Gaining a drivers licence is a life changing experience.

Through the Darebin L2P Program you can help a young person develop skills and confidence and gain access to better education, training and job opportunities.

The Darebin L2P Program aims to assist learner drivers under 21 years, who do not have access to significant adults or a suitable motor vehicle, to accrue the mandatory 120 hours of supervised learner driving experience.

How does it work?

Learner drivers are matched with fully licensed volunteer mentors who have undertaken a selection and training process. Using a program vehicle, the learner and their mentor go out driving once a week, working towards 120 hours of driving practice.

L2P also incorporates up to 7 free professional driving lessons by a registered driving instructor. This is to ensure the young people participating have some driving skills before being matched with a volunteer mentor.
The L2P program incorporates both road safety and mentoring.

What do Volunteer Mentors do?

Volunteer mentors are people from the community who undertake a selection and training process to fulfill the role as mentor/supervising driver for a learner driver.

Who can apply to be a Volunteer Mentor?

The Darebin L2P Program is looking for volunteers with the following:
• A full and current Victorian driver’s licence and safe driving history with two years minimum post probationary licence driving experience.
• A keen interest to work with young people.
• Able to commit to a minimum of 2 hours per week
• Ability to provide positive support and supervision to young people.
• Patience, understanding, non-judgemental and open to learning new things

A Police check, Licence check and Working with Children Check are required for all volunteers prior to acceptance into the program.

People from across all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply to be a Volunteer Mentor.

L2P Program Structure:

1. Mentors complete application, training, checks and are selected
on suitability to join the program.
2. Learner Drivers complete formal driving lessons with a qualified instructor and when permitted are allowed to start driving practice with a volunteer.
3. Learner Driver and Mentors are matched.
4. Weekly supervised driving sessions commence using the approved program vehicle, along with further formal driving lessons as required.

Benefits of being a Volunteer Mentor:

The benefits of mentoring are many and include opportunities to:
• Meet new people from diverse backgrounds and expand your social networks.
• Gain satisfaction and fulfilment from giving back to community.
• Develop social and professional skills.
• Make a positive difference to a young person’s life, as well as your own.
• Get to know your community better.
• Have fun along the way!

Interested volunteer mentors, young people interested to participate or organisations seeking to refer young people, such as youth services, schools etc should contact:

Lesley Galbraith
L2P Program Coordinator
Darebin Information, Volunteer and Resource Service (DIVRS)
285 – 287 High Street Preston
Tel: 03 9480 8206
Email: L2P@divrs.org.au