The Andrews Labor Government is helping more disadvantaged young Melburnians learn to drive a car and get the support they need to gain their driver’s licence.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today visited VicRoads in Carlton to announce a new TAC L2P Program will get underway in the CBD in coming weeks, in partnership with the Salvation Army.
The TAC L2P Program helps learner drivers who do not have access to a supervising driver or vehicle, gain the driving experience they need to apply for a probationary licence.
Eligible young Melbournians between the ages of 16 and 21 years will be matched with fully licensed volunteer mentors and have access to a sponsored vehicle, which they can use to get supervised driving experience.
Drivers are being encouraged to apply for the program as volunteer mentors and will be provided with comprehensive training and access to an L2P Program car.
Mentor drivers are ideally available 1-2 hours per week and need to meet criteria, including holding a full licence and satisfactory driving history.
The TAC L2P Program forms part of the Labor Government’s Graduated Licencing System (GLS) which makes it compulsory for learner drivers aged under 21 to obtain minimum 120 hours of supervised driving practice.
Across Victoria, the program has helped 16,000 young learner drivers through 58 programs, logging 693,757 hours and supporting more than 7,300 participants to get their P-Plates since starting in 2008.
This all supports the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to halve road deaths and reduce serious injuries by 2030 and eliminate road deaths by 2050.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“This program is empowering more young people to learn to drive a car and get the support they need to gain their driver’s licence, making it easier for them to get to school, work or the shops.”
“The TAC L2P program also gives people the skills and confidence they need to drive solo, as well as makes our roads safer.”
Quote attributable to Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle
“Gaining a licence is a memorable step in a person’s life, but for many reasons, some young people don’t have access to the practice they need - which is where we and the L2P Program step in to help.”
Quote attributable to TAC Head of Road Safety Samantha Cockfield
“We are pleased to see the expansion of this program into Melbourne and, with the help of the Salvation Army, it will allow more young people the chance to gain the supervised on-road experience to get their license and be a safe solo driver.”
Reviewed 02 March 2023