APPLYING FOR A LEARNER PERMIT

Proof of identity requirements
When applying for a Learner Permit you must provide original documents of:
1. One primary proof (evidence of who you are)
2. One secondary proof (to confirm who you are)
3. Proof of Victorian residence
4. Proof of change of name (if applicable).
Your Permit will not be issued unless you provide your proof of identity documents.

1. Primary Proof (Any one of the following)
A current Australian Passport in your name issued after July 1986.
An Australian Passport in your name issued after July 1986 and not more than two (2) years expired.
A current Document of Identity issued by the Passport Office (usually issued to travellers to Norfolk Island).
A current Police Force Officer or Defence Force photo-identity card (excluding civilian staff).
  A birth certificate or its extract.
  A current overseas passport.
  Australian naturalisation or citizenship document or immigration papers issued by the Department of Immigration or Local Government & Ethnic Affairs.
A current Consular photo-identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade,
A current photo driver licence or learners permit from any Australian State or Territory.

2. Secondary Proof (Any one of the following)
  An expired photo-licence issued by an Australian licensing authority.
  A current state or federal government employee photo-identity card.
  A current Medicare card, Pensioner Concession card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Entitlement card or any other current entitlement card issued by the Commonwealth Government.
  A current credit card or account card from a bank, building society or credit union, or a passbook or an account statement up to one (1) year old.
  A telephone, gas or electricity bill up to one (1) year old.
  A water rates, council rates or lands valuation notice up to two (2) years old.
  An electoral enrolment card or other evidence of enrolment up to two (2) years old.
  Armed services discharge papers up to two (2) years old.
  A current student identity card or a certificate of enrolment up to two (2) years old from an education institution.

3. Proof of Victorian Residence
Proof of Victorian residence must be established by producing a document from either list that shows your current address, or a Contract of Sale, lease or rental document that shows your current address. Where documentary proof of residence cannot be established, a referee statement signed by a licence bolder, who resides in Victoria and who has known you for a period of at least 12 months, may be accepted.

4. Change of Name
Where there is a difference between the names on primary proof and secondary proof documents, the change of name must be supported by one of these: Marriage Certificate, Divorce Paper, Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration.

Do I have to do a test?
Yes, you have to do a multiple choice test about road law. To pass the test you need to study Part A of the "Victorian Traffic Handbook". You can buy the Handbook from VicRoads Registration and Licensing Offices, RACV offices and newsagents. Make sure you are buying the latest edition and ask whether there are any amendment sheets that go with it.

You must also pass an eyesight and colour vision test.
 

How old must I be?
You must be 16 years old before you can get your Car Learner Permit.

What do I have to bring to the test?
Proof of your age and identity.
An official translation, if your documents are not in English.
Money to pay the fees.
A medical or eyesight certificate, if necessary.

Where can I do the test?
Learner Permit tests are given at the VicRoads Registration and Licensing Offices listed on the back of this brochure. You can make an appointment in person, or by ringing Driver Licence Enquiries on 131173.

Learner Permit test fees can be paid on the day of your test. If fees have been paid in advance, you must give the office at least three full working days notice to cancel or reschedule your test, otherwise fees will not be refunded. The only exception is if you produce a medical certificate.

In some country areas tests are conducted at the Council Office, but you still need to book through VicRoads. You may need to bring a passport photograph. For more information contact VicRoads on 131173.
 

What are the fees?
You have to pay a booking fee and a teat fee before you can attempt the test. When you pass the test you will need to pay for your Learner Permit before it will be issued to you.

Phone Driver Licence Enquiries on 131173 for the current prices.
 

How should I study for the test?
"Victorian Traffic Handbook"
Read the "Victorian Traffic Handbook" carefully and answer the sample questions at the end of each chapter. It may help to have a friend ask you extra questions from each chapter.

Video Tape
"How To Get Your Licence! First Time" is a video that gives you all the information you need to pass the Learner Permit test. It comes with the Handbook and is available from VicRoads Registration and Licensing Offices, RACV offices and some newsagents for about $30.00. Get a friend to watch it with you and ask you questions about it.

You may be able to borrow the videotape from your local library.

Audio Tape
The "Victorian Traffic Handbook" is available on audiotape from the VicRoads Bookshop at 60 Denmark Street, Kew 3101 for $10.00, or your local VicRoads office can order it for you.
 

What if I’m not very good at English?
The "Victorian Traffic Handbook" is available in 11 languages. They are:
Arabic  . Chinese . Croatian  . Greek .  Italian . Macedonian
Polish  . Serbian . Spanish . Turkish . Vietnamese
You can buy these books from VicRoads Registration and Licensing Offices, RACV offices, and newsagents.

The test can be taken in any of the above languages and in Cambodian, German, Laotian and Romanian (handbooks are not available in these 4 languages). The test is also available in Russian at VicRoads South Oakleigh, Glen Waverley, Camberwell and Carlton Offices (if you wish to do the test in Russian at another office, arrangements can be made with that office).

VicRoads staff can arrange to have the test questions read to you in English, or by an interpreter, in another language if you have difficulty reading or the test is not provided in your language. Please remember to request an interpreter test or an oral English test when you make your booking. You may bring a dictionary to the test if you wish.

What if I have a medical condition or disability?
People with a medical condition or people with disabilities are eligible for a Learner Permit provided they are able to use the roads safely.

If you have poor vision or can only see with one eye, you must bring a certificate from an optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that says you are fit to drive.

