Glenelg L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program

The Glenelg L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is delivered by Council in partnership with VicRoads through TAC funding.
The program provides eligible learner drivers aged 16 and under 21 years of age with the opportunity to gain driving practice with trained volunteer mentors for a minimum of 1 hour per week, while also providing access to driving lessons with a professional driving instructor.
Participants use program-dedicated vehicles to gain the mandatory 120+ hours of driving practice.
Support is provided to participants once they have completed their logbook requirements to undertake their driving test in a L2P Program vehicle. The driving test cost is not covered by the program.

L2P is needed because a key element of the new Graduated License System since 1 July 2007 requires that all learner drivers aged under 21 years (when they apply for a probationary licence) achieve a minimum of 120 hours supervised driving experience, which is certified and recorded by both the learner and the supervising driver(s) in the VicRoads Learner Log Book. For most young learner drivers the opportunity to achieve 120 hours of supervised driving practice will be generated through practice with parents and additional practice through lessons with professional driving instructors. For others, extended family or close friends will be available to assist. VicRoads is aware that there are a number of young people who will have considerable difficulty in gaining access to this experience, due to non-availability of a vehicle or a supervising driver (or both) on an on-going basis. For this group of people an access program, provided across the state, is required.

Learner drivers are matched with fully licensed community volunteers. Using a sponsored vehicle, the learner and their mentor go out driving, working toward gaining the required 120 hours of driving practice. L2P also incorporates up to 7 free professional driving lessons by a registered driving instructor. This ensures the young learner drivers have some skills before being matched with a volunteer mentor and also provides for the acquisition of new skills as they progress through the four stages of the Graduated Licence system.

The mentors are volunteers from the community who undertake a selection and training process to fulfil the role as a supervising driver. Mentors develop and maintain a supportive and ongoing relationship with the young person they are matched with by meeting with the learner driver for a minimum of one hour per week. Mentoring provides opportunities to meet new people and to develop new skills as well as providing a much needed community service.

To apply as a mentor please click here

The Glenelg L2P Program targets young learner drivers aged 16 – 21 years who live in the Glenelg Shire Council and who have their learner’s permit. It aims to assist young learner drivers who do not have access to either a vehicle or supervising driver to achieve the mandatory 120 hours of driving practice before obtaining a probationary licence. Young people can be referred to the program by youth agencies, schools, parents, or can refer themselves. There is no charge to participants accepted into this program.

To apply as a learner driver click here

The L2P program has been operating for over 4 years in Portland, and Heywood and has recently launched in Casterton. To date, over 50 young people have gained their ‘P’ plates through the program. The program currently has 30 funded places with learners on the road every week.

The L2P Program acknowledges and appreciates the support of Portland Callaghan Motors who as vehicle sponsors have supplied the Program with new demonstrator vehicles on a regular basis. The program has 2 vehicles which are garaged in Portland with one vehicle travelling to Heywood a number of days each week for use by mentors and learners based there.

The L2P Program also acknowledges the valuable support and sponsorship from Vic Roads & TAC, Andrew Jack Charity Foundation, Heywood Bendigo Community Bank, Sign Works and Portland McDonalds. Additional financial support is constantly sought after. Please contact the Program Coordinator if your business or organisation would like to assist the Glenelg L2P program.Enquiries are welcome at all times and should be directed to the L2P Program Coordinator on T: 0466 149 341 or by emailing the L2P Program Coordinator.