Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Probationary driving age

Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) presented a petition bearing 27 signatures:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly the concern with the minimum driving age in Victoria. All other states and territories in Australia have their driving age set at 17 or 16 1/2 and lowering the driving age to 17 in Victoria will encourage more young people to seek employment and education opportunities with greater accessibility when it comes to transport, particularly for young people living in regional Victoria with limited to no access to public transport. Additionally, those coming to Victoria from other states and territories who have obtained a probationary licence but are yet to turn 18 are put back on a learners permit which may cause disadvantage for them, particularly for interstate university students who don’t have access to a supervising driver. We still request that the requirement to hold a learner permit for the minimum prescribed amount of time and the completion of at least 120 hours of supervised driving for drivers under 21 years of age still remain in force.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly amend section 19(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic) to allow those who have completed all relevant tests and qualifications to apply for a driver licence from 17 years of age.