Stage 4: Rehearsing solo driving

By the end of this topic you can

• You can drive safely in light and heavy traffic, on all road types, in daylight, rain and at night.
• You can handle complex tasks such as merging onto a freeway, reversing out of a driveway, parallel parking, hook turns and busy intersections.
• You can manage passengers and set-up-before-you-go navigation or audio without losing focus.
• You can deal with unexpected situations calmly, with little or no help from your supervisor.

What you need to know and understand

• A good sign you are ready to drive alone is that your supervisor says very little and no longer tells you how to drive.
• You must pass the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) before you can sit the on-road drive test.
• To sit the drive test you must be at least 18, have held your learner permit for the minimum period and, if under 21, have logged at least 120 hours including 20 hours at night.
• If you pass the drive test in an automatic, you can only drive automatics while on your P plates.
• P1 drivers (red plates) may carry no more than one peer passenger aged 16 to under 22.
• Both P1 and P2 drivers must have a zero blood alcohol concentration.

Practising like a solo driver

• Offer to drive the family whenever you go out, leaving extra time.
• Fill gaps on purpose: ask for wet weather, freeway or rural road sessions if you lack them.
• Take longer trips, resting at least every two hours, and never start a drive drowsy.
• Add passengers or pre-set navigation on easy drives first, then harder ones.
• Use your log book to spot conditions you have not covered.

Getting your licence: the two tests

The Hazard Perception Test is a computer test you can take from 17 years and 11 months, usually online. You watch 25 short traffic clips and respond when it is safe to act. It checks how well you read the scene, choose gaps and keep space. You must pass the drive test within 12 months of passing the HPT or sit it again. Transport Victoria offers free practice tests.

The drive test starts with an eyesight and controls check, then about 10 minutes in quieter streets and, if you pass that part, about 20 minutes in busier traffic. Speeding, running a red light or Stop sign, or making someone take action to avoid you can end it immediately. Our Victorian driving test guide has more detail.

1. Revise the road rules.
2. Make mirror and blind spot checks, safe speeds and safe gaps automatic.
3. Check your log book is complete.
4. Practise in the car you will use, choosing manual if you will need to drive one.
5. Consider an instructor lesson to check readiness, then book with VicRoads.

Staying safe once you have your Ps

Common crashes for new P platers include rear-ending another car, turning right at intersections, being hit by a right-turning car and running off the road. Overconfidence is behind many. Start simply: drive for a reason, limit night and wet driving at first, wait for longer gaps, leave more space, never drive after alcohol or drugs, and keep to the limit even when it feels safe to go faster.

Common mistakes

• Booking the test as soon as you reach 120 hours. Hours are a minimum; book when you can drive well alone in all conditions.
• Letting your supervisor keep making decisions. Ask them to stay quiet so you practise judging for yourself.
• Avoiding rain, night or freeways. Seek out the conditions you find hardest.
• Practising in one car and testing in another. Get used to the test car first.

Test yourself: Stage 4: Rehearsing solo driving

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.