ACT learner drivers will be provided with a free driving lesson by a professional instructor through a new road safety program.

keys2drive, a national learner driver program, was launched in Canberra today by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in partnership with the Australian Automobile Association (AAA).

AAA President Freda Crucitti said the keys2drive program developed by the AAA and its constituent motoring clubs, including the NRMA, was designed to provide significant support to parents and supervisors to guide learner drivers to make safe decisions in real-life driving situations.

"It's important for us to think about safety on our roads, especially for young people," Ms Crucitti said.

"We often see or hear of young, inexperienced drivers being involved in dreadful road accidents and, unfortunately, many resulting in injury and sometimes death. 

"To help reduce the high crash risk of young drivers, keys2drive fosters the relationship between the learner driver and their supervisor under the guidance of a keys2drive accredited professional driving instructor, through a free lesson paid for by the Federal Government."

Ms Crucitti said the free lesson used a "train the trainer" model with the accredited driving instructor assisting the parent/supervisor to guide the beginner driver to learn safe driving practices.

It does this through face-to-face practical information and advice on how to most effectively train their beginner drivers.  This is complemented by online information and interactive tools.

"The Australian Automobile Association and our constituent motoring clubs are delighted to be working in partnership with the Federal Government and the driver training industry to develop and implement the keys2drive program," Ms Crucitti said.

Ms Crucitti encouraged beginner drivers and their parents or supervisors to log on to the keys2drive website, and book for a keys2drive free lesson now.

For further Information on the keys2drive program, visit www.keys2drive.com.au