Victoria's Driving Age Under Review

The debate over Victoria’s driving age has resurfaced as some argue that the current minimum age of 18 puts young Victorians at a disadvantage, particularly those in regional and rural areas. With other Australian states allowing drivers to obtain their provisional (P) plates at 17, calls to bring Victoria in line with the rest of the country are growing stronger.

Job Prospects and Transport Challenges

For 16-year-old Patrick Reid, getting a job without a driver’s license is proving to be a major challenge. Living in Rochester, a town with limited public transport options, Patrick has to rely on his family to get to work.

“Every time you go for a job, they always ask, ‘When do you get your license?’” he said. “What if you want to leave school early and your parents have to drive you around every morning?”

His mother, Jane Reid, supports the push to lower the driving age, especially for young people in regional Victoria who need reliable transport for work and education. She highlights the burden on families who have to juggle work and personal commitments while ensuring their children can get where they need to go.

Calls to Lower the Driving Age

Nationals MP Gaelle Broad has announced plans to introduce a bill to the Victorian Parliament advocating for the minimum driving age to be lowered to 17. Broad argues that Victoria is out of step with the rest of the country and that many young people are already seeking loopholes by obtaining licenses in neighboring states like New South Wales.

In some border towns, young Victorians have taken advantage of family connections in NSW to secure their licenses a year earlier than they would be able to in Victoria. Cheryl White, a parent from northern Victoria, helped her daughter get an NSW license at 17 to allow her to drive to boarding school.

“They say there’s a big gap between 17 and 18, but I would question that,” White said.

Safety Concerns and Expert Opposition

Despite the push for change, road safety experts strongly oppose lowering the driving age, citing increased accident risks. Professor Teresa Senserrick, director of the University of Western Australia Centre for Road Safety Research, warned that lowering the age would lead to more crashes and fatalities.

“How many lives are you willing to sacrifice for this?” she questioned. “This is a public health issue for the entire Victorian community.”

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) also supports keeping the minimum age at 18, emphasizing that young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in serious crashes.

“In Victoria, and internationally, people are getting their license at an older age. We know maturity is a big factor in keeping people safe,” said Samantha Cockfield, head of road safety at TAC.

Finding a Middle Ground

While safety concerns are paramount, some believe there is a way to balance road safety with improved accessibility for young drivers. Nikki Harris, who runs a driving program for disadvantaged young Victorians, believes some 17-year-old learner drivers are more than ready to drive independently.

“I think a lot of young people in our program are well and truly ready,” she said. “They’re prepared, and they want to drive.”

Government Stance and Next Steps

The Victorian government has reiterated that it has no plans to lower the driving age, citing research that shows young drivers are at higher risk of serious crashes.

“Young drivers continue to have more crashes resulting in death and serious injury than any other group of motorists, which is why the driving age of 18 remains in place,” a government spokesperson said.

Victorian Parliament resumes in February, and MP Gaelle Broad is determined to introduce the bill in 2025. As the debate continues, the challenge remains in balancing road safety with the realities faced by young Victorians trying to enter the workforce and gain independence.

💡

You'd be surprised how much you could save on a new car. Find out more!