10 years for learner program

The Baw Baw Shire L2P program recently celebrated 10 years of supporting local learner drivers to get their licence.

Over the past decade, Baw Baw Shire mentors have clocked 10,700 hours supervising nearly 300 local learner drivers as part of the L2P program.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the State Government restored funding to the L2P program in 2015, after it was cut by the Liberals.

L2P matches learners to a volunteer mentor and sponsored vehicle, so they can reach the 120 hours required to get their Ps.

The community-based program recruits volunteers to provide supervised driving experience to learner drivers under 21 years of age who find it difficult to meet the mandated 120 hours of driving practice due to family, economic or other circumstances.

More than 5000 learners across Victoria have got their Ps through the program and mentors have volunteered over half a million hours of driving supervision.

L2P is free for eligible young people and managed by the VicRoads Community Programs team – discover more by visiting Vicroads.vic.gov.au and searching for L2P.

Ms Shing said providing more young drivers with the support they needed to get their licences was only possible through the dedication of L2P volunteer mentors whose contributions made the most incredible difference.

“Ten years and 10,700 hours of supervised driving in Baw Baw Shire is exactly why we’re proud to fund the L2P program, and to support the wonderful volunteers who make it all happen,” she said.