Speed management
Choose a legal and safe speed, maintain an appropriate following gap and adjust early for hazards and conditions.
Free driving lesson quote
Prepare against the real test criteria
Tell us your test area, planned date and the skills you want checked.
A structured lesson or mock assessment can turn the five criteria into specific, repeatable habits and a focused practice plan.
Five performance areas
What the NSW driving test assesses
The official Guide to the Driving Test names five key performance indicators used across the test course. Each indicator is rehearsed directly in our Liverpool driving test preparation lessons.
Road positioning
Use legal lanes and safe road position while leaving buffers around vehicles, pedestrians and roadside hazards.
Decision making
Select safe gaps, apply give-way rules and make timely decisions at intersections, turns and lane changes.
Responding to hazards
Recognise hazards early and protect your crash-avoidance space by covering the brake, easing off, slowing or changing position.
Vehicle control
Operate steering, brakes, accelerator, gears and controls smoothly while completing required manoeuvres safely.
How the result works
You need at least 90% and no fail items
A high overall score does not override a fail item. Breaking road rules, creating danger or showing other high-risk behaviour can prevent a pass. Fail items are drilled out early in Macarthur test route practice from Campbelltown.
Test preparation
Practise low-risk habits until they are consistent
A practice driving test with your instructor rehearses this under the same conditions. The testing officer scores what you demonstrate during the drive, so safe routines must work under changing traffic conditions.
Use feedback from supervised practice or a mock test to identify patterns, then repeat the correct routine across unfamiliar roads.
Official information
Use the official NSW test resources
Service details can change. Confirm requirements and bookings before test day.
Driving test guidance and booking
A Guide to the Driving Test Tests and practice tests for drivers Book a driver or rider licence test
Practical help on the day
A registered, roadworthy vehicle is one of the requirements you have to bring to the appointment. Learners without a suitable car can hire the Sydney South Driving School automatic and take a warm-up lesson on the surrounding roads immediately beforehand.
Driving test car hire and a warm-up lesson Driving test preparation and practice tests
Driving lessons
Turn the guide into safer driving skills
Choose structured support for your current stage and goals.
Beginner driving lessons
Build vehicle control, observation and safe routines with calm, structured coaching.
Driving test preparation
Practise speed choice, positioning, decisions, hazard response and vehicle control.
Lessons for nervous drivers
Develop confidence through clear explanations, staged practice and useful feedback.
Frequently asked questions
NSW driving test criteria questions
Use the official links on this page to confirm current rules for your situation.
What are the five NSW driving test criteria in 2026?
They are speed management, road positioning, decision making, responding to hazards and vehicle control.
What score do I need to pass the NSW driving test?
The official guide says you must score at least 90% and have no fail items.
How many mistakes are allowed in the NSW driving test?
There is no useful fixed mistake allowance to rely on. Your result depends on the scored criteria and whether any fail item occurs, so focus on consistent low-risk driving.
Will I pass if I memorise a test route?
A memorised route cannot guarantee a pass because routes and traffic conditions vary. The test assesses how safely you apply the criteria in the conditions encountered.
Can a driving instructor conduct a mock test?
An instructor can run a practice assessment and provide feedback, but only an authorised testing officer can conduct the official NSW driving test.
Driving lessons
Practise the criteria before test day
Request a free quote for calm, structured driving lessons across Liverpool, Campbelltown and Macarthur.
Automatic lessonsLocal pick-up and drop-offOpen daily, 7am to 7pm