About 330 drivers in Greater Shepparton have their licence thanks to the Berry Street L2P program in the past 12 years.
The program has helped local learner drivers clock more than 12,000 hours of supervised driving to help them reach the minimum of 120 hours required to get their P-plates.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said a licence could be key to securing work or further education, but access to a car and supervising driver wasn’t possible for some young people.
“The TAC L2P program is helping us bridge the gap to ensure all young drivers, no matter their circumstances, have the opportunity to gain their licence and vital road safety skills and knowledge,” he said.
The program matches learner drivers with a volunteer mentor, L2P car and free professional driving lessons.
“Young, inexperienced drivers are at a greater risk on our roads, and thanks to the L2P Program and our volunteers, we’re providing hundreds of locals with the practice they need to be safe on our roads,” state Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said.
Across the Hume region — including Moira, Mitchell, Shepparton and Strathbogie shires — close to 450 drivers have benefited from the program, with more than 25,000 hours of experience on the roads in total.
The program first launched in Victoria in 2008 and is a partnership between local councils, community organisations, the Department of Transport and the Transport Accident Commission.
For more information visit vicroads.vic.gov.au