$5 million funding to help young people train for driving test

Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) around Queensland have received funding from the Palaszczuk Government for a training program to help learners clock-up the 100 driving hours they require to take their driving test.

Acting Treasurer Bill Byrne today announced a $5.16 million three-year funding commitment for PCYC from the government’s Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) – the body responsible for regulating Queensland’s compulsory third party (CTP) insurance scheme.

PCYC’s ‘Braking the Cycle’ program matches volunteer driver/mentors with disadvantaged young learner drivers, who might not otherwise be able to access a supervisor or registered vehicle, to complete their mandatory 100 pre-testing logbook hours.

“MAIC’s support for this invaluable program will give thousands of disadvantaged young Queenslanders a chance at motoring independence and also teach them to be safer, better-informed drivers,” Minister Byrne said.

“A driving licence provides young people with increased employment opportunities, as well as broader community connection.

“But for many young people this is by no means an easy journey.

“PCYC’s Braking the Cycle is a first-class program designed to help young people along that road. It aims to not only empower young people to get their licence, but also to break the cycle of welfare, unemployment, and anti-social behaviour.

“You don’t have to own a car to be an apprentice electrician or carpenter, but you do need a licence to be useful on the worksite. 

“So I can’t speak highly enough of this program and the opportunities it provides for young people across Queensland to get a good start in their working lives.”

The MAIC funding will help establish a PCYC ‘Braking the Cycle’ program on the Sunshine Coast and Townsville for the first time.

Mr Byrne said that meant funding certainty for the next three years in:

• Gold Coast
• Logan (Crestmead)
• Ipswich
• Pine Rivers
• Sunshine Coast
• Gladstone
• Rockhampton
• Mackay
• Townsville
• Cairns
• Toowoomba
• Dalby
• Goondiwindi
• Roma

PCYC Queensland Chief Executive Officer Phil Schultz said PCYC Braking the Cycle was developed by the Ipswich and Logan branches in 2011 in response to community concerns around unlawful driving and unemployment within lower socio-economic areas.

“The 100 hour pre-testing requirement can place enormous stress on young people and act as a significant barrier to getting a licence and then having the opportunity to engage in employment,” Mr Schultz said.

“By investing in young motorists before they obtain their licence, this program also helps to ensure safer driver and safer roads for the future.”

Insurance Commissioner Neil Singleton said research showed young drivers were at fault in more 25 per cent of crashes resulting in a claim being submitted to the Queensland CTP scheme.

“So funding of this type, which can improve driving outcomes, and reduce road trauma, is of significant benefit to motorists’ welfare and their families, friends and the broader community,” he said.

The MAIC funding commenced on 1 July 2017.

MAIC joins a number of government, industry and community supporters of the PCYC’s Braking the Cycle program, in particular the significant contribution from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

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