So, you have reached your legal age for driving in Australia, and you can’t wait to get behind the wheel and start driving. But before you do that, you first need to properly learn how to drive so that you can pass the test and earn your driver’s licence for putting your car in gear and taking it on the road. Now you must be wondering, with so many options of driving schools to choose from in Melbourne, how to decide which driving school will be the best for you.
It is very important that you pick the right driving school for yourself, as this one decision will be extremely beneficial for your future. A proper driving school will teach you all the necessary information, like how to drive a car, adjust the mirrors, drive a car through traffic, change lanes, learn about the meaning of different signs and traffic signals, and many other things. Choosing the right driving school can be a bit of an overwhelming task, but there is no need for you to worry. Here, we have some incredibly valuable tips that will help you in choosing the best driving school in Melbourne.
1. Driving School License Verification

The very first thing you should do before you are admitted to a driving school is to verify that the particular driving school should have the licence to teach. Every driving school has to fulfil the legal requirements that are set by the authorities. This makes sure that all the driving schools have to follow all the rules and regulations that are made by the government. Only then a driving school get the licence to teach. The rules of the licencing process are specially made to protect the consumer. So, if any consumer is facing issues and conflicts against the driving school, they can complain to the higher organisations and leave the matter in their hands. Choosing a licenced driving school will make sure that you will get the proper knowledge and driving instructions, which will be beneficial for your lifetime.
2. Importance Of Insurance Coverage

Another crucial thing that you should check while choosing a driving school in Melbourne is if the school is providing you with proper insurance coverage. This is extremely important, especially when it comes to driving lessons. The insurance coverage protects you from any kind of financial problems that might happen. During the lessons, if the car gets hit by something and takes damage, then in the case of insurance, the cost of damage will be covered by it. Otherwise, you will be the one who will have to pay for any kind of harm that happens to the driving school’s vehicle. When you know that they provide insurance coverage also helps keep you calm while driving lessons, knowing that if anything happens, you will not have to suffer the problems.
3. Research About Reputation And Reviews

Nowadays, all the information is just one click away. When you find a licenced driving school in Melbourne that has insurance coverage. You can go to the next step by researching more about that driving school. Most of the driving schools have their own website where you will be able to see all the important information. Other than that a good driving school will have positive reviews. Simply by reading the reviews of the people who enrolled in that driving school, you will be able to decide if the driving school is worth going to or not. Taking admission to a reputable driving school will make sure that they will treat you professionally by showing punctuality and taking scheduled lessons. This will also clear any kind of doubts that you will be having and properly explain everything to you in detail.
4. Certified Driving Instructors

While you are searching for a driving school in Melbourne, make sure that you check the qualifications and certificates of the driving instructor. According to the Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors Act 1963, a driving instructor should have at least 3 years of driving experience. Always remember that a certified driving instructor will give you proper knowledge and will be patient while teaching you. They are highly skilled and trained to teach you all the safety measures that will decrease the chances of risks and mishaps. A certified instructor will be happy to share their incredible methods of driving that will help you drive like a professional. A Beginner driver tends to get scared, but the instructors help them build their confidence. Professional instruction always sticks to professional standards and teaches their students in a respectful learning environment.
5. Driving School Curriculum Outline

It is very important for you to know about ways of teaching and the curriculum outline of the driving schools in Melbourne. A good driving school teaches their students all the essential elements of driving, from theoretical to practical lessons and understanding the road signs and traffic signals, and gives them knowledge about road safety regulations. Having an idea about the driving school teaching structure will give an idea of how they will be covering all the vital topics. A curriculum outline guarantees that every student is treated equally and no one is getting overlooked. It also helps in tracking your progress throughout the whole course of driving. They put milestones on your progress report to measure how well you are doing in your driving classes. They help you to be completely prepared for your driving test.
6. Well-Maintained Cars For Better Learning

One of the most vital things to check while searching for a driving school in Melbourne is the condition of their vehicles. Every driving school should have well-maintained cars and should have modern equipment. This will provide you with various advantages, such as reducing the risk of any kind of mechanical failure that can become the reason for accidents. A properly maintained vehicle that has modern technology and features will enhance the overall learning experience. These vehicles are quite reliable and lower the chances for you to face any issues while learning. Other than that, these cars are quite comfortable, which gives you more confidence and reduces your anxiety during the lessons. Driving schools that make sure that their cars are maintained and serviced from time to time showcase that they are professional, dedicated, and committed to their work.
7. Student Success Statistics

While seeking a driving school in Melbourne, you should always remember to check the statistics of the passing rates of the driving school. If the percentage is high, that showcases that they provide their students with great driving education and that they were able to pass their driving test. However, you should also be aware of the fact that just because a driving school has a high success rate doesn’t mean it will guarantee that you will pass your driving test. This only indicates that the driving school has skilled instructors who are experienced and will provide you with proper training. If you have set a goal for yourself that you need to pass the test on the first try, then it is crucial for you to check the success statistics of a driving school.
8. Flexible Scheduling Benefits

