According to ABS motor vehicle census data, there was a 1.5% increase in motor vehicle registration in 2020 from 2019. It is mandatory to pass a driver’s test and complete 120 hours of supervised driving practice for this registration. You need to take driving lessons and enrol for a Hazard Perception Test.
You can drive in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as a learner driver, under the supervision of a fully licensed driver if your age is 15 years and nine months.
In Northern territory, the minimum age requirement is 16 years, in the state of Victoria, the minimum unsupervised driving age is 18 years, and 17 years in all other states.
The following are a few questions that you should ask before registering for any of these driving classes.
How Often Will I Get to Drive as a Practice Session?
It is necessary to get the behind-the-wheels experience. Most schools offer only tutorials in classrooms, and you may not get to drive on roads. It will help if you ask the driving school how they will conduct on-road practice and how many times a week.
According to statistics, the total number of driving tests conducted in 2019 in New South Wales was 244,461, and the pass rate was 72%. The number of test attempts has also increased between 2016 and 2019.
Will I Get One-on-One Instructions?
Many driving schools offer shared instruction sessions to save their time. But if you get clarity on whether they provide one-on-one on-road classes, you can quickly grasp the driving lessons.
When you are the only one to be instructed, then the focus is only on one person. The driving instructor will guide you and direct you with all the important tips while driving, which is otherwise impossible on shared instruction lessons.
How Much Do the Driving Classes Cost?
The driving class cost varies across cities and suburbs in Australia. Ask your driving school what is included in the curriculum. Based on that, you can decide what your preferences would be. The more hours, the more expensive it gets.
Some driving schools in Northern Territory in Australia charge between $45 and $95 per hour. But you can chalk out a plan and negotiate on the in-class hours. Emphasise on-road practice sessions as it will polish your driving skills.
What is Your Road Test Pass Rate?
Any reputable driving school will be able to provide you with their pass rate. According to the figures from DVSA, the pass rate in Australia in 2018-19 was 45.8%. So it is evident that the tests conducted are challenging, and passing the driving test may require a lot of practice.
But if your driving school is competent enough, it will provide you with the best lessons to upscale your driving skills. In true sense, you will be able to judge the driving school’s performance in the first few training sessions itself.
Is Yours a Licensed Driving School?
Most states in Australia require the completion of TLI41210 Certificate IV in Transport & Logistics (Road Transport – Car Driving Instruction) to obtain a driver trainer’s licence. Ask the driving school if theirs is a registered and authorised driving school.
You must know many online schools pose as a driving school. But, they do not provide the required facilities while conducting the training sessions. Their goals are only to make quick money and not impart quality driving lessons. So, choose wisely.