TAC L2P LEARNER DRIVER HANDBOOK

Index Page
1. About the L2P Program 1
2. Who can join the Program 1
3. How can I join 2
4. About the Supervising Driver/Mentors 2
5. About the Vehicle 2
6. Grievance and Complaints procedure 3
7. Confidentiality and Disclosure policy 3
8. Duty of Care 4
9. Boundaries 4
10. Code of Conduct 5

1. ABOUT THE L2P PROGRAM

L2P is a community based volunteer program designed to provide access to driving practice on
public roads for learner drivers under the supervision of a fully licenced driver. It is managed by
Department of Transport and funded by the State Government. The Salvation Army Bendigo runs
the program in the Macedon Ranges municipality.

The L2P program aims to provide the opportunity for young people who face a significant barrier
to successfully obtaining their licence, to do so with the support of a skilled local driver mentor. A
learner could be disadvantaged through lack of access to a car and/or family support, economic
disadvantage, or homelessness.

2. WHO CAN JOIN THE PROGRAM?

The following criteria apply:

 You must be between the ages of 16 and 21

 You already have your learner permit
 You face a significant barrier or disadvantage, which makes it difficult for you to obtain
120 hours of mandatory driving practice

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3. HOW CAN I JOIN?

Check with Program Coordinator that you are eligible - if yes

Eligiblity

Complete Application Form

Meet with the Program Coordinator to finalise registration
Registration Go on Waiting List (up to 12 months)

You will be contacted when you are close to the top of the wait list
Eligibility will be re-assessed
Professional lesson/s provided
Participation Matched to a Mentor and driving sessions begin

4. ABOUT THE SUPERVISING DRIVER / MENTORS

The supervising driver / mentors are registered volunteers with The Salvation Army. They are not
professional driving instructors but have been trained as Supervising Drivers and have
undertaken all of the necessary checks required to be a volunteer with the program (Police
Check, Working With Children Check, Driver History Record and reference checks).

Like the learner driver, the mentors must also sign a Code of Conduct. Once you have been
assigned a mentor they will stay with you until you are ready to go for your licence.

5. ABOUT THE VEHICLE

The Salvation Army L2P program have a fleet automatic vehicles that are provided for use by the
learners to gain driving practice.
 Instructions to access the vehicles will be provided to the mentors by the L2P Program
Coordinator.
 Under no circumstances can the mentor take the learner out for lessons in their own
vehicle or the learner’s vehicle.
 The L2P vehicles are only to be used for the delivery of the program
 All traffic or parking fines incurred whilst driving the L2P vehicles are the responsibility of
the learner driver.

The loss of personal property from The Salvation Army vehicle is not covered by our insurance
and is the responsibility of the mentor/learner.

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6. GRIEVANCE OR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Although we try very hard to make sure that we always provide a great service to all our clients,
we know that sometimes people feel unhappy about the work we have done. If you are worried,
unhappy or want to make a complaint, and/or would like a copy of our complaints policy you can
do so by one of the methods listed below:-

03 5440 8410
L2P Program Coordinator – Phillip Tennant or Denise Sibenaler or
Community Services Manager – Maree Baird

reception.bendigo@aus.salvationarmy.org

PO Box 992, Bendigo, 3552

Feedback forms and feedback box are located in reception and in the program
vehicles.

In the event that a learner driver expresses dissatisfaction with any aspect of the L2P program or
personnel, they will be informed of their right to lodge a formal complaint if they refuse the right,
the complaint will be managed through appropriate informal resolution.

Where a formal complaint is lodged, the learner driver will be provided with information on The
Salvation Army complaints management process.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE POLICY

Confidentiality is a right we have as individuals under the Australian law (Privacy Act).
If you have been referred to the L2P program by another agency you will be asked to give your
consent for that agency to pass on certain information to The Salvation Army. The Salvation
Army will not pass on your information to anyone outside of the agency without your consent.
This includes information about whether you use the service.

Your records will be stored securely to prevent viewing by anyone outside of the L2P program.
De-identified data will however be given to VicRoads on a quarterly basis for statistical purposes
only.

Please be aware that confidentiality may be breached in the following circumstances:

 Where there is a risk of serious harm to any individual, including where a young person
(under 18) is judged to be at risk of sexual, emotional or physical abuse;
 Where a mentor is aware that a young person is involved in criminal activities.

In any of these exceptional circumstances, the L2P Program Coordinator may decide to inform
the appropriate agencies or authorities, depending on the details of the situation. The learner will
be informed of the need to breach confidentiality prior to it happening. Where this is not possible
(in an emergency) the learner will be informed of the breach at the earliest possible opportunity.

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8. DUTY OF CARE

The Salvation Army, the mentor and the learner driver all have the responsibility to exercise “duty
of care”. That is, they must take reasonable care to avoid actions or oversights which might
reasonably be foreseen to injure others. Legal liability arises where, in the eyes of the court, an
organisation or individual has been negligent.

9. BOUNDARIES

The primary relationship is between the mentor and the learner driver. As such, the mentor is
discouraged from making contact with other family members or carers, unless it has been agreed
upon. Generally speaking, planned social interaction between yourself and the mentor is not
appropriate. A mentor is also advised to seek advice from the L2P Program Coordinator before
involving the young person in any aspect of their personal life, such as a birthday party or family
outing.

Neither of you should enter into any financial arrangement (lending or borrowing money).

Do not invite or allow your mentor to visit you at home.

You do not need to divulge any personal information such as place of residence, family or other
personal details unless you are comfortable doing so.

Mentors must not use Facebook, Twitter or other similar social media sites or ‘chat rooms’ to
communicate with their learner driver. These sites are not sufficiently private and can easily be
compromised.

The Salvation Army will apply a strict adherence to our learner drivers not being touched by
adults including mentors within the L2P program. A handshake is fine.

If your mentor does or says anything that makes you feel uncomfortable in any way please talk to
the L2P Coordinator immediately.

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10. LEARNER DRIVERS CODE OF CONDUCT

All L2P Program Learner Drivers should understand and agree to behave in accordance to the
following code of conduct. Any violation of this code of conduct may result in their immediate exit
from the program.

Participation in this program is a privilege not an entitlement and our mentors are trained
volunteers who will expect a high level of commitment from learners.

In choosing to participate in the L2P program I agree to:

 Follow all rules, guidelines and Code of Conduct as outlined by the Coordinator and in this
handbook and program policies and procedures.
 Accept responsibility for my personal safety, including my physical and emotional
preparation to participate in a driving session.
 To take reasonable care to avoid injury to others.
 Notify the coordinator if I have a medical condition or are taking medication.
 Keep all information discussed between myself and my Mentor in strict confidence.
 Maintain moral and ethical standards.
 Treat all people with dignity and respect.
 Not to consume alcohol or controlled substances within 72 hours of taking part in a driving
session.
 Not to smoke whilst taking part in a driving session.
 Notify the Coordinator if I have any changes in address or phone number.
 Remain committed to weekly drives and be punctual.
 Where possible notify the mentor and/or coordinator 24 hours prior if I am unable to
attend a booked driving session.
 Switch of my mobile phone during a driving session.
 Comply with Victorian road rules and laws.
 Commit to the program for a minimum of 12 months (except in unforeseen circumstances)
 No friends, siblings or other family members attending driving sessions
 To understand that once I leave the program, future contact may be made by the TAC
L2P Program Coordinator via an anonymous survey or interview for Program evaluation
purposes and may happen only with mutual consent of the mentor and learner.
 Contact the Coordinator if I have any concerns about the Program.