Push for teens to take the wheel

Jan 16, 2025

Gaelle Broad wants 17-year-olds in the driver’s seat.

State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad wants Victorian kids on the roads earlier.

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Ms Broad has renewed calls for Victoria’s probationary driving age to be lowered from 18 to 17 to align it with the other states and territories.

By lowering the age, Ms Broad said it would be a game-changer for many rural and regional families.

“Young people, especially those living in rural and regional, are at a disadvantage by not being allowed to access their provisional licence at the age of 17,” she said.

“In the last week I was contacted by many young people and their families who are very keen to see the P-plate aged lowered.”

Ms Broad said people in regional and rural areas often didn’t have access to public transport, making it more difficult to get to work, apprenticeships or study.

“They rely on their families to transport them to and from these commitments, but not everyone has someone who can drive them around when they need it,” she said.

Ms Broad raised the issue in Victorian parliament in July 2024, but the idea was rejected by the government.

She has vowed to raise the issue again when parliament resumes in February.