The Sunbury test route, mapped.
The VicRoads Sunbury test route, turn-by-turn. Country-speed transitions, level crossings, town-centre parking — common fails and PDF cheat sheet from Royal.
The route, turn by turn
- 01
Exit centre · left onto Riddell Road
Riddell Road is the spine of the route. Two-lane road, 60km/h dropping to 50 in town. Smooth pull-out and quick build to the limit.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Pulling out too slowly and holding up traffic behind.
- 02
Riddell Road · 60 to 80 transition
Speed limit rises to 80km/h as you leave the town fringe. Build smoothly through the gears — no jerky acceleration.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Staying at 60 in the 80 zone, or accelerating before the sign.
- 03
Country-style single-lane road · 80km/h
Narrow shoulders, no centre median. Hold lane position confidently. The tester watches how you handle oncoming traffic at speed.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Hugging the centre line when an oncoming vehicle approaches.
- 04
Small roundabout · town centre approach
Single-lane roundabout entering Sunbury proper. Yield right correctly, take the second exit, signal left on approach to the exit.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Failing to indicate the exit on a single-lane roundabout.
- 05
Drop to 50km/h · main street
Speed limit drops as you enter the shopping strip. Watch for parked cars opening doors and pedestrians stepping out.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Carrying 60km/h into the 50 zone.
- 06
School zone · 40km/h during hours
Local primary school. 40km/h between school-zone hours. Signage is the trigger — read it actively even if the road looks quiet.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Driving 50 in an active 40 school zone.
- 07
Level crossing awareness
Rail line on the Sunbury route. Approach with controlled speed, check for activation lights and the boom, scan both ways even when clear.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Not slowing or scanning at an unprotected crossing.
- 08
Reverse parallel park · main-street bay
Parallel park on a 50km/h road. Indicate, stop alongside the lead car, reverse with reference points. Within 30cm of the kerb.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Reversing without checking for traffic behind first.
- 09
Three-point turn · side street with slight grade
Quiet side street, mild downhill camber. Handbrake control matters. Full lock, head checks each direction before each phase.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Letting the car roll on the camber between phases.
- 10
Right turn out of side street · onto 60km/h road
Gap selection across two directions of traffic. Wheels straight while waiting. Commit decisively when the gap is right.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Hesitating in a clear gap, then committing into a smaller one.
- 11
Riddell Road return leg · 60–80 transitions
Speed limit rises and falls on the return. Read signs proactively and adjust before the change, not after.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Late speed reduction at the 80-to-60 step-down.
- 12
Return to test centre · parking
Back into the Sunbury service centre car park. Park between the lines, handbrake on, gear into park.
⚠ COMMON FAIL: Skipping the final mirror check when reversing into a bay.
Drill this route with a Royal instructor.
2-hour test-route familiarisation lesson · $150 · book within 7 days of your test for best results.