Community groups across the state will receive more funding to assist with delivering the Learner Driver Mentor Program, which helps disadvantaged people gain their driver’s licences, enhancing their mobility, their independence and their job prospects.

Today, the Liberal Government is announcing that 10 providers, including one new organisation, will receive funding through the Tasmanian Road Safety Levy.

What this program does is make an important contribution to road safety by assisting participants who have limited access to suitable vehicles or responsible supervisory drivers to gain the practical driving experience required to gain their provisional licence.

The Ravenswood Community House’s Wheels4work is one of the leading providers of this invaluable service, with its vehicle on the road, thanks to the support of volunteers, about 33 hours a week.
So successful is this service that a second vehicle has recently been acquired to allow Wheels4work to cater for even more novice drivers in the local community.

The Liberal Government has committed $1.5 million over three years to continue to support the Learner Driver Mentor Program beyond the current funding model.

And we are pushing ahead with our election promise to cut frustrating, unnecessary waiting times for tests endured by many learners by allowing appropriately qualified driving instructors to conduct the L2 licence assessment.

We support young Tasmanians getting their driver’s licence to seek employment, education and social opportunities, and we want to ensure that we remove any unnecessary road blocks and promote a more efficient and positive experience for all novice learner drivers.

There are currently 17 community organisations providing the Learner Driver Mentor Program around the state, including community houses, migrant resource centres and local councils.

On behalf of the Government, I want to commend each and every group, and also the many volunteers who selflessly give their time to help others in one very practical way.

The 10 programs that will receive funding that will be made immediately available are:

• Migrant Resource Centre (Hobart)’s TOP Gear – $6796
• Huon Valley Council’s Gearing Up – $10,250
• Pittwater Community Centre’s L’s Angels – $5462
• GeCo-Geeveston Community House’s Jumpstart – $8085
• Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre’s Ready Set Go – $8485
• Derwent Valley Community Health’s Drive Time – $15,964
• Migrant Resource Centre (Launceston)’s Drive 4 Life – $10,000
• Ravenswood Community House’s Wheels4work – $14,972
• Devonport Chaplaincy’s Easy P’s – $8250
• Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation’s Strive to Drive – $11,735*

* The Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) is a new participant in the program.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure