EVALUATION OF DRIVER TESTING AND LICENSING IN VICTORIA: REPORT ON PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS

This study is a preliminary investigation of the nature of on- road testing and its function within the Victorian driver licensing system. The investigation incorporates a literature review of recent developments in on-road licence testing, and documentation of some current licensing practices within Australia and overseas. Information from a number of jurisdictions within Australia and overseas indicates that in most places the on-road test procedure is of the traditional variety in use in Victoria. However, other aspects of overseas testing - the use of set test routes and the greater emphasis on training of Licence Testing Officers - would tend to produce better reliability than the standard Victorian on-road test. No immediate changes to existing Victorian test procedures were recommended, but issues identified as requiring resolution as a basis for future changes are specified.