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Northe – Driver Licence Testing to Resume

Driver licence tests resumes.

By Portal Admin - 15th June 2020 - Back to News

Member for Morwell Russell Northe has expressed his relief following the State Governments decision to recommence driver licence testing in regional Victoria from Monday 15 June.

When the Covid-19 pandemic escalated all driver testing was put on hold from March 25 except for those who could demonstrate hardship, and even then testing was not occurring within the Gippsland region, and therefore leaving many regional parents and learner drivers extremely disappointed.

Mr Northe was contacted by numerous parents when testing was put on hold, and I’m sure these same parents will be buoyed by the good news, but having said that one can only hope the backlog of testing does not lead to months and months of waiting times.

"Of course, the health and well-being of Vic Roads staff and customers was important, although it was rather disappointing that on the one hand testing was being undertaken safely in certain circumstances, but apparently it wasn’t safe in other circumstances which made absolutely no sense" said Mr Northe.

Mr Northe made representations to the Ministers office on several occasions suggesting that with social distancing surely more tests could occur in regional areas, and is pleased the Minister has heeded the concerns being expressed by many regional families and that common sense has finally prevailed.

"Even when driving lessons were able to recommence safely a few weeks ago many presumed that licence testing would also resume at the same time but that wasn’t the case" said Mr Northe.

Mr Northe is now concerned at how long the backlog will be, given there was already a substantial waiting period for sitting a hazard perception test or undertaking a probationary licence test.

"I understand that VicRoads are taking measures such as employing extra staff and providing temporary testing facilities, and I can only hope that this occurs locally and allows the backlog of testing to be undertaken promptly" Mr Northe said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com