Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Update
This is a rapidly changing situation, so please visit this page for regular updates.
VicRoads Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Last update: 15 July 2020, 12PM AEST
In line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government has announced that Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions will be reinstated across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
There are only four reasons for people living in these areas to leave home – shopping for food or other essential supplies, to provide care or to seek medical advice, for exercise or outdoor recreation and work or study – if it can’t be done from home.
Restrictions are in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and save lives. For more information visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.
In response, VicRoads has made changes to our operations as outlined below. For more information on these changes visit our Coronavirus information page.
Based on current advice, the changes outlined below will be in place for at least six weeks from 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020.
Services for customers living within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire
VicRoads has suspended all licence testing, including computer-based tests, for customers who live within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. We’re contacting customers in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire directly to advise that their appointments have been postponed, and we’ll be contacting them again to re-book once we’re advised that it’s safe to resume licence testing in these areas. This includes customers whose appointments were originally postponed on 25 March and haven’t yet been re-booked. Appointments for vehicle registration will still be available for customers and where possible they’ll be scheduled at their closest VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
Services for customers living outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
All licence testing and appointments for customers who live outside metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire will continue, as part of VicRoads return to service plan. Visit Resumption of service for licence testing for more information.
Our Customer Service Centres
All our Customer Service Centres (CSCs) remain open for business, however we strongly encourage customers to resolve all matters online or over the phone and only visit in person if the matter is urgent. Customers who have to visit a CSC should visit the closest one to their home where possible.
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 at the Seymour Customer Service Centre. For more information go to Safety operating procedures for licence testing.
Medical review
Medical review driving test assessments have been suspended for the entire state (as VicRoads testers typically move frequently between metropolitan and regional areas).
VicRoads is postponing requests for occupational therapy driving assessments for customers who live within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire.
Hardship and special circumstances
Customers can continue to apply for licence approval testing under the existing hardship and special circumstances policy. These tests will continue to be conducted at all Customer Service Centres, including those within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, and scheduled at the nearest CSC where possible.
Change of address
We have updated our systems to require documentary evidence from customers living within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire requesting to change their address to a location outside Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
INFORMATION FOR INTERPRETERS
Outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, interpreters’ work with VicRoads will continue as usual. Within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, we anticipate the need for interpreters will reduce due to limited face-to-face services available to customers within these areas.
Drive tests
Residents living within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire are not able to undertake a drive test. Any existing bookings will be postponed until VicRoads is advised that it’s safe to resume licence testing. License tests will continue for customers approved under hardship and exceptional circumstances criteria. Drive tests for customers who do not live within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire will continue as part of VicRoads’ return to service plan.
For tests occurring under the hardship and exceptional circumstances policy and for those occurring outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, the Chief Health Officer has outlined a range of measures which need to be in place, including:
- pre-drive health-screening checks for all occupants in the vehicle
- appropriate cleaning or coverage of vehicles used in tests
- increased hand hygiene protocols for all occupants in the vehicle, and
- VicRoads requests customers use appropriate personal protection equipment.
Computer-based tests and other appointments with VicRoads
Licence testing and appointments under the return to service plan will continue at Customer Service Centres outside metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
VicRoads Customer Service Centres have a safe operating procedure in place to protect our staff and customers.
For all Hazard Perception Tests and Learner Permit tests, all computer stations are situated at least 1.5 metres apart, and computers and other equipment used during the test are sanitised between each use. After every test our staff will sanitise the area by cleaning the screen, keyboard, mouse, headphones, desk and chair. We expect all customers to practice safe hygiene by washing their hands or using hand sanitiser before and after each test.
Customer Service Centres within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire
License tests will continue for customers approved under hardship and exceptional circumstances criteria at all Customer Service Centres, including those within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. At the request of an applicant, interpreters may participate in these tests (provided there are no more than three people in the vehicle).
No one should participate in a drive test or computer-based test or attend an appointment if they are unwell.