By Callum Ludwig
The hip pockets of young Yarra Ranges road users are receiving a welcome boost through the abolition of learner and probationary licence fees, as well as online testing fees.
The Victorian Government announced that from Monday 15 August, aspiring L-platers will save up to $51.40 in licence and online testing fees, while learner drivers going for their P-plates will save up to $133.30 in licence and online hazard perception testing fees.
Yarra Ranges Council’s L2P project officer Steve D’Abico said it’s a massive opportunity for young drivers.
“It goes beyond just getting them on the road. It’s access to services, it’s access to employment, it’s an opportunity to get their licence for some young people quicker than what they would have, because of the financial barrier at the end, especially for some of our L2P drivers,” he said.
“I think it definitely means that they have the funds available to put elsewhere in their learning to drive. If they put that towards some extra time with a professional instructor, it’s a great way to ensure success in their test.”
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) funded L2P Program matches learner drivers with a licensed mentor to help them gain confidence and increase their hours ready to take their driving test.
Mr D’Abico said there has been an increase in the number of L2P drivers in recent times.
“Now that we’ve had a bit of continuity after lockdowns, we’ve been able to have some consistency and we had a learner get their P’s last week which was exciting,” he said.
“This new change for learners like the ones we have in L2P is for learners that maybe are already facing financial barriers, barriers around access to a car or to a person that can take them driving, the financial barrier has now been removed. That reason why some of our learners perhaps couldn’t take their test is no longer there.”
Drivers who have not incurred demerit points or committed road safety offences in the previous three years will also benefit from the recommenced Safe Driver Discount. These safe road users will receive a 25 per cent discount on their next licence renewal, meaning a saving of up to $73 on a new ten-year driver licence for driver licence renewals generated after 1 October 2022.
Mr D’Abico said he thinks it is a fantastic incentive to keep people driving in a safe manner.
“I think at this point in time, we’re all facing an increase in bills and the cost of living has gone up so every little bit helps, and I think a Safe Driver Discount does two things. It helps everyone’s hit pocket but at the same time it also helps us all recognise an additional benefit to driving safely, beyond it being a benefit in itself,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of people that will be looking forward to when, when it comes in play and they realise that they’ve actually not had any traffic offences in the last few years and are eligible for it. For our new learners and new probationary licence drivers, it’s an extra incentive to keep them driving safely right from the get-go.”
Over 138,000 Victorians who get their L’s each year and 121,000 who get their P’s are expected to have more money in their pockets thanks to these changes.Victoria’s new online learner permit and hazard perception tests will also be free from Monday, now used by 90 per cent of customers.
