The City of Greater Geelong has added an electric vehicle to its L2P program fleet, increasing opportunities for local L-platers to clock up supervised driving hours.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) L2P program sees learner drivers who lack access to a supervising driver or vehicle matched with volunteer driving mentors.
The program, funded by the TAC, is administered by the Department of Transport and Planning and coordinated by the City of Greater Geelong.
The new vehicle, an MG4, is the ninth in the City's fleet and the first electric vehicle in the program statewide. It will be based at Grovedale.
It has been made possible thanks to the support of Rex Gorell, Austeng, Godings and J B Scott Pty Ltd. The Give Where You Live Foundation will be the auspicing entity for the vehicle.
L2P volunteer Andrew Cleary was instrumental in this project becoming a reality, from proposing the idea of an electric car to bringing together the businesses who jointly sponsor the vehicle.
The fleet's expansion will allow an existing car to be re-located to Ocean Grove, where there is high demand for the L2P service.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The program has had a major impact on those who have participated.Logging the required 120 hours of driving practice is not possible for people without access to a car or someone to supervise their driving.
A driver's license equals freedom and independence for a young person, so the L2P program is truly life changing.
The bonus beyond the driving practice is that many of the learners and our amazing volunteer mentors develop great friendships that carry on well into the future.
The selection of an electric vehicle aligns with the City's goals around protecting the environment and preventing pollution.
The City celebrated 15 years in the TAC L2P program in January this year.
During 2023, 186 learner drivers participated and 65 learners graduated from the program with their probationary license.
Participation is open to eligible young people between the ages of 16 and 21 (and in some circumstances, up to 23).
