Before beginning the RLT, the testing officer will:

  • check the candidate’s identity
  • conduct a pre-drive safety check
  • conduct an in-vehicle safety check.

Documentation

Prior to commencing the test the testing officer will:

  • sight the applicant’s learner licence to ensure it is current and to confirm their identity
  • check the vehicle to be used in the test for:
    • a current warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness label
    • two learner licence plates (L plates) displayed correctly
    • a current vehicle licence (registration) label
    • a current road user charges (RUC) label if it is a vehicle subject to RUC
    • sufficient fuel to complete the test.

If any of these requirements cannot be met, the test will be cancelled.

Vehicle roadworthiness and controls

The vehicle to be used for the test must comply with the legal provisions that govern its use on the road. While testing officers do not examine the vehicle in detail, they will check the items listed below to ensure that all safety items are in a roadworthy state. Applicants will be requested to assist with the pre-drive check.

If the vehicle is not roadworthy, the test will not proceed.

Item

Description

Vehicle posture
(car only)
The vehicle is sitting square to the road, indicating all tyres have equal or close to equal pressure.
Body work The vehicle has no obvious damage that could be considered dangerous.
Tyres and wheels

Tyres should have the required tread depth and no uneven wear, and wheels should appear undamaged (visual inspection only). Winter and summer tyres are not mixed.

The test cannot proceed if a space-saver tyre is fitted to the vehicle.

Indicators and brake lights Indicators and brake lights (to meet equipment requirements) operate correctly and all lenses are intact.
Head lights Lenses must be intact and high and low beams operate if the test is to take place in low light conditions.
Windscreen wipers Wipers must operate satisfactorily if the test is to take place in rain or fog.
Horn The horn must operate.
Driver/rider safety Mirrors are checked for position and seatbelts are in safe and serviceable condition.

In-vehicle safety checks

The testing officer will check the applicant is able to identify where the following controls are located in the vehicle:

  • handbrake
  • windscreen demister
  • rear window demister (where fitted).

If the applicant is unable to identify the items above they will be pointed out to them and the applicant will still be able to undertake the test. However if it becomes necessary to use one of the controls during the test and the applicant requires assistance to operate the control, an immediate failure error would result.

The pre-drive safety check and in-vehicle check do not contribute to the applicant’s test score.