Mayor Caroline Knight with retiring Mandurah RYDE driving mentor David Lloyd and participants Vada Whiteman (with son Arlo) and Joey Wilson.
Mandurah’s Regional Youth Driver Education program (RYDE) is continuing to help young learner drivers break down barriers to obtaining their driver’s licence.
The program, supported by the City of Mandurah, is farewelling a much-loved driving mentor who is hanging up the car keys after delivering more than 300 lessons to young drivers.
David Lloyd, who has volunteered with Mandurah RYDE since it started in 2018, is retiring as a driving mentor, but will stay on behind the scenes to support new mentors coming into the program. Mr Lloyd described his time with RYDE as a “wonderful journey” in which he has helped young people build their confidence and formed positive mutual relationships.
The program assists young learner drivers aged 16-25 to obtain their driver’s licence, pairing students with volunteers from the Peel Volunteer Resource Centre to complete 50 hours of supervised driving practise.
Mayor Caroline Knight said the program had supported more than 370 young people since it was introduced, with 1145 driving sessions logged, and was making a real impact to the lives of local young people.
“I am so proud of this local program. It is an important service for young people in our community as it removes the key barriers preventing young people from getting their driver’s licence such as access to a vehicle or an adult who can supervise driving,” Mayor Knight said.
“Having a driver’s licence opens a new world of opportunities for young people including future training, employment and a new-found sense of independence for their next phase of life. It’s been amazing to see the success of the Mandurah RYDE program, and we’re very grateful to the supporters and volunteers for their efforts, including Mr Lloyd for his dedication over the past seven years.”
Local RYDE participants Joey Wilson and Vada Whiteman have recently passed their Practical Driving Assessments and are enjoying the independence that comes with having a licence.
Mr Lloyd said it was patience, communication and compassion that made for a good driving mentor. “It’s been a wonderful journey helping youngsters, building relationships and helping to boost their confidence and freedom for the future,” he said. “It’s been most rewarding seeing people like Vada and Joey who have the world at their feet and now the ability to go out and get it."
The City recently secured a new partnership with Best West Driving School to carry out driving assessments for Mandurah RYDE participants.
Young people who already have their Learner’s permit can sign up to the program for $15 for a 90min session, with both manual and automatic vehicles to use. Queries can be made through ryde.org.au/mandurah-ryde or by emailing ryde@mandurah.wa.gov.au
The program is a collaboration between City of Mandurah, Peel Volunteer Resource Centre and a wide range of local service providers including Employment Services Group, Calvary Youth Service, Choyces, Streetnet and JSW Training and Community Services.
