S. 33(1) amended by Nos 75/2010 s. 13(1), 70/2013 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 44.4), 70/2016 s. 41(3), 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.3(b)) [6] , 68/2017 s. 79(2), 34/2023 s. 127 (Sch. 1 item 13.2(a)(b)).
(1) Safe Transport Victoria may, on the application of the holder of a full driver licence, grant a driving instructor authority if Safe Transport Victoria is satisfied that the applicant is qualified to hold such an authority.
S. 33(2) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(a)).
(2) Safe Transport Victoria may, before granting an authority, require the applicant—
(a) to demonstrate that he or she is a fit and proper person to hold an authority; and
S. 33(2)(b) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 items 9.4, 9.5), 49/2019 s. 116(Sch. 1 item 65), 34/2023 s. 127 (Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)(c)).
(b) to pass a training course
approved by Safe Transport Victoria or otherwise demonstrate to
Safe Transport Victoria's satisfaction that he or she is competent to hold an
authority; and
(c) to comply with any prescribed procedures and requirements.
S. 33(3) amended by No. 73/1998 s. 9.
(3) An authority authorises the holder to teach other persons to drive a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, with a GVM of not more than 4·5 tonnes and with a seating capacity of not more than 12 adults including the driver, for the term, and subject to any conditions, specified in the authority.
S. 33(4) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(a)).
(4) Safe Transport Victoria may, by notice in writing to the applicant, refuse to grant an authority.
S. 33(5) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(5) If Safe Transport Victoria decides to refuse to grant an authority, the applicant may appeal against the refusal to the Magistrates' Court.
(6) On an appeal under subsection (5) the applicant must—
(a) file a notice of appeal at the venue of the Magistrates' Court nearest to the applicant's residence or place of business; and
S. 33(6)(b) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(b) send a copy of the notice of
appeal to Safe Transport Victoria—
within 28 days after the date of the notice of refusal to grant the authority.
(7) On an appeal under subsection (5) the court must—
(a) re-determine the matter of the refusal; and
S. 33(7)(b) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(b) hear any relevant evidence tendered by the appellant or Safe Transport Victoria; and
S. 33(7)(c) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(c) without limiting its discretion, take into consideration anything that Safe Transport Victoria ought to have considered.
(8) If the driver licence of the holder of an authority is cancelled or otherwise ceases to be held by that person, the authority of that person thereupon automatically ceases to have any effect.
(9) If the driver licence of the holder of an authority is suspended for any time, the authority of that person is, unless cancelled or suspended under subsection (10), thereupon automatically suspended for the same time.
S. 33(10) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127 (Sch. 1 item 13.2(a)(b)).
(10) Safe Transport Victoria may, if of the opinion that the holder of an authority is unfit to hold the authority, by notice in writing to the holder of the authority, cancel the authority or suspend or vary the authority for such period as Safe Transport Victoria determines.
S. 33(11) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(a)).
(11) Safe Transport Victoria must not suspend, cancel or vary an authority unless the holder of the authority has been given a reasonable opportunity to show cause why the authority should not be cancelled, suspended or varied.
(12) An authority is of no effect while suspended.
S. 33(13) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(13) If Safe Transport Victoria decides to cancel, suspend or vary an authority, the holder of the authority may appeal against the cancellation, suspension or variation to the Magistrates' Court.
(14) On an appeal under subsection (13) the applicant must—
(a) file a notice of appeal at the venue of the Magistrates' Court nearest to the applicant's residence or place of business; and
S. 33(14)(b) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(b) send a copy of the notice of
appeal to Safe Transport Victoria—
within 28 days after the date of the notice of cancellation, suspension or variation of the authority.
S. 33(15) amended by No. 75/2010 s. 13(2).
(15) On an appeal under subsection (13) the court must—
(a) re-determine the matter of the cancellation, suspension or variation; and
S. 33(15)(b) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(b) hear any relevant evidence tendered by the appellant or Safe Transport Victoria; and
S. 33(15)(c) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(c) without limiting its discretion, take into consideration anything that Safe Transport Victoria ought to have considered.
S. 33(15A) inserted by No. 69/2009 s. 54(Sch. Pt 1 item 50.6).
(15A) Nothing in subsection (15) prevents the application of Part 3.10 of the Evidence Act 2008 to an appeal under subsection (13).
S. 33(16) amended by Nos 3/2017 s. 50(Sch. 1 item 9.4), 34/2023 s. 127(Sch. 1 item 13.2(b)).
(16) Every decision of the Magistrates' Court on an appeal under subsections (5) or (13) must be given effect to by Safe Transport Victoria.
S. 33A inserted by No. 63/1998 s. 3.