More help for young drivers

Farhia Osman said her mentor Martin Ryan is almost like family after spending 16 months teaching her to drive through Brimbank council's state-funded L2P program. (Damjan Janevski) 303293_01

Young Melburnians, including those in Whittlesea and Hume, are encouraged to sign up for a new TAC L2P program, which will help more disadvantaged young Melburnians learn to drive a car and get the support they need to gain their driver’s licence.

In partnership with the Salvation Army, the TAC L2P Program will support learner drivers throughout Melbourne who do not have access to a supervising driver or vehicle to gain the driving experience they need to apply for a probationary licence over the coming weeks.

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.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne announced the program on Friday, March 3 and said the program would help give young people the skills and confidence they need to drive alone and make roads safer into the future.

“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,” she said.

TAC road safety head Samantha Cockfield said she was pleased to see the expansion of the program into the CBD.

“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,” she said.

Details: vicroads.vic.gov.au/L2P