theapplicantisaskedtoidentify,butnotoperate,thefollowingcontrols:

windscreendemister

rearwindowdemister(wherefitted).

4. Theapplicantisrequiredtostarttheengine.

IftheapplicantfailstosatisfytherequirementsinItems1and2,orifanyofthevehiclecontrolslistedinItems1and2donotoperatecorrectly,theapplicantisnotpermittedtoundertaketheDriveTest.

IftheapplicantfailstoidentifythecontrolslistedinItem3,theLTOshouldpointouttherelevantcontrol(s)totheapplicant,butstillallowtheapplicanttoundertaketheDriveTest.IfitbecomesnecessarytouseoneofthesecontrolsduringtheDriveTestandtheapplicantrequiresassistancetooperatethecontrol,anImmediateTerminationError(Intervention)shouldberecorded.

Thepre-drivesafetycheckdoesnotcontributetotheapplicant’stestscore.

*TheLTOshoulddirecttheapplicanttoturntheheadlightson(lowbeam)throughoutStages1and2oftheDriveTest.

2.2 Minimumassessmentrequired

Unforeseeneventssuchasroadworksonthetestroutemaypreventtheapplicantfromcompletingsomeassessabletasks.Thisdoesnotinvalidatethetest,providedthefollowingrequirementsaremet:

AtleastfiveoftheseventasksinStage1(includingthereverseparallelparkorthree-pointturn)mustbeundertakenbeforetheapplicantcanproceedtoStage2.

Thetestisconsideredtobecompleteifatleast17tasksacrossbothstagesareundertaken(includingthereverseparkorthree-pointturn,atleasttwolanechanges,andatleastonestraightdrive).

Iftheserequirementsarenotmet,theassessmentwillbeincompleteandare-testisrequired.

4 3. Understanding the assessment criteria

3.1 Definitions

Crossing: Children’s crossing:Apartoftheroadwithstoplinesmarkedontheroadand‘ChildrenCrossing’flagsmountedonredandwhitestripedpostsoneithersideoftheroad.

Marked foot crossing:Apartoftheroadwithpedestrianlightsfacingpedestrianscrossingtheroadandtrafficlightsfacingvehiclesdrivingontheroadandindicatedbyadifferentroadsurfaceortwoparallellinesorrowsofstudsormarkersontheroadsurface.

Pedestrian crossing:Apartoftheroadpaintedwithparallelwhitestripesandindicatedbyapedestriancrossingsign(walkinglegssymbol),withorwithoutflashingyellowlights.

Crosswalk: Themarkedportionoftheroadwherepedestrianscrossatapedestriancrossing,achildren’scrossingoramarkedfootcrossing(alldefinedabove).Theareabetweenthecrosswalklineandanyvehiclestoplinemarkedinadvanceofthecrosswalklinedoesnotformpartofthecrosswalk.

Diverging: Anylanechange,lanemergeorlateralmovementwithinthelane(whethermarkedorunmarked)ofatleastacarwidth.

Evasive action: Anychangeofcourseorspeed(includingswerving,stopping,slowingoraccelerating)byanotherroadusertoavoidapotentialcollisionwiththeapplicant’svehicle.

Head check: Theapplicantlooksbackovertheirleftorrightshoulderthroughthevehicle’ssidewindows(nottherearwindow)tocheckforotherroadusersinblindspotsthatcannotbeseeninthemirrors.

Lane: Aportionoftheroadintendedforusebyasinglelineoftraffic.Theleftandrightboundariesofthelanemaybedefinedbypavementmarkings(lanelines,centrelineoredgeline)orbythekerb,theedgeofthesealedroadsurfaceorthecentreoftheroad.

Lateral: Movementsidewaysorfromsidetoside(differsfromforwardsandbackwards).

Figure 1: The yellow-shaded area indicates the crosswalk at a children’s crossing.

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Merging: 1. Asinglevehiclejoiningatrafficstream(e.g.whenavehiclepullsoutfromthekerb),or

2. Twoormoretrafficstreamsjoiningtobecomeonestream(e.g.whentwoadjacentlanesjointobecomeasinglelane).

Road user: Thedriverorriderofamotorvehicleortheriderofabicycleorapedestrian.

Traffic: Includesnotonlymotorvehicles(cars,trucks,motorcycles,etc.)butalsobicyclesandpedestrians.

Turning: Changingdirectiontotravelfromoneroadintoanotherroadatanintersection.Doesnotincludedrivingaroundacurveorbendwhencontinuingonthesameroad.

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3.2 Typesofassessment

TherearefourtypesofassessmentitemsusedintheDriveTest.

TaskAssessmentItems

TaskAssessmentItemsassessoneaspectofdrivingperformanceduringaspecific,assessabledrivingtaskataspecificlocationonthetestroute.Forexample,ObservationmightbeassessedwhenturningrightfromSmithStreetintoJonesRoad.TaskAssessmentItemsarenotassessedwhiledrivingbetweenassessabledrivingtasks.Theycontributetotheapplicant’spointscoreforStage1orStage2.TheTaskAssessmentItemsaredefinedinSection4.

StageAssessmentItems

StageAssessmentItemsassessanaspectofdrivingperformance(eitherControlorLateral Position)duringassessabletasksandlinkingmanoeuvresthroughoutStage1andagainthroughoutStage2.Theycontributetotheapplicant’spointscorefortherelevantstage.TheStageAssessmentItemsaredefinedinSection5.

CriticalErrors

CriticalErrorsarerecordedatanytimetheyoccurduringthetest,notjustduringassessabledrivingtasks.Theyarerecordedifanapplicantmakesaseriousdrivingerror(includinganillegalaction)thatdoesnotmeettheconditions(setoutbelow)foranImmediateTerminationError.Forexample,aCriticalErrorisrecordedforfailingtosignalbeforechanginglaneswhentherearenoothervehiclesnearbyandnodangeroussituationiscreated.FulldetailsofeachCriticalErrortypeareprovidedinSection6.

TheDriveTestwillbeterminatedimmediately(andtheresultrecordedas‘NotSuccessful’)iftheapplicantcommitsmorethanoneCriticalErrorduringStage1ormorethantwoCriticalErrorsoverthecourseoftheentiretest.

ImmediateTerminationErrors

ImmediateTerminationErrorsarerecordedatanytimetheyoccurduringthetest,notjustduringassessabledrivingtasks.AnImmediateTerminationErrorisadrivingactionthat:

causesanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction

causesimmediatedangertoroadusersorproperty

willcauseimmediatedangertoroadusersorpropertyiftheLTOorinstructordoesnotintervene

unnecessarilyincreasestheriskofacollision.

Forexample,anImmediateTerminationErrorisrecordedforfailingtogivewaytoanothervehicleorapedestrianwhenturning.

Notethattheapplicantisnotconsideredtohavecausedanotherroadusertotakeevasiveactioniftheotherroaduser’sactionwasunnecessary.

TheImmediateTerminationErrortypesaredescribedinSection7.AnImmediateTerminationErrorcommittedatanytimeduringthetestwillresultinimmediateterminationoftheDriveTest.

74. Task Assessment Items

4.1 Observation

Item code:Obs

Requirements

Maintainsacontinuouslookoutaheadofthevehicle,exceptwhenmakingbriefchecksofthemirrorsandotherdirections.

Whendrivingstraight,checksthemirrorsoftenenoughtomaintainawarenessofsurroundingtraffic.Therequiredfrequencyvarieswithtrafficconditions.

Whenrequiredtogivewaytoothertraffic(suchaswhenfacingaGiveWaysign,turningacrossoncomingtraffic,orenteringaroundabout),looksinthedirection(s)fromwhichconflictingtrafficmightapproachbeforeproceeding.

Checkstheinternalmirrorimmediatelybeforebraking.

Whendiverging(includingwhenenteringorcrossingabicyclelaneinpreparationforaleftturn):

checkstheinternalmirrorand(accordingtothedirectionofmovement)therightorleftexternalmirrorimmediatelybeforesignalling

performsaheadcheckimmediatelybeforemovinglaterally.

Whenturning,looksintheplanneddirectionoftravel(i.e.inthedirectionoftheturn)beforemakingtheturn.

Whenmakingathree-pointturn,looksinbothdirectionsalongtheroadimmediatelybeforemovingacrosstheroad(beforeandafterreversing)andimmediatelybeforereversingoutofadrivewayorawayfromthekerb.

Whenreversingaspartofathree-pointturn,looksinthedirectionoftravelwhilereversing.

Scoring

Yes ifallapplicablerequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

NA ifitisnotpossibletodeterminewhethertherequirementsweremet(forexample,iftheapplicantwearssunglassesanditisnotpossibletoseewhetherheorshelookedintheappropriatedirection)

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See also

Whendiverging,iftheapplicantdoesnotcheckthemirrorsANDdoesnotdoaheadcheck:

Ifnootherroaduserhastotakeevasiveaction,aCriticalError(Fail to Look)shouldberecorded.IfObservationisalsobeingassessedforthattask,NoshouldberecordedforObservation.

Ifanotherroaduserhastotakeevasiveaction,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldberecorded.

Explanation

Whendiverging,aheadcheckisrequiredtoensuretherearenoundetectedvehiclesinblindspotsthatcannotbecheckedinthemirrors.

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4.2 Signalling

Item code:Signal

Requirements

Whenpullingoutfromaparkedorstationaryposition(whetheronaroadorinacarpark),activatestheappropriateturnindicatorforatleast5secondsbeforestartingtomove.Indicatoruseisrequiredevenifnoothertrafficispresent.

