Choosing a driving instructor

At the beginning of your learner driver’s journey towards getting their provisional licence, there’s a lot to think about. One of the main considerations is whether your learner will use a professional driving instructor, and if so, who will they use.

If you can, it’s a good idea to begin driving lessons with a professional instructor. They’re experienced at driving with beginners, and their vehicles are fitted with dual controls which allow them to brake or switch off the engine where necessary. This extra level of protection helps your learner driver stay safe as they first take to the roads.

Towards the end of the learning to drive journey, professional driving instructors are also a great source of information and support for the practical driving assessment (PDA).

Here are our tips on choosing a driving instructor for your learner.

Requirements for licensed driving instructors in WA

When you’re researching driving instructors, make sure they meet these requirements:

• Driving instructors in WA are required to hold a current driving instructor’s licence issued by the Department of Transport.
• Their vehicle must be fitted with duplicate controls in front of the passenger seat beside the driver.

How to find the right driving instructor for your learner

Here’s a list of important things to consider when choosing a driving instructor:

• Do they have a verified and current Working with Children Check?
• Are they equipped to help with your specific needs? Will they help your learner meet their goals?
• Instructional experience: How many hours have they instructed learners for? An experienced driver can provide tailored lessons to suit your learner’s style. An experienced instructor can provide better advice on the techniques that will work best for your learner.
• Driving instructor techniques: Do they incorporate defensive driving techniques to ensure maximum road safety?
• Spoken language: Language barriers can make it difficult to communicate between instructor and driver. It’s best to pick an instructor that is fluent in your learner driver’s primary language, as this will make the learning experience much smoother.
• Learner feedback and ratings: What do testimonials say? Are there any recurring red flags? If needed, ask for more information before making your decision.

Selecting an instructor with the right vehicle

A key part of choosing a driving instructor comes down to whether they offer lessons in the right vehicle for your learner driver. Here’s how to determine whether their vehicle suits your learner’s needs, as well as vehicle safety standards:

• Does their vehicle match the type of licence your learner is applying for – manual or automatic?
• How old is the instructor’s vehicle, and what is its ANCAP rating? You can search ANCAP safety ratings online.
• Does the vehicle meet the Department of Transport’s minimum safety standards for the PDA? You can view the full suitability guide for C-class vehicles online.

Booking a driving lesson with your instructor

Once you’ve narrowed down your options for a driving instructor, it’s time to book in a lesson. Here are some other things to think about before booking:

• Availability: Do they suit your schedule?
• Flexibility: Do they allow the rescheduling of bookings and have a reasonable cancellation policy?
• Access: Are they able to book a driving test with the Department of Transport on your behalf? Some instructors invest time in booking tests in advance, which can help take the pressure off yourself and your learner driver.