Mirrabooka Driving Test Route Just Got Much Easier

If you’re preparing for your WA driving test, especially around the Mirrabooka test route, there’s been a major road change you should know about. Local learners, parents, and instructors have been talking about it all week—and for good reason.

Recently, a key intersection on the Mirrabooka driving assessment route underwent a permanent modification, making the driving test easier for new drivers. Still, it may also have a long-term impact on driver education and traffic flow. In this blog post, I’ll break down exactly what has changed, why it matters, and what it means for real-world driving skills. I’ll also show you a second major update at the Koondoola Avenue roundabout — a change I’m actually pleased about.

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The Big Change: The Unprotected Right Turn is Gone

Anyone who has taken the Mirrabooka driving test in the last few years knows about the infamous unprotected right turn — the one that required good judgment, gap selection, awareness, and confidence.

Until last Thursday, learners had to turn right at an intersection that had:

• NO green arrow,

• NO dedicated protection, and

• FULL reliance on selecting a safe gap.

It was a genuine test of real-life driving ability.

But now?
The intersection has been changed permanently. You’ll only see a green arrow or a red arrow. No more decision-making. No more gap-selection. No more need to understand when it’s safe to go.

On the surface, this makes the Mirrabooka driving test easier.
But is that necessarily a good thing?

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Easier Driving Tests… But Less Competent Drivers?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Many drivers in Perth already struggle with unprotected turns. Removing them from the driving assessment may mean fewer failures — but it might also mean fewer opportunities to learn essential safety skills.

I’m genuinely sad about this change from an educational perspective. The turn was challenging, yes, but it taught learners how to:

• Read traffic flow

• Judge oncoming speeds

• Plan ahead

• Make safe decisions without relying on arrows or automation

And these skills matter. Because here’s the reality:

Many intersections in Perth still have unprotected right turns on major roads.

If learners aren’t exposed to this during training or testing, how are they expected to handle it safely on their own?

This is where the concern comes from — not fear-mongering, but genuine road-safety logic.

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The Flow Problem Nobody is Talking About

Replacing an unprotected turn with a permanent arrow may reduce test anxiety, but it can also slow down traffic — especially during peak hours.

The new setup funnels right-turning drivers into strict stop-and-go cycles rather than allowing flexible natural gaps. This can create:

• Congestion

• Longer wait times

• More impatience

• More rear-end risks

It’s a classic case of solving one problem while creating another.

Still, I want to be fair — the change will prevent crashes, especially those caused by inexperienced drivers making risky decisions. So yes, it’s safer. But it’s also simpler… maybe too simple for a driving test.

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A Second Big Change on the Mirrabooka Driving Test Route

Now let’s move to something positive: the Koondoola Avenue double-lane roundabout upgrade.

This change is exactly what Perth needs more of.

Near the entry of the roundabout, you’ll now notice a set of raised yellow bumps installed around 30 metres before the entry. These bumps are designed to prevent last-second lane changes — something we see far too often.

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Why This Upgrade Is a Win for Everyone

These raised markers do several important things:

1. They force early lane selection

Drivers must choose their lane well before the roundabout to reduce hesitation and confusion.

2. They eliminate last-second drifting

One of the biggest causes of side-swipes at double-lane roundabouts is the
“Oops, wrong lane — let me just slide over.

These bumps make it physically impossible.

3. They prevent indecision 

Let’s be honest — Perth has a large number of drivers who are unsure how to approach multi-lane roundabouts. This design change removes the guesswork and encourages safer habits.

4. They keep the traffic flowing smoothly

Clear lane commitment means fewer sudden stops, fewer swerves, and more predictable traffic patterns.

I’m absolutely in favour of this upgrade and wish more roundabouts across WA used this design.

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A Reminder to All Drivers: Skill Still Matters

Road upgrades can help, but they can’t replace good driving habits. Whether you’re a learner, a parent supervising, or an experienced driver:

• Look further ahead

• Avoid distractions

• Don’t rush

• Make early decisions

• Respect safe buffer space

These skills matter far more than relying on arrows, bumps, or signs to save us.

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Final Thoughts

The new changes to the Mirrabooka test route and the Koondoola Avenue roundabout show us two sides of Perth’s road-safety strategy:
one that simplifies driving tests and makes transit easier for less competent drivers, but creates more congestion, and the roundabouts upgrade that enhances real-world safety.

The first change makes life easier for learners.
The second change makes the road safer for everyone.

Whichever side you lean toward, one thing remains true:
Good driving comes from awareness, not shortcuts.

Driving School WA

If you’d like to see the changes for yourself, make sure to watch the embedded video above.

Book Driving Lessons with Steve in Mirrabooka