Activatestheturnindicatorfortheappropriatedirection(leftorright)foratleast3seconds(evenifnoothertrafficispresent)before:

turning

pullingintothekerb

changinglanes

divergingleftorrightbyatleastthewidthofthecar(otherthanpullingoutfromthekerb)

divergingbylessthanthewidthofthecarincircumstanceswhereitisnecessarytowarnotherroadusersoftheintendedmovement(e.g.toindicatethattheapplicantintendstoovertakeaparkedcarbeforeallowinganoncomingvehicletopass)

stoppingnexttoaparkedvehicletocommenceareverseparallelpark.

Whenturningataroundabout:

activatestheturnindicatorintheappropriatedirection(leftorright)foratleast3secondspriortoenteringtheroundabout(seeFigure4,Figure5andFigure6)

activatestheleft-turnindicatorbeforeleavingtheroundaboutifpracticable(butnotethatsignallingtoleavearoundaboutisnotusuallypracticableatanybutthelargestroundabouts;foreachroundaboutonatestroute,theVicRoadsCustomerServiceManagerwilldeterminewhetherasignalisrequiredwhenleavingtheroundabout).

Whenturningleftorright,doesnotactivatetheturnindicatorsoearlyaspossiblytomisleadotherroadusersaboutwhichstreettheapplicantintendstoturninto.

Maintainstheturnsignaluntiltheturnordivergehasbeencompleted.

Cancelstheturnindicatorifnecessarywhentheturnordivergehasbeencompleted.

Notethatifthesignalisincorrectlyexecuted(forexamplenotactivatedsoonenoughorcancelledtoosoon),NoisrecordedforSignallingbutaCriticalError(Fail to Signal)isnotrecorded.Fail to Signalappliesonlyifarequiredsignalisomittedaltogether.

Scoring

Yes ifallapplicablerequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

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See also

Iftheapplicantfailstosignalwhenrequired:

Ifnootherroaduserhastotakeevasiveaction,aCriticalError(Fail to Signal)shouldberecorded.IfSignallingisalsobeingassessedforthattask,NoshouldberecordedforSignalling.

Ifanotherroaduserhastotakeevasiveaction,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldberecorded.

No shouldberecordedforSignallingiftheapplicantdoesnotactivatethesignalbeforeleavingtheroundaboutanditwaspracticabletodoso.ACriticalError(Fail to Signal)shouldnotberecorded.

Example

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantactivatestheturnsignalonly1secondbeforemakingarightturn.

Assessment:Asignalisrequiredatleast3secondsbeforeturning.NoshouldberecordedforSignalling.

Figure 2: A signal is required when changing lanes. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

Figure 3: A signal is required when diverging, even if no other vehicles are present.

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Figure 4: A left-turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at the fi rst exit, if the fi rst exit is less than halfway around the roundabout.

Figure 5: No turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at an exit that is halfway around the roundabout.

Figure 6: A right-turn signal is required when entering a roundabout intending to leave at an exit that is more than halfway around the roundabout.

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4.3 GapSelection

Item code:GapSel

Requirements

Selectsthefirstavailablesafegapintrafficafteraninitialperiodofobservingapproachingtraffictoidentifyagap.

Rejectsanyunsafegaps.

Scoring

Yes ifatleastonetrafficunit(motorvehicle,bicycleorpedestrian)isapproachingandallapplicablerequirementsaresatisfied

No ifatleastonetrafficunit(motorvehicle,bicycleorpedestrian)isapproachingandanyapplicablerequirementisnotsatisfied

NA iftherearenoapproachingtrafficunits(motorvehicles,bicyclesorpedestrians)andtheapplicantdoesnothavetoselectasafegap

See also

Iftheapplicant’sgapselectionissounsafeitrequiresanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldberecorded.

Explanation

Driverswhorejectsafegapscauseincreasedcongestionanddelays,leadingtofrustrationforotherroadusers.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:TheapplicantiswaitingataGiveWaysigntoturnleftfromalocalstreetontoanarterialroad.Shewaitsforseveralvehiclesfromtherighttopass,thencontinueswaitingduringagapwhenitwouldhavebeensafetomaketheturn.Sheeventuallycompletestheturnsafelyduringalatergapinthetraffic.

Assessment:Theapplicanthasselectedasafegap,buthasfailedtoselectthefirstavailablesafegap.NoshouldberecordedforGap Selection.

Example 2

Observed behaviour:TheapplicantisapproachingaStopsigninalocalstreetandintendstoturnleftontoanarterialroad.Ashearrivesattheintersection,thereisasafegapintrafficapproachingfromtheright.Hestopscorrectlyatthestoplinethenchecksfortrafficapproachingfromtheright.Bythetimetheapplicanthaschecked,itistoolatetoacceptthegapsohewaitsforanothersafegapthencompletestheturn.

Assessment:Theapplicantisnotrequiredtoacceptasafegapthatoccursbeforehehashadareasonableopportunitytoobserveapproachingtraffic.YesshouldberecordedforGap Selection.

13

4.4 SpeedChoice

Item code:Speed

Requirements

Doesnotexceedthespeedlimitbyanymarginforacontinuousperiodof5secondsormore.

Doesnotexceedthespeedlimitbyanymarginforanydurationinanareaidentifiedbyaspeedlimitsignwiththeadditionalwords‘school’or‘schoolzone’.(Thisrequirementappliesonlyduringtheoperatinghoursdefinedbythesign.)

Doesnotexceedthespeedlimitby5km/hormoreatanytime.

Whendrivingstraight,drivesatorclosetothespeedlimitwhenconditionsaresuitable,butatalowerspeedifroadortrafficconditions(e.g.drivingonawetorunsealedroad,orincongestedorslowtraffic)makeitunsafetotravelatthespeedlimit.

Whendrivingstraight,doesnotdrive10km/hormorebelowthespeedlimit,unlessroadortrafficconditions(e.g.travellingonawetorunsealedroad,orincongestedorslowtraffic)makeitunsafetotravelclosertothespeedlimit.

Whenmerging,adjustsspeedifnecessarytochooseasafegapinthetraffic.

Notethatspeedadvisorysignsdonotsetspeedlimits.Applicantsarenotrequiredtodriveatorbelowtheadvisedspeedifconditions(weather,roadandvehicle)allowtheapplicanttodrivesafelyatahigherspeed.

Scoring

Yes ifallapplicablerequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

See also

1. AnImmediateTerminationError(Excessive Speed)shouldberecordediftheapplicantexceedsthespeedlimit:

continuouslyfor5secondsormore

by5km/hormoreregardlessoftheduration

byanymarginforanydurationinanareaidentifiedbyaspeedlimitsignwiththeadditionalwords‘school’or‘schoolzone’.(Note:Thisappliesonlyduringtheoperatinghoursdefinedbythesign.)

2. Iftheapplicanttravelsat10km/hormorebelowthespeedlimitforasubstantialpartofthestage,aCriticalError(Too Slow)shouldberecordedunlessroadortrafficconditions(e.g.travellingonawetorunsealedroad,orincongestedorslowtraffic)makeitunsafetotravelclosertothespeedlimit.IfaCriticalError(Too Slow)isrecordedandSpeed Choiceisalsobeingassessedforthattask,NoshouldberecordedforSpeed Choice.

14

Example 1

Observed behaviour:Duringastraightdrivedownhillina60km/hzone,thespeedofthevehiclemomentarilycreepsupto62km/h.Theapplicantnoticesimmediatelyandbrakes,reducingthevehicle’sspeedbackto60km/hwithin2seconds.

Assessment:Theapplicantdidnotexceedthespeedlimitfor5secondsormoreanddidnotexceedthespeedlimitby5km/hatanytime.Assumingthiswastheapplicant’sonlybreachoftherequirements,nopenaltyshouldbeapplied.YesshouldberecordedforSpeed Choice.

Example 2

Observed behaviour:Duringastraightdriveinveryheavyrainandpoorvisibility,theapplicantdrivesat55km/honanarterialroadwithaspeedlimitof70km/h.Otherdriversaretravellingwellbelowthespeedlimit.

Assessment:Drivingwellbelowthespeedlimitisjustifiedbytheconditions.Nopenaltyshouldbeapplied.

15

4.5 FollowingDistance

Item code:FollDist

Requirements

Whendrivingstraightingoodconditions,maintainsafollowingdistanceofatleast2secondsbehindthevehicleahead.

Whendrivingstraightinpoorconditions(e.g.onawetorunsealedroad),maintainsafollowingdistanceofatleast3secondsbehindthevehicleahead.

Afterchanginglanes,resumestheapplicablefollowingdistance(2or3seconds,dependingonconditions)behindthevehicleinfrontassoonaspracticable.

Scoring

Yes iftheapplicablerequirementissatisfied

No iftheapplicablerequirementisnotsatisfied

NA ifthereisnotrafficwithin5secondsaheadandtheapplicantdoesnothavetomaintainasafefollowingdistance

Explanation

Theapplicantneedsmoretimeanddistancetostopthevehicleifahazardisdetectedinpoorconditions(suchasonawetorunsealedroad)thaningoodconditions.Applying2and3secondgapsisconsistentwithinformationprovidedtodriversinVicRoads’handbooksandeducationalresources.

16

4.6 LateralPosition

Item code:LatPos

Requirements

Onroadswithmorethanonelanemarkedfortheapplicant’sdirectionoftravel,selectsanappropriatelaneforthedrivingtask,including:

Whenturningleftorrightfromaroadwithmarkedlanes,commencestheturnfromalanefromwhichtherelevantturn(leftorright)ispermitted.

