NILLUMBIK L2P LEARNER DRIVER MENTOR PROGRAM

What is L2P? L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program assists learners aged years of age who do not have access to a supervising driver and / or vehicle to gain the driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence test Volunteer mentor drivers assist the young people with gaining 120 hours of driving practice using a sponsored vehicle Young people also have access to a certain number of driving lessons with a professional driving instructor

Background – VICTORIAN GRADUATED LICENSING SYSTEM 2007 onward mandatory minimum 120 hours supervised driving experience for all learner drivers aged under 21 years Concern that a small percentage of the community would struggle to gain the 120 hours Transport Accident Commission (TAC) committed $9 million to develop and pilot a community program

L2P Program Development Model developed from 2 community programs VicRoads and the TAC supported: –Rotary program – Drive 120 –Council led program delivered through a welfare agency Both models used volunteers as supervising drivers Benefits of community engagement and mentoring

L2P Program Objectives Reduce crash and injury rate of young novice drivers by ensuring they obtain 120 hours supervised practice Increase equity of opportunity for all young Victorians to be safer and obtain a driver’s licence Facilitate employment, mobility and social connection

L2P Funding and Support VicRoads developed guidelines and requirements for L2P programs Program funding runs for 3 years from agreement Funding covers: –Coordinator –Vehicle running costs –7 professional driving instructor lessons per learner –Some other program running costs VicRoads volunteer training program

Nillumbik L2P Program Project officer operational since Dec Learner Drivers 9 Volunteer mentors 2 Program vehicles, automatic transmission Cars located in Eltham Police Station and Hurstbridge CFA

Nillumbik L2P Program Volunteers Volunteers required to undergo Police Check, Working With Children Check, Driver History Check and a reference check Volunteers are interviewed before selection and undergo training provided by VicRoads Volunteer drivers required to commit for 1 hour a week

Nillumbik L2P Program Learners Learners accepted are between years of age, living, working or studying in Nillumbik Eligibility: - learners not able to achieve driving practice due to life circumstances - non-availability of or access to supervising driver, car or both - Financial disadvantage - Geographical disadvantage e.g. Bushfire affected - Other criteria considered by Steering Committee and Project Officer

L2P Across the state 55 contracted programs across 60 of the 78 Victorian municipalities 51 programs are launched and providing driving practice to young people (23 metropolitan and 28 rural) 4 programs are funded and in development Additional councils are interested in running rural L2P programs

Implementation Map - Metro

Implementation Map - Regional

Progress of Existing Programs 1,500 + young learners will receive opportunities for driving practice per year 1,140 mentor supervising drivers successfully completed training to the end of April learners were active at the end of March 2011, with many more due to come on stream 20,000 hours of driving practice have been provided to the end of March 2011 Approximately 100 young people have gained their Probationary licence through L2P

Benefits of L2P Young people from challenging circumstances have access to: –Licensing –Increased opportunity for employment –Engagement of at risk/disengaged youth, with opportunities to develop positive adult relationships –Potential reduction in crime rates –Potential reduction in unlicensed driving

Questions

More info Nillumbik L2P: Suzzan Eral – L2P Project Officer (03) or Vicroads L2P: es/GetYourPs/PreparingForYourLicenceTes t/L2P.htm