Roads Minister Luke Donnellan ruled out lowering the driving age immediately after the report was tabled.

"We believe that it will result in more loss of life on our roads," he said.

"We know that people between 18 to 25 years of age are four times more likely to lose their lives on the road or be involved in serious injuries."

For 18-year-old plumbing apprentice Tyron Blake, the past two years have been a struggle. The second year apprentice only received his license this week and a reduction in the probationary age limit would provide a massive boost for young tradies. 

“It’s a bit of a struggle having to get dropped off and picked up and getting from job to job,” Mr Blake said.  “(Having a license at 17) would have helped heaps.” 

The committee also recommended that probationary drivers be restricted from driving at night, between 10pm and 5am. 

Probationary-one drivers, those in their first year of driving, would have also been banned from carrying any peer passengers, such as friends aged 16-22, in the car, if another recommendation had been agreed to. 

The committee recommended that "night-driving restrictions between 10pm and 5am be introduced for drivers at the probationary P1 phase, accompanied by reasonable exemptions where appropriate".

TAFE plumbing teacher Stephen Potter said many employers overlooked young apprentices simply because of the transport hassle, making it difficult to lure teenagers into the trade. 

“Particular for the guys who are coming in from out of Ballarat it can be a real struggle to get them here with their tools and books,” Mr Potter said.  “(Changing the probationary age) would probably help a lot of them to get a job instead of just waiting until they turn 18 and I’d say there would be a lot more opportunities for them.” 

Mr Donnellan also rejected these proposals, as well as the prospect of any exemptions to allow some 17-year-olds to gain their probationary licence in special circumstances. 

Regional groups, including farmers, have pushed for the state's legal driving age to be lowered to 17, arguing the current law disadvantages school leavers.

Road safety experts, including surgeons, VicRoads and the TAC have firmly opposed the call, arguing more people will die on the roads. 

Victoria is the only state in Australia that has a minimum probationary driving age of 18.

The report noted that this is one reason Victoria has led the way in reducing the road toll.

But it also found that young people in non‑urban areas may be at greater risk of disadvantage than those in city areas due to a lack of access to transport.

"For many young people in rural and regional areas with poor public transport options, the inability to drive independently affects their capacity to fully engage with employment, education and social opportunities," it states.

EARLIER: A parliamentary committee has backed a bold Victorian teen's bid to get the driving age lowered to 17. 

Parliament's Law Reform Road and Community Safety committee has spent several months investigating whether to lower the probationary driving age to seventeen.

The committee heard from road experts and dozens of teens.

The final report has been tabled in Parliament this morning.

The committee has recommended the driving age be lowered to 17 in Victoria, although it does not believe there is a significant difference between the risks associated with drivers aged 17 compared to 18.

Dave Serpell last year petitioned to have the driving age lowered and presented his petition to the committee last year.

"I feel like the whole of Australia can drive at 17," he told Neil Mitchell. 

"Why do we have to wait until 18 just because we are Victorians? I think we are just as good drivers."