Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

Stay at home. State of Disaster.

Customers with appointments in regional Victoria

All licence testing will be suspended in regional Victoria from 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 August. We are contacting all customers directly to postpone their appointment and will contact them again to re-book when we’re advised it’s safe to resume licence testing. Learn more about Changes to Light Vehicle Testing below.

• We will be implementing additional safety measures, including temperature checks and recording customer details for contact tracing at all our metropolitan Customer Service Centres. For more information go to Safety operating procedures for licence testing
• Everyone must wear a mask when they leave home, unless an exception applies.
• If you do need to leave home, you should wash your hands before you leave and when you return home. Keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others. 
• Never, ever go out if you are unwell, unless it is to get tested and then you must go straight home.
• If we all do this, we can protect our loved ones, friends, colleagues, health care workers and the community.

FAQs

Where do the restrictions apply?

The “Stay at Home” restrictions apply across Regional Victoria including Mitchell Shire, as outlined on the DHHS website (External link)

When do the changes come into effect? How long do they last?

The changes came into effect from 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 August 2020 and will be in place for at least six weeks.

How will VicRoads contact impacted customers about these changes?

We will be sending out an SMS to inform customers with licence testing appointments in Regional Victoria  that their appointment has been postponed and will be re-scheduled when we’re advised that it’s safe to resume licence testing. Where required, we will follow up with a phone call in due course.

All postponed  appointments will be re-booked in priority order when drive test appointments again become available.  

How will my test be re-booked, if suspended again?

You will remain in the system and retain your place in the queue for rebooking when restrictions ease.  We will contact you again to rebook when it is safe to do so in line with the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer.

What if my learner permit and/or hazard perception test results expire during this time? 

If your results expire during the suspension period, we will extend the eligibility period by 12 months from that date.

Will my registration appointment or licence changeover appointment go ahead? 

Yes. In regional Victoria your upcoming appointment will go ahead at the scheduled date and time. This applies even if the appointment is booked for a location within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. Any new appointments will be scheduled at the customer’s closest  VicRoads Customer Service Centre where possible.

No one should be attending an appointment if they are unwell.

What if I urgently need to sit my test for work or other reasons?

If you would experience undue hardship as a result of not sitting a licence test, you may be eligible to apply to VicRoads to undertake a light vehicle drive or computer-based test. Find out if you're eligible to apply for a priority appointment.

I have an upcoming priority test on ‘undue hardship’ grounds. Will it go ahead?

Yes. Your upcoming appointment will go ahead at the scheduled date and time. This applies even if the appointment is booked for a location within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. Appointments will be scheduled at the customer’s closest VicRoads Customer Service Centre where possible.

No one should be attending an appointment if they are unwell.

Why is VicRoads holding onto my appointment fee?

VicRoads will honour all payments when the appointment is rescheduled. Refunds won’t be issued but customers can rest assured that they won’t need to pay again for their future appointment.

What if I don’t want VicRoads to hold my appointment fee and want a refund?

You may request a refund of your appointment fee and we will cancel your appointment. If you chose this option,  once VicRoads resumes services in your area you will be required to make another appointment on the next available date. You will not be re-contacted by VicRoads or given priority.

You’re asking customers to give their personal details when they enter a Customer Service Centre. What are you going to do with this information?

Personal details will be collected on your arrival at all our Customer Service Centres Personal details collected for contact tracing will be limited to your name, a contact phone number, and the time you attended a Customer Service Centre or Licence Test Centre. This information will only be used by DHHS for contact tracing if required.

Will VicRoads provide me with a face mask if I don’t have one?

No. All customers are expected to bring their own face covering when visiting a Customer Service Centre.

I am the holder of an overseas licence how will this affect my licence?

If you are an overseas licence holder, you can continue to drive on your overseas licence. The period for compliance to convert to a Victorian licence has been extended. Visit Overseas drivers and use the online tool to work out by when you’ll need to convert to a Victorian licence.

My LPT and/or HPT results may/will expire during this time? 