Whenturningintoamulti-laneroad,complieswithroadmarkings(ifany)thatrequiretheturntofinishinaparticularlane;anddoesnotmisleadotherdriversbyturningtowardsonelaneandthenchangingdirectiontofinishinadifferentlane.

Whentravellingstraightthroughanintersection,doesnotselectalanemarkedforturningtrafficonly.

Doesnotdriveinabicycle-onlylane(exceptwhenenteringorleavingtheroad,pullingovertooroutfromthekerborovertakingaright-turningvehicle,inwhichcasestheapplicantispermittedtodriveinabicyclelaneforupto50metres).

Doesnottravelintheleftlaneifitisintermittentlyblockedbyparkedvehiclesandanotherlaneisavailable.

Whenturningright:

keepsleftofthecentreline(ifany)orcentreoftheroad(ifnocentreline)whenenteringtheintersectionandwhenleavingtheintersection(seeFigure7,Figure8,Figure10,Figure11andFigure12)

ifturningfromaroadwithoutmarkedlanes,enterstheintersectionasnearaspracticabletothecentreline(ifany)orthecentreoftheroad(seeFigure9)

ifturningrightatanintersectionotherthanaT-intersectionoraroundabout,passestotherightofthecentreoftheintersection,unlessroadmarkingsora‘Hookturnonly’signimposeadifferentrequirement.Notethatitmaybedifficulttojudgewherethecentreoftheintersectionislocated,soapplicantsshouldbepenalisedonlyforveryclearbreachesofthisrequirement.

Whenturningleft:

doesnotcrossthecentrelineofeithertheroadtheapplicantisturningfromortheroadtheapplicantisturninginto(seeFigure15)

ifturningleftfromaroadwithoutmarkedlanes,commencestheturnfromasnearaspracticabletotheleftsideoftheroad(seeFigure14).

Positionsthevehiclewhollywithinthelane(exceptwhenchanginglanes)anddoesnotwanderfromsidetosidewithinthelane.

Whendrivingalongaroadwithonlyonelaneorlineoftrafficfortheapplicant’sdirectionoftravel,positionsthevehicleasnearaspracticabletotheleftsideoftheroad.Notethatitisnotconsideredpracticabletodriveclosetotheleftsideoftheroadifthiswouldrequiretheapplicanttodivergefrequentlyaroundparkedvehicles(seeFigure16,Figure17andFigure18).

Maintainsalateralclearanceofatleast1.2metresfromparkedvehicleswheneverpossible(seeFigure16).

17

✔

Figure 7: Correct lateral position on a right turn, keeping left of centre when entering and leaving the intersection.

Maintainsasafelateralclearancefromvehiclestravellinginotherlanes.

Doesnotcontactanykerbwhenturningrightorleftornegotiatingaroundabout.

Scoring

Yes ifallapplicablerequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

See also

Lateral PositionisalsoassessedasaStageAssessmentIteminbothstagesofthetest.

Explanation

Drivingunnecessarilyinthekerbsidelanewhenthereareparkedvehiclesshouldbeavoidedbecauseitresultsinfrequentlanechangesordivergesthatcouldpotentiallycreateconflictswithothervehicles.

Keepinga1.2metre(cardoorwidth)clearancefromparkedvehiclesallowsforthepossibilitythattheparkedvehicle’soccupantmayopenthedoorwithoutfirstcheckingitissafetodoso.However,insomesituations(e.g.narrowlocalstreetswithcarsparkedonbothsides)keepingthedesiredclearancemaynotbepossible.

18

Figure 9: Incorrect lateral position on a right turn from a road with no marked lanes, failing to enter the intersection as near as practicable to the centre line.

Figure 10: Correct lateral position for a right turn into a multi-lane road.

Figure 8: Incorrect lateral position on a right turn, failing to keep left of centre when entering and leaving the intersection.

19

Figure 12: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn, cutting across a double continuous centre line.

Figure 11: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn into a multi-lane road, failing to keep left of centre when leaving the intersection.

20

Figure 15: Incorrect lateral position for a left turn, crossing the centre line of the road the applicant is turning into.

Figure 14: Correct lateral position for a left turn from a road with no marked lanes, entering the intersection as near as practicable to the left side of the road.

Figure 13: Incorrect lateral position for a right turn, possibly recorded as an Immediate Termination Error (Other Dangerous Action or Intervention) if there is traffi c approaching from the right.

21

Figure 17: Incorrect lateral position when cars are parked at the left side of the road. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

Figure 18: Incorrect lateral position on a road with only one lane or line of traffi c for the applicant’s direction of travel, failing to keep as near as practicable to the left side of the road.

Figure 16: Correct lateral position when cars are parked at the left side of the road. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

22

4.7 ParkingObservation

Item code:PrkObs

Requirements

Whenreverseparking,looksouttherearwindowofthevehicleimmediatelybeforereversing.

Scoring

Yes iftherequirementissatisfied

No otherwise

23

4.8 ParkingMovement

Item code:PrkMvt

Requirements

Completesthereverseparkinnomorethan4vehiclemovementsandinnomorethan2minutes(unlesstrafficconditionsmakethisunreasonable).

Doesnotreversemorethan7metresbehindtherearofthevehicleinfront(measuredfromtherearoftheparkedvehicletothefrontoftheapplicant’scar)(seeFigure19).

Finisheswiththefrontandrearleftwheelswithin300mmofthekerb.

Finisheswiththefrontofthecarbetween1and2metresbehindtherearofthevehicleinfront.

Doesnothitthekerbheavilyenoughtocausediscomforttovehicleoccupants.

Doesnotallowanywheeltomountthekerbwhileparking.

Scoring

Yes ifallrequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

Notes

1. Ifoneormoretyrescontactthekerbbutnotheavilyenoughtocausediscomforttovehicleoccupantsandwithoutmountingthekerb,nopenaltyisrecorded.

2. Ifanapplicanthasusedmorethanthe2minutespermittedandhasnotcompletedthepark:

NoshouldberecordedforParking Movement

theLTOmaydecidetoabandonthereverseparkandcontinuetheDriveTest.

See also

1. Iftheapplicantallowsonewheelofthevehicletomountthekerbwhileparking,butnootherroadusertakesevasiveactionandthereisnodangertoroadusersorproperty,aCriticalError(Mount Kerb)shouldberecorded(andNoshouldberecordedforParking Movement).

2. AnImmediateTerminationError(Collision)shouldberecordediftheapplicant:

allowsonewheeltomountthekerbeithercausingaroadusertotakeevasiveactionorcreatingadangertoproperty

allowsmorethanonewheeltomountthekerb.

24

Figure 19: Correct parking movement. Note that the applicant is required to maintain a turn signal (assessed under Signalling) at positions 1 and 2. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

1 2

3 4 P

7 m

25

1 P2

4.9 LeavingParking

Item code:LvePark

Requirements

Makesaheadcheckafteractivatingtheturnindicatorimmediatelybeforepullingoutfromthekerb.

Pullsoutfromthekerbineitheroneortwomovements(i.e.onereversemovementifrequired,andoneforwardmovement)(seeFigure20).

Scoring

Yes ifallrequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

See also

1. Theapplicantisalsorequiredtosignalbeforepullingoutfromthekerb.ThisisassessedunderSignalling(Section4.2).

2. Iftheapplicantallowsonewheelofthevehicletomountthekerbwhileleavingparking,butnootherroadusertakesevasiveactionandthereisnodangertoproperty,aCriticalError(Mount Kerb)shouldberecorded.

3. AnImmediateTerminationError(Collision)shouldberecordediftheapplicant:

allowsonewheeltomountthekerbeithercausingaroadusertotakeevasiveactionorcreatingadangertoproperty

allowsmorethanonewheeltomountthekerb.

Explanation

Theheadcheckmustbedoneimmediatelybeforepullingoutfromthekerbtoensurethereisnotenoughtimeforanothervehicletomoveintoadangerouspositionaftertheheadcheckandbeforepullingout.

Figure 20: Leaving parking, using one reverse movement and one forward movement. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

26

4.10TurningMovement

Item code:TurnMvt

Whenperformingathree-pointturn,theapplicantisfreetochoosewhetherornottopullovertotheleftkerbbeforeturningacrosstheroadtotheright(seeFigure21).Theapplicantisalsofreetochoosewhethertoturnbetweenthekerbsortomakeuseofadrivewayontherightsideoftheroad(seeFigure22).

Requirements

Ifelectingtocommencebypullingovertotheleftkerb,positionsthecarparalleltoandwithin300 mmoftheleftkerb.

Movesacrosstheroadtotherightkerborintoadrivewaywithouthittinganykerbhardenoughtocausediscomforttovehicleoccupantsandwithoutallowinganywheeltomountakerb.

Ifelectingtouseadriveway,doesnotallowthevehicletoenterprivateproperty(seeFigure23).

Reversesawayfromthekerboroutofthedrivewaywithouthittinganykerbhardenoughtocausediscomforttovehicleoccupantsandwithoutallowinganywheeltomountakerb.

Returnstothecorrectsideoftheroadwhendrivingoffasthemanoeuvreiscompleted.

Completesthemanoeuvreinnomorethan2minutesandwithoutmovingacrosstheroadtotherightmorethanonce.

Scoring

Yes ifallapplicablerequirementsaresatisfied

No otherwise

See also

1. Theapplicantisalsorequiredtosignalbeforepullingovertothekerb(ifapplicable)andbeforemovingacrosstheroadtotheright.ThisisassessedunderSignalling(Section4.2).

2. Iftheapplicantallowsonewheelofthevehicletomountthekerbwhileperformingthethree-pointturn,butnootherroadusertakesevasiveactionandthereisnodangertoproperty,aCriticalError(Mount Kerb)shouldberecorded(andNoshouldberecordedforTurning Movement).

