VicRoads

Either I got really lucky, or VicRoads have pulled out all the stops to step up their game. I had been putting off updating my married name on my license because I figured I would lose half a day sitting here.
So I came prepared.
Laptop handy, caffeinated, music in my ears — I was ready to settle in. To my surprise, someone was waiting at the ticket machine to help me choose which option I needed. She handed me my ticket… which was read out while I looked at it. Straight to the counter, sign here, new photo, done. The woman being served next to me had the same stunned expression on her face and said «Is that it?»
So maybe things are lightening fast at VicRoads now. Or maybe I stumbled in on a good day. But either way, being super prepared with all of my paperwork and something to amuse myself for the wait resulted in a pain free experience that more than exceeded my rock-​bottom expectations!
Note: If you have any licensing needs, come straight here and save yourself some time. I stopped by the more convenient office at Exhibition St to discover that they have limited services on offer and can’t assist with most enquiries. The 1 or 8 tram will take you almost to the door here, so it’s easier to skip the CBD location all together.

I went to VicRoads to have my Kiwi licence converted for use in Victoria. I called and made an appointment — the closest appointment was 2 weeks from the date of my phone call, so obviously it’s a pretty popular place. On the phone they listed off a bunch of paperwork to bring and told me that I absolutely could not be late or terrible things would happen (ie I would be turned away and have to rebook my appointment).
The building is pretty well marked and I was easily able to find my way to the correct waiting room for my appointment. Upon arriving upstairs a nice lady checked my name on her form and confirmed that I did actually have an appointment, before giving me a form to fill out and guiding me over to a chair. After about five minutes of waiting my name was called (right on time!) and I was greeted by a cheerful man who seemed to know what was going on.
After providing the correct paperwork and identification I was asked to sign a few things, pay for the licence, and have my picture taken. The whole thing probably took under 15 minutes and I walked away with a temporary licence, a real one to come in the mail in 10 days time.
After making an appointment, arriving on time and bringing the right paperwork, my experience with VicRoads Carlton was nothing but positive. I have a feeling that if you don’t have an appointment, are late, or don’t bring the right stuff, you’re going to be in for a frustrating time.

I have been putting off my licence renewal for longer than legally recommended, its boring, its $$ and… I needed a new photo. Which means foregoing the convenience of online payment and visiting the bureaucratic nightmare that is Vic Roads.
Take a number, take a seat, wait, fill this out, wait, wrong queue, fix this, wait, pay, wait, leave.
I suggest going with a friend for morale support. I recently went with a friend who also had to pay her registration and the experience was better than anticipated. Our staff member Stacey was actually super helpful and we didn’t have to wait longer than 10 minutes to be seen. There was a complication that was dealt with cooly and we were out of there in around 30 minutes total.
HOWEVER…as we were leaving we realised we had just beaten the lunch/​afternoon rush and people were queuing 10 deep stretching back to the stairs.
Like roadworks a visit to Vic Roads is unavoidable, don’t go if you need to be somewhere in a rush and bring a book.