Before you fill out the application and take admission to a driving school in Melbourne, make sure to enquire if they have a flexible scheduling system, as it provides you with multiple benefits. If you are a high school student or a busy working professional who has a hectic schedule. Then it will be quite difficult for you to be available at the time of lessons that are set by the driving schools. However, when they have flexible scheduling, you will be able to adjust the time of your lessons accordingly. One of the biggest benefits is that it will keep you stress-free while taking your driving lessons, so you will be able to focus only on your driving instead of worrying about your pending work. When you have control over the timings of your driving lessons, it often results in making you feel more confident and motivated while driving.
9. Driving School Fees And Payment Options

There are multiple driving schools in Melbourne, and each of them will have a different fee structure. So, it is very important for you to know about the pricing and payment options of the driving school you are planning to become a part of. The very first thing you need to do is plan out your budget by including the overall cost of the driving school, which includes tuition fees, other expenses, and fees for extra lessons. Always be alert and try to avoid any kind of unexpected expenses like surprise costs that might occur in the form of hidden charges and additional services. Before signing up for a driving school, make sure that they have a refund policy. So, if you miss any classes or you want to cancel your membership, then this policy will save you from suffering the loss of money.
10. Bonus Driving Courses

Some of the driving schools even provide you with bonus driving courses. So, it is best to check if the driving school is offering you some additional services. These services can include some extra lessons, advanced driving methods, and other types of special courses. Having information about the wide range of bonus driving courses can help you in many ways throughout your complete journey of learning how to drive. These bonus courses can also include practical tests and driving simulators that can be beneficial for your learning and can increase the chances of passing your driving test on the very first try. Extra lessons also help in boosting your confidence and make you feel motivated during your exam. These specialised courses give you proper attention to your driving skills by providing you with one-on-one instructors and appropriate feedback to improve your driving.
11. Accessible Locations for Your Driving Needs

Lastly, while choosing a driving school, you should always see if the location of that school is convenient for you. When a driving school is close to your location, then you won’t need to travel far away to get to the school; this will eventually result in reducing the time of your travel without facing any difficulties. When you know that the driving school is close to your home, then it can help reduce stress and anxiety, which will allow you to be calm and relaxed during your driving lessons. If you are a working professional, then it is best if you have an easily accessible driving school, as this will allow you to have flexible scheduling options that will be efficient for your overall learning.
Final Thoughts
Here, you have learned about eleven essential tips that will help you in choosing the best driving school in Melbourne. It is very important to select the right organisation to learn to drive so that you will be able to drive your car confidently and without any fear for the rest of your life. While looking for a driving school, you should check its online reviews to find out its reputation, if they have the licence to teach, if they provide you with insurance, do they have certified instructors, and do they have proper vehicles to teach you, and many other factors that you need to check before enrolling in a driving school. When a driving school has all the necessary things, then you can be sure that you are spending your money on good quality education and gaining accurate knowledge about driving. So, put it in gear and accelerate as you go on the amazing journey of becoming an experienced driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a good driving instructor?
It is very important for you to choose a good driving instructor, so you ask your friends and relatives if they can provide you with any recommendations or get you in contact with a skilled instructor. Build good communication with your instructor; tell that person about all the things that you want to learn. Getting to know each other will help you communicate freely.
Which driving test centre is easiest in Melbourne?
The Frankston Customer Service Centre in Victoria is one of the easiest driving test centres in Melbourne. It is also one of the top-performing test centres with quite high passing rates. For more information, look below in the table
Name | VicRoads – Frankston Customer Service Centre |
Website | https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ |
Address | 71 Hartnett Dr, Seaford VIC 3198, Australia |
Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/GmjmgeN |
Contact Number | (03) 8391 3216 |
Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm Tuesday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm Wednesday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm Thursday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm Friday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
What is the best advice for driving?
Some of the best advice for driving are:
- Before you start driving, always put on your seatbelt.
- You need to pay attention while driving, especially when you are in traffic.
- Always be aware of situations like the sudden appearance of pedestrians and cyclists in front of your car.
- Make sure to continuously check the rearview mirrors.
- During the winter or rainy weather, make sure to keep the speed of your car slow.
- Avoid driving during the times of dusk and dawn. At these times, a person is not able to see clearly.
What questions should I ask a driving instructor?
There are multiple questions that you should ask a driving instructor like
- What are the things that will be covered in the first lesson?
- How many number of lessons will it take to pass?
- Are you going to take all the lessons by driving the same car?
- Do the driving school vehicles have dual controls?
- Is this driving school approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DVSA)?
- Can they help you with a mock test?
- Do you get the same instructors for every lesson?