Truck drivers are getting licences with only a few hours of experience behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle, prompting the Andrews government to consider a dramatic shake-up in a bid to improve road safety.

After a week of fatal collisions on Melbourne’s roads – and a spike in the number of truck crashes nationwide – The Sunday Age can reveal the state government is examining an industry-led push to improve what some describe as “dismal” training standards in Victoria.

On Wednesday night, in one of the worst collisions yet, four Victorian Police officers were killed when a semi-trailer drove into the emergency lane where they were impounding a Porsche, whose driver had allegedly been speeding on the Eastern Freeway.

Crash investigators at the scene the day after four police were struck and killed by a truck on the Eastern Freeway. Credit:AAP

Under the current system, anyone who has an Australian car licence for two years can upgrade to drive a loaded heavy rigid truck, which can weigh up to 22.5 tonnes, after only a few hours of training. Within a year they would then be eligible to drive a loaded semi-trailer, which can weigh up to 42.5 tonnes, if they passed another quick test.