Drive for Life
What is Drive for Life?
The Drive for Life program primarily supports young people aged between 16-25 years and is designed to meet the needs of young people who may find it difficult to achieve their drivers licence.
To obtain a learner driver's license in Queensland, you must be at least 16, pass the PrepL (an online road rules test), or the written road rules test, and be medically fit to drive.
Drive for Life believes all young people should have the opportunity to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Having a driver's licence is a key milestone in a young person's life and helps them move towards independence. Being able to drive gives young people the choice and control necessary to realise their education, employment, and housing goals.
The Salvation Army's Drive for Life program provides a welcoming and accessible environment which is safe and supportive. The instructors and mentors are sensitive to the needs of young people in the community who have difficulty meeting the licencing requirements, due to the young people presenting at our services not having the financial capacity to pay for driving lessons and licencing.
The young people presenting at our services usually do not have the financial capacity to pay for driving lessons and licencing. Moreover, they do not have access to a supervising driver to support them in achieving the 100 supervised driving hours required to achieve their licence. In addition, regular driving schools do not support young people to engage with the licencing system such as obtaining ID and filling out forms. Our program builds trust and a relationship to support their holistic needs whilst linking them with appropriate community networks and supports.
We estimate that over 10,000 young people nationally have passed through our programs and moved into further education or employment. Approximately 75% of young people enrolled in our program achieve their learner licence and 68% will go on to achieve their full drivers licence. Participants in our program receive road safety education and go on to become safe and responsible road users.
Our mentoring program has connected countless young people with their community, established positive relationships, and helped create goals and aspiration for the future. Together we walk alongside young people to help transform lives.
Please click on the link below for more information.
Becoming a Learner Driver
Interested in learning to drive?
A young drivers journey towards a licence
Drive for Life is resourced by a Program Coordinator that facilitates professional driving lessons through Driving Instructors and a group of Volunteers who assist with completing log book hours. The program provides vehicles for the Coordinator and Volunteers to conduct the driving sessions.
Stage 1: Pre-Learners/Initial Assessment
You will be provided with the necessary resources to prepare for the Learner's test in a comfortable and safe environment. You will be able to practice the online Learners' tests questions at your own pace with support from the local Coordinator where necessary. We will also support you to obtain relevant ID to apply for your licence.
Stage 2: Professional Driving Lessons
Lessons focus on ensuring that you feel comfortable within the vehicle, understand basic vehicle operations and manoeuvres, and become familiar with local routes that will be taken. The total number of lessons required is dependent on your individual learning needs (approximately 10 lessons). More will be provided to you if necessary.
Stage 3: Supervised Driving with Volunteer Mentor
The Coordinator will introduce you to a suitable mentor to learn safe driving practices and achieve the total number of supervised driving hours required as prescribed by the local transport authority. The matching process will consider your cultural background, gender identity and interests. Moreover, the Coordinator will continue to monitor this relationship to ensure ongoing suitability.
Stage 4: Driving Test/s
On the day of the test, the Coordinator will accompany you to a nominated service centre with a completed licence application form, proof of identity, and a completed paper logbook. You will have the option to undertake the test/s in the vehicle supplied by The Salvation Army’s Driver Training program.
Stage 5: Achieve your P's!
Become a Driver Mentor
Becoming a Mentor
Interested in supporting a young person to learn to drive?
Do you have: Do you have:
» A current unrestricted driver licence?
» Maturity to bring to a mentoring relationship with a young person?
» A desire to make road use safer?
» Two hours per fortnight or month?
If you answered yes to all of these points, then you could be a Drive for Life mentor!
You will be supported every step of the way: from induction into the role, briefings on key parts of the role, and ongoing training and support once you get started as a volunteer.
Your role is first and foremost about supporting safe driving: role modeling it, speaking about it and helping a young person practice the driving skills they have learnt through lessons with a professional Driving Instructor.
Part of this role is modelling respectful communication, patience, and clear boundaries. Volunteer Mentors have a strong ability to demonstrate empathy, consistency, reliability and promote safe and stable relationships.
A long-term commitment is a key part of this program. We need volunteer mentors who can work with the same learner driver until that learner driver feels ready to sit for their P’s. This might be 6 months or 12 months, or more, depending on the learner driver.
When the young drivers have reached the testing stage of their journey, they will be confident and safe road users. Driver Training acknowledges that some young people may need extra professional instruction throughout their driving journey. The qualified instructor may deliver up to 5 additional lessons until they feel the learner driver is test ready. This is flexible and based on the needs of the participant.
What will I do as a Mentor?
The Program Coordinator will provide training and guidance on the practical elements of the program, including:
- Being a Driver Mentor
You will be supported to understand:
The graduated system of licensing in your State (the way young people get to their Ps)- The road rules – for you and also for people on their Learner licence
- Your role: how a supervising driver is different to a professional Driving Instructor
- How to communicate effectively and give feedback in a constructive fashion
- How to prepare for a session – The Program Coordinator will provide practical guidance around driver training instruction such as planning a driving route for each lesson, progress checklists (starting and stopping the vehicle, steering techniques, hazards, reverse parking) using the dashcam, what you must do to be personally prepared
- How you will be matched with a learner driver? – the Learner Driver will undertake lessons with a professional driving instructor prior to being matched with you. The Coordinator will explain what the initial session in the vehicle will look like and what happens next.
- Access to safe vehicles – The Salvation Army will provide the vehicle that will be used to deliver lessons. The Coordinator will explain processes around accessing and operating the vehicle.
- Safety onboard – the Coordinator will run through all the steps you will need to ensure the safety of both yourself and the Learner.
- If there’s an accident – the Program Coordinator will tell you what to do in case an accident occurs during a driving session: what to do at the scene and who to call.
We acknowledge teaching a young person how to drive is a big responsibility. We want to reassure you that you will be provided with the necessary training and supported throughout your journey with this program.
Get in touch with us
We welcome your feedback, questions, comments and complaints.
You can also contact us on Facebook. Our page is monitored 9am-5pm AEST Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters throughout Australia.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing relationship to this land and the ongoing living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia. We also acknowledge future aspirations of all First Nations Peoples.
We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.
Drive for Life