Local volunteers are needed to mentor young people in our community to help learner drivers gain road experience through the L2P program.
Volunteers donate one hour a week to help learner drivers aged 16 – 20 years who do not have access to a supervising driver or a vehicle due to financial or family circumstances to gain the required 120 hours of experience.
East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Natalie O'Connell said volunteers assist young people to develop their driving skills and confidence, leading onto better education, training and employment opportunities.
"Gaining work can be difficult without a driver's licence and the program provides a trained mentor who has experience in driving instruction and provides road safety awareness in a friendly and safe environment," Cr O'Connell said.
Bairnsdale learner driver, 19-year-old Chris Salmond said the driving lessons have enabled him to gain driving experience and open up new opportunities.
"As a young person in East Gippsland if it wasn't for the L2P program it wouldn't have been as easy and affordable and that makes a big difference. This opportunity felt so relaxing as I had tolerant and positive mentors to guide me on the road," Chris said.
The Gippsland East L2Ps is a successful partnership between East Gippsland and Wellington shire councils, Mission Australia, TAC and VicRoads.
