Helping more learners get their Ps

Six of Tasmania’s 16 Learner Driver Mentor Programs (LDMPs) can now help more disadvantaged Tasmanians get their licence in new ANCAP five star safety rated vehicles.

LDMPs play an important role in helping learner drivers without access to a suitable vehicle and/or supervisory driver to get the on-road driving supervision and experience needed to get a provisional licence.

The Government has increased the funding for the LDMP to $1 million per annum, over four years. This doubles the previous allocation from the Road Safety Levy and recognises the significant increase in performance by LDMPs.

Across the 16 LDMPs operating across Tasmania more than 220 learners are supported by180 mentors and sixteen program coordinators. Last month 12 learners were successful in achieving a provisional licence after participating in the program.

It is important that disadvantaged learner drivers are supported to enter the Graduated Licensing System as this decreases the risk of unlicensed driving and it also has broader benefits including:

• greater access to employment opportunities
• access to social, community and sporting activities
• access to education
• access to medical/health facilities and other services particularly in rural or regional areas, and
• independent living skills.

These six LDMPs were selected to receive a new five star ANCAP safety rated vehicle replacing their existing three-star or less rated vehicles.

Further information https://drivermentoringtasmania.org.au/