General News
15 May, 2025
P-plate petition launched
A parliamentary petition has been launched calling on the state government to reduce the minimum probationary driver's licence age from 18 to 17, in line with every other Australian state.
Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said she had been contacted by many youngsters, parents and grandparents keen to see the probationary driving age reduced.
“I raised the issue in Parliament last year but was told the minister had safety concerns with the idea," Ms Broad said.
“As a parent of two P-platers and one L-plater, I agree that safety is crucial and training is vitally important to ensure our young people are ready for the responsibility of driving solo.
"Any road accident statistic is a bad one, regardless of your age."
Ms Broad said currently in Victoria someone needed to do more training to serve coffee than to drive on public roads.
"We require learners to record 120 hours of driving in a logbook, but unless they have someone teaching them properly, at the end of it they may still not know how to park a car," she said.
Ms Broad urged the minister to consider the driver training programs used in New South Wales.
If a learner driver completes a one-day safer driving course, they earn 20 hours of credit on their logbooks, and taking 10 hours of professional driving lessons will receive a further 20 hours of credit.
“I have been contacted by people across the state keen to see the law changed in Victoria, particularly in regional areas where there is limited or no public transport available and not everyone has a parent or carer available to ferry them around," Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said some 17-year-olds were avoiding the rules by using a NSW address to get their licence.
“For young people who have done the hours of training and are ready to drive safely on their own, a driver's licence opens doors to educational and employment opportunities, access to health services, and being able to engage in community events and sports and to help others," she added.
In 2017 a parliamentary committee inquiry recommended Victoria lower the age to 17.
Ms Broad is sponsoring the petition to the Legislative Council.
The petition closes on April 30 and can be found by visiting https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/reduce-probationary-driving-age/
When Ms Broad first called for the change recently, Wimmera Mallee News asked readers for their opinions on the subject.
The call drew mixed reviews from across the Wimmera.
In a post on The Warracknabeal Herald Facebook page, Sue Kay said she had just moved to the area, and to Victoria, and she was shocked that it was actually an issue.
"I thought 17 was Australia-wide," Ms Kay said.
"Doesn't Victoria pride themselves on being forward-thinking?"
Another commenter, Barb Moore, said it was a good idea.
"Country kids need to get themselves around as they have already left school and there are no buses or trains available," Ms Moore said.