General News
11 August, 2025
Petition push on licence age
By FIONA HALL A GROWING grassroots campaign is calling on the Victorian Government to lower the minimum age for obtaining a probationary driver’s licence to 17 — a move that advocates say would bring Victoria into line with other states and ease...
By FIONA HALL
A GROWING grassroots campaign is calling on the Victorian Government to lower the minimum age for obtaining a probationary driver’s licence to 17 — a move that advocates say would bring Victoria into line with other states and ease pressure on rural families.
The campaign has gained traction thanks to the support of Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad, who recently raised the issue in the Victorian Parliament after receiving a heartfelt letter from a concerned regional parent.
In her adjournment speech, Ms Broad called on the Minister for Roads to consider the barriers faced by young people in country areas where public transport is limited and driving is often essential.
“Victoria is the only state in Australia where 17-year-olds can’t get their P-plates,” Ms Broad said in Parliament.
“This puts young people at a disadvantage — particularly those in rural and regional communities where driving is a necessity, not a luxury.”
The campaign now hinges on an online petition, which requires 10,000 signatures before the issue can be formally debated in Parliament.
As of this week, just over 3500 people have signed, leaving a significant gap to reach the target.
Local parents and educators say the current system is outdated and unfair.
“Seventeen-year-olds in New South Wales and Queensland can drive to work, school or sport after completing the required hours and passing the test,” one Boort mother said.
“Why should Victorian teens be held back, especially when they’ve done the hard work to log 120 hours on their L-plates?”
For many regional families, the issue isn’t just about convenience — it’s about safety, opportunity, and mental wellbeing.
Teenagers often rely on parents to drive them long distances for part-time jobs or TAFE, creating strain on families already juggling work and other commitments.
Others miss out because they simply can’t get there.
Supporters of the petition are calling on the Loddon community — and other rural areas across Victoria — to help amplify their voices.
“If you believe 17-year-olds in the bush should have the same independence as those in other states, please sign and share the petition,” Ms Broad said this week. “We need 10,000 signatures to get this on the floor of Parliament.”