3. AnImmediateTerminationError(Collision)shouldberecordediftheapplicant:

allowsonewheeltomountthekerbeithercausingaroadusertotakeevasiveactionorcreatingadangertoproperty

allowsmorethanonewheeltomountthekerb.

27

Figure 21: Three-point turn movements, including pulling over to the left kerb (optional).

1

4

3

2

1

2

4

53

1

4

3

2

Figure 22: Three-point turn movements, including using a driveway (optional).

Figure 23: Incorrect three-point turn movement, travelling too far up the driveway and entering private property.

28 5. Stage Assessment Items

5.1 LateralPosition

Item code:LatPos

Requirements

TherequirementsforLateral PositionasaStageAssessmentItemareidenticaltotherequirementsforLateral PositionasaTaskAssessmentItem,asshowninSection4.6.Onlythescoringdiffers,asshownbelow.

Scoring

Yes iftherearenomorethantwobreachesoftherequirementsduringthestage

No iftherearethreeormorebreachesoftherequirementsduringthestage

See also

Lateral PositionisalsoassessedasaTaskAssessmentItemforsomeassessabletasks.IfabreachoftheLateral Positionrequirementsoccursononeofthesetasks,thatbreachresultsinaNoforLateral Positionforthattaskandalsocontributestothecountofbreachesforthestage.

Example

Observed behaviour:Duringanassessablestraightdrive,theapplicantencroachesbrieflybutunnecessarilyintoabicyclelane.Laterinthesamestage,duringalinkingmanoeuvre,theapplicantfailstomaintainthedesired1.2metreclearancefromaparkedcar.Therearenootherbreachesofthestatedrequirementsduringthestage.

Assessment:NoisrecordedforLateral Position(TaskAssessmentItem)fortheassessablestraightdrivebecausetherequirementswerebreachedduringthattask.However,therehavebeenonlytwobreachesoftherequirementsintotalforthestage,soYesshouldberecordedforLateral Position(StageAssessmentItem)forthestage.

29

5.2 Control

Item code:Control

Requirements

Speedsupandslowsdownsmoothly.

Whendrivingamanualvehicle:

operatestheclutchandgearssothevehiclemovessmoothly

doesnotlabourorover-revtheenginebyselectingageartoohighortoolowforthespeedandsituation

doesnotunnecessarilyallowthevehicletocoastinneutralorwiththeclutchdisengagedformorethan50metres.

Scoring

Yes iftherearenomorethantwobreachesoftherequirementsduringthestage

No iftherearethreeormorebreachesoftherequirementsduringthestage

30 6. Critical Errors

6.1 TooSlow

Item code:TooSlow

Recordedif

Theapplicanttravelsat10km/hormorebelowthespeedlimitforasubstantialpartofthestage(eitherStage1orStage2).

Theapplicantremainsstationaryfornogoodreasonformorethan5secondswhen:

attrafficlights,theapplicablesignalhasturnedgreen,or

ataStoporGiveWaysign,allvehiclestowhichtheapplicantisrequiredtogivewayhaveclearedtheintersection,or

vehiclesqueuedinfrontoftheapplicanthavemovedoff.

Theapplicantstopsunnecessarilybeforedrivingthroughapedestriancrossingorchildren’scrossingwhentherearenopedestriansonorapproachingthecrossing.

Exception

Theapplicantisnotpenalisedfortravellingat10km/hormorebelowthespeedlimitforasubstantialpartofthestageifroadortrafficconditions(e.g.travellingonawetorunsealedroad,orincongestedorslowtraffic)makeitunsafetotravelclosertothespeedlimit.

See also

DrivingtooslowlyisalsorecordedusingtheTaskAssessmentItem(Speed Choice),whichisassessedforsometasksinStage2.

Explanation

Driverswhotravelmuchmoreslowlythannecessaryorstopunnecessarilyincreasetrafficcongestionandcauseadditionalfrustrationtootherdrivers,potentiallyleadingtounsafebehaviourbyotherdrivers.

Thisitemshouldonlyberecordedonceineachstage,ifrelevant.

31

6.2 FailtoLook

Item code:NoLook

Recordedif

Whenpullingoutfromthekerb,theapplicantdoesnotcheckthemirrorsANDdoesnotdoaheadcheckbeforemovingoff.

Whendivergingleftorrightbyatleastthewidthofthecar,theapplicantdoesnotcheckthemirrorsANDdoesnotdoaheadcheckbeforediverging.

Whenchanginglanesorpartiallychanginglanes,theapplicantdoesnotcheckthemirrorsANDdoesnotdoaheadcheckbeforecrossingthelaneboundary.

Whenrequiredbytheroadrulestogivewaytoconflictingtraffic,theapplicantfailstolookforconflictingtrafficbeforeproceeding.

See also

Whenturningordiverging(includingchanginglanesorpullingoutfromthekerb),iftheapplicantfailstogivewayandcausesanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)isrecorded.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:TheapplicantturnsleftataGiveWaysign.Thereisnoconflictingtraffic,butsheapproachesandturnsataspeedthatwouldmakeitimpossibletoassesspotentialhazardsorconflictingtraffic.

Assessment:Inasituationwheretheapplicantwouldberequiredtogivewayifanyconflictingtrafficwerepresent,shemustvisuallycheckforthepresenceofothertraffic.Herspeedduringtheturnwassuchthatitwouldnotbepossibletoassesspotentialconflicts.ACriticalError(Fail to Look)shouldberecorded.

Example 2

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantintendstoproceedstraightaheadthroughacross-intersectioncontrolledbyaStopsign.HestopscorrectlyattheStopsignthenchecksfortrafficapproachingfromtheright,butfailstocheckfortrafficapproachingfromtheleftbeforeproceedingthroughtheintersection.Thereisnotrafficapproachingfromtheleft.

Assessment:Inasituationwheretheapplicantwouldberequiredtogivewayifanyconflictingtrafficwerepresent,hemustvisuallycheckforthepresenceofothertraffic.ACriticalError(Fail to Look)shouldberecorded.

32

6.3 FailtoSignal

Item code:NoSignal

Recordedif

Whenpullingoutfromaparkedorstationaryposition(whetheronaroadorinacarpark),theapplicantfailstosignalbeforemovingoff.

Whenstoppingatthekerborthesideoftheroad,theapplicantfailstosignalbeforedivergingorstopping.

Whendivergingleftorrightbyatleastthewidthofthecar,theapplicantfailstosignalbeforediverging.

Whenchanginglanesorpartiallychanginglanes,theapplicantfailstosignalbeforecrossingthelaneboundary.

Whenturningatanintersection,theapplicantfailstogiveaturnsignal.

Exceptions

ACriticalError(Fail to Signal)shouldnotberecordediftheapplicantdoesnotactivatethesignalbeforeleavingaroundaboutanditwaspracticabletodoso.NoshouldberecordedforSignallingifthisoccursduringanassessabledrivingtask.

Iftheapplicantsignalswhenrequiredbutdoesnotdosocorrectly(forexample,thesignalisnotactivatedsoonenoughorisallowedtocanceltoosoon),aCriticalError(Fail to Signal)shouldnotberecorded.NoshouldberecordedforSignallingifthisoccursduringanassessabledrivingtask.

See also

Whenturningordiverging(includingchanginglanesorpullingoutfromthekerb),iftheapplicantfailstogivewayandcausesanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)isrecorded.

Example

Observed behaviour: Theapplicantturnsrightfromaright-turn-onlylanewithoutgivinganyturnsignal.Nootherroadusertakesevasiveaction.

Assessment:Asignalisalwaysrequiredwhenturning,regardlessofthelanemarkingsorthepresenceofotherroadusers.ACriticalError(Fail to Signal)shouldberecorded.

33

Limit of applicant’s field of view

6.4 BlockPedestrianCrosswalk

Item code:BlockPed

Recordedif

Theapplicantstopsthevehicleonorpartlyonachildren’scrossing,pedestriancrossingormarkedfootcrossing.

Exception

Theapplicantisnotpenalisedforstoppingthevehicleonacrosswalkifitisnecessarytodosotoviewapproachingtrafficbeforecompletingaturnatanintersection(seeFigure24).However:

Ifmorethanonevehicleisqueuingtomaketheturn,thisexceptionappliesonlytothefirstvehicleinthequeue(seeFigure25).

Beforestoppingonthecrosswalk,theapplicantmusttakeallreasonablecaretoensurethatnopedestrianhastotakeevasiveaction.

See also

Iftheapplicantstopsthevehicleatapositionthatintrudesontoorblocksapedestriancrosswalk(children’scrossing,pedestriancrossingormarkedfootcrossing)andapedestriantakesevasiveactionandtheexceptiondescribedabovedoesnotapply,anImmediateTerminationError(Stop at Dangerous Position)isrecorded.

Explanation

Forthesafetyofpedestriansadrivershouldnotstopavehicleinapositionthatblocksachildren’scrossing,amarkedfootcrossingorpedestriancrossings.However,insomecases(forexampleinsomeleft-turnsliplanes)itmaybenecessaryforthefirstqueuedvehicletostoponthecrosswalkifanadequateviewofapproachingtrafficcannotbeobtainedbystoppingbeforethecrosswalk.Inthefuture,VictoriaplanstointroduceanamendmenttotheRoadRulestoprohibitstoppingoncrossingsexceptundersuchspecialcircumstances.

Figure 24: Stopping before the crosswalk may not provide an adequate view of traffic approaching from the right.

34

Figure 25: The second queued vehicle should not encroach on the pedestrian crossing until the fi rst vehicle has departed.

