Frequently Asked Questions
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Your qualified, why is that different to being accredited?
There are two ways to obtain a driving instructors licence in Western Australia:1. Complete a Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics for C or C-A Class car driving instruction - this means your instructor is fully qualified to the national standard, they could teach anywhere in Australia: or
2. Complete a theory and practical assessment through the Department of Transport, which requires re-testing every 3 years - this means the instructor is "DoT Accredited'.The Certificate IV In Transport and Logistics (Road Transport- Car Driving Instruction) qualification, is a recognised qualification under the Australian Qualification Framework. The qualification from the course is recognised Australia-wide. You complete major theory assignments, working with the Practical Driver Assessment (PDA) form to assess to the DoT standard and ensure your clients are ready for their own driving assessment - adhering to both teaching and adult learning principles, design individualised learning programs (instructing and assessing are two very different things and they are both covered in detail). Undertaking intensive practical assessments, instructional sessions and narrative drives, if you are not assessed as competent – you do not pass. In WA (the only state in Australia which does not require driving instructors to be qualified), if they do not hold the qualification, your instructor has to sit and pass a theory and practical DoT test themselves every 3 years.
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How often should I have a lesson?
A beginner should aim for two lessons a week to start with, in order for you to gain a thorough understanding of the basics. You’ll have a fully-qualified instructor who comes with many years of experience on our roads. They will work hard to deliver the best learning experience for you and aim to bring you up to the level where you can save money by supplementing lessons with quality supervised practice with parents or family members. It’s ok to cut down to one lesson per week as your knowledge, skills and experience improves.
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Can I be picked up and dropped of at different locations?
Yes, we can arrange pick up from school, work, sporting commitments etc and drop you home or at another location, as long as it is within a reasonable distance. If we collect you from one location and you request drop off 20 minutes away for example, it's likely we'll not be able to, as the instructor will have subsequent lessons to get to on time. But we could drop you at a train station or bus stop. If we notice a big distance on your booking information, we'll give you a call to discuss.
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What about Parking?
Parallel parking, reverse parking, angle parking - they're easy when you know how!! It’s ok, we’ll ensure you understand how to park & have had plenty of practice.
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How many lessons will I need?
It varies as everyone is different, but be assured that we have the patience and commitment to get you driving competently in the shortest time possible. We don't provide you with just enough to scrape through your PDA, we aim to provide you with the skills and knowledge to drive safely for life. A realistic target is somewhere between 10 - 15 lessons. Experienced learners may achieve the required standard with less, say 4 - 6, but this is not the norm as students with considerable driving hours may also have picked up bad habits.
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Manual or Auto?
Most people know which they want to learn, but if undecided consider your circumstances. If you have a manual licence, you can by law, drive an automatic, but not the other way around. Many employers prefer their staff to have a manual licence too. If you pass your test in an auto and later you need a manual licence, you will need to use L-Plates again when in a manual vehicle, as well as having a suitable supervising driver (also with a manual licence) and pay for and sit the test again, so twice the money. But ultimately the decision is yours.
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Should I practice between lessons?
Absolutely!! We encourage students to practice as much as possible with friends and family. However it can work against you when you are practicing the wrong things or picking up bad habits. Also learning with parents can be stressful, with no dual controls and a fear of damaging mum or dad's nice car, not to mention your parents may also be nervous. The best way to save money is to come to us BEFORE you learn with other supervisors.
If we are on a lesson and the Police pull us over, what do I do?
There may be occasions on lessons where Police are conducting vehicle checks or RBT's, don't worry, your instructor will help you understand what to do. Remember it is a legal requirement that all students must carry their valid learner's permit with them when driving.
I have an overseas licence , can you help?
Of course. We can assist people who have an overseas licence, an interstate licence or have lost their licence and need to sit a Western Australian Driving Assessment.
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I am really nervous and have never driven a car before, what can I expect?
Driving is an art that you must develop. Lessons with us are made enjoyable by our qualified and friendly instructors and we can start off with you learning in a quiet area until you are ready, comfortable and confident with your ability. We would not take you onto main roads until you are ready. Lessons focus on safe driving skills, not 'just' what you need to pass your PDA, including: safely operating the vehicle; learning the road rules and putting them into practice; controlling speed and changing gears; changing lanes and merging safely; roundabouts and intersections; parking (reverse, parallel, angle and hill); U-turns and three-point turns; reversing safely; and more.
