Learner Driver Mentor

Getting a driver licence is life-changing. It means being able to get to work, attend education, care for family and participate in the community. But for many Tasmanians, getting enough supervised driving experience is one of the biggest barriers.

Driver Mentoring Tasmania supports a statewide network of community Learner Driver Mentor Programs, connecting eligible learner drivers with trained volunteer mentors who can help them build the experience and confidence they need.

The Gearing Up program operates in the Huon, with the program car based at the Huonville Police Station.

As a volunteer Learner Driver Mentor, you could make a genuine difference by:

• Spending time with a learner driver to help them gain supervised driving experience.
• Providing calm, patient and encouraging support as their confidence develops.
• Helping learners practise safe driving habits in a supportive environment.
• Building a positive mentoring relationship with someone in your local community.
• Helping a learner move closer to independence, employment, education and other opportunities.

You are not expected to be a driving instructor. Mentors are there to provide supervised driving practice and encouragement, with training and support provided through the local program.

Mentoring can be flexible and arranged around your availability. Even a regular commitment of one hour can make a significant difference to someone who may otherwise have no suitable person available to help them practise driving.

If you enjoy driving, have patience and would like to make a practical difference in someone’s life, please submit an expression of interest. We’ll connect you with the local coordinator and have a chat about what’s involved.

Most mentors volunteer for approximately 1–2 hours at a time, with sessions arranged around the availability of the mentor, learner and local program. Regular involvement is encouraged, but the commitment is personal and can be discussed with your local program.

Training

Full mentor induction, training and ongoing support are provided. Training covers the role of the mentor, supporting learner drivers, stages of learning to drive, safe mentoring practices and the requirements of the local program. We also offer support to obtain the National Police Certificate and Working With Vulnerable People Check.