Has licence testing resumed in metropolitan Melbourne?
Yes, Victorian Government announced licence testing has re-opened for new customer bookings across Melbourne from Monday 16 November.
The easiest way to make an appointment is online, or alternatively you can call us on 13 11 71.
Customers with suspended appointments who have been given priority to rebook their tests are being reminded to contact VicRoads on a dedicated number as soon as possible to book an appointment.
Hardship and special circumstances appointments will continue to be offered for eligible customers who would experience undue hardship as a result of not sitting a licence test.
Additional Licence Testing Centres with new staff have been setup to offer more bookings and ensure these key services can resume safely as part of the roadmap to recovery. COVIDSafe measures remain in place to allow the safe delivery of licensing services.
Has licence testing resumed in metropolitan Melbourne?
Yes, all licence testing resumed in metropolitan Melbourne when the city moved to the Third Step of the roadmap to reopening on Wednesday 28 October.
We’ve contacted all metropolitan customers whose appointments were postposed on 25 March and again on 8 July, due to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) directly. These customers have been sent a text message with instructions on how to re-book at their closest Licence Testing or Customer Service Centre.
As restrictions ease, it is more important than ever that we act safely so we can remain open. This means metropolitan Melbourne customers can only book rescheduled testing appointments at their closest testing centre, and not in regional Victoria.
How do I book an appointment if I'm in regional Victoria?
All licence testing has resumed in regional Victoria.
The easiest way to make an appointment is online, or alternatively you can call us on 13 11 71 (pay by VISA or Mastercard only*)
*A card payment fee applies.
What if I had a postponed appointment but didn’t get the SMS? Will I lose my place in the queue?
If you had a postponed appointment but didn’t receive the SMS to rebook, you will still be considered for a priority appointment when you get in touch to rebook.
The easiest way to make an appointment is online, or alternatively you can call us on 13 11 71.
What is the fee waiver?
As part of our service recovery and resumption of services in metropolitan Melbourne, the Victorian Government will waive or refund the $19 appointment fee as a good will gesture for anyone that has been impacted with the suspension of key services.
This will mean all customers that have already taken, are due to take, or are waiting to take, a Learners, Hazard Perception and practical Drive Test, during the period of 25 March 2020 to 5 April 2021 will be eligible to have their licence test booking fees waived or refunded. We will contact all customers who are eligible for an appointment fee refund. Please do not call us for your refund.
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 for a hardship and special circumstances 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. Appointments will be scheduled at the customer’s closest VicRoads Customer Service Centre where possible. No one should attend an appointment if they are unwell. If you feel unwell, get tested (External link) and stay at home until you get your results.
Can I use my own car for a hardship or compassionate drive test?
Yes. This is part of the new Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) for drive tests and compassionate drive tests.
Can I leave my house to take a driving lesson?
Yes, driving lessons and driving practice are both allowed across Victoria. The instructor and the driver must wear face masks.
When will all the new testing sites be open and where are they located?
Additional licence testing centres with new staff have been setup to offer more bookings and ensure these key services can resume safely as part of the roadmap to recovery. COVIDSafe measures remain in place to allow the safe delivery of licensing services.
Three additional testing sites include: South Morang, Coolaroo and Ringwood.
New sites in Richmond and Mulgrave are now open exclusively for computer and drive tests. Two more Licence Testing Centres will open later in November.
Six more temporary testing sites will open in early 2021 to further tackle the backlog and ensure testing can be carried out safely.
An additional 190 licence testing officers have been hired to support the delivery of licence testing across all sites, and a further 180 licence testing officers will be employed to support the expansion, taking the total number of new staff to more than 380.
Paper-based tests
To assist with the backlog of suspended appointments please be aware your learner permit test may be a paper-based test.
This will enable us to complete a greater number of learner permit and hazard perception tests whilst adhering to capacity limits, and protecting the health and wellbeing of our customers and staff.
