L2P
L2P
Description of Program
The L2P program aims to provide the opportunity for young people who face a significant barrier (economic, social or other) to successfully obtaining their licence to do so with the support of a skilled local mentor.
L2P is a community based volunteer program designed to provide access to driving practice on public roads for learner drivers under the supervision of a fully licensed driver.
Vision
To provide the opportunity for young people to overcome disadvantage through community support to successfully obtain their drivers licence.
Target
Young people 16-21 years, who already have their learners permit and have been identified to be facing a significant barrier or disadvantage; prohibiting them from obtaining their probationary driver’s licence if they don’t receive support from the community.
How the program works
a) Young participants, through the support of a professional driving instructor, will have lessons in the basics of driving a car. Participants will have basic car control before beginning driving sessions with their volunteer supervisor/mentor. (Participants will have access to up to 7 lessons with a registered driving school throughout their time in the program to assess progress).
b) Participants will be matched to a volunteer mentor who will guide their development as safe drivers.
c) Participants will, with the assistance of their mentor and The Salvation Army Gravel Hill Bendigo, be able to obtain on the road driving practice in a variety of travel conditions. This stage is essential for participants to obtain their mandatory 120hrs of driving practice required by Vic Roads.
Overview of the L2P program
The L2P program is a state wide initiative managed by VicRoads. It is aimed at assisting young learner drivers who are facing significant barriers to getting the 120 mandatory hours of on the road driving experience. The learner drivers are matched with a volunteer supervising driver from the community who works with them to achieve their goal of 120hrs. The disadvantage may arise through a variety of conditions such as lack of access to a vehicle and family support, homelessness or economic disadvantage.
The introduction of the 120 hours mandatory driving practice (which became effective July 1st 2008) was based on research which found that 120 hours of driving practice (undertaken in a number of different driving conditions) can significantly reduce the likelihood of crash involvement for young drivers.
It has been identified that the local community needs to support young people facing these barriers who require their driving licence to secure employment and access to training.
The L2P program involves volunteer licensed and trained drivers from the community providing supervision for young drivers referred to the program though local community agencies.
The volunteer drivers are covered for liability through the The Salvation Army Gravel Hill Bendigo, by becoming registered volunteers with that organisation. Volunteers are to undergo a selection process including an interview, a Police Check, Working with Children Check, VicRoads Driver History Report and reference checks to assess their suitability to be in a vehicle with young learner drivers.
The learner drivers are covered by the terms of their involvement in the L2P program and any ‘contract’ signed between themselves and The Salvation Army Gravel Hill Bendigo.
Volunteer drivers are to undertake training designed to assist them with the management of the learner driver and to give them a better understanding of the aims of the program and requirements of a supervising driver on the road.
The City of Greater Bendigo provides access to a 4 star ANCAP rated vehicle to be used for the purpose of the program. The vehicle is housed at the City of Greater Bendigo and access is provided by appropriate identification provided by the supervising driver. The learners are not to access the vehicle for private tuition.
For more information contact- Denise Sibenaler, The Salvation Army Gravel Hill Bendigo, 65-71 Mundy Street, Bendigo. Ph. 03 5442 7699 or Mobile 0409 246416.
