The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to helping disadvantaged novice drivers around the State gain the experience they need to get on the road safely and legally, and become responsible motorists.
We are delivering on our election commitment of investing an additional $1.5 million over three years in Learner Driver Mentoring Programs, which help learners gain the necessary hours of supervised on-road driving.
Today, I am pleased to advise that the 17 programs currently operating in Tasmania have together more than doubled the number of hours of supervised driving they have provided to novice drivers in the past year.
More than 1200 supervised on-road driving hours are now being provided on average each month, significantly more than 550 hours reported last year.
Our support for these programs recognises that some learner drivers in our community do not have access to a suitable car and/or supervisory driver to gain the required minimum 50 on-road hours to be eligible for a provisional licence.
We understand the importance of having a driver licence, particularly for those who live in regional Tasmania, in accessing employment and education opportunities and being socially engaged in the community.
This is where the contribution of the 158 active learner mentors around the State – who generously volunteer their time – is so invaluable.
Programs are only for disadvantaged learners and strict eligibility requirements and screening processes apply. Volunteer mentors provide supervised on-road driving experience, not training, in a safe vehicle.
In the nine months to the end of June, these volunteers have helped 53 Tasmanians earn their P1 licences and another 65 receive their L2 licences.
The need for these programs can also be seen in the fact that there are currently 280 eligible learners on the waiting lists.
The Government’s support of the Learner Driver Mentor Programs is delivering results and making a difference in the lives of many disadvantaged Tasmanians.
On behalf of the Government, I thank each and every learner mentor and all the community organisations that have partnered with us in delivering these programs.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
