Learner drivers to get free access to cars and supervisors in Melbourne

Young learner drivers in inner Melbourne will soon have access to volunteer supervisors and loan vehicles in order to gain the experience needed to acquire their P-plates. 

The Victorian Government has expanded its Learn to Drive (L2P) program, assisting young Melburnians between the ages of 16 and 21 who do not have the means to complete the requisite 120 hours of driving experience to attain their probationary licence. 

Only 20 places are available in the Melbourne program, which was made possible thanks to a thanks to a $65,521 investment.

Melbourne is the latest area to benefit from the Learn to Drive initiative, which was first launched in Victoria in 2008.

Funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and administered by the Department of Transport, the L2P program has previously run in almost 60 local council areas, assisting more than 16,000 learners in logging 693,757 hours of driving. 

Loan cars are sourced from a variety of different locations with funding from Rotary Clubs, Bendigo Bank and other private sector companies – but they are required to be no more than 10 years old, with a five-star safety rating if purchased new or a four-star used-car safety rating.

Eligible applicants simply have to fall within the age parameters, hold an Australian learner’s permit and demonstrate they don’t have access to a safe vehicle or a person who holds a full Victorian licence to supervise their driving. 

Meanwhile, anyone over 21 can apply to be a mentor driver, provided they have a full Victorian driver’s licence, a valid Working with Children check and a satisfactory National Police Check and driving history. 

The Salvation Army, which is partnering with the TAC for the program’s roll-out, will also supply supervising drivers. 

“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,” said Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle in a written statement.

Those looking to apply for the program as either learner drivers or supervising drivers should head to the VicRoads website.