35

6.5 MountKerb

Item code:Kerb

Recordedif

Whileenteringorleavingaparkingspaceorperformingathree-pointturn,theapplicantallowsonewheelofthevehicletomountthekerb.

Note

If,whileenteringorleavingaparkingspaceorperformingathree-pointturn,oneormoretyrescontactsthekerbbutnotheavilyenoughtocausediscomforttovehicleoccupantsandwithoutmountingthekerb,nopenaltyisrecorded.

See also

Ifmorethanonewheelmountsthekerboraroadusertakesevasiveactionorthereisdangertoproperty,anImmediateTerminationError(Collision)isrecorded.

36

6.6 Stall

Item code:Stall

Recordedif

Theapplicantstallsthevehicleatanytimeduringthetest.

See also

Iftheapplicantrequiresphysicalorverbalassistancetostartorre-startthevehicleafterastall(oratanyothertimeinthetest),anImmediateTerminationError(Intervention)isrecorded.

Explanation

Stallingthevehiclecanleadtopotentiallydangerousconflictswithothertraffic.

37

6.7 IncompleteStop

Item code:IncomplStop

Recordedif

WhenstoppingataStopsign,theapplicantslowsandpauses,butfailstobringthevehicletoacompletestop(withthewheelsmotionless)behind,butwithin2metresof,thestopline.

WhenstoppingataStopsign,trafficlightsorchildren’scrossing,theapplicantstopswithpartorallofthevehiclebeyondthestopline,butthevehicledoesnotintrudeintothepedestriancrosswalk(seeFigure26).

See also

1. IftheapplicantdrivespastaStopsignwithoutclearlydemonstratinganintentiontostop,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Stop)isrecorded,regardlessofwhetherthereisanyconflictwithothertraffic.

2. ThisCriticalErrorshouldnotbeusediftheincompletestopoccursatarailwaylevelcrossing.Iftheapplicantfailstobringthevehicletoacompletestopinthecorrectpositionatarailwaylevelcrossingwhenrequiredtodoso,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Stop)isrecorded.

3. Iftheapplicantdoesnotstopataredtrafficlight(orassociatedstopline),anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Stop)isrecorded.

4. Iftheapplicantstopsbeyondthestoplineandthevehicleintrudesintothepedestriancrosswalk,butnopedestrianisaffected,aCriticalError(Block Pedestrian Crosswalk)isrecorded.

5. If,whenstoppingataStopsign,trafficlightsorchildren’scrossing,theapplicantfailstobringthevehicletoacompletestopbehindthestopline,andasaresultcreatesaconflictwithapedestrianoranapproachingvehicleontheintersectingroad,anImmediateTerminationError(Stop at Dangerous PositionorFail to Give Way)isrecorded.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:TheapplicantslowswhenapproachingaStopsignandcomesveryclosetoacompletestopattheappropriatepositionwhilegivingwaytoavehicleontheintersectingroad.However,thevehiclepausesbutdoesnotcometoacompletestopwiththewheelsmotionless.

Assessment:Theapplicanthasfailedtocometoacompletestop.ACriticalError(Incomplete Stop)shouldberecorded.

Example 2

Observed behaviour:TheapplicantapproachesaStopsignandstopswiththefrontofthevehicleprojectinghalfametrebeyondthestopline.Duetothepresenceofaparkinglaneontheintersectingroad,noconflictiscreatedwithvehiclesontheintersectingroad.

Assessment:Theapplicanthasstopped,butfailedtocometoacompletestopattheappropriateposition.ACriticalError(Incomplete Stop)shouldberecorded.

38

Figure 26: The vehicle on the left stops over the stop line, so a Critical Error (Incomplete Stop) is recorded. The vehicle on the right blocks the marked foot crossing, causing pedestrians to take evasive action, so an Immediate Termination Error (Stop at Dangerous Position) is recorded.

39

6.8 OtherIllegalAction

Item code:OtherIllegal

IfaCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)isrecorded,theLTOmustalsorecordthenatureoftheillegalactiononthescoresheetinthespacemarked‘OTHERILLEGAL’.

Recordedif

TheapplicantperformsanillegaldrivingactionnotspecifiedandrecordedunderanyotherCriticalError.

Exceptions

Iftheapplicantgivesaturn/divergesignalthatstartstoolateorfinishestooearly,aCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldnotberecorded.NoshouldberecordedforSignallingifthetaskisassessable.However,ifarequiredturn/divergesignalisomittedaltogether,aCriticalError(Fail to Signal)shouldberecorded.

IftheapplicantbreachestheLateral PositionrequirementsstatedinSection4.6,aCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldonlyberecordediftheapplicant:

turnsfromalanemarkedforstraight-throughtrafficonly,or

drivesstraightthroughanintersectionfromalanemarkedforturningtrafficonly,or

drivesformorethan50metresin(orpartlyin)abicyclelane,or

drivesformorethan50metreson(orpartlyon)thewrongsideoftheroad.

ForallotherbreachesoftheLateral Positionrequirements,aCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldnotberecorded.

If,whendirectedtopullovertothekerbattheendofStage1,theapplicantstopsthecarverycloseto(butnotblocking)adriveway,aCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldnotberecorded.

See also

AnImmediateTerminationErrorisrecordediftheapplicantperformsanillegaldrivingactionthat:

islistedinSection7(ImmediateTerminationErrors)

causesanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction

causesimmediatedangertoroadusersorproperty

willcauseimmediatedangertoroadusersorpropertyiftheLTOorinstructordoesnotintervene

unnecessarilyincreasestheriskofacollision.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantturnsrightfromalanemarkedforstraight-throughtrafficonly.Nootherroaduserneedstotakeevasiveaction.

Assessment:Disobeyingarrowspaintedontheroadsurfacecontravenestheroadrules.ACriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldberecorded.

40

Example 2

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantturnsrightfromalanemarkedforstraight-throughtrafficonly.Thedriverofavehicleinthelanetotherightoftheapplicantisforcedtoslowdowntoavoidapossiblecollision.

Assessment:Becausethedrivingactioncausedanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction,anImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action),notaCriticalError(Other Illegal Action),shouldberecorded.

Example 3

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantapproachesagreentrafficsignal,whichturnsyellowwhiletheapplicantisstillfarenoughawaytostopsafely.Theapplicantproceedsthroughtheintersectionwhilethesignalisyellow.Nootherroaduserisaffected.

Assessment:Driversarerequiredtostopatayellowtrafficsignaliftheycandososafely.Theapplicanthasfailedtocomplywiththisrequirement,soaCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldberecorded.

Figure 27: Overtaking on the left is not permitted on roads with only one marked lane for the applicant’s direction of travel, so a Critical Error (Other Illegal Action) is recorded. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

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7. Immediate Termination Errors

7.1 Intervention

Item code:Intervention

IfanImmediateTerminationError(Intervention)isrecorded,theLTOmustalsorecordthereasonfortheinterventiononthescoresheetinthespacemarked‘OTHERDANGER/INTERVENTION’.

Recordedif

TheLTOordrivinginstructororanyotherpersoninthevehicleprovidesanyverbalorphysicalassistancetotheapplicantwhilethetestisinprogress.

TheLTOordrivinginstructororanyotherpersoninthevehicleintervenesverballyorphysicallywhilethetestisinprogresstopreventacollisionorpreventthedevelopmentofanunsafesituation.

Exceptions

TheapplicantisnotpenalisediftheLTOrepeatsorclarifiesaninstructionwhiletheassessmentisinprogress.

TheapplicantisnotpenalisediftheLTOhastoinstructtheapplicanttoswitchtheheadlightsfromhighbeamtolowbeam,providedthishappensonlyonce.IfasecondreminderisrequiredduringtheDriveTest,anImmediateTerminationError(Intervention)shouldberecorded.

Explanation

Inmostcars,thedashboardhigh-beamwarningiseasytomissindaylight.EnsuringthattheheadlightsremainonlowbeamindaylightisaskillthatisrelevantonlytotheDriveTestandnottonormaldriving,sincemostdriverswillchoosetodrivewiththeirheadlightsoffindaylightoncetheyhaveaprobationaryorfulllicence.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:

Theapplicanthasforgottentoreleasethehandbrakesoisunabletomoveoff.

Assessment:

Iftheapplicantrealiseswhathashappenedandreleasesthehandbrakewithoutanyinterventionandbeforeanydangeroussituationdevelops,noerrorshouldberecorded.

Iftheapplicantdoesnotrealisewhathashappenedandadangeroussituationdevelops,anImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

IftheLTOorinstructorhastoverballyprompttheapplicanttoreleasethehandbrake,anImmediateTerminationError(Intervention)shouldberecorded.

42

Example 2

Observed behaviour:Approachingasignalisedintersection,theLTOhasinstructedtheapplicant,‘Atthetrafficlights,turnrightintotheleftlane’.Duringtheturn,theLTOremindstheapplicant,‘Makesureyouturnintotheleftlane’.

Assessment:Repeatingorclarifyinganinstructiontotheapplicantispermitted.Noerrorshouldberecorded.

Example 3

Observed behaviour:ApproachingaStopsign,theLTOassessesthattheapplicantisdrivingtoofasttostopsafelyatthestoplineandintervenesverbally.

Assessment:TheLTOhasintervenedtopreventthedevelopmentofanunsafesituation.AnImmediateTerminationError(Intervention)shouldberecorded.

Figure 28: If an applicant commences a manoeuvre that will cause immediate danger, the instructor or LTO should intervene. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

43

7.2 DisobeyDirection

Item code:Disobey

Recordedif

Theapplicantrepeatedly(onthreeoccasions)disobeysalawfuldirectiongivenbytheLTO.