If a customer has results that expire during the suspension period, we will extend the eligibility period by 12 months from that date.

Can I change my address?

Yes, however we are updating our systems to ask for verification or evidence (i.e. documentary evidence) from people living within metropolitan Melbourne who wish to make a change to an area outside Melbourne. No documentary evidence will be required for any other address changes.

Licence testing and appointments

Hardship application for prioritised licence testing

If you would experience undue hardship as a result of not being able to access VicRoads’ services, you may be eligible to apply to VicRoads to undertake a:

• Light vehicle drive tests
• Hazard perception tests
• Learners tests

Licence testing will be conducted at your nearest Customer Service Centre to limit your need for travel.

Find out if you’re eligible for a priority appointment and how to apply here.

What safety measures are in place?  

To protect the health and wellbeing of all customers and staff, our COVIDSafe Plan including strict hygiene protocols will be in place for both drive test vehicles and at our Customer Service Centres.

Mandatory face coverings

Customers visiting any of our Customer Service Centres must wear a face covering, unless an exemption applies. Visit the DHHS website for more information on wearing face coverings (External link).

We will be implementing additional safety measures, including temperature checks and recording customer details for contact tracing at all our metropolitan Customer Service Centres and Seymour Customer Service Centre. For more information go to Safety operating procedures for licence testing.

Interstate drivers and overseas licence conversions

If you were in Victoria prior to 29 October 2019:

• you now have until 29 April 2021 to convert your licence to a Victorian one.
• if you had an appointment relating to your licence conversion booked that was suspended due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, we'll contact you to make a new appointment. 
• if you had not yet made an appointment, once new appointments become available, you must make sure you convert your licence before 29 April 2021.

Overseas licence holders who arrived in Victoria after 29 October 2019:

• enter your details in the online form on the Overseas drivers page to check how long you have to convert to a Victorian licence.
• once new appointments for overseas licence conversions become available, you must make sure you convert your licence before that date.  

Heavy vehicle and motorcycle tests

Our Customer Service Centres remain open for essential services. Otherwise we encourage you to complete your matter online or by phone. 

Please note: Our Geelong Customer Service Centre is closed until further notice. All customers with existing appointments are being contacted to have their appointments postponed. See below for services that can be completed online.

You can call 13 11 71 to get information about how we’re supporting those in essential services or customers with hardship requests.

We’re confident we can help you to complete your transaction online or over the phone. 

Pay for your registration or licence renewal online or over the phone.

• You can pay for your registration online or by calling 1300 086 314. Go to Renew your registration to learn more.
• You don’t need a new photo, you can pay for your licence with BPAY (if shown on your renewal notice) or by calling 1300 554 853. Go to How to renew your licence to learn more.

Mandatory face coverings

Customers visiting any of our Customer Service Centres must wear a face covering, unless an exemption applies. Visit the DHHS website for more information on wearing face coverings (External link).

If you do visit, you should attend your closest Customer Service Centre wherever possible. To protect the health and wellbeing of all customers and staff, strict hygiene protocols will be in place for both drive test vehicles and at our Customer Service Centres. 

We have implemented additional safety measures, including temperature checks and recording customer details for contact tracing at all our metropolitan Customer Service Centres and Seymour Customer Service Centre. For more information go to Safety operating procedures for licence testing.

Requests for medical reports

To help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) we deferred most requests for medical reports for a minimum period of two months (maximum four months) for customers who live within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire area. People who do receive a request for a report should contact their health professional to arrange an appointment. Contact VicRoads if you have any questions or concerns. 

Medical Review driving tests

Based on the latest medical advice, VicRoads is postponing all Medical Review drive tests across Victoria (as practitioners typically move frequently between metropolitan and regional areas). 

Based on a case-by-case assessment of road safety risk, you may be provided with a ‘conditional licence’ with restrictions, while you are waiting for your on-road assessment.

If you have previously been issued with a conditional licence with restrictions, these conditions will remain until you undertake and pass your test or assessment, following the easing of restrictions.

What is a conditional driver licence?

