Young women across Geelong are being forced to endure lengthy and frustrating delays in obtaining their driver's licences, with waits stretching for months. The primary cause is a severe and ongoing shortage of available female supervising drivers, a mandatory requirement for learner drivers under Victoria's Graduated Licensing System.
A System Under Strain
The issue stems from a specific rule within the licensing framework: learner drivers under 21 must log a mandatory 120 hours of supervised driving practice. Crucially, at least 10 of those hours must be completed at night. The supervising driver must have held a full Australian licence for the relevant vehicle class for a minimum of three years.
For many young women, the preferred or sometimes only available supervising driver is another woman, often a mother, sister, or family friend. However, a lack of available women who meet the strict criteria is creating a significant bottleneck. This shortage directly impacts booking times for the crucial driving test, as learners cannot attempt the test until their logbook hours are signed off by a qualified supervisor.
VicRoads has confirmed that driving test wait times in Geelong currently average between three to four months. This extended delay is causing considerable disruption, affecting employment opportunities, educational commitments, and personal independence for the young women caught in the backlog.
Community Impact and Personal Stories
The real-world consequences of this systemic issue are being felt in households throughout the region. Young learner drivers are finding their progress to full licensure halted, not by a lack of skill or effort, but by a simple lack of access to a qualified female mentor.
This situation places immense pressure on families, particularly single-parent households or those where the primary female supervisor has work commitments that prevent them from being available for the extensive practice hours required. The problem is exacerbated in regional areas where public transport options are limited, making a driver's licence even more critical for daily life.
Local driving instructors report an increase in enquiries from desperate families seeking solutions, but they are often powerless to help without a suitable supervising driver being present in the learner's life. The delay also has a financial impact, as learners must maintain their learner's permit and potentially take additional lessons to stay test-ready over the extended waiting period.
Calls for Action and Potential Solutions
Community leaders and road safety advocates are highlighting the need for a concerted effort to address the shortage. There is a growing call for more women who hold full licences to consider volunteering as supervising drivers for young learners in their extended networks, whether through family, friends, or community programs.
While the strict safety criteria for supervisors are not likely to change, awareness campaigns are suggested to encourage more qualified women to put their hand up. Some propose exploring structured community mentor programs that could safely connect learners with approved volunteers, similar to models used in other areas of youth development.
The core message from those affected is clear: resolving the female mentor shortage is essential to unlocking the mobility and opportunities for Geelong's next generation of young women drivers. Until more qualified women step forward to guide learners through their mandatory practice hours, these extensive and life-disrupting delays are set to continue.
