Driving big savings

The Victorian Government has abolished learner and probationary licence and online testing fees.

Aspiring Victorian L-platers can save up to $51.40 in license and testing fees, while aspiring P-platers can save up to $133.30 in licensing and hazard perception test costs.

The tests, which are the first step to getting a licence, were made online last year to provide greater flexibility for would-be drivers. More than 90 per cent of people now choose this online option.

The Safe Driver Discount, which was abolished by the former state government in 2013, is also being reintroduced for car, motorbike and heavy vehicle licence holders for renewals generated after October 1.

Drivers who have not incurred demerit points or a road safety offence in the past three years will get a 25 per cent discount on their next licence renewal. This equates to a $73 saving on a new 10-year driver’s licence.

More than 138,000 Victorians go for their L-plates and 121,000 go for their P-plates each year.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said the initiative was helping deliver a major milestone for free.

“This puts money back into the pockets of Victorian families and makes it easier to unlock all the opportunities that come with a driver license,” he said.

The fees were abolished on August 15.