Road rules and safety

Safe Driving Program

If you've been found guilty by a court of certain hoon offences and received a court order to attend a safe driving program, this page explains what you need to do.


The safe driving program aims to reduce unsafe driving behaviour by using a behaviour change approach.

It's designed to assist participants in:

  • exploring the origins and motivations of unsafe driving behaviours
  • understanding the triggers and identifying alternatives to unsafe driving
  • raising their awareness of the risks associated with engaging in these behaviours
  • increasing their awareness of the consequences of unsafe driving behaviour
  • developing a plan to avoid unsafe driving behaviours in the future.


The program works to get drivers to acknowledge their high risk driving and go on to develop and use safe driving strategies.

How does it work?

The courts notify the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) that a court order has been made. DTP then notifies the driver or rider of the requirement to attend a Victorian safe driving program.

The five hour program has a maximum of 12 participants and is led by an experienced group facilitator.

How do I enrol in the program?

  1. Contact one of the providers 
  2. Enrol in the name of the person who received the court order.

Please enrol early as places are limited.

Once you are enrolled you will be contacted by the DTP approved provider who will let you know what to bring to the program.

Approved program providers

Only DTP-approved providers can issue a certificate of completion once you've successfully finished the Victorian safe driving program. DTP won't accept a certificate from a non-approved provider.

The following providers are approved to deliver the program. 

Connect Health & Community
Phone:  03 9575 5333
Web: bhn.org.au/services/bhn-groups/vic-roads/
Venue: Bentleigh East 

Relationship Matters Counselling, Mediation & Education
Phone: 1300 543 396 or 03 8650 6200
Web: www.relationshipmatters.com.au/programs/vicroads-safe-driving-program/
Venue: city (CBD)

How much does it cost?

The program fee is approximately $800; which comprises government costs ($527) and the delivery costs of the provider.

Please note: The fee charged by providers may vary.

How long do I have to complete the program?

You have four months from the date you are notified by DPT that you are required to attend the program.

What happens if I don't complete the program?

If you don't complete the Victorian safe driving program within four months from when you were notified or fail to submit your certificate of completion, it will result in:

  • an indefinite licence or permit suspension depending on licence status, or 
  • indefinite disqualification from driving and indefinite disqualification from obtaining a licence or permit depending on licence status.

If your licences are already suspended or you are disqualified from obtaining a licence and driving in Victoria, these conditions will continue.

If a licence has been suspended or you are disqualified due to not submitting a certificate of completion this can only be changed on successful completion of the Victorian safe driving program and presentation of a certificate of completion.

On the day

On the day, be early.

Participants who arrive late - 20 minutes or more - won't be allowed to attend and will be directed to re-enrol in a future program.

Make sure you have the required evidence of identity documents. Your documents need to be the originals with the same name on each one. Photocopies, certified or otherwise, won't be accepted.

When you complete the program you'll receive a certificate of completion.

I've completed the program

You'll be issued with a certificate of completion when you successfully complete the program.

This certificate must be submitted to DTP by:

Contact us

If you have any questions, including how to become a provider, about the DTP Safe Driver Program please email [email protected].

Legislative background

The Victorian safe driving program is a requirement for certain drivers specified under Part 6AB of the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic). The program was established under the Road Safety Amendment Act 2012

Court order to attend a Victorian safe driving program

Drivers or riders who have been found guilty by a court of certain hoon offences may receive a court order to complete Victorian safe driving program.

The Victorian safe driving program applies to drivers or riders whose vehicles are impounded or immobilised, who are found guilty in court of the following hoon offences and receive a court order:

  • exceeding the speed limit by 45 km/h or more (or travelling at 145 km/h or more in a 110 km/h zone) 
  • improper use of a motor vehicle (involving loss of traction by one or more wheels) 
  • careless driving involving improper use of a motor vehicle 
  • dangerous driving (involving improper use of a motor vehicle; driving in excess of the speed limit by 45 km/h or more or travelling at 145km/h or more in a 110 km/h zone) 
  • failing to have proper control of the vehicle in circumstances involving improper use of a motor vehicle 
  • organising or engaging in a race/speed trial, and 
  • causing a vehicle to make excessive noise or smoke in circumstances involving improper use of a motor vehicle. 

To look up the Road Safety Act, rules and check for other related rules, visit the Road Management Act, regulations and codes web page.