This is when specific conditions or restrictions are added to your driver licence. This means, for your safety and the safety of other road users, you will need to make sure you follow these licence conditions and can only legally drive within the boundaries of these conditions.  

Examples of conditional licence restrictions include: 

• a driving radius from home (e.g. can only drive 10km radius from home).
• no freeway driving.
• no night driving. 

What is undue hardship?

If holding a conditional driver licence would cause you or your immediate family to endure undue hardship, you may be eligible to apply to VicRoads Medical Review to undertake a driving test or request to make minor changes to your conditional driver licence (e.g. from ‘can only drive 10km radius from home’ to ‘can only drive 15km radius from home’), until a driving test can be completed.  

You may be considered to experience undue hardship if any of the following apply: 

1. You are the main or sole provider for the family and having an unconditional driver licence or a change to your current conditional driver licence (e.g. make a change from ‘can only drive 10km radius from home’ to ‘can only drive 15km radius from home’) would support your ability to maintain employment and/or financial requirements and commitments; or you’re a new job-seeker, and this would assist in your ability to enter employment
2. You require an unconditional driver licence or a change to your current conditional driver licence to take your spouse or children or sibling/s to and from work, education or to access essential services (e.g. medical appointments or shopping for food) - if necessary.
3. You require an unconditional driver licence or a change to your current conditional driver licence because taking public transport or a taxi would pose a significant risk to you due to a medical condition which makes you more vulnerable to contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) (e.g. respiratory conditions, asthma, cardiovascular).
4. You or your dependant(s) are affected family member(s) in a family violence situation and having an unconditional driver licence or a change to your current conditional driver licence would assist you to seek appropriate refuge and support.
5. Priority testing for persons working in essential services that support the coronavirus (COVID-19) response (e.g. working in health or food supply chains) will also be considered on a case by case basis.

How do I apply?

To submit a request for approval: 

• Download and complete the Coronavirus (COVID-19) application to undertake VicRoads Medical Review drive test [PDF 78 Kb]
• Send your completed form and any additional supporting documentation to VicRoads Medical Review by:

Email: 

Fax:

Mail: 

Occupational Therapy Driving Assessments

Based on the latest medical advice, VicRoads is postponing requests for occupational therapy driving assessments for all customers.

Based on a case-by-case assessment of road safety risk, you may be provided with a ‘conditional licence’ with restrictions, while you are waiting for your on-road assessment.

If you have previously been issued with a conditional licence with restrictions, these conditions will remain until you undertake and pass your test or assessment, following the easing of restrictions.

What is a conditional driver licence?

Examples of conditional licence restrictions include: 

• a driving radius from home (e.g. can only drive 10km radius from home).
• no freeway driving.
• no night driving.

Short-term registration

Right now, short-term registration gives everyone the option to pay their vehicle registration at three or six month registration periods, providing more flexibility while helping to relieve financial pressure.

Login to your myVicRoads account to update your registration.

Seasonal registration for heavy vehicles

Seasonal registration means you can nominate parts of the year your heavy vehicle is in use and only pay for the months it's being used. All heavy vehicles (vehicles with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes) can use seasonal registration.

Seasonal periods

The registration cycle is a 12-month period which begins on the date of the application to register a vehicle and ends at midnight on the same date the following year.

The minimum duration you can nominate is three months and the maximum is nine months. 

You can only register your vehicle for one or two seasonal periods within a single registration cycle, as long as the combined total doesn’t exceed nine months. For example, you might nominate the first seasonal period for four months and the second seasonal period for five months. 

Who can apply?

Vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of greater than 4.5 tonnes are eligible to apply. This may include tour bus operators, heavy trailers, tow trucks etc.

Learn more about heavy vehicles and heavy vehicle licence categories

How do I apply? 

To apply for seasonal registration, you’ll need to: 

• Complete the Seasonal registration form [PDF 339 Kb]
• Make an appointment at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre or
• Call 13 11 71

Visit Seasonal registration for heavy vehicles for more information.

