Road Safety Research
Research has shown that young drivers who achieve 120 hours of supervised driving experience, in a range of driving conditions, are less likely to be involved in serious motor vehicle accidents in the years following the attainment of their driver’s licence.
Reference:
Healy, D, Imberger, K, & Catchpole, J, The Victorian Graduated Licensing System: Outcome Evaluation 2017, VicRoads.
About the TAC L2P Program - Banyule
The TAC L2P Program in Banyule is a learner driver mentor program that helps eligible young people accrue the mandatory 120 hours of supervised driving experience required for a probationary licence. The TAC L2P Program Banyule is funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Department of Transport & Planning (DoTP). The program is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by the Banyule Nillumbik Local Learning and Employment Network (BNLLEN) on behalf of Banyule City Council.
About TAC L2P Volunteer Mentoring
The TAC L2P program benefits learner drivers as well as the broader community. The program requires local community members to become Volunteer Mentors to directly help a young person in need by supervising weekly drive sessions and providing road safety awareness.
All Volunteer Mentors must undertake a screening and interview process and participate in training prior to being eligible to become a Volunteer Mentor.
As the Banyule TAC L2P Program is committed to the safety of all children and young people the Volunteer Mentor screening process emphasises the strict adherence to our Child Safety Code of Conduct and Child Safety and Wellbeing Commitment Statement.
To be eligible you must:
- Hold a current full Victorian driver licence
- Commit to 2 hours per week for a minimum of 12 months
- Successfully obtain/pass a Volunteer Working with Children Check, CrimCheck and Driver History Check (all costs are covered by the program)
- Successfully participate in a full training program (delivered by Department of Transport)
A training program for Volunteer Mentors is provided to ensure that they are well prepared and understand what their role entails. To find out more about the TAC L2P Program, a Volunteer Mentor Brochure can be viewed here.
To find out more about volunteering with L2P, please call the Program Officer on 0430 038 450 to express your interest.
Learner Drivers
Information and Application Process Details for Learner Drivers
Learner Drivers need to meet the following eligibility criteria to join the TAC L2P Program:
- Be aged between 16 and 21 years old
- Hold a current learner permit
- Have no access to a vehicle or a supervising driver
- Live in the Banyule area
Head to the Transport Victoria to complete an Application Form.
We encourage young people to contact the Program Officer to discuss their eligibility prior to completing the Application Form.
For more information: Violeta Sljivic, Program Officer (M) 0430 038 450 (E) violeta@bnllen.org.au
Case Study - Jeff & James
Jeff
Jeff has been a dedicated volunteer with the Banyule TAC L2P Program for over six years. Jeff has supported six learners to obtain their probationary licenses and now mentoring his seventh. A retired social and recreation planner, Jeff was introduced to the program through a social worker. Jeff decided to step in as a mentor after hearing of the challenges faced by local young people in accessing driving supervision.
James
James joined the L2P program 18 months ago. He grew up moving around Melbourne’s northern suburbs, starting work at 13 and juggling long shifts. James often relied on walking or using public transport, since his family didn’t drive. Determined to change this, James got his learner's permit at 16 and bought a car.
Tragically, James’ car was destroyed in a fire on his 17th birthday. James was actively driving with Jeff until he needed to take a 3-4 month break to care for his brother after surgery. Overwhelmed, he almost gave up on his goal of getting a license. A timely call from Vicki, the Banyule L2P Program Officer, gave him a fresh perspective. Re-energised, James returned to his driving lessons with Jeff, continuing to build his confidence.
James’s journey showcases how a supportive mentor and timely encouragement can make all the difference. James encourages young people to fully commit to the program. He feels that without the support and guidance of Volunteer Jeff and the L2P Program, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve his probationary licence yet.
According to Jeff, the early stages of mentoring can be challenging, but the reward comes in seeing learners grow. Jeff relishing in witnessing learners develop skills, self-assurance and achieve their probationary licence.
Corrado comes from a sales engineering background in the compressed air industry in which he worked for around 30 years until he retired. However Corrado is not one for sitting around and doing nothing, so after he retired he looked around for productive things to do with his free time.Vic Roads had such a backlog of licence test applications after so many lockdowns that they were reaching out for additional licence testing officers. When Corrado heard about this he thought he would give it a try. As a result he secured a six month contract as a licence testing officer for Vic Roads. He worked as a licence testing officer at Bundoora and also spent time working at Box Hill.
Corrado also approached an Employment Services provider to check what options might be available. The job provider suggested he try volunteering and asked ‘what do you like doing?’. When Corrado replied ‘I like driving,’ volunteering with the L2P program was the obvious choice. Not only does Corrado bring his enthusiasm for driving to the program but also his valuable experience as a licence testing officer.
Corrado has been with the Banyule TAC L2P program for 18 months, and in that time he has already mentored four students all of whom successfully obtained their provisional licence. He currently mentoring his fifth learner, a young man called Oliver.
Oliver moved out from his home and no longer had contact with his parents consequently had no one to help him achieve the mandatory 120 hours. When he heard about the L2P program from people who host his current accommodation, he thought he should apply.
Oliver spent a month working with a professional driving instructor and was then matched with Corrado, excited about opportunity to accumulate the 120 hours.
Corrado says that he doesn’t get the opportunity to meet a lot of young people except when he is sitting in the car next to them as part of this program. He really enjoys it because, ‘it gets me thinking differently to having to talk to adults all the time.’
His advice to potential volunteers is, ‘if you're looking to get a lot of self-satisfaction and meeting interesting people along the way, get involved in the L2P program’.