All learner drivers aged under 21 are required to have a minimum of 120 hours of supervised driving to apply for a driving licence.

Most young people practise with parents, family or friends or through driving lessons with professional instructors, which can be very expensive.

But many young people don't have access to a car or may not have someone to sit next to them while they are learning.

Recognising the importance of instilling safe driving habits in learners, the shire – which has had five road fatalities so far this year – quickly embraced the L2P program when it was announced late last year.

It allows participants to have seven professional driving lessons with the remainder of hours to be provided by volunteers who have undergone training.

It also gives participants access to a vehicle leased by the council.

The program is mostly funded by the TAC through VicRoads.

The council's L2P co-ordinator Clare Aston said: "The program will play a really important role by giving access to training and mentoring that young drivers need."

She praised the 12 volunteer mentors who have signed up for the program.

Ms Aston expects 30 young learners will take part this year and hopes the number will be increased.

Shire mayor David Gibb said the program was consistent with the shire's overall road safety strategy, Peninsula DriveSafe.

For more information about the program, call Clare Aston on 5950 1692.