VICTORIAN authorities are advising learner drivers and supervisors across the state that driving lessons are considered non-essential travel under Stage 3 lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Last week, police fined a learner driver $1,652 for breaching regulations while on a driving lesson with her mother in Melbourne’s south-east.<\/p>\n
Although the fine was later withdrawn, driving lessons are still considered a breach of regulations.<\/p>\n
“Our message is clear – stay home,” a government spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“We know we’re asking a lot of Victorians right now and we thank everyone for their patience and for doing the right thing to help save lives.”<\/p>\n
Victoria Police revoked the fine due to ambiguity surrounding the restrictions, but have the authority to fine people undertaking non-essential activities, including learner driving lessons.<\/p>\n
The $1,652 fine is the maximum an individual can face for breaking the Stage 3 lockdown restrictions.<\/p>\n
Torquay Driving School instructor Lisa Buckley said the restrictions would cause significant difficulties for learner drivers and their supervisors.<\/p>\n
“They (learner drivers) need 120 hours, and that’s actually a lot of effort. So, if they’re having goodness knows how many months without any hours at all, then that’s a fairly big dint in their ability to get those hours up.”<\/p>\n
However, learner drivers are not barred from driving altogether. If members of the same household are taking a trip as part of the four reasons to leave home – food and supplies, medical care, exercise, and work or education – they can supervise a learner driver in the process of conducting that trip.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VICTORIAN authorities are advising learner drivers and supervisors across the state that driving lessons are considered non-essential travel under Stage 3 lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, police fined a learner driver $1,652 for breaching regulations while on a driving lesson with her mother in Melbourne’s south-east. Although the fine was later withdrawn, […]<\/p>\n