Learner drivers facing six month delay in getting their licence
Victorians teenagers prevented from taking driving lessons are facing at least a six-month delay in getting their licence, after the state government declared driving lessons an non-essential activity and VicRoads suspended driver testing.
HS Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from HS Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Victorians teenagers prevented from taking driving lessons are facing at least a six-month delay in getting their licence, hampering their prospects of getting part-time work.
The state government said driving lessons were not considered an essential activity or education, a decision that adds more stress for 17 and 18-year-olds who are already dealing with a disrupted VCE year and the loss of casual jobs.
The move places an extra burden on teens trying to accrue their required 120 hours behind the wheel.
VicRoads has also suspended driver testing, meaning the future backlog will delay even further the opportunity for teens to get their licence.
The chaos comes after Victoria Police issued a $1652 on-the-spot social distancing fine issued to learner driver Hunter Reynolds last weekend.
Kilbreda College year 12 student and learner driver Reynolds, 17, was pulled over and fined $1652 during a supervised drive with her mother, Sharee, in Frankston on Sunday.
Ms Reynolds blasted Victoria Police for the infringement.
“Common sense did not prevail. I didn’t for one moment think we were breaking the rules. We live together, we didn’t leave the car or stop,” the mum said.
“It is ridiculous. My daughter was completely shocked by it.”
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton on Tuesday said the fine would be withdrawn.
Mr Patton said he was satisfied the fine had been “legally issued” but that discretion should have been applied.
“Every Victorian should now be well aware that getting into the car purely for the purpose of driving practice is not an exemption permitted by the Chief Health Officer,’’ a police statement said.
But parents could test a loophole which allows driving practice in line with one of the exemptions – driving to buy food or medical supplies, or when travelling to work or education.
The clarification was the latest state government U-turn after it changed the rules on couples who live apart being able to see each other and followed the conflicting messages on Victorians going to their holiday homes at Easter.
Learner driver Lewis Jan was initially outraged when he heard about the fine imposed on a fellow learner driver.
But the Year 12 student, who has had his learners for six months, said he realised there was a good reason people were discouraged from hitting the road.
“At first I thought it was a bit over the top and felt a bit frustrated because I couldn’t go out and get my hours up,” he says.
“I thought quarantine was a good opportunity to get my hours up, but then I thought about it more I realised it’s probably not the best idea. I think they need to make it clear and simple and maintain the message that you should only go out for essential purposes.”
Ms Reynolds’s father Steven said the family was relieved by the police change of mind.
“It’s a great decision but it’s just such a grey area.’’
Victoria’s rules clash with authorities in New South Wales and South Australia which said it was OK for a member of a household to take a learner driver on a lesson.
Australian Driver Trainers Association (Victoria) president Stan Gates told some instructors last week to stop conducting lessons.
“Unfortunately, there are still those questioning our recommendations and sad to say, there are unscrupulous trainers who are still advertising their availability at this time,’’ a notice to members said.
“Not only has general driver training continued by some but we have been made aware of our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly, still being trained for assessments.’’
RACV senior safety adviser Elvira Lazar said its drive school operations had been suspended.
“With fewer cars on the road, it might seem like the perfect time to learn to drive. But we’re encouraging Victorians to adhere to the advice from authorities. Stay at home and limit non-essential travel.’’
On Monday Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton defended police actions against the teen driver.
Prof Sutton deemed the outing as “non-essential activity” as it didn’t relate to work, study, essential shopping or seeking medical care.
Police minister Lisa Neville urged people to follow official advice and stop looking for “loopholes”.
“My view is if we, if everyone, ask themselves, do I need to do this? Do I need to be doing this now? And the answer is no, then you should not be doing it,” she said.
Opposition police spokesman David Southwick wrote to Ms Neville urging her to have the driving lesson fine withdrawn and policy amended, as it is at odds with other states including NSW.
READ MORE
NORTHERN SUBURBS HOTSPOT EMERGING