The Victorian Government is preparing for drivers' licence tests to resume by providing extra assessment centres, beginning online testing for learners and cheaper testing for Victorians impacted by the suspension during the pandemic.
A $26.8 million package will make computer-based tests available online and further boost licence testing capacity, to turbo charge testing after it was put on hold to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Testing will resume in metropolitan Melbourne when the city moves to the Third Step of the roadmap to COVID Normal, while online learner permit and hazard perception tests will be available from early next year, with work well underway to deliver these tests while keeping our high standards of road safety.
Six more temporary testing sites will open by early in the new year to tackle the backlog and ensure testing can be carried out safely, bringing the total to 12 new sites across Melbourne since June. A further 180 licence testing officers will be employed to support the expansion, taking the total number of new staff to more than 380.
As Victoria continues towards COVID Normal, VicRoads customer service centres and testing sites across Melbourne will deliver up to 11,000 licence tests and 16,500 computer tests per week once all new sites are open.
The first priority under the staged resumption of licence testing will be re-booking appointments which have been postponed due to the pandemic. Those with a postponed test will be contacted directly by VicRoads to schedule a new appointment ahead of the expected resumption when Melbourne moves to the Third Step.
Customers who had their appointments suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic will also have their booking fees refunded and all new appointment fees will be waived until bookings return to normal levels.
Across Melbourne the expected demand for services is around 125,000 licence test appointments and 255,000 learner and hazard perception tests. This is addition to the 80,000 tests which were postponed earlier in the year.
Earlier this week, 30,000 new appointments were released in regional Victoria, with testing levels expected to recover by the new year.
VicRoads will continue with strict safety measures to keep applicants and staff COVID safe, with appropriate cleaning of vehicles used in tests, comprehensive hygiene practices and the use of disposable seat covers, particularly if the customer is using their own vehicle. No one should be participating in a driving test if they are unwell.
