Prospective learner drivers will soon be able to take their permit tests online with the rollout of a new State Government program.
The changes to learner permits means new drivers can take their test without waiting for an appointment date or travelling to a VicRoads service centre.
The government estimated 1000 extra prospective learners each week with existing test appointments would be invited to sign up and complete the test.
People booked at Mooroolbark, Sunbury, Colac, Kyneton, Dromana and Sunshine were able to take online tests in the past two weeks after the program started in Gippsland last month.
All prospective learners across Victoria will be able to sign up online by the end of June.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the new test would provide easier access to new learner drivers.
“This innovative online platform is removing barriers that many prospective drivers across the state face in starting their driving journey – and that means we’re giving all young Victorians the best chance of getting on the roads safely,” he said.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said it was a great development for young people.
“All young Victorians should have the rite of passage that is learning to drive – and our fantastic new online learners’ course and test is removing the barriers of getting to a testing centre that so many regional Victorians previously faced,” she said.
The new test takes learners through a course that includes a mix of theory, interactive videos and visual graphics before a final assessment, reinforcing key road-safety messages with mini quizzes to progressively test learners’ knowledge in modules on speed, drink and drug driving, seatbelts, fatigue, distractions and road rules.
To access the test, customers will need to create a myVicRoads personal account on a compatible device.
The entire course and test will take between four and six hours to complete, with prospective learners having 12 months to sit and pass the online test once registered.
When the online course and assessment have been successfully completed, learner drivers must attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to confirm their identity, have their photo taken and complete an eyesight check – the process does not require an appointment, and can be done at a time that suits the learner.
While the new test is rolled out, people can still sit a learner permit test in person at VicRoads customer service centres, and those requiring interpreter services support will still be supported to take the test in person.
More information on how to access the learner permit test online is available at vicroads.vic.gov.au.
