Later Years
Information for Parents of Year 10 students
What could be more rewarding than supervising your son or daughter on their learner permit so they can become a safer driver?
Many parents might add "and what could be more challenging?"
Do you remember your own learning to drive experience?
On Wednesday 29th March, your son or daughter will be taking part in a VicRoads Keys Please session. Whether or not they already have their Ls, this session tells them everything they need to know about making the most of the learner driver period.
Parents and carers have an important role in helping their young people develop the skills and attitudes they need to become safer drivers. You should feel like a sports coach (not a driving instructor) and there are two resources to help you.
The VicRoads Learner Kit given to all successful learner permit applicants contains the booklet Guide for Supervising Drivers that is essential reading – make sure you ask your son or daughter to pass it on! The second resource is the online Lessons from the Road resource.
The videos showcase the emotions and real life issues in learning to drive. They help you work through the four stages required to help learners achieve their goals. Lessons from the Road is easy to use and can be accessed on the VicRoads website at vicroads.vic.gov.au and search “Lessons from the Road” or by following this link: Lessons from the Road features eight videos
When your student attends the Keys Please session they will be encouraged to discuss the information they have received and to watch Lessons from the Road at home with you.
Please ask them about the Keys Please session and make sure that you watch the videos together. It won’t take long and it will help you through the process of learning to drive as well as information for keeping new solo drivers safe.
Research shows that learners who gain experience with parents have about 20% lower crash and traffic offence rates once they are licensed than learners who only take professional lessons. Research also shows that on average learners who gain an average of 120 hours of supervised on-road experience in all conditions have a 30% lower risk of crashing after getting a licence. VicRoads strongly recommends watching Lessons from the Road. Helping your son or daughter to be a safer driver is the one Rewards Program you can’t afford to miss out on!
Tamara Mason
Leader of Later Years Catalyst programs