TheapplicantdisobeysadirectiongivenbyamemberoftheVictoriaPolice.

Exception

IftheapplicantunsuccessfullyattemptstoobeyadirectionfromtheLTO,anImmediateTerminationError(Disobey Direction)isnotrecorded.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisdrivingintheleftlaneofanarterialroadwithtwolanesoftrafficineachdirection.TheLTOinitiatesTask7(lanechangerightinpreparationforaturn)byinstructingtheapplicant,‘Atthenexttrafficlights,turnright’.Theapplicantcheckstheappropriatemirrorsandactivatestheright-turnindicator,butlackstheconfidencetocompletethelanechangerequiredbeforetheturn.Asaresult,shetravelsthroughtheintersectionwithoutmakingtheturnasinstructed.

Assessment:Theapplicant’sfailuretocomplywiththeinstructionfromtheLTOwasnotdeliberate.Itwasaresultoflackofskillatperforminglanechanges,soanImmediateTerminationError(Disobey Direction)shouldnotberecorded.However,iftherewasasafegapinwhichacompetentdrivercouldhavecompletedthelanechange,Gap SelectionforthelanechangeshouldberecordedasNo.

Example 2

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisdrivingintheleftlaneofanarterialroadwithtwolanesoftrafficineachdirection.TheLTOinstructstheapplicant,‘Whensafe,movetotherightlane’.Theapplicantchecksthemirrorsbutdoesnotsignal,doaheadcheckorchangelanes.

Assessment:Theabsenceofanysignalorheadcheckdemonstratesthattheapplicanthasnotattemptedtoobeytheinstruction.Thiscountsasoneoccasionofdisobeyingadirection.Ifthreesuchincidentsofwilfulfailuretoobeyadirectionoccur,anImmediateTerminationError(Disobey Direction)shouldberecorded.

Example 3

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisdrivinginalocalstreetapproachinganintersectionwithamulti-lanearterialroad.TheLTOinstructstheapplicant,‘Attheendofthestreet,turnleftintotherightlane.’Whentheapplicantisstationaryatthegive-wayline,theLTOremindstheapplicant,‘Makesureyouturnintotherightlane’.However,theapplicantturnsintotheleftlaneinsteadoftherightlane.

Assessment:Thiscountsasoneoccasionofdisobeyingadirection.Ifthreesuchincidentsoccur,anImmediateTerminationError(Disobey Direction)shouldberecorded.

44

7.3 Collision

Item code:Collision

Recordedif

Whileenteringorleavingaparkingspaceorperformingathree-pointturn,onewheelmountsthekerbcausinganotherroadusertotakeevasiveactionorcausingdangertoproperty.

Whileenteringorleavingaparkingspaceorperformingathree-pointturn,twoormorewheelsmountthekerb.

Anywheelmountsthekerbatanytimeotherthanwhileenteringorleavingaparkingspaceorperformingathree-pointturn(seeFigure31).

Thevehiclestrikesakerbheavily,causingdiscomforttovehicleoccupants(seeFigure29).

Thevehicletouchesanystationaryobject(suchasasign,fence,pole,treeorrubbishbin)otherthanakerb.

Thevehicletouchesanyothervehicleorroaduser(pedestrianorcyclist).

Exceptions

Theapplicantisnotpenalisediftheirvehiclecollideswithanothervehicleorroaduserandthecollisionisthefaultoftheotherroaduserandtheapplicantdidnotcontributetothecollision.

AnImmediateTerminationError(Collision)isnotrecordediftheapplicantdrivesoverpartofthecentralislandofaroundaboutandthatpartofthecentralislandisdesignedtobedrivenonbyheavyvehicles.Inthiscase,aCriticalError(Other Illegal Action)shouldberecorded.

See also

1. Iftheapplicant’svehiclecontactsakerb(forexample,whileturningleftorrightornegotiatingaroundabout),butdoesnotstrikethekerbheavilyenoughtocausediscomforttovehicleoccupants,thiscountsasoneerror(outofapermittedmaximumoftwo)fortheLateral PositionStageAssessmentItem.

2. Whenenteringorleavingaparkingspaceorperformingathree-pointturn,iftheapplicantallowsonewheelofthevehicletomountthekerb,butnoroadusertakesevasiveactionandthereisnodangertoproperty,aCriticalError(Mount Kerb)isrecorded.

45

Figure 29: Immediate Termination Error (Collision) – mounting the kerb of a roundabout or striking the kerb hard enough to cause discomfort to vehicle occupants.

Figure 30: Critical Error (Other Illegal Action) – driving on a part of the roundabout intended for use only by heavy vehicles.

Figure 31: Immediate Termination Error (Collision) – mounting or driving over a part of the roundabout not intended to be driven on by any vehicles.

46

7.4 FailtoGiveWay

Item code:GiveWay

Recordedif

Whenmergingordiverging(includinglanechanges),theapplicantfailstosignal,resultinginanotherroadusertakingevasiveaction.

Whenmergingordiverging(includinglanechanges),theapplicantbothfailstocheckmirrorsandfailstoperformaheadcheck,resultinginanotherroadusertakingevasiveaction.

Anotherroaduser(towhomtheapplicantshouldhavegivenway)isforcedtotakeevasiveactionbecauseoftheapplicant’spoorgapselectionwhen:

turning

merging

diverging(includinglanechanges)

proceedingstraightaheadataStoporGiveWaysign

enteringaroundabout.

See also

Whendivergingbyatleastthewidthofthecar(includingchanginglanes),iftheapplicantfailstolookforothertrafficorfailstosignalbeforediverging,butnoevasiveactionisrequiredfromotherroadusers,aCriticalError(Fail to LookorFail to Signal)isrecorded.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantintendstoproceedstraightaheadthroughacross-intersectioncontrolledbyaStopsign.HestopscorrectlyattheStopsignthenchecksfortrafficapproachingfromtheright,butfailstocheckfortrafficapproachingfromtheleftbeforeproceedingthroughtheintersection.Thedriverofavehicleapproachingfromtheleftisforcedtoslowdowntoavoidapossiblecollision.

Assessment:Theapplicant’sfailuretogivewayresultedinanotherroadusertakingevasiveaction.AnImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldberecorded.

47

Example 2

Observed behaviour:TheapplicantfacesaGiveWaysignataT-intersectionandiswaitingtoturnleftintoaroadwithtwolanesineachdirection.Intheleftlaneoftheintersectingroad(thelaneclosesttotheapplicant),thenearestapproachingvehiclefromtherightis200metresaway.Intherightlaneoftheintersectingroad,thenearestapproachingvehiclefromtherightisonly20metresawayandisnotsignallinganintentiontochangelanes.Theapplicantturnsleftintotheleft-mostlaneoftheintersectingroadwithoutencroachingintotherightlane.

Assessment:Sincetheapplicantdoesnotencroachintothelaneoccupiedbythenearestapproachingvehicle(andthatvehiclewasnotsignallinganintentiontomoveintothelaneintowhichtheapplicantturned),nofailuretogivewayhasoccurred.Noerrorshouldberecorded.

Example 3

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisturningleftatanintersection.Apedestrianattheintersectionisabouttostepoffthekerbtocrosstheroadintowhichtheapplicantisturning.Seeingthattheapplicantisnotstopping,thepedestrianstopsandwaitsonthekerbfortheapplicanttopass,beforewalkingacrosstheroad.Theapplicantcompletestheturnwithoutstopping.

Assessment:Theapplicant’sfailuretogivewayhascausedthepedestriantotakeevasiveaction(stoppingbeforecrossing).AnImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldberecorded.

Example 4

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisturningleftviaasliplane.Thereisapedestriancrossingacrossthesliplanefromthefootpathtothetrafficisland.Theapplicantapproachesthecrossingataspeedthatwouldallowhertostopsafely,ifnecessary,beforethecrossing.Astheapplicantapproaches,apedestrianisabouttostepoffthefootpathontothecrossing.Seeingthattheapplicantisnotstopping,thepedestrianstopsandwaitsonthekerbfortheapplicanttopassbeforecrossingthesliplane.Theapplicantdrivesthroughthecrossingwithoutstopping.

Assessment:Undertheroadrules,theapplicantisrequiredtoapproachthecrossingataspeedatwhichshecould,ifnecessary,stopsafelybeforethecrossing,butisnotrequiredtogivewaytoapedestrianwhoisnotyetonthecrossing.AnImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldnotberecorded.

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Example 5

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisturningleftviaasliplane.Thereisapedestriancrossingacrossthesliplanefromthefootpathtothetrafficisland.Astheapplicantapproaches,apedestrianstepsoffthefootpathontothecrossing.Seeingthattheapplicantisnotstopping,thepedestrianstopsonepaceontotheroadandwaitsfortheapplicanttopassbeforewalkingtherestofthewayacrossthesliplane.Theapplicantdrivesthroughthecrossingwithoutstopping.

Assessment:Undertheroadrules,theapplicantisrequiredtoapproachthecrossingataspeedatwhichheorshecould,ifnecessary,stopsafelybeforethecrossing,andisrequiredtogivewaytoapedestrianwhoisonthecrossing.Theapplicant’sfailuretogivewaycausedthepedestriantotakeevasiveaction(stoppingtolettheapplicantpass).AnImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldberecorded.

Example 6

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisapproachingacrossintersection,intendingtoturnright.Anoncomingvehicleissignallingtheintentiontoturnleft.BothvehiclesarefacingGiveWaysigns.Thereisnoothertrafficpresent.Theapplicantstopsatthegive-waylinetoallowtheoncomingvehicletomaketheleftturn.However,thedriveroftheoncomingvehiclestopsandwavestheapplicanttogofirst.Theapplicantturnsrightwhiletheoncomingvehiclesitsstationaryatthegive-wayline.

