Whittlesea tops learner driver pass rates for Melbourne’s north
Learner drivers from Whittlesea passed the most driving tests in Melbourne’s north last year as new figures reveal Victoria’s young motorists passed more than two-thirds of their on-road licence assessments – a much better result than some other states.
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Victoria’s learner drivers are failing almost a third of their practical driving tests, with new figures revealing which northern suburbs municipality had the best performers.
Leader can reveal the statewide failure rate for the 2018-19 financial year was 30 per cent out of more than 160,000 assessments.
But Victoria’s young drivers fared much better than some of their interstate counterparts, with the 70 per cent pass rate, from 162,142 tests, significantly higher than Tasmania’s 52 per cent and Queensland’s 65 per cent.
Learner permit holders from Whittlesea passed the most driving tests in Melbourne’s north with 12,753, followed by Hume with 9396 and Darebin with 6264.
Moreland was next with 5382, followed by Banyule with 4411, Moonee Valley with 3556, Maribyrnong with 3500, Nillumbik with 3070 and Macedon Ranges with 2427.
RACV senior programs co-ordinator Elvira Lazar said building experience in different conditions, locations and routes was crucial for every learner driver.
“With young drivers over represented in car crashes, it is important that learner drivers go through rigorous testing to ensure they are ready for unsupervised driving on the roads,” she said.
“The 120 hours of compulsory supervised driving is helping teach our aspiring motorists to drive more competently and RACV supports any initiative that encourages safer behaviour on our roads.
“If you’re nervous about your upcoming probationary licence test, RACV is reminding learners that practice makes perfect – build experience in different conditions, locations and routes.”
Ms Lazar said even a couple of professional driving lessons could help young drivers develop good habits early, providing an understanding of the road rules and safe driving techniques.
A Department of Transport spokeswoman said Victoria’s practical driving tests assessed learner drivers’ competency across a range of driving scenarios to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to drive safely on the road.
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“Safety is our top priority which is why our Graduated Licensing System requires learner drivers to log supervising driving practice and we take a rigorous and consistent approach to licence testing across Victoria,” she said.
In the 10 years from 2008-2018, more than 300 drivers aged between 18-25 lost their lives in Victoria, which accounts for 23 per cent of all lives lost during that period, the state’s Transport Accident Commission reports.
VicRoads suspended all light vehicle and computer-based licence testing last Wednesday to protect the health of staff and customers during the coronavirus outbreak, with heavy vehicle and motorcycle testing to continue as normal to keep the industry moving.