In view of a number of Indian migrants reporting difficulty in having their Indian driver licences verified for conversion into Victorian licences, the Victorian authority VicRoads has now agreed to put in place a new process.
Under the new process, VicRoads would not ask for the Indian driver licences verification (IDLV) Certificate issued by the Indian Consulate at Melbourne at the first instance.
VicRoads says it will verify the Indian licences using a “range of tools and online channels”.
“Where a licence can't be verified through these avenues, VicRoads will seek confirmation directly from the Indian Consulate. We have established a dedicated channel for this process,” Helen Lindner, Director of Registration and Licensing Practice of VicRoads told SBS Punjabi.
“This will facilitate a speedier response to the applicant, enabling them to commence the testing process, and hopefully obtain their Victorian driver licence,” she added.
The Indian Consulate at Melbourne is advising applicants should contact VicRoads directly for the conversion of their Indian driving licence to a Victorian driving licence.
“VicRoads may seek the verification certificate in cases of doubt regarding the authenticity of the (Indian) license. Such cases would be referred to CGI Melbourne for detailed verification for the issue of IDLV certificate by VicRoads,” the Consulate said in a statement.
“Hence a routine request for IDLV certificates may not be made/filed with CGI/VFS Melbourne,” it added.
The new process is effective from Monday, 23 October. VicRoads said it would continue to work with the Consulate and the Indian community to refine the process.
Earlier, a large number of Indian migrants had their Indian driver licences turned down by VicRoads, claiming those could not be “verified as an original document” despite verification certificates issued by the Consulate General of India, and were asked to obtain a Learner’s licence.
Some of those affected told SBS Punjabi their livelihoods were at stake as they couldn’t drive anymore with their overseas licence declared invalid.
Migrants on permanent visas can drive a vehicle on their overseas licence for six months after they first arrive in Australia. Those on temporary visas are allowed to drive in Australia using their overseas licence for the entire duration of their visa.
Indian migrants can convert their overseas driver licence to a full Victorian licence, subject to passing a road rules test, hazard perception test and the driving test.
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