Mandurah RYDE program continues to help local young people

Mandurah’s Regional Youth Driver Education program (RYDE) is continuing to help young learner drivers to obtain 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 practice. 

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. 

Joey is a first year Commerce student at Curtin University and hopes to combine his interests in finance and human resources for a future career.

He said without the program, he wouldn’t have been able to get his licence due to some of the obstacles.  

For disability and aged care student and mother Vada, having her licence makes life easier to get to her TAFE classes, plus general outings and appointments with her toddler son.  

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. One of the joys is seeing young people pick up these skills.” 

The City recently secured a new partnership with Best West Driving School to carry out driving assessments for Mandurah RYDE participants.  

The City of Mandurah was one of the first local governments in the state to deliver RYDE after the Town of Bassendean designed the program.

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