Wodonga drivers waiting to take their driving test for their licence will finally get a chance from Monday.
VicRoads will resume learner permit and licence testing, including the driving tests, progressively next week after they were put on hold due to coronavirus restrictions in March.
More than 200 new staff will be hired to help work through the massive backlog of more than 100,000 licensing appointments state-wide.
As with everything, a set of safety measures will be in place to allow drive testing to commence safely.
These includes appropriate cleaning of vehicles used in tests, proper comprehensive hygiene for applicants, instructors and testing officers, the use disposable seat covers, particularly if the customer is using their own vehicle, wearing of surgical masks and non-contact temperature testing for at least the next four weeks.
VicRoads said no one should be participating in a driving test if they are unwell.
"In the Wodonga areas, there were almost 1000 people whose appointments were postponed when testing was suspended in March," a spokesperson said.
"All customers who had appointments postponed will be contacted by the VicRoads to re-book their appointment in the order they were originally booked."
Roads Minister Jaala Pulford said the state is now in a position to resume testing.
"We know how important it is to have a driver's licence, especially for young people who need it for work or study," she said.
"It will take a little bit of time to get through the list of those waiting to take a test.
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"We've got a plan for doing this safely and as quickly as possible and are grateful for everyone's continued patience."
Albury drivers are also seeing a phased return to driver testing with 78 of the 131 tests that were postponed earlier in the year have now been completed or re-booked at the Smollett Street centre.
A Service NSW spokesperson said they are re-booking previously booked car and heavy vehicle tests, and priority testing is available by assessment if a customer believes they have an urgent need for a driving test.
"The safety of both the customer and driver tester is Service NSW's highest priority and appropriate safeguards are in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19," they said.
"This includes disposable plastic seat covers, gloves, wipes and hand sanitiser.
"Driving test applicants will also need to complete a Wellness Statutory Declaration before the commencement of the driving test."
VicRoads didn't respond to questions from The Border Mail about how many appointments had to be postponed at the Wodonga Elgin Boulevard service centre.
