St Vincent de Paul Society and Walk No More Driving School receive grant to offer driving lessons to migrants, refugees
For many, getting behind the wheel is something we take for granted but for many migrants and refugees, learning to drive can be a daunting experience.
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Significant funding by the state government has enabled a Toowoomba organisation to assist refugees and migrants learn to drive on Australian roads.
St Vincent de Paul Society and Walk No More Driving School offer a 10-lesson opportunity for residents 25 years and above through the Queensland Governments Road Safety grant of $19,000, for $20 a lesson.
Driving student Manvi Seal moved from India about five years ago, and said while she holds an international driving license, she was not comfortable driving on Australian roads.
“Earlier I was very scared to go on roads, I had no confidence,” she said.
“I read about this program and I spoke to Glenn and she gave me confidence and she’s a good instructor.”
Walk No More driving instructor Glenn Provest said Mrs Seal’s insecurities on the road was her biggest fear.
“When I first met Manvi, she could drive in a straight line, but was extremely unsure of her surroundings and the other cars on the road,” she said.
“Yes, she could get behind the wheel of a car, but to actually step out on the road was her biggest fear.”
Mrs Seal is now comfortable to drive her two children to school, pick them up, and drive to and from work.
St Vincent de Paul Society Road to Equality Learner Driver Program co-ordinator Carole Rogan said the course, currently in its second round, helped residents gain greater independence in a new environment.
“We found the program is really targeting women, which is great because they’ve been empowered through the program and empowered to be able to take their kids to school, go to appointments, go shopping and get work and maintain work,” she said.
Mrs Provest said many students have come from a country where majority of the driving was done by men.
“Because Australia is so big and so vast, you do need license to survive and to live,” she said.
“It’s the biggest form of independence they will feel in their life.”
For more information on the program, call the Toowoomba St Vincent de Paul Society office on 1800 846 643.
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