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Clare* is a young mum who lives in Morwell, Victoria.

She has faced many challenges throughout her life. Sadly, her mother passed away when Clare was only a teenager. This meant that she had to learn how to live independently from a young age, as she took on more caring responsibilities for her four younger siblings.

A few years after her mum passed away, Clare had her first child. During her second pregnancy, she was experiencing her own health complications when her eldest had to be unexpectedly hospitalised. These events put great pressure on Clare, both financially and emotionally.

While supporting her siblings and her own children, paying for professional driving lessons was out of her reach. After paying for essentials like food and school supplies, there wasn’t much additional money left over.

Clare’s other family members didn’t have the capacity or resources to teach her how to drive.

Driving brings independence

Clare heard about the TAC L2P program through a local support service. Offered through Berry Street, the free, community-based driving support and mentoring program helps learner drivers get the 120 driving hours needed for a probationary licence.

The challenges of looking after her siblings and own children in a regional area had become overwhelming. Clare’s strongest motivation was the desire to support her family; she knew that being able to drive would bring her more independence and the ability to get around without relying on public transport or family.

Clare was matched with a trained volunteer mentor, Jodie. Together, they drove regularly and Clare took every opportunity to gain driving experience.

Clare displays such resilience. She is a funny, caring and generous young woman. I really enjoyed her company and have many fond memories of the hours we spent together. It was such a rewarding experience; I really looked forward to our drives.

Jodie L2P program volunteer mentor

On the road and supporting her family

Clare was thrilled when she got her probationary licence.

Now that she could easily get to health appointments and run errands like the school pick up and drop off, she felt better able to support her young family.

Clare and Jodie built a strong bond, and are still in regular contact with each other.

Clare’s experience was so positive that her younger sister is also learning how to drive through the L2P program!

Having a driver’s licence is something many of us take for granted. For young people in regional areas, the freedom that driving brings often means they can continue studying and maintain their jobs.

Become an L2P program mentor

Do you live in the Hume region (Greater Shepparton and Shires of Strathbogie, Moira and Mitchell) or the Latrobe Valley and want to give back to your local community?

Many young people in our community need help to get the driving experience required for their probationary licence.

By becoming a volunteer TAC L2P driving mentor, you’ll be supporting young people, like Clare, to become safe, confident drivers.


*Name has been changed in the interest of privacy. The models and volunteers pictured are not connected to the case study.