Learner Driver Mentor Programs (LDMPs) are designed to assist learner drivers in accessing a supervising driver and vehicle so they can gain the driving experience needed to obtain a drivers licence.
Having a drivers licence can enhance:
- Employment opportunities
- Access to education/employment programs
- Access to appointments and other services, particularly in rural or regional areas
- Independent living skills.
While LDMPs are seen to assist disadvantaged members of the community to gain a drivers licence, LDMPs also have the capacity to encourage a road safety focus and develop safer drivers. In 2013, Youthsafe was awarded an Australian Road Safety Community Award for our work on enhancing the road safety aspects of LDMPs.
Currently Youthsafe:
- Runs a one-day training session specifically to support mentors who volunteer as supervising drivers for Learner Driver Mentor Programs. Learner Driver Mentor Programs are designed to assist learner drivers in accessing a supervising driver and/or vehicle so they can gain the driving experience needed to obtain a drivers licence.
The training aims to help volunteers understand the special role they will play in supporting a young person to get their on-road supervised driving experience, to help them go for their drivers licence.
- Provides support and advice for emerging or existing LDMPs.
- Can perform a complete evaluation of your LDMP including a full report outlining strengths, needs analysis and recommendations for your program to run more efficiently.
The Armidale region has established a Learner Driver Mentor Program. The development of the Program took a long time and at times was very challenging however with assistance from Youthsafe the program is now operating in the Armidale region and youth are securing their 120 log book hours which then enables them to sit for the P1 drivers licence. Many youth now have their P1 drivers licence. The Program would not have been established without the support and expert advice provided by Youthsafe. Youthsafe provided a framework for program development which the steering committee revised to represent the unique program now operating out of Armidale. Youthsafe provided the program with excellent mentor training. Youthsafe has run 2 mentor training programs in Armidale. The feedback from the mentors after attending the training is they feel well equipped to be mentor drivers. Some of the potential mentor drivers were apprehensive at first, however by the end of the full day training session with Youthsafe they were confident and eager to start. As well as the training Youthsafe has always made itself available to the many, many questions the steering committee asked. Our questions were always welcomed and answered professionally. Without Youthsafe Armidale would not have the high performing learner driver mentor program it now has. Thank you Youthsafe.