NORTHERN Victoria Upper House MP Gaelle Broad has urged the government to lower the probationary driving age to 17 years old to enable younger Victorians to attend work.
Ms Broad highlighted that Victoria is the only state or territory in Australia that still requires P-plate drivers to be aged 18 or over.
She said the move would be a game-changer for many families.
“Young people, especially those living in rural and regional areas are at a disadvantage by not being allowed to access their provisional license at the age of 17,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“People who live in rural areas in my electorate do not have access to public transport to help them access jobs or apprenticeships.”
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Ms Broad said she was contacted by a mum whose son Lachie would love to start looking for an apprenticeship or a school-based apprenticeship but is unable to do so in this state until he is 18.
“If he were living in Melbourne, he would have a much better chance of pursuing this dream due to the availability of public transport.
“His mum already drives 1000km weekly to provide her kids with a fraction of the opportunities that city kids get.
“It’s about time the Victorian Government stopped disadvantaging our country kids and Victoria align with the rest of Australia.
“All Victorian 17 year olds should be allowed the opportunity to drive with a provisional license, provided they have met the necessary requirements.
"If they have completed their 120 hours of driving, passed the hazard test, and the P-plate test, and proven themselves to be safe drivers, then they should be allowed their driver's license, or at the very least, a rural ‘restricted license’.”
Opposition spokesperson for Roads and Road Safety Danny O’Brien said the Nationals had been strong advocates for reducing the driving age for many years.
“Back in 2006 the Victorian Nationals launched a youth policy in Bendigo, which included lowering the state’s driving age to 17,” Mr O’Brien said.
"The Liberals and Nationals also took the policy to the most recent state election in 2022."
