Hansard debates

Ms SHEED (Shepparton) — (11 821) My question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Some of my constituents are having difficulty in accessing a professional who can undertake the testing required by VicRoads for them to be relicensed where they have some impairment or medical condition requiring this. They also have raised the issue of the substantial cost associated with such an assessment. The question I ask is whether the government is taking any steps to provide for cheaper and better access to subsidised driver assessment services for people who need to be assessed regularly, particularly in regional areas.

I understand that there is currently no access to occupational therapists for reassessment in Shepparton for my constituents, resulting in escalating costs for travel to other centres or for the occupational therapist to come to them. One gentleman said that he had to pay more than $850 in total to regain his licence after he failed his first assessment and had to undergo the process again. The RACV has also identified this as an important area needing attention and has called on governments to provide greater access to subsidised driver assessment services, particularly in regional areas.