VicRoad’s new service centre in Ringwood has opened to the eastern suburbs, offering licence testing and inspections.
The centre is now the major hub for the Yarra Ranges Shire since the closure of the Mooroolbark testing site, the purpose built centre was said to have “more testing capacity than any existing centre in Melbourne’s east” by a Department of Transport spokesperson in December last year.
The State government expects the Heatherdale Road centre will be able to supply 1,000 appointments per week, including 600 license tests.
“The opening of the new VicRoads Testing and Inspection Centre in Ringwood will make it easier, faster and more accessible for people to complete their everyday paperwork,” Roads and Road Safety minister Ben Carroll said.
“Whether it’s vehicle testing, license testing or drive tests – we’re making it more convenient for locals to access the services they need right in the heart of Ringwood, with the modern facilities they deserve.”
Other services include both computer-based and drive tests, as well as vehicle inspection and long vehicle testing for cars towing trailers or caravans, with more than 50 car spaces for customers, as well as a canopy dedicated to vehicle testing.
For residents based in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, the closure means learner drivers will be required to go to either Ringwood or Pakenham to undertake driving lessons and sit their driving test.
The Mooroolbark VicRoads closure was the fourth for the Yarra Ranges Shire in the last five years, after the Monbulk, Healesville and Yarra Junction centres were shut down in 2016 but the government hopes being located close to public transport, it will ideal for customers even with the added distance to travel.
Testing and inspection services are available by appointment only and can be booked now through the VicRoads website.
A new Ringwood Customer Hub is set to open nearby in mid-2022. The temporary Ringwood Licence Testing Centre along Warrandyte Road will remain open for license testing until mid-June.