To get back up and running, businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will now be able to re-register their business vehicles through a simplified re-registration process. Find out more below.

If you're the owner or operator of a business-use vehicle and had to cancel, surrender or you did not renew your registration due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for a simplified re-registration process. 

Between 1 July and 31 December 2020, you can re-register your vehicle and we’ll waive the following: 

• re-registration appointment fees
• number plate assignment fees (where plates have been returned to VicRoads) and/or 
• requirement for the vehicle to undergo a roadworthy inspection or present a Certificate of Roadworthiness (for eligible vehicles under five years old)

The only fee you’ll still need to pay is the standard cost to re-register your vehicle. 

To be eligible: 

• Your registration must have been cancelled, surrendered or not renewed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on or after 16 March and before 1 July 2020.
• You must have a myVicRoads account and re-register the vehicle online.
• You must be able to prove your vehicle is used for business purposes or is a private vehicle on the Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) (External link) register as a taxi or ride share vehicle. 
• Your vehicle must be less than five years old. 
• The personal and vehicle details must not have changed and must match the information in our system.
• If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, normal re-registration requirements (including provision of a current Certificate of Roadworthiness) will apply.

How do I apply? 

Complete the following steps before 31 December 2020:

1. Submit an application to re-register your vehicle online through your myVicRoads account. 
2. Make a payment online (your registration will be cancelled if you don’t pay by the required due date).
3. Affix your retained or new number plates (if applicable) to your approved vehicle.

Please note that your vehicle will remain unregistered until the above steps are complete. It is an offence to drive an unregistered vehicle and penalties apply.

Apply now

FAQs

Who is this available for? 

Simplified re-registration is available for business vehicle registrations that were cancelled, surrendered or not renewed due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on or after 16 March 2020 and before 1 July 2020.

Can I use my old number plates?

Yes, the retained number plates can be re-used when an application to re-register the vehicle/vehicles is made prior to 31 December 2020.

What if I surrendered or destroyed my number plates – what happens now? Can I order a duplicate of my old number plate?

You will be issued with new standard plates with a new number at no extra cost. If you have retained your old plates and wish to use them again, VicRoads will re-assign them to your vehicle and we will waive the usual assignment fee. 

If you wish to purchase number plates displaying your previous registration number, you may do so at the normal cost. 

How long will simplified business vehicle re-registration be available for?

Simplified business vehicle re-registration will be available until 31 December 2020.

Why is this change happening?

We understand that due to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19), many businesses have been unable to re-register business vehicles over the past few months.

We’re supporting Victorian businesses by providing some financial relief on re-registration fees and simplifying the process.

Short-term registration is also available to Victorians – instead of having to pay a registration for 12 months, registration payment periods of three or six months are available, meaning you pay less upfront.

New South Wales border closure

From Wednesday 8 July, New South Wales will temporarily shut its border with Victoria to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

This means that if you're travelling from Victoria to New South Wales, you'll need an entry permit. There will be provisions in place for residents of border communities (External link), such as Albury-Wodonga and Echuca-Moama. 

If you need to travel into New South Wales, you can apply for a permit (External link) through the Service New South Wales website or by calling 13 77 88

There will be detours and vehicle checkpoints set up along the Victorian border. Visit VicTraffic (External link) or locations. Please secure your permit in advance and allow extra travel time at checkpoints.

There will also be changes to public transport services (External link) as many services will stop at the Victorian border.

South Australian border closure

From Thursday 9 July, only Victorians with essential traveller status will be permitted to travel to South Australia.

Victorians travelling into South Australia by road or via Adelaide airport are required to complete a cross border travel pre-approval form (External link) at least 72 hours before you arrive. 

All shared border roads with Victoria will be closed to non-essential travel into South Australia, with checkpoints and detours in place. V/Line coaches will continue to run, but please plan ahead by visiting the V/Line website (External link). Be aware of any changes to your service and ensure you have a cross border travel pre-approval in place before your start your journey.

Visit the Government of South Australia travel restrictions page (External link) for more information about the travel restrictions, essential traveller status and check point locations.