Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Northern Victoria Region

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (13:01): (1832) My question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. I have received an email from a 17-year-old student in Bendigo. To quote directly:

[QUOTE AWAITING VERIFICATION]

I am for the Victorian driving age to be lowered to 17 years of age. I myself am a fellow 17-year-old and I am currently completing year 11 while also completing a school-based apprenticeship two to three days a week. My parents have to take time out of work just to get me to and from work, and are always struggling with time. With the early starts and late finishes it makes it really hard for my family to get me to and from work. It would be great even if us apprentices, both part time and full time, could get the bare minimum of an apprentice’s driving licence just to be able to get to and from work, or just lower the driving age to 17 for all. I would really benefit from this, and I am sure many other Victorian apprentices would too.

Minister, why does Victoria continue to delay probationary drivers licences until 18 when every other Australian state allows young people to drive at 17, as do other countries such as the UK, America and New Zealand?