Testing times for VicRoads

By Tania Martin
VICROADS has denied claims that its Monbulk licence testing station is facing closure.
This comes as Monbulk driving instructor Russell Smart called for the road authority to reconsider after he was told the town’s licence testing station was to close.
Mr Smart of Get Smart Driving School said closing the Monbulk testing station would disadvantage hills youths.
The testing station is run out the Shire of Yarra Ranges community links office in Main Street on Tuesdays and rumours of its impending closure have run rife through the town.
He said the closure of another testing station was yet another step in the wrong direction.
Mr Smart said in the past 10 years VicRoads had closed testing stations in Ferntree Gully, Syndal and Blackburn.
He said Monbulk was the latest victim of VicRoads cutting services to hill people.
“It a backwards step and is not fair on the kids,” Mr Smart said.
If the Monbulk testing station closes, hills youths will be forced to go Dandenong or Burwood to get their licence.
However, VicRoads denies that the testing station will close.
It said licensing services currently run and will continue to be provided from the Monbulk, Healesville and Yarra Junction shire offices. All sub-offices will deliver drive testing by appointment only and no other services will be available.