One hundred reasons to celebrate learner driver support program

• 100 people have gained their driver's licence through the Driving Access and Equity Program
• Program supports disadvantaged drivers through the licensing process
• Supported by State Government funding of more than $10 million
  

The State Government's Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP) has reached a major milestone with 100 disadvantaged learner drivers from the Kimberley and Pilbara having now gained their driver's licence.

The $10 million program was established in early 2022 and has been rolled out in a number of regions across the State over the past 12 months.

Twelve community-based organisations received program grants totalling $3.4 million in May last year, to deliver driver training and education programs at 46 different locations in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

The organisations provide support with licensing requirements including access to a safe vehicle, professional driving instruction and supervision, road rules education, and assistance with identity documents.

In the seven-month period between May and December last year, close to 600 people in the Kimberley and Pilbara signed up to receive licensing support delivered through the Driving Access and Equity Program.

In addition to the 100 people who have already gained their licence, the program has enabled more than 210 people to achieve their learner's permit and delivered close to 2,000 supervised or instructed driving hours to program participants.

Grants totalling $3.3 million were recently announced to expand the program to the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

Funding has also supported driver instructor training for 37 people in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, additional Department of Transport staff to deliver regional licensing services, and the development of learner driver publications.

For more information on the Driving Access and Equity Program, visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/accessequityprogram

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The 100 licences milestone is evidence of the positive results the Driving Access and Equity Program is having in equipping people with the skills to successfully complete the driver training and licensing process.

"The people who have gained their licence through this program are telling us they can now do things like apply for a job, secure a promotion, or transport their kids to school.

"It shows how this program is not just benefitting individuals, it is improving the lives of entire families and communities.

"In addition to the 100 people who already have their licence, there are hundreds more who have signed up to the program and are at the learner's permit stage or earlier, so we expect that licensing number and the positive results of the program to continue to multiply."

Minister's office - 6552 5500