A new RACV poll has revealed that one in four learner drivers in Victoria fail their driving test on the first attempt, with five percent needing three or more tries before passing. The findings have reignited focus on the challenges faced by young and inexperienced drivers, particularly as they transition to P plates—a phase marked by a steep increase in road risk.
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) data paints a sobering picture. Drivers aged 18 to 25 make up just 10 percent of licence holders in the state, yet account for 18 percent of road fatalities. The moment they gain their licence, the risk of a fatal crash jumps dramatically, shifting from the lowest in the learner phase to the highest on provisional plates.
“This is a critical time. That initial period of solo driving can be extremely dangerous if the driver isn’t fully prepared,” said Silvia Morris, RACV’s Driver Education and Development Manager. “Once you take away the supervising driver, any weakness in training becomes a real hazard.”
RACV Drive School, which has been operating for over 60 years with a network of more than 60 instructors across the state, is trying to change that trajectory through a six-stage program. Unlike many driving schools that focus solely on passing the test, RACV’s approach includes skill-building around hazard perception, situational awareness, and driving in varied and difficult conditions.
Morris said new drivers often fail not because they can’t parallel park, but because they miss key safety habits. “We see a pattern of gaps—people don’t check mirrors enough, they skip blind spots, they ignore pedestrians while turning. These aren’t just mistakes, they’re risks with real consequences.”
Among the most common errors seen during lessons:
- Inadequate blind spot checks, which endanger cyclists and motorbike riders
- Poor use of mirrors, particularly in stop-start traffic, increasing rear-end crash risk
- Failing to scan for pedestrians at intersections while turning, often due to tunnel vision on cars
Morris warns that not spotting a pedestrian until a turn is underway can be deadly. “By the time you notice them, you may already be halfway into the turn. If you brake suddenly, you might be hit from behind or cause another driver to swerve.”
To improve readiness, RACV is urging learner drivers to get experience in a variety of settings: night driving, peak-hour traffic, rain and fog, country roads, steep terrain, and even driving without digital navigation tools. For those in Melbourne, familiarity with tram safety is especially important. VicRoads data shows that 70 percent of tram-related crashes occur during turning or merging manoeuvres involving cars.
Beyond young locals, RACV is also seeing a rise in demand from international licence holders looking to convert to Victorian rules. The Drive School tailors lessons for all types of learners, including adults returning to driving or those adapting from right-hand to left-hand drive systems. Discounts are available for RACV members, and lessons are conducted in 5-star ANCAP-rated vehicles with dual controls for added safety.
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