Learner Driver Testing | Adjournment & Response

Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan): My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC and Minister for Fishing and Boating, the Honourable Jaala Pulford. This adjournment matter relates to her portfolio of roads and road safety. The Andrews Labor government is rolling out a new hazard perception test across the state to better prepare learner drivers to safely share our roads. Several constituents, young and old, from Western Metropolitan Region will be taking the hazard test to examine their ability to identify potential hazards on busy western roads.

The test is an important part of the graduated licensing system. It is a vital tool for helping beginner drivers gain the skills and experience they need to become safe drivers. More than half a million drivers have participated in the graduated licensing system over the past 10 years, which has contributed to a 20 per cent reduction in the number of 18- to 23-year-olds involved in fatal and serious injury crashes.

The pilot for the new interactive test will be starting at the newly opened Deer Park licence testing centre, which falls under my electorate. This new licensing centre will deliver for the thriving community of Melbourne’s west. The action I seek from the minister is for the minister to update my office on when this cutting-edge hazard test will be rolled out to other testing facilities in the rest of Western Metropolitan Region.

RESPONSE:

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (23 April 2020):

Registration & Licensing launched its new computer-based Hazard Perception Test as a pilot at its Deer Park Licence Test Centre on 25 February 2020.

Following the success of the pilot, Registration & Licensing proceeded to implement the new Hazard Perception Test across all its remaining 40 Customer Service Centre sites, with implementation completed on 30 March 2020.

However, with implementation of Stage 3 Restrictions in response to COVID-19 computer-based testing has been temporarily halted, except for tests offered to support persons under hardship or critical to the coronavirus response. These exemptions will be considered on a case by case basis.

However, on resumption of full services the new Hazard Perception Test will be available to all Registration & Licensing customers throughout Victoria.