A new pilot Learner Driver Program is seeking volunteers to help vulnerable young Canberrans meet updated ACT government drivers licence requirements.

Anglicare will soon pilot the program for a select group of young people in the ACT who would otherwise struggle to fulfill Access Canberra’s more stringent requirements for a provisional drivers licence. 

The ACT’s introduction of the Graduated Licencing Scheme in January of 2020 means that learner drivers under the age of 25 are now required to hold their learners licence for 12 months, and complete 100 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. This is a big change from the previous requirement of six months and zero supervised hours.

For the vulnerable young people participating in Anglicare’s Connecting Young Carers to Life Opportunities and Personalised Support (CYCLOPS) program or Junction Youth Services, access to a vehicle and suitable supervision is a challenge.

Daniel Gaffney, Anglicare’s coordinator for Youth and Family Services in the ACT developed the concept for the pilot program.

“For young people without a robust support system in place, the new requirement could prevent them from attaining their provisional licence at all,” Mr Gaffney said.

“The hope is that by helping at-risk young people to obtain a provisional licence it will prevent them from missing out on employment and housing opportunities in the future and help them become safe, confident drivers,” he said.

The initial program will work with five young people, nominated from Anglicare services, by providing access to a registered vehicle and a volunteer to supervise their driving hours.

Before beginning the program, participants must hold a valid learners licence and complete seven formal driving lessons with support from Anglicare.

Anglicare has already started selecting participants for the program and supporting them to complete their required lessons. Volunteer driver supervisors are needed to allow this service to launch.

People interested in volunteering can phone Daniel Gaffney on 6232 2488 or email [email protected] for more information.

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