We have experience instructing young people with; severe anxiety; APD; hearing loss; and a range of other conditions, and will adapt our lessons and methods to suit the students. So , there’s no such thing as a silly question and we teach you at your pace but without wasting your money.
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Can my parents sit in on lessons?
Of course. In fact we encourage it - as often as they/you want. Parents can learn a lot from a lesson too, as they pick up tips to assist them when they are your supervising driver. A support person (friend etc) can also accompany you. We do ask though that anyone sitting in on a lesson is not a distraction and leaves the instruction to us!
What if I fail my test?
Keep it in perspective - remember it's easier to retake your driving test than your school exams. Your instructor is there for you - they will liaise with the assessor after the test and go over the PDA check sheet and help you understand where you went wrong.
The most common reasons for failing are: speeding; not looking or checking your mirrors; not completely stopping the vehicle at stop signs (THE WHEELS MUST COMPLETELY STOP); not head-checking; or doing something where the assessor has to intervene. On a driving test you can attempt a manoeuvre several times before you fail. So getting your general driving skills up to scratch is important as, unlike manoeuvres, you only get one chance to get your driving right. Sometimes nerves just get the better of you!
Remember, an assessor will not allow you to commence your test if: you have insufficiant ID; your vehicle is not roadworthy (lights or wipers not working, windscreen cracked etc); your log-book is not completed correctly; or you are late for your appointment. Additionally, if the vehicle you are taking your test in does not have dual controls, it MUST have a centrally mounted handbrake - floor mounted or push button parking brakes are not acceptable.
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You offer country PDA's - they are easier arn't they??
Well, there is a perception that country tests are easier as there may not be roundabouts or traffic lights (depending on the town). But this is not true. Assessors will assess to the same standard, whether in the metro or regionally and, as any country instructor will tell you, country roads bring their own set of challenges. We believe our students deserve a choice of PDA centres and cover most metro licensing centres including Butler, Joondalup, Mirrabooka, Midland, West Perth and those south of the river. However, due to (at times) long metro wait times, we do offer country PDAs as an option. These can include towns such as: Merredin, Northam, Dowerin, Cundadin or Narrogin (amongst others), so between 2 - 5 hours from Perth.
ALL students, regardless of PDA venue, are trained in the north metro area at a standard far higher than is required to 'just' pass your PDA. We know it's unlikely that our students will spend all their lives within the confines of the Perth Metro area - it's a big country out there - right!! So we want to provide you with the safe driving skills you need for life and to bring you home safely. We must have at least one x 60 minute lesson to assess your ability. We will not take a student deemed as not ready - as we don't want you to waste your money.
We will add you to our wait list to go asap, be prepared for short notice.
These are mostly full day events, depending on PDA availability at the time.Please contact us for more information.
Prices available on request.
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My teen is wanting to (or has started to) drive, do you have any tips for anxious or worried parents?
This is one we always get asked - It can be a scary, nerve wracking time when a teen begins to drive. Having gone through this, as an instructor and a parent, I can advise that it is so important to have the straightforward conversations with them about driving, the risks and their responsibilities. Tell them if you might do things that are not the best examples of driving. Explain to them that it is easy to get distracted when others are in the car, but that they must always remember that they are responsible for those people’s lives whenever they are in their vehicle, and they must always drive accordingly. Discuss the risks of driving distracted and or impaired. Remind them that you are not just worried about them on the road; you are worried about other drivers. Teens can often be in their own little world and may not always be alert to their surroundings. Discuss what they see and experience whilst on the road and what makes them feel unsafe.
Ensure that your teen is driving a safe vehicle – no it doesn’t have to be brand new or ''cool'' (despite what they might say!!) BUT it should be safe, mechanically sound and a reliable vehicle. Make sure that they take some financial responsibility for driving – purchasing fuel, tyres, insurance and rego etc. Young people who have to pay for their own vehicles and/or maintenance will respect the privilege of driving more. Ensure they learn at least basic vehicle maintenance to make sure they are never stranded - they should know how to safely fill up with the correct fuel, what all the dashboard warning lights mean, how to check tyre pressure and oil, fill windscreen washers and radiators and importantly, how to change a tyre. Not only will this help keep them safe, but it reinforces the responsibility that comes with driving. AND FINALLY - lead by example!!