Police insist they have not been heavy-handed in punishing breaches of coronavirus lockdown rules, despite backflipping on two fines on Tuesday amid complaints from Victorians who believe they have been unfairly punished.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton admitted on Tuesday there was a lack of clarity over the $1652 fine given to learner driver Hunter Reynolds, 17, on Sunday for being “too far from home”.

Pat Riordan was alone in his ute when he was fined $1652. Credit:Simon Schluter

Police rescinded her fine but warned any future cases of parent-child driving lessons would be punished.

Hours before Ms Reynolds was fined on Sunday, Pat Riordan set out in his ute from his home in Bonbeach, in Melbourne's south-east, towards a mountain bike trail in Red Hill.