Teach someone to drive

  Teaching someone how to drive, know your responsibilities

Remember, if you are teaching someone how to drive (and you are not a licensed driving instructor) you must:

  • Hold a current and valid driver's licence (for the class of vehicle in which you are teaching someone how to drive) for at least four years. In the case of instructing a person to ride a moped, you must have held a current and valid driver's licence for at least two years.
  • Ensure the vehicle you are instructing in has L plates displayed at all times.
  • Be aware of the rules for novice drivers (includes L and P platers).
  • As a supervisor of a novice driver, you are subject to the same alcohol and drug driving provisions that would apply if you were driving the vehicle. There are consequences for non-compliance, including prosecution and loss of your driver's licence.

Note:

A person who holds an R-N class driving authority (driver's licence) only issued at 16 years of age and has held that authority for a minimum of two years (for example: still holds a provisional licence), is authorised to supervise a learner driver holding an R-N class driving authority (learner's permit)

  The importance of quality instruction

Learning to drive can be very stressful for both you and your student, especially if you are related.

We strongly advise that starting off with a professional driving instructor can be a very good idea for your 'student'. Driving instructors can quickly tell them what they will need to learn and start them off properly.

Once your student has learned the early stages of how to control a car, they can then gain experience with you.

We do strongly recommend however, that once your student has gained experience with you they have another lesson with a professional driving instructor. This will make sure they are developing the right driving habits and let them know how their driving compares to the assessment standard.

  Helping your 'student' prepare for the Practical Driving Assessment

We encourage you to use the information and tools provided in the Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers: A Guide for Learner Drivers (booklet) when teaching someone how to drive.

The guide:

  • Complements the information found in 'Drive Safe handbook'.
  • Explains what learner drivers need to do to pass the Practical Driving Assessment.
  • Provides a place for learner drivers to record their experiences which helps to decide when they are ready to take the Practical Driving Assessment.
  • Provides information about the experience needed to become a safe driver.

  Keys2drive program

Keys 2 Drive logo
Keys 2 Drive logo

Government program Keys2drive provides parents or supervisors of learner drivers with a free driving lesson with an accredited instructor as a refresher on the road rules, with supporting online information and interactive games to assist them. 

Keys2drive program

  Keys4Life (School Drug Education and Road Aware)

[DoT Image]
[DoT Image]

The Keys4Life pre-driver program assists school staff to deliver pre-driver education to Years 10-12 students.

The aim of Keys4Life is to upskill young people with positive road user attitudes and an awareness about how to be responsible, safer drivers.

Teachers wishing to deliver the Keys4Life program must attend a compulsory one-day workshop.

Participating students receive free resources and a certificate on successful completion of the program.

When applying for a Learner’s Permit, the certificate provides the student/applicant with an exemption from undertaking and paying for the Computerised Theory Test (CTT). The certificate is valid for two years.*

The certificate may also be used as a Category C document as evidence of identity in community, as part of the identity requirements for obtaining a Learner's Permit.

The bearer of the certificate must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older.
  • Present five forms of identity (inclusive of the certificate as a Category C document).
  • Pass an eyesight test (taken at a DVS centre, regional DoT office or agent in WA).
  • Declare any medical conditions that are likely to affect their ability to drive safely.
  • Pay the prescribed driver's licence application fee, and Learner Log Book fee (if using the printed log book).

* The exemption will not apply when a student undertakes the CTT at a DVS centre, regional DoT office or agent or if the certificate has expired.

Keys4Life is funded by the Road Safety Commission (via the Road Trauma Trust Account) and the Department of Education. It is supported by the Department of Transport, and the Department of Education in collaboration with Catholic Education WA and the Association of Independent Schools.

For more information, visit the Keys4Life website below.

Opens in a new window School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA): Keys4Life

  Road Safety Commission resources

Young driver's website

Point your teenager or student to the Road Safety Commission website.

The Road Safety Commission site provides:

  • Advice on choosing your first car.
  • A party guide.
  • Dealing with fatigue.
  • Information on learning to drive.

RoadTrip 120

RoadTrip 120 provides young drivers with a resource to encourage 120 hours of supervised driving experience in a range of conditions.

Road Safety Commission: Games and quizzes
Opens in a new window Road Safety Commission: Novice drivers

  Road safety handbooks

Drive Safe

Drive Safe is a guide to safe driving and an interpretation of the law. It is not the law, but a simplified version of the road rules contained in the relevant Acts and Regulations that apply currently in Western Australia.

Ride Safe

The information in this handbook aligns with Towards Zero, the State Government road safety strategy 2008-2020. The strategy means that we, in the WA community, do not accept that any person should die or be seriously injured on our roads.

Page last updated: Wed Apr 19 2023 1:29:00 PM