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VicRoads has put in place arrangements to simplify processing of registration and
licensing needs and provide key services free-of-charge to bushfire victims.
Melbourne, Victoria (PRWEB) February 13, 2009 -- VicRoads has put in place arrangements to simplify processing of vehicle registration and licensing needs and provide key services free-of-charge to bushfire victims.
VicRoads recognises that people who have lost their licence in the fires will urgently need some form of identification to access relief services.
"As such, we are making additional resources available so we can process requests for replacement driver licences as quickly as possible," Director of Customer Services Melinda Collinson said today.
"We will rely on photos stored on our licensing system and ask key questions, such as date of birth and address, to confirm identity and get people replacement licences - so they won’t need to produce any other form of identity.
"We are offering this service free-of-charge to fire victims."
Other registration and vehicle licensing arrangements now in place for bushfire victims include:
- processing requests to cancel registrations and issue on-the-spot cash
refunds;
- allowing periodic payments of registration fees of three or six months on
application;
- transferring licence/learner/hazard perception/boat test appointments at no
charge and arrange after-hours appointments where needed;
- allowing learners to sit the road knowledge test without evidence of identity -
the permit will then be issued once evidence of identity is shown;
- replacing learner log books at no fee; and
- issuing no-fee duplicate custom and general issue registration plates as needed.
"These are some of the services we will help bushfire victims with, but we are ready and able to address all of their registration and licensing needs as quickly as we can," Ms Collinson said.
"VicRoads staff will be visiting community relief centres and information sessions from today to provide advice and answer questions about registration and licensing issues.
We will also be distributing flyers and making information available on our website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
"Bushfire victims who ring the VicRoads call centre or visit a Customer Service Centre will be given priority treatment. Additional staff have been sent to fire-affected areas to support local staff and help with increased demand.
"For those people who can’t get to a Customer Service Centre, give the Call Centre a ring and we will make other arrangements for you."
Meanwhile, VicRoads Director of Road User Services Dean Zabrieszach reminded Victorians that a significant number of roads across Victoria remain closed.
VicRoads is providing updated information about road closures on its website
"Roads will only re-open after they have been fully safety-assessed and cleared by emergency services and VicRoads crews. VicRoads is asking people to be patient and obey road closures and speed limits as they are in place for safety reasons," Mr Zabrieszach said.
"Drivers should take extreme care on the roads and avoid areas where the fires have been, if possible.
"Where roads are open, motorists should continue to take extreme care, obey all speed limits and look out for other motorists," Mr Zabrieszach said.
Due to the nature of the fires, road closure & road safety information can change quickly.
VicRoads is working closely with emergency services agencies to ensure road closure information on its website is as accurate as possible.
### Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2032874.htm.
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