The Coolaroo test route, mapped.

The route, turn by turn

1. 01

   Exit Northgate Drive · left turn

   Industrial frontage road feeding onto Pascoe Vale Road. Heavy vehicles use this road — watch for trucks merging in and out.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Pulling out without checking for a truck in the blind spot.

2. 02

   Pascoe Vale Road · 4-lane 70km/h flow

   Fast multi-lane road. Build to the limit promptly. Hold the kerbside lane unless overtaking. Mirror checks every 8–10 seconds.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Sitting at 60 in a 70 zone and obstructing traffic.

3. 03

   Right turn at major intersection · arrowed

   Multi-lane right turn with a protected arrow. Receiving carriageway is two lanes — usually take the kerbside.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Slow off the arrow, then drifting into the offside lane mid-turn.

4. 04

   Industrial estate roundabout

   Two-lane roundabout with truck traffic. Approach in the correct lane for your exit. Hold the lane through the arc.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Approaching in the offside lane for a left exit.

5. 05

   Past Coolaroo primary school · 40km/h zone

   Active school zone in school hours. 40km/h. Tester watches for proactive speed reduction at the sign — not after.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Speed reduction triggered by braking, not anticipation.

6. 06

   Complex right turn · staged at give-way

   Right turn from a residential side street onto a busy road. Wheels straight at the line. Pick a gap that does not force oncoming traffic to brake.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Edging past the line before the gap is safe.

7. 07

   Reverse parallel park · residential street

   Two-car parallel park between stationary vehicles. Reference points: A pillar to rear bumper of lead car, then full reverse lock.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Stopping too far forward of the lead car at the start.

8. 08

   Three-point turn · quiet street

   Residential road, kerb to kerb. Full lock, head checks each phase. Complete in three movements where width allows.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Forgetting the head check before reversing.

9. 09

   Multi-lane intersection · left turn

   Two left-turn lanes onto Pascoe Vale Road. Pick the correct lane on approach. Finish the turn in the same lane you entered.

   ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Drifting from kerbside lane into the offside lane on exit.

10. 10

    Pascoe Vale Road · lane change with truck traffic

    A lane change in heavy 70km/h traffic. Mirror, signal, head check, change. Watch for trucks — they have larger blind spots and need more room.

    ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Cutting in front of a truck with insufficient gap.

11. 11

    Right turn onto Northgate Drive · return leg

    Right turn back into the industrial estate. Receiving road is narrower — slow on approach, complete the turn cleanly.

    ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Carrying too much speed into the narrower receiving road.

12. 12

    Return to test centre · parking

    Back into the Coolaroo service centre car park. Park in the designated bay, handbrake on, gear in park, engine off when instructed.

    ⚠ COMMON FAIL: Parking over the line or at an angle.