Hi all! Just wanna share a good news, I just passed my driving test and got my full license. By the way, I'm in Melbourne. I did my test in Sunshine. I'm a beginner driver kaya sa mga katulad ko na nagsisimula pa lang, may pagasa po tayong makapasa, hehe Just a week before coming over to Australia (dahil gahul na sa oras), i got my Ph license. Netong PR na kami, i decided to convert mine. Yung Ph license ko was expired but was accepted by Vicroads. If I'm not mistaken, sabi sa Vicroads okay lang na expired as long as its not past 12mos. I did 3 tests for the conversion of my Ph license.
1) Knowledge test - pag nakapasa rito mabibigyan ka ng Learner's Permit. The LP will allow you to drive provided that you are with someone who's got a full license. For this one, i called to book in for the test. At the test date, i brought my passport with me, Medicare card, a bill with our address on it and the Form which i downloaded from the VicRoads website. The tests costs $40.90. If you pass, may babayarang $23.70 for the LP card. Madali lang yung test. It's a computer-based test, multiple choice. May downloadable na handbook sa VicRoads website and an online practice test.
Here is another website where you can do your online practice aside from the VicRoads website:
http://aussie-driver.com/
2) Hazard Perception Test - It's also a computer-based exam. It's basically a driving simulation. You will be asked to watch videos and from there you'll be asked when to stop, turn, move off and slow down by clicking the mouse button. At the start of the test, may 2 practice tests, be sure to remember the answer kasi it may appear on the test itself. Don't be a click-happy because not all the time na kailangan mong pumindot. The tests costs $35.50. You can review HPT through these websites:
https://drivesmart.vic.gov.au/
http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/hazard-perception-test
3) Drive test - I paid $60.70 for the test and $78 for the license card (valid for 3yrs). You can opt to get the 10yrs validity which costs $270+. Because I didn't have much experience in driving, i did 20 driving lessons here in Au. I had 3 instructors. I failed my 1st drive test because I forgot to signal and i lightly hit the kerb. That's when I decided to change my instructor. I would suggest na kung kukuha kayo ng instructor make sure na he's with a driving school and it's his fulltime job. It really makes a big difference. After failing the test, I stopped doing the lessons not until a week before my test. The last one was with an RACV driving instructor. I would say that out of all the instructors that I had, siya yung malinaw magexplain and napoint out niya lahat ng iniexpect na gagawin ko sa test. We drove thru the test routes din. I paid $297 for a 5 hr lesson (RACV member so we had discount) and for the test date itself i paid $230 for a 90min practice before the test + the test itself. Mahal pero sulit. 6 days before my driving test, everyday for an hour akong nagpractice. With the drive test, its more on the technical side of driving. You are expected to obey and put into practice ALL the rules. I have a PDF file, on how they are going to mark/assess the applicants. If you want a copy just let me know and I'll email them to you. Before starting the test, may pre-drive check. The testing officer will ask you to identify some vehicle controls. There are 2 stages for the driving test. 1st stage ay sa quieter envt. They will either asked you to do a reverse parallel parking or a 3 pt turn. If you can't do it, then the test ends in stage 1. 2nd stage ay sa areas where the speed is in 60-80km/hr. They will ask you to do lane changes, u turn, and turning in the median, etc.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS: Don't rush, take your time. On my first try, i was rushing kasi i want to finish the task given by the testing officer straight away which didn't do me any good. Remember, they say "when safe" so do it only when its safe. Pag hindi ka sure sa speed just stay on 50km/hr except of course sa mga permanent 40signs and during school times. Before turning into an intersection, make sure to check the sign where you're heading to like STOP sign, SPEED, or if you need to MERGE later on. Pag may STOP sign make sure to STOP for 5seconds. Check and give way to pedestrians when required and when you’re in a shared lane. Turn slowly. Check the gear before you move. Always do mirror checks. INDICATORS! Its a critical error if you forgot to put them on. Sometimes, they trick you into changing lane sa may white solid line (near traffic lights) so watch out for this.
Lastly, Pray hard. To God Be The Glory! Goodluck to all.