Assessment:Theapplicanthasstoppedandallowedtheotherdrivertheopportunitytogofirst,soanImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Give Way)shouldnotberecorded.Thedecisionoftheoncomingdrivertogivewaydoesnotconstituteevasiveaction,sinceitwasunnecessary.Nopenaltyshouldberecorded.

49

7.5 ExcessiveSpeed

Item code:ExcSpeed

Recordedif

Theapplicantexceedsthespeedlimitcontinuouslyfor5secondsormoreatanytimeduringthetest.

Theapplicantexceedsthespeedlimitby5km/hormore,regardlessofduration,atanytimeduringthetest.

Theapplicantexceedsthespeedlimitbyanymarginforanydurationinanareaidentifiedbyaspeedlimitsignwiththeadditionalwords‘school’or‘schoolzone’.(Thisappliesonlyduringtheoperatinghoursdefinedbythesign.)

See also

DrivingtoofastisalsorecordedusingTaskAssessmentItem(Speed Choice),whichisassessedforsometasksinStage2.

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7.6 StopatDangerousPosition

Item code:DangerousPos

Recordedif

Theapplicantstopsthevehicleatapositionthatintrudesontoorblocksapedestriancrosswalk,causingapedestriantotakeevasiveaction(i.e.stop,slow,turnback,hurryordivergearoundthevehicle).

Whilewaitingtoturnrightacrossoncomingtraffic,theapplicantstopsthevehicleatapositionthatblocksalaneforoncomingtraffic(otherthanaright-turn-onlylane)(seeFigure32).

WhilegivingwayataStoporGiveWaysignoraT-intersectionorstoppingataredtrafficlight,theapplicantunnecessarilystopsthevehicleatapositionthatintrudesintotheintersectingtrafficstream(seeFigure33,Figure34andFigure35).

Exception

1. WhengivingwayataStoporGiveWaysignorataT-intersection,thepresenceofparkedvehiclesontheintersectingroadmaymakeitnecessarytostoppartlyintheintersectiontolookforintersectingtraffic(seeFigure36).Theapplicantisnotpenalisedforstoppingbeyondthestoporgive-wayline,providedthat:

ifataStopsign,theapplicantfirstcomplieswiththeStopsignbeforemovingintotheintersection

theapplicantdoesnotblockalineofmovingtraffictravellingalongtheintersectingroadbutstopsatapositionprotectedbythelineofparkedvehicles

theapplicantdoesnotblockthepathofavehiclethatisalreadywaitingtoturnrightorisapproachingtheintersectionandsignallingtheintentiontoturnrightintothestreettheapplicantisemergingfrom

theapplicantdoesnotblockthepathofcycliststravellingalongtheintersectingroadifsuchcyclistsarepresent.

2. Itmaybenecessarytostopthevehicleonacrosswalktoviewapproachingtrafficbeforecompletingaturnatanintersection(seeFigure37).Iftheapplicanttakesallreasonablecaretoensurethatnopedestrianhastotakeevasiveaction,anditisnecessarytostoponthecrosswalktoviewapproachingtraffic,theapplicantisnotpenalised.Ifmorethanonevehicleisqueuingtomaketheturn,thisexceptionappliesonlytothefirstvehicleinthequeue(seeFigure38).

See also

Iftheapplicantstopsthevehicleatapositionthatintrudesontoorblocksamarkedpedestriancrosswalkbutnopedestrianispresent,aCriticalError(Block Pedestrian Crosswalk)isrecorded.

Explanation

Anyevasiveactionbythepedestrianshowsthatthepositionofthevehiclecreatedadangeroussituation.Apedestrianwhodivergesaroundavehicleblockingapedestriancrosswalkisatriskofbeingstruckbyothervehicles.

51

Figure 32: Stopping at a dangerous position while waiting to turn right, blocking a lane of oncoming traffi c.

Figure 33: Stopping at a dangerous position that intrudes into a line of moving traffi c.

Figure 34: Stopping at a dangerous position that intrudes into the path of cyclists on the intersecting road.

52

Figure 35: Stopping at a dangerous position that intrudes into an intersecting traffi c stream.

Figure 36: After stopping at the stop line, the driver is permitted to move forward to view approaching traffi c, but must not obstruct a line of moving traffi c. (Note: ‘P’ indicates a parked vehicle.)

53

Figure 38: The second queued vehicle should not encroach on the pedestrian crossing until the fi rst vehicle has departed.

Limit of applicant’s field of view

Figure 37: Stopping before the crosswalk may not provide an adequate view of traffi c approaching from the right.

54

7.7 FailtoStop

Item code:FailtoStop

Recordedif

TheapplicantdrivespastaStopsignwithoutstopping.

Theapplicantfailstostopwhenrequiredtodosoat:

aredtrafficlight(orassociatedstopline)

arailwaylevelcrossing.

See also

1. IftheapplicantclearlyintendstostopataStopsignbyslowingandpausingastheyapproach,butfailstobringthevehicletoacompletestop(withthewheelsmotionless)behind,butwithin2metresof,thestoplinethenaCriticalError(Incomplete Stop)isrecorded.

2. Iftheapplicantfailstobringthevehicletoacompletestopinthecorrectpositionatarailwaylevelcrossingwhenrequiredtodoso,anImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Stop)isrecorded.

Example

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantintendstoturnrightatanintersectionwithtrafficlights(butnoarrowsignalsforrightturns).Theapplicantenterstheintersectionwhenthelightsaregreenandstopstowaitforagapinoncomingtraffic.Thereisnosafegapuntilthelightsturnred.Assoonasitissafetodoso,theapplicantcompletestheturnandleavestheintersectionwhilethelightsarered.

Assessment:AnImmediateTerminationError(Fail to Stop)shouldnotberecorded,sincethetrafficlightsweregreenwhentheapplicantenteredtheintersection.

55

7.8 OtherDangerousAction

Item code:OtherDanger

IfanImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)isrecorded,theLTOmustalsorecordthenatureofthedangerousactiononthescoresheetinthespacemarked‘OTHERDANGER/INTERVENTION’.

Recordedif

TheapplicantperformsadrivingactionnotcoveredbytheotherImmediateTerminationErrorsthat:

causesanotherroadusertotakeevasiveaction(seeExamples1,2and4onthefollowingpages)

causesimmediatedangertoroadusersorproperty(seeExamples2and4)

willcauseimmediatedangertoroadusersorpropertyiftheLTOorinstructordoesnotintervene

unnecessarilyincreasestheriskofacollision(seeExamples7–9).

Exception

Iftheapplicantcreatesasituationthatisnotimmediatelydangerousbutwouldhavebeendangerousifmoretraffichadbeenpresent,anImmediateTerminationErrorisnotrecorded.

See also

Iftheapplicantperformsanillegaldrivingaction(otherthanthosespecifiedundertheotherImmediateTerminationErrors)thatdoesnotresultinanotherroadusertakingevasiveactionordangertoroadusersorproperty,theappropriateCriticalErrorisrecorded.

Explanation

Anydangerousactioncommittedbytheapplicantduringthetestindicatestheycannotyetbereliedupontodriveindependentlyandsafely.

Example 1

Observed behaviour:Whiledrivingamanualvehicleonanarterialroad,theapplicantattemptstochangegearsbutcannotselectthedesiredgear.Hecoastsinneutralforsomedistance,graduallyslowingtoaspeedmuchlowerthansurroundingtraffic,causingdriversbehindtoslowmarkedlyorovertaketheapplicant’svehicle.

Assessment:Theapplicant’slackofskillhascausedadangeroussituationandotherdrivershavetotakeevasiveaction,soanImmediateTerminationError(InterventionorOther Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

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Example 2

Observed behaviour:Whiledrivingonamulti-laneroad,theapplicantchecksthemirrors,activatestheturnindicatorandcommencestochangelaneswithoutdoingaheadcheck.Anothervehicleinthenextlaneisforcedtoswerveorbraketoavoidacollision.

Assessment:Theapplicanthascausedimmediatedangertoanotherroaduser.AnImmediateTerminationError(InterventionorOther Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

Example 3

Observed behaviour:Whiledrivingonamulti-laneroad,theapplicantchecksthemirrors,activatestheturnindicatoranddoesaheadcheck.Seeinganothervehicleinthenextlane,theapplicantdoesnotstarttomoveacrosstothenextlane.ThedriverofthevehicleinthenextlaneslowstothelettheapplicantchangelanesORreactswithanangrygestureORswervesawayfromtheapplicant’scar.

Assessment:Thereactionofthedriverinthenextlanewasunnecessary,astheapplicantdidnotstarttomoveacrosstothenextlane.Theapplicantdidnotcreateimmediatedangerofacollision.Nopenaltyshouldberecorded.

Example 4

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisturningleftfromanarterialroadintoalocalstreet.Hestopsbeforeturningandgiveswaytoanoncomingright-turningvehiclewhenthereisnolegalrequirementtodoso.Becausetheapplicantstopsunexpectedly,thedriverofthevehiclebehindhastobrakeheavilytoavoidacollision.

Assessment:Theapplicant’sunexpectedstophascausedadangeroussituationandotherdrivershavetotakeevasiveaction,soanImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

Example 5

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisturningleftfromanarterialroadintoalocalstreet.Shestopsbeforeturningandgiveswaytoanoncomingright-turningvehiclewhenthereisnolegalrequirementtodoso.Thereisnotrafficbehindtheapplicantandno-oneisinconvenienced.

