Your first-lesson checklist

• Your Victorian learner permit (physical card or digital VicRoads licence in the Service Victoria app). You can't legally drive without it.
• Your logbook (paper or digital myLearners app). Your instructor signs off the hours.
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes. No thongs, no chunky boots, no high heels.
• Glasses or contacts if you wear them for driving.
• Water and a snack if you're prone to nerves or low blood sugar.

You don't need to bring a car. The instructor's vehicle is fully insured for instruction use, and roadworthy-checked as part of our verification process.

The 6-step cockpit drill

1. Seat position — close enough to fully press the pedals with a slight knee bend
2. Steering wheel — wrist on the top of the wheel when your back is against the seat
3. Mirrors — left, right, and rear-view, all set for your eye line
4. Seatbelt — across the chest, not behind your arm
5. Headrest — top of the headrest level with the top of your head
6. Controls tour — indicators, wipers, lights, handbrake, gear selector

This part feels slow. It's meant to. Getting it right now saves you years of bad habits.

Quiet streets, low speeds, real wins

Your first lesson is almost always on quiet residential streets — wide roads, low speed limits, very few other cars. You'll typically work on:

• Starting and stopping smoothly
• Steering in a straight line
• Looking far enough ahead (most beginners look too close to the bonnet)
• Gentle left and right turns
• One or two roundabouts if you're feeling confident

You will not be expected to do hook turns, freeway merges, or reverse parallel parks on lesson one. Those come later.