VicRoads licence testing to resume in Melbourne under Step 3 of road map
There’s relief in sight for those desperate to finally hit the road, with licence testing to resume within weeks. But many are still waiting for refunds and appointments to be rescheduled.
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Licence testing could resume in Melbourne within weeks, but some hopeful would-be drivers still face a long wait before they can finally hit the road.
The State Government announced testing would resume in metropolitan Melbourne when the city moves to Step 3 of the road map to COVID Normal – which could be as early as October 19.
The Government will spend $26.8 million to help tackle of backlog of drivers waiting for a test, with online learner permit and hazard perception tests to be available online from early next year.
Six more temporary testing sites will also open early next year and an extra 180 licence testing officers will be employed.
VicRoads customer service centres and testing sites across Melbourne will deliver up to 11,000 licence tests and 16,500 computer tests a week once all new sites are open.
The Government said the first priority would be re-booking appointments which were postponed due to the pandemic.
On its website, VicRoads said it would contact all metropolitan customers whose appointments were postposed on March 25 and again on July 8 via text message, with instructions on how to re-book.
Customers who had their appointments suspended due to the pandemic will also have their booking fees refunded and all new appointment fees will be waived until bookings return to normal levels.
According to the Government, the expected demand for services is about 125,000 licence test appointments and 255,000 learner and hazard perception tests – in addition to the 80,000 tests which were postponed earlier in the year.
On the Whittlesea Leader Facebook page, Kylie Heywood said she had booked her daughter’s appointment in February to sit her test in April, but it was cancelled and had not been rescheduled, with no refund given.
“VicRoads cannot provide an estimate of when she can sit the test (which I understand as COVID restrictions are unknown),” she said.
“My other daughter would like to book in for hers also.”
Elishia Jansz said her son was booked in for March and the test was cancelled, and she was told VicRoads was not refunding but would call to reschedule a few weeks later.
“No one called, no refund and when I go online to check it says the (appointment) was cancelled. There is no record of my booking or money paid.”
Andrea Bridge said her son had his hazard perception test booked for April 30, and she had heard nothing since it was cancelled.
Stephanie Reginato said: “My daughter has been waiting since April 25 to sit her driving (test) still waiting.”
Janine Whiteley said her son was desperate to get his learner’s permit.
“It would have been great to let him have some experience on the road while they have been quiet. Fingers crossed it will be all systems go for taking his test.”
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, driving practise can be undertaken at the moment if people are leaving the house for a permitted reason, within 5km of home, but formal driving lessons are not allowed.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he knew it had been a long wait for licence testing to resume, which was why the Government was waiving the fees of those impacted.
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