Goya Dmytryshchak
Driver licence testing resumed on Monday with more than 200 staff employed to meet the coronavirus backlog.
Tests were suspended on March 25, putting on hold more than 100,000 licensing appointments including 55,000 drive tests.
Learner permit and licence testing will proceed in stages at all VicRoads’ sites, with those forced to postpone due to restrictions given first priority.
Six new temporary testing sites will be established in coming months to increase capacity, with locations yet to be determined.
Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, Jaala Pulford said the Chief Health Officer had outlined a range of measures to allow drive testing.
“It will take a little bit of time to get through the list of those waiting to take a test,” she said. “We’ve got a plan for doing this safely and as quickly as possible and are grateful for everyone’s continued patience.”
Safety measures include cleaning of vehicles used in tests, “proper comprehensive hygiene” for applicants, instructors and testing officers, and disposable seat covers.
Australian Services Union secretary Lisa Darmanin said additional safety measures included no more than three people in a test vehicle and the wearing of surgical masks and non-contact temperature testing for at least the next four weeks.
“The Australian Services Union has been consistent that drive tests should not recommence until it was safe for VicRoads workers and the public,” she said.
“Reopening drive tests with these safety measures is good news for VicRoads staff and for everyone wanting to get a drivers licence.”
Since restrictions in March, VicRoads approved more than 2,700 licence tests for people who would have faced undue hardship. This exemption will continue to be available.
Heavy vehicle testing and motorcycle tests will continue as they have been during the past two months.
VicRoads will contact people whose tests have been postponed to reschedule.