Assessment:Theapplicant’sactiondidnotcreateadangeroussituation,sonoImmediateTerminationErrorshouldberecorded.

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Example 6

Observed behaviour:Whilepullingoutfromthekerb,theapplicantswingstoowideandthevehiclepartlyencroachesonthewrongsideoftheroadbeforemovingbacktothecorrectsideoftheroad.Thereisnotrafficapproachingandaclearviewtothefrontandrear.

Assessment:Unintentionallyveeringontothewrongsideoftheroadcountsasoneerror(outofapermittedmaximumoftwo)fortheLateral PositionStageAssessmentItem.Sincethereisnotrafficapproachingandaclearview,theapplicant’sactiondidnotcreateimmediatedanger,sonoImmediateTerminationErrorshouldberecorded.Ifanapproachingvehiclehadbeenpresentnearby,theapplicant’sactionwouldhavecausedimmediatedangerandanImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)wouldhavebeenrecorded.

Example 7

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantisdrivingincongestedtrafficandapproachingarailwaylevelcrossing.Theroadbeyondthecrossingisblockedbystationaryvehicles.Theapplicantstopsonthecrossingwhilewaitingfortheroadaheadtoclear.

Assessment:Theapplicantcannotknowwhetheratrainwillapproachthecrossingbeforethetrafficontheroadaheadclears.Theapplicanthasunnecessarilyincreasedtheriskofacollision.AnImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

Example 8

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantovertakesacrossdoublebarrierlineswhileapproachingablindcurveorcrest.Theapplicantcannotseewhetherthereisanoncomingvehicleapproaching.

Assessment:Overtakingwithoutaclearviewofoncomingtrafficunnecessarilyincreasestheriskofacollision.AnImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

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Example 9

Observed behaviour:Theapplicantistravellingalongaquietlocalstreetapproachinganintersectionwithabusyarterialroad.Theapplicantmovesontothewrongsideoftheroadtodivergearoundavehicleparkedattheleftkerb,butthenfailstomovebacktothecorrectsideasquicklyaspossible.Theapplicant’svehicleisstillmostlyonthewrongsideoftheroadwhenitapproacheswithin20metresofthearterialroadintersection.

Assessment:Avehiclecouldturnfromthearterialroadintothelocalstreetatanymoment,creatingahead-onconflictwiththeapplicant’svehicle.Theapplicanthasunnecessarilyincreasedtheriskofacollision.AnImmediateTerminationError(Other Dangerous Action)shouldberecorded.

Example 10

Observed behaviour:Whiledrivingstraight,theapplicantbrieflyveersacrossthecentrelinesothatpartofthecarisonthewrongsideoftheroad,thenquicklyreturnstothecorrectsideoftheroad.Thereisaclearviewaheadandnooncomingtrafficwithin200metres.

Assessment:NoforLateral Position(TaskAssessmentItem)ifitoccursduringanassessablestraightdrive;andcountsasoneerror(ofapermittedmaximumoftwoforthestage)forLateral Position(StageAssessmentItem).Sincetherewasaclearviewandnooncomingtraffic,theerrordidnotincreasetheriskofacollision,sonoImmediateTerminationErrorshouldberecorded.

Figure 39: Driving on the wrong side of the road when approaching an intersection unnecessarily increases the risk of collision with a vehicle that may be approaching from the right, so an Immediate Termination Error (Other Dangerous Action) is recorded.

59Appendix A – Assessable tasks

Stage1

Stage1isdesignedtoassesstheapplicant’sperformanceofcomparativelysimpledrivingtasksinaless-challengingtrafficenvironmenttoensuretheycanproceedsafelytothemorecomplextasksandenvironmentsofStage2.Whereverpossible,Stage1ofthetestrouteisrestrictedtoroadswithspeedlimitsof60km/horlesscarryinglighttomediumtraffic.

Insomecases,thelocationofthetestingofficemaymakeitimpossibletoavoidallheavytrafficand/orhighspeedroadsduringStage1.Whenthisoccurs,itmaybenecessarytotravelonhigherspeedroadstoaccesslowerspeedroads(whereavailable)wheretheassessabletaskscanbeperformed.

Table1showsthetypicalassessabletasksforStage1.Sometasksmaybeassessedmorethanonceandmaybeassessedinlocationsthatdifferfromthoseshownhere.Itisalsopossiblethatsometasksmaybereplacedbyothersiftheycannotbeundertakenonaparticulartestroute.Forexample,allroutesaredesignedtoincludeareverseparallelpark,butthistaskmaybereplacedbyathree-pointturnifasafelocationforareverseparkisnotavailablewhenrequiredinthetestroute.

Table1:Stage1assessabletasks

Task Illustration of traffi c movements

Rightturngivingwaytointersectingtraffic

Leftturngivingwaytointersectingtraffic

Lanechangeright

Lanechangeleft

Reverseparallelpark

60

Task Illustration of traffi c movements

Rightturngivingwaytoonelaneofoncomingtraffic

Three-pointturn

Stage2

ThepurposeofStage2istoassesstheapplicant’sdrivingabilityinbusierday-to-daytrafficenvironments.Stage2ofthetestroutethereforeusesroadswithmediumtoheavytrafficandspeedlimitsof60–80km/h.

Stage2ofthetestroutebeginsfromwheretheapplicantpulledovertothekerbattheendofStage1andendsattheoriginatingVicRoadsCustomerServiceCentre(orotherlicencetestingoffice).

TypicalStage2assessabledrivingtasksandtheirlocationrequirementsareshowninTable2.Sometasksmaybeassessedmorethanonceandmaybeassessedinlocationsthatdifferfromthoseshownhere.Itisalsopossiblethatsometasksmaybereplacedbyothersiftheycannotbeundertakenonaparticulartestroute.

Table2:Stage2assessabletasksandlocationrequirements

Task Illustration of traffi c movements

Rightturngivingwaytointersectingtraffic(onelaneeachway)

Rightturngivingwaytointersectingtraffic(twolaneseachway)

Rightturngivingwaytoonelaneofoncomingtraffic

61

Task Illustration of traffi c movements

Rightturngivingwaytotwolanesofoncomingtraffic

Leftturngivingwaytointersectingtraffic(onelaneeachway)

Leftturngivingwaytointersectingtraffic(twolaneseachway)

Leftturnwithpriority

Lanechangeright

Lanechangeleft

Lanechangerightinpreparationforaturn

Lanechangeleftinpreparationforaturn

62

Task Illustration of traffi c movements

Mergelanes

Straightdrive(mediumspeed)

Straightdrive(arterialroad)

63Index

bicyclelane,iv,7,16,28,39

BlockPedestrianCrosswalk,vi,33,37,50

children’scrossing,4,30,33,37

Collision,vi,23,25,26,35,44,45

Control,6,29

Disobey Direction,iv,vi,43

diverging,iv,v,vi,7,8,9,10,16,31,32,39,46,

50,58

evasiveaction,iv,4,6,8,10,12,23,25,26,31,32,

33,35,38,39,40,44,46,47,48,50,55,56

Excessive Speed,13,49

Fail to Give Way,8,10,12,31,32,37,46,47,48

Fail to Look,iv,8,31,46

Fail to Signal,iv,9,10,32,39,46

Fail to Stop,37,54

Following Distance,v,15

Gap Selection,v,12,43

GiveWaysign,v,7,12,30,31,46,47,48,50

give-wayline,43,48,50

headcheck,4,7,8,25,31,43,46,56

Incomplete stop,vi,37,38,54

Intervention,3,20,36,41,42,55,56

kerb,v,1,4,5,7,9,16,17,23,25,26,27,31,32,

35,39,44,45,47,57,58,60

lanechange,v,1,2,3,4,6,9,10,15,16,17,31,32,

43,46,59,61

lanechange(right/left)inpreparationforturn,

43,61

Lateral Position,v,6,16,17,28,39,44,57,58

Leaving Parking,25

markedfootcrossing,iv,4,33,38

merge,4,5,13,46,62

mirrorcheck,7,8,31,43,56

Mount Kerb,23,25,26,35,44

Observation,iv,vi,6,7,8,22

Other Dangerous Action,vi,20,40,41,55,56,

57,58

Other Illegal Action,vi,39,40,44,45

overtaking,9,16,57

Parking Movement,iv,23

Parking Observation,22

pedestriancrossing,iv,v,4,30,33,34,47,48,53

pedestriancrosswalk,vi,33,37,50

reverseparallelpark,v,vi,2,3,9,22,23,59

roundabout,iv,vi,7,9,10,11,16,17,32,44,45,

46

routeguide,2

scoresheet,vi,1,39,41,55

Signalling,iv,v,9,10,24,25,26,32,39

sliplane,33,47,48

Speed Choice,iv,13,14,30,49

Stage1,1,2,3,6,30,39,59,60

Stage2,1,2,3,6,30,49,59,60

Stall,36

Stop at Dangerous Position,vi,33,37,38,50

stopline,vi,4,12,37,38,42,52,54

Stopsign,12,31,37,42,46,50,54

straightdrive,2,3,7,13,14,15,28,58,62

three-pointturn,v,vi,3,7,26,27,35,44,59,60

T-intersection,16,47,50

Too Slow,13,30

trafficlights,vi,4,30,33,37,42,43,54

Turning(rightorleft),5,6,7,9,10,11,16,17,18,

19,20,26,31,32,33,39,43,44,46,47,48,54,

56,59,60,61

Turning Movement,26

VR

PIN

00

012

90

4.1

0S/

C8

93

83

keepingvictoriansconnected

Forfurtherinformationpleasephone13 11 71orvisitvicroads.vic.gov.au