Preparing for your assessment

The key to preparing for your driving assessment is to get as much practice as possible with family and friends and if possible with a Driving Instructor. Contact details for Driving Instructors can be found in the Yellow Pages under "Driving Schools".

When practicing, try to keep in mind the 22 competencies you will be assessed against and the ACT Road Rules. Descriptions of each of the 22 competencies can be found in the Towards your P plates in the ACT ( PDF 549Kb ) booklet.

The road rules can be found in the ACT Road Rules handbook. Information for new drivers can also be found on the Road Ready web site.

The following list gives the most common reasons learner drivers are found not yet competent. Try to pay particular attention to these areas to increase your chance of success.

Speeding

Not applying the right of way rules

Failed to stop at STOP sign

Lack of anticipation and judgement

Lack of observation

Failed to stop at red light

Lack of mirror use and head checks

Lack of looking, scanning and planning ahead

Cost of assessment

The cost for booking the 55 minute assessment is $78.40.

Booking your assessment

Bookings can be made in person at any ACT Government Shopfront. They can also be made over the telephone by calling 13 22 81.

Assessments are conducted from the ACT Government Shopfront in Tuggeranong and Dickson. You will need to select a location at the time of booking.

Please note: Payment of the cost for assessment must be made in full at the time of booking.

What to bring

You must bring your appointment sheet and your Learner Driver Licence (current) or other primary proof of identity with you to the assessment or the assessment will not be undertaken.

For overseas applicants

You must provide the following:

Foreign driver licence and an International Driving Permit; or

National Accreditation Authority For Translators and Interpreters.

Primary and secondary proof of identity and proof of residency; and
A passed knowledge test certificate from a Road Ready Centre.

If you hold a current driver licence from an approved country , (PDF 15.8Kb) you will not be required to pass a practical driving assessment.

Arrive on time

If you arrive more than 5 minutes after the appointment time, the assessment will not be conducted, as it will delay further assessments.

If you arrive late you will be required to book another assessment and pay a further $78.40.

To change an appointment

If you need to change the appointment date you must give at least 48 hours notice and it will cost $12.80. You must have your booking sheet, ACT driver licence or primary identification with you.

If you do not give 48 hours notice your booking fee will be forfeited. Changes to appointment times must be made in person.

To cancel an appointment

You must have your appointment sheet, ACT driver licence or primary identification with you. A surcharge fee of $12.80 will be deducted from the refund at time of cancellation. If cancelled within 48 hours of assessment there is no refund.

Cancellation of an appointment must be made in person.

Vehicle for assessment

When attending for your driving assessment you must supply a vehicle that is:

Registered (an unregistered vehicle permit is not acceptable);
Clean and roadworthy (please check your tyres, brake lights and indicators);
Displaying 'L' plates;
Sufficiently fuelled to complete a fifty five (55) minute assessment;
Fitted with lap sash seatbelts;
Fitted with an operational handbrake that is accessible and floor mounted between the front seating positions; and
Vehicle must not have any loose items that may become dislodged and become a hazard under heavy breaking.

Getting your ACT driver licence

When you have successfully passed the assessment you must attend any ACT Government Shopfront in person.

What to bring

You must bring your current driver licence and the passed competency based practical driving assessment, signed by the Licence Examiner.

For overseas applicants

You must provide the following:

A passed Knowledge Test certificate from a Road Ready Centre;
An official English translated driver licence issued by the Translating and Interpreting Service of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and;
Primary and secondary proof of identity and proof of residency.

If you do not hold a current driver licence from an approved country, (PDF) you will be required to pass a practical driving assessment.

Cost

A provisional driver licence for a mandatory period of 3 years will cost $85.15.

A full driver licence for an overseas applicant is $141.90 for 5 years based on the date of birth divisible by 5 (example 30, 35, 40, 45, 50).