If you have a disability or are sick you must have a medical certificate from your own doctor that says you are fit to drive. This needs to be approved by VicRoads before you can be issued with a Learner Permit.

A Learner Permit can be issued immediately if your medical certificate is approved. However it may be delayed if the certificate does not meet medical guidelines. Your doctor should know what the guidelines are.
 

What am I allowed to do while I have my Learner Permit?
You must display 'L' plates at the front and rear of any vehicle you are driving in positions where they can be seen clearly by other drivers.
You may drive any sort of car provided that a fully licensed (not probationary) driver sits beside you in the car.
You cannot drive a car that is towing a trailer, a caravan or other vehicle.
You may drive only when your blood alcohol level is zero (.00 BAC).

There are no special speed limits for Learner Permit holders, but you must not drive at speeds higher than the speed limit.

How long is my permit valid?
A Car Learner Permit is valid for three years from the date it was issued and cannot be extended.

When can I go for my Probationary Licence test?

You must be 18 years old before you can sit for your Probationary Licence test.

If you are under 25 years old you must hold your Learner Permit for at least 6 months before you can attempt the test if you are over 25 you can attempt the test after 3 months
 

What happens if my Learner Permit expires before I pass my Probationary Licence test?

You can sit another Learner Permit test and get a new permit. If you haven't done this by the next working day after the old permit expires, then you will have to hold your new Learner Permit for a minimum of six months (or 3 months if you are over 25) before you can attempt your Licence Test.

Where do I get more information?

Telephone Driver Licence Enquiries on 131173 or write to the
Manager, Licence Services, VicRoads
P0 Box 777 Carlton South 3053.

Learning to Drive

You may learn to drive with a friend, a relation, or a driving school instructor.

The choice is yours, however make sure that the person you choose knows the road rules and safe driving practices. Ask a friend who has recently obtained a licence to recommend someone who has the right skills.

Most licence applicants come for the test with a driving school instructor, but you do not have to do so.

If you do decide to use a driving school remember that you are entitled to ask questions and have things explained to you. You may wish to know things such as all costs for lessons, the length of time of each lesson and what happens if you have to cancel a lesson, etc. Before you commit yourself to one driving school, shop around and compare the services offered. Ask other people to recommend driving instructors that have provided them with good service

VicRoads recommends that you get as much driving practice as possible while learning to drive. Try to get as many hours driving experience as you can under all types of conditions; that is, driving at night time, in wet weather, in the city and country and on different sorts of roads.
 

REGISTRATION & LICENCING OFFICES
ARARAT
Shop 2, 56 High St., ARARAT 3377

BAIRNSDALE
535 Princes Hwy., BAIRNSDALE 3875

BALLARAT
Learmonth Road, WENDOUREE 3355

BENALLA
50-52 Clarke Street, BENALLA 3672

BENDIGO
57 Lansell St., BENDIGO 3550

BLACKBURN
20 Albert Street, BLACKBURN 3130

BRAYBROOK
11 Evans Street, BRAYBROOK 3019

BROADMEADOWS
Cnr Piercedale Pde./ Johnstone Streets,
BROADMEADOWS 3049

CAMBERWELL
3 Prospect Hill Road, CAMBERWELL 3124

CARLTON
459 Lygon Street, CARLTON 3053

COBRAM
C/O Shire Offices
44 Station Street,
COBRAM 3644

COLAC
8 Rae Street, COLAC 3250

DANDENONG
16 Princes Highway, DOVETON 3177

DROMANA
Shop 11 Dromana Central
143 Nepean Hwy,
DROMANA 3936

ECHUCA
5 Mundarra Rd., ECHUCA 3564

FERNTREE GULLY
Cnr Burwood Hwy / Selman Av
FERNTREE GULLY 3156

FRANKSTON
71 Hartnett Drive, SEAFORD 3198

GEELONG
Fyans Street, GEELONG SOUTH 3220

GLEN WAVERLEY
55 Coleman Parade, GLEN WAVERLY 3150

GREENSBOROUGH
Diamond Village
Shopping Centre
Nepean Street,
WATSONIA 3087

HAMILTON
Riley Street, HAMILTON 3300

HORSHAM
14 O’Callaghans Rd., HORSHAM 3400

KYNETON
2 Beauchamp St., KYNETON 3444

LEONGATHA
Anderson Street,
(South Gippsland Hwy)
LEONGATHA 3953

MARYBOROUGH
C/- Shire Offices
Neill St.,
MARYBOROUGH 3465

MILDURA
109-111 Orange Av., MILDURA 3500

MORWELL
67 Princes Highway, MORWELL 3840

OAKLEIGH SOUTH
1 Eskay Road,
OAKLEIGH SOUTH 3167

PORTLAND
25c Gawler Street, PORTLAND 3305

SALE
28 Princes Highway, SALE 3850

SEYMOUR
5 Crawford Street, SEYMOUR 3660

SHEPPARTON
231 - 239 Cono Street, SHEPPARTON 3630

SWAN HILL
70 Nyah Rd., SWAN HILL 3585

WANGARATTA
6 - 8 Handley Street, WANGARATTA 3677

WARRAGUL
151 Queen Street, WARRAGUL 3820

WARRNAMBOOL
29 Jamieson Street, WARRNAMBOOL 3280

WERRIBEE
11 Riverside Avenue, WERRIBEE 3030

WODONGA
82-86 Elgin Street, WODONGA 3690