Learner drivers are officially back behind the wheel today with the Southern Grampians Shire Council L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program returning after COVID-19 closures.
The resumption of the program has seen some exciting new changes with L2P being rebranded as the TAC L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program and the addition of a new car.
Council Community Development Project Officer Eda Williamson said it is great for the program to be back up and running for young residents to gain essential driving experience.
“We’re so pleased to see L2P return after the COVID-19 closure. The program provides our young drivers an opportunity to gain vital driving experience, and to build their hours under the supervision of our skilled mentors, so having it back up and running for the young people in our region is a real positive,” said Ms Williamson.
“With a new funding agreement til 2023, the program has a new name and a new logo and Greater Hamilton residents will see the newly rebranded TAC L2P vehicle on the streets from this week,” said Ms Williamson.
“Having access to a second, newer vehicle is fantastic for our young drivers and mentors, allowing us to get even more young people on the road, getting valuable driving experience.
“The safety of our mentors and leaner drivers is paramount and even more so through this pandemic. New hygiene and cleaning processes in the car have been introduced to ensure our mentors and young drivers are able to undertake their lessons without unnecessary risk to the virus,” Ms Williamson said.
L2P helps young people reach those mandatory 120 hours of supervised learner driver experience they may not otherwise have had an opportunity to attain without the program, to enable them to apply for their probationary licence.
Eligible learner drivers aged 16 and under 21 gain driving practice with trained volunteer mentors for a minimum of one hour per week, while also accessing driving lessons with a professional driving instructor.
Learner drivers are supported once they have completed their logbook requirements to undertake their driving test in a L2P Program vehicle.
The TAC L2P program is funded by the Transport Accident Commission, managed by the Department of Transport and is delivered by the Southern Grampians Shire Council.
For information on the Southern Grampians Shire Council L2P program, visit http://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=2547