Staff writers
Based on advice from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, learner permit and licence testing including driving tests will progressively resume from Monday.
The first priority under the staged resumption will be to re-book tests for those whose appointments were postponed due to coronavirus restrictions.
As part of the resumption, more than 200 new staff will be hired to help work through the postponed appointments as quickly as possible, with testing to resume at all VicRoads testing locations.
Six new temporary licence testing sites will also be established to increase testing capacity, which will commence operation in the coming months.
The Chief Health Officer has outlined a range of measures to allow drive testing to commence safely for the workforce and public.
This includes appropriate cleaning of vehicles used in tests, proper comprehensive hygiene for applicants, instructors and testing officers and the use disposable seat covers, particularly if the customer is using their own vehicle.
Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC Jaala Pulford said it was a significant milestone.
“We know how important it is to have a driver’s licence, especially for young people who need it for work or study – and we’re now in a position to safely resume testing,” Ms Pulford said.
“It will take a little bit of time to get through the list of those waiting to take a test – we’ve got a plan for doing this safely and as quickly as possible and are grateful for everyone’s continued patience.”
No one should be participating in a driving test if they are unwell.
Customers with a postponed appointment will be contacted by VicRoads directly to reschedule their test in the order of cancellation.
New appointments will be available once the backlog of postponed tests is cleared.
Tests have been suspended since March 25 with more than 100,000 licensing appointments, including 55,000 drive tests, postponed to protect staff and the community.
Since then, VicRoads has approved more than 2700 licence tests for people who would have faced undue hardship from not having their learner permit or licence.
This option will continue to be available until the availability of new appointments returns to normal.
Everyone is reminded that while VicRoads Customer Service Centres remain open, they should not visit unless their matter is urgent, and are strongly encouraged to complete their transaction online. Heavy vehicle testing and motorcycle tests will continue as they have done so throughout the last two months.
