Absolutely. Ringwood is one of those suburbs that gives learner drivers the best of both worlds. You’ve got quiet residential streets that are perfect for early lessons—no pressure, less traffic, and plenty of room to practice things like turns, stopping, and reversing. Then, when students are ready to level up, there are plenty of main roads where they can start working on things like multi-lane driving, traffic lights, and roundabouts. There’s even access to some of the busier intersections for advanced practice. It’s a well-rounded suburb for learning to drive, and instructors love teaching in the area for that reason.

It depends on where you are. Around Eastland and the train station, parking can be a bit of a mission—especially on weekends or during holiday shopping rushes. But if you head just a little outside the commercial areas, parking becomes much easier. Residential streets usually have plenty of space, and there are lots of spots perfect for parallel and reverse parking practice. You’ll also find a mix of angled bays and parking lots that give learners a good range of real-world parking scenarios. So while it can be tricky in the busy spots, there are plenty of calmer areas to train in.

Yes, and they’re actually quite useful for learners once they’ve built up some confidence. For example, the Maroondah Highway intersection near Ringwood Station can be a bit overwhelming at first—it’s wide, has multiple lanes, and traffic moves fast. There are also a few roundabouts scattered through the residential streets that might seem simple, but they’re great for teaching right-of-way and smooth turning. Even the entry points to Eastlink can be a bit nerve-wracking until a learner gets used to merging. These trickier spots might seem intimidating at first, but they’re fantastic for building real skill and confidence over time.

Ringwood is actually one of the better spots for freeway access if you’re learning. The connection to Eastlink and the Eastern Freeway is pretty straightforward, and the ramps are well-marked and wide, which helps ease learners into higher-speed driving. You can head onto the freeway via Maroondah Highway or Ringwood Bypass depending on where you’re starting, and it doesn’t take long to get comfortable with it. It’s also great because you’re not immediately hit with overwhelming traffic like you might be closer to the city. Once a student is ready for freeway driving, this is a smooth, supportive place to start.