L of a wait for licence

DRIVERS with disabilities claim they are waiting up to 10 weeks after passing their driving test to have their licence officially approved by VicRoads.

Under VicRoads’ medical review scheme, drivers with proven disabilities can complete their probationary test under an occupational therapist driving instructor.

Other drivers who have had their licence suspended for medical reasons, re-sit their test with the same instructors.

Instead of automatically receiving their licences, like those who sit their test directly with VicRoads, drivers typically receive their licence up to 10 days after the test.

But staffing issues and unexpected delays this year have pushed the wait time out dramatically. And drivers are not happy. Curlewis resident Kyle Mitchell, who has severe dyslexia, waited more than eight weeks after passing his test to receive his licence.

While the 18-year-old was able to drive as a learner during this time he said the “excessive wait time” left him nervous and unwilling to drive.

“It was really annoying,” he said. “I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t think you should have to wait that long.”

His mother, Lisa Mitchell, said the wait time was discriminatory.

“He has passed his L plate test, he had done more than 200 hours of driving and then he has to wait a month to drive independently,” Ms Mitchell said.

“He wouldn’t drive with his L plates and it caused him to lose his confidence.”

In a letter to VicRoads, Ms Mitchell said all drivers, regardless of their disability, deserved equal treatment.

“Please help these disabled individuals get their licence issued quicker so they can have the same proud moment of driving on their own as everyone else that achieves their P’s,” she wrote.

“They have worked hard and should be treated no different then everyone else.”

Ruby Wookey, 74, was forced to resit a driving assessment after medical issues put her off the road for 18 months.

She passed the test but like Mr Mitchell had to wait weeks to be able to drive alone.

“This delay is unfair to the disabled, it nearly wrecked me and I see no reason why a temporary paper licence can’t be issued at the time of the onroad assessment,” Ms Wookey said.

A Department of Transport spokeswoman said VicRoads had a “robust and balanced” medical review process that helped keep Victorians safe across the road network.

“We’re currently experiencing a higher than usual demand for medical review assessments, but we’re working hard to keep processing delays to a minimum,” she said.

It is understood the VicRoads medical review team is currently processing customer reports within four to five weeks.