Mature drivers wanted
The L2P Program is an innovative initiative of the TAC and VicRoads which has been operating since 2008 with great success, with a view to give learner drivers access to a supervising driver and car.
The L2P Program originates from the Frankston City Council and Sunbury Rotary Club’s ‘Drive 120’ programs which began in response to the 2007 introduction by the State Government of Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for all Victorian drivers under 21. The GLS enforces a minimum of 120 hours of driving experience for learner drivers before they apply for their probationary license. Since the GLS was introduced, research indicates that it has beneficial effects on the safety of young drivers, however, it still poses a challenge for learner drivers who do not have access to a suitable supervising driver or a vehicle. That’s where the L2P Program comes in!
L2P is a state-wide initiative and is locally administered by Wesley Mission Victoria, for young people residing in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services and sees learner drivers partnered with volunteer supervising drivers for a period of one or more hours per week until they obtain their probationary license. With the ability to drive being a valuable life skill which impacts upon their ability to live independently and find work, it is important that young people who do not have contact with their family are not disadvantaged by the driving experience requirement.
To become a mentor in the L2P Program, VicRoads requires the volunteers to complete three sessions of training, which is interesting and informative. Many mentors have commented on the thoroughness of the training, which includes a practical driving element allowing the mentors to practice their mentoring abilities. Volunteers who wish to mentor with the Wesley program are asked to attend a fourth session which explains the nature of the young people in the program, the struggles they’ve had in their short lives and the trauma they have experienced and how this affects them. In short, the fourth session teaches the mentors that the kids in our program have had different lives and they require extra persistence.
The L2P program at Wesley works with some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the Metro East region. The success of the program is a credit to both the dedication of our strong team of mentors, and the determination of our learners who commit to remaining on the program and drive weekly until they reach 120hrs and pass their test. The program operates with 2 automatic cars, and one manual which are housed at Wesley Mission Victoria and Croydon Police Station- this gives learners the opportunity to positively engage with Police. The L2P program is funded by TAC and Vic Roads; Wesley Mission Victoria and Department of Health and Human Services also contribute toward the program to ensure that all running costs, insurance, premiums, training and volunteer participation are provided cost free to mentors and learners.
As part of the VicRoads funding agreement, vehicles are not fitted with dual controls, though learners are provided with professional driving lessons prior to their commencement with a mentor and are able to access more professional lessons throughout their duration in the program. This allows volunteers to assume a supervisory role as parents otherwise would, rather than that of a driving instructor.
This year L2P has seen 6 learners gain their P plates which is a fantastic achievement for both mentors and learners. The opportunity to gain a licence gives learners independence, increases their chances of employment and is a tangible skill and outcome that both mentors and learners can be proud of. For many of the learners, having a licence is life changing and the program has a long-term positive influence on their lives particularly given their likely history of hardship and negativity.
We have over 30 volunteers in our midst at present, but the program is always seeking to train and induct new members to our team. We currently have a demand for female mentors, with several learners waiting long periods to be matched as a result. There is a short wait-list at present for learners to be matched with new mentors- so new mentors are always sought after. This is a common narrative amongst Victoria’s 64 L2P programs.
The volunteers we have in the programs are all fantastic and we really appreciate the time and effort that they put into the program. As a way to thank our brilliant volunteers, we have quarterly mentor gatherings where the mentors can meet, swap stories and celebrate milestones.
Mentor - Chris Ball
I noticed a brief article and photo in the local paper, I contacted the L2P Progam Co-ordinator and had an interview. Next step was the training, I was paired up with a learner driver who had about 20 hours on his log book and I am happy to say he has over 92 hours and is doing well. Driving with my learner driver has given me an insight into the valuable work that the Wesley L2P Program, L2P Co-ordinators and the mentors undertake to give these young people the assistance they require to gain a Probationary licence.
Summary
The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is a program that not only benefits the young person but the mentor as well.
For more information, please contact the L2P Program Coordinator in your region.