Paper-based tests are only available in English, computer-based tests will still be available in the following languages Albanian, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese (Mandarin), Macedonian, Persian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Will you consider changing the 120 hour practice requirement for Learner drivers?
No. We know many learners have been unable to gain driving experience during the COVID-19 restrictions and understand that’s frustrating but we also know that 120 hours experience (100 hours in the day, 20 hours at night) significantly reduces the risks for our young drivers – in fact 42.5% fewer drivers between 18-23 years of age have been involved in fatal or serious injury crashes since we introduced the system. It works, its saving lives.
Are medical review tests also resuming in Melbourne?
Medical review assessments resumed on Monday 2 November.
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.
There is a specific undue hardship process for Medical Review customers.
What safety measures will be in place for those getting tested and VicRoads staff?
The safety of our staff, customers and the greater community is our priority.
We have numerous measures in place to keep everyone safe, including:
- Testing officers and customers must wear a face mask at all times.
- Practicing good hand hygiene before and after testing by everyone involved.
- No one should enter a licence testing centre when sick. Stay home and get tested.
- Records will be kept of everyone involved in testing, to aid in contact tracing if required.
- The driving instructor’s vehicle will be thoroughly cleaned between drivers.
- The applicant or driving instructor’s vehicle can be used if the area used by the testing officer can be appropriately cleaned or covered.
How will you conduct health screening for all applicants?
All customers will be required to make a declaration saying that they are not sick before conducting a drive test.
VicRoads reserves the right to refuse a test if we believe an applicant is unwell, and in this case the test will be rescheduled for a later date.
Can a customer reschedule their appointment if they are unwell on the day?
Customers must reschedule their appointment if they are unwell. No one should be conducting a test if they are unwell.
Will Licence Testing Officers be required to wear full PPE during tests?
Licence Testing Officers will be required to wear a face mask while conducting tests.
We will be ensuring through cleaning of vehicles used in tests, proper hand hygiene for applicants, instructors and testing officers, and the use of disposable seat covers.
Will translators be able to be in the car?
Translators will be able to participate in drive testing, as long as they follow the strict health and safety protocols required for all people participating in drive testing.
Can I use my own car for a drive test?
All tests will take place in the applicant or instructor’s own vehicles, and these must be cleaned in line with the Chief Health Officer’s advice, including the use of seat covers where appropriate.
During the booking process, customers will be advised on how to prepare their vehicle for a drive test including information on the standards of cleanliness required.
VicRoads reserves the right to refuse tests if vehicles are in an unfit state for testing.
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 your overseas licence to a Victorian licence.
Is it possible to get all international licences converted to Victorian licences by the new deadline of 29 April 2021 considering the significant backlog?
Due to the suspension of computer and drive testing to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the deadline for international or interstate license holders to convert to a Victorian licence has been extended to 29 April 2021 for drivers who were in Victoria on 29 October 2019.
VicRoads has contacted all customers who had an appointment prior to the suspension of drive tests and computer-based tests, to advise them of the new deadline.
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 mask when visiting a Customer Service Centre.
From 5pm 31 December 2020, face masks will be mandatory indoors in Victoria, unless an exception applies. You will need to wear a mask when inside a Customer Service Centre, a Licence Testing Centre or any other VicRoads site.
Are Customer Service Centres open? Can I visit?
Our Our Customer Service Centres remain open, as they provide an essential service to the community.
Seventy-five per cent of transactions can be completed online - so we’re encouraging anyone who can complete their transaction to take advantage of these services. remain open, as they provide an essential service to the community.
Seventy-five per cent of transactions can be completed online - so we’re encouraging anyone who can complete their transaction to take advantage of these services.
All staff at our Customer Service Centres are being provided with a face mask to wear – all customers entering a centre are required to wear a face mask
Please do not attend one of our Customer Service Centres if you are unwell. Stay home and get tested.
What if my learner permit and/or hazard perception test results expire during this time?
If your results expired during the suspension period, we will extend the eligibility period until 30 June 2021.