While drivers licence testing has resumed this week, delays are expected until September as VicRoads works through a backlog of tests dating back to March 25.

It means, anyone from Ballarat wishing to get their drivers licence, but has yet to book, will be forced to wait up to three months, or apply to get a COVID-19 exemption if they need to be able to drive for work, health or education reasons.

READ MORE: Learner drivers waiting on their ticket to independence

The exemption means tests can be expedited, but driver still will be forced to wait for an opening at one of four driving centres in the western half of the state, Deer Park, Werribee, Horsham or Warrnambool and will not be able to have their instructor alongside them.

Renee Macklin from Robbie and Renee Macklin Driving School said the backlog meant that VicRoads was contacting already booked in students booked and booking in dates. She said she was encouraging her students to ask for Thursday and Friday tests so she was able to continue other lessons earlier in the week and support them in their test.

"Anybody that was booked in with us is getting first preference but it makes it hard for us as we are not getting a heads up of when they are going," she said.

"There are COVID-19 exemptions and I've had 30 clients of mine who have filled out the paperwork if they've needed their licence quickly for university or job, but you have to travel to Werribee, Horsham, Warrnmabool, Deer Park. I had three go to Warrnambool yesterday.

"Normally all of the driving instructors book in the tests for the clients, but right now they are bypassing us and contacting the clients, who are then contacting us to see when we are available."

Ms Macklin said many drivers who had completed their 120 hours only needed two or three lessons to work on things like parking and three-point turns, but there was no point them waiting until September to go for their licence.

"It's a difficult situation for a lot of people as they get used to our vehicle and if they do need their licence quickly they are thrown into a completely different vehicle with only the tester with them," she said.

Max Ingram from Maxipass Driving School said it was expected there would be a lot of issues upon resumption.

He said tests that are being conducted have been extended from 30 minutes to an hour to allow for cleaning of vehicles and seatbelts. He said all testers, instructors and drivers were being asked to wear masks during the testing process.

"There's going to be a backlog all over Victoria, right now you can't book a test until September 15," he said.

"We also had that situation where a learner driver out with their mother was fined early in the lockdowns, so there's a lot of people that haven't been driving as much.

"At the end of the day, no one saw this coming and everyone is trying to do the best they can."

The state government said the first priority under the staged resumption will be to re-book tests for those whose appointments were postponed due to coronavirus restrictions.

Roads, Road Safety and TAC minister Jaala Pulford said more than 200 new staff will be hired to help work through the postponed appointments as quickly as possible while six new, temporary licence testing sites across the state will also be established in coming months to help with capacity.

Across the state more than 100,000 licensing appointments, including 55,000 drive tests were postponed.

To date VicRoads' has approved more than 2700 licence tests for people who would have faced undue hardship from not having their learner permit or licence.

Ms Pulford said while VicRoads customer service centres remain open, people should not visit unless their matter is urgent, and are strongly encouraged to complete their transaction online.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.