Phone: 8870 4070 Mobile: 0431 658 223
Email: L2P@wesley.org.au
Wesley Mission Victoria
www.wesley.org.au
Level 1, 291a Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Bass Coast Region - Gippsland
There is also a Bass Coast L2P program located at 6 Murray street Wonthaggi, Victoria.
Can contact Veronica in person at Mitchell House on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Email: basscoastl2p@hotmail.com
PH: 5672 3731 M: 0467 590 679
L2P Program RACV L2P learners and police work together
L2P is a state-wide initiative and is locally administered by Wesley Mission Victoria, for young people residing in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services and sees learner drivers partnered with volunteer supervising drivers for a period of one or more hours per week until they obtain their probationary license. With the ability to drive being a valuable life skill which impacts upon their ability to live independently and find work, it is important that young people who do not have contact with their family are not disadvantaged by the driving experience requirement.
To become a mentor in the L2P Program, VicRoads requires the volunteers to complete three sessions of training, which is interesting and informative. Many mentors have commented on the thoroughness of the training, which includes a practical driving element allowing the mentors to practice their mentoring abilities. Volunteers who wish to mentor with the Wesley program are asked to attend a fourth session which explains the nature of the young people in the program, the struggles they’ve had in their short lives and the trauma they have experienced and how this affects them. In short, the fourth session teaches the mentors that the kids in our program have had different lives and they require extra persistence.
The L2P program at Wesley works with some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the Metro East region. The success of the program is a credit to both the dedication of our strong team of mentors, and the determination of our learners who commit to remaining on the program and drive weekly until they reach 120hrs and pass their test. The program operates with 2 automatic cars, and one manual which are housed at Wesley Mission Victoria and Croydon Police Station- this gives learners the opportunity to positively engage with Police. The L2P program is funded by TAC and Vic Roads; Wesley Mission Victoria and Department of Health and Human Services also contribute toward the program to ensure that all running costs, insurance, premiums, training and volunteer participation are provided cost free to mentors and learners.
As part of the VicRoads funding agreement, vehicles are not fitted with dual controls, though learners are provided with professional driving lessons prior to their commencement with a mentor and are able to access more professional lessons throughout their duration in the program. This allows volunteers to assume a supervisory role as parents otherwise would, rather than that of a driving instructor.
This year L2P has seen 6 learners gain their P plates which is a fantastic achievement for both mentors and learners. The opportunity to gain a licence gives learners independence, increases their chances of employment and is a tangible skill and outcome that both mentors and learners can be proud of. For many of the learners, having a licence is life changing and the program has a long-term positive influence on their lives particularly given their likely history of hardship and negativity.
We have over 30 volunteers in our midst at present, but the program is always seeking to train and induct new members to our team. We currently have a demand for female mentors, with several learners waiting long periods to be matched as a result. There is a short wait-list at present for learners to be matched with new mentors- so new mentors are always sought after. This is a common narrative amongst Victoria’s 64 L2P programs.
The volunteers we have in the programs are all fantastic and we really appreciate the time and effort that they put into the program. As a way to thank our brilliant volunteers, we have quarterly mentor gatherings where the mentors can meet, swap stories and celebrate milestones.
Mentor - Chris Ball
I noticed a brief article and photo in the local paper, I contacted the L2P Progam Co-ordinator and had an interview. Next step was the training, I was paired up with a learner driver who had about 20 hours on his log book and I am happy to say he has over 92 hours and is doing well. Driving with my learner driver has given me an insight into the valuable work that the Wesley L2P Program, L2P Co-ordinators and the mentors undertake to give these young people the assistance they require to gain a Probationary licence.
Summary
The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is a program that not only benefits the young person but the mentor as well.
For more information, please contact the L2P Program Coordinator in your region.
Phone: 8870 4070 Mobile: 0431 658 223
Email: L2P@wesley.org.au
Wesley Mission Victoria
www.wesley.org.au
Level 1, 291a Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Bass Coast Region - Gippsland
There is also a Bass Coast L2P program located at 6 Murray street Wonthaggi, Victoria.
Can contact Veronica in person at Mitchell House on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Email: basscoastl2p@hotmail.com
PH: 5672 3731 M: 0467 590 679
L2P Program RACV L2P learners and police work together
