Question 1

How much do lessons cost?

Accepted Answer

A 60-minute lesson is $130 and a 90-minute lesson is $170, both including GST. The Test Day Package, which covers a warm-up drive, use of my car and the assessor's fee, ranges from $300 to $400 depending on the assessor. Longer lessons are available on request, with the price depending on your location and the number of hours.

Question 2

Do you offer packages or longer sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Test Day Package bundles everything for the VORT into one booking. Longer lessons are available on request, priced on your location and the number of hours. And lesson packages can be arranged through Job Network providers and agencies for jobseekers who need a licence for work.

Question 3

How do I pay, and when?

Accepted Answer

Lessons are pre-paid, and I accept a range of payment methods. I'll confirm the details when we lock in your first lesson.

Question 4

Which areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Mount Barker and Murray Bridge are my 2 main pick-up locations and where I'd prefer lessons to start. I'm based in Nairne and can pick up from other areas across the Adelaide Hills on request, case by case. That covers places like Littlehampton, Hahndorf, Woodside, Balhannah, Oakbank, Stirling, Aldgate, Crafers, Bridgewater, Macclesfield, Meadows, Strathalbyn and Monarto. The list isn't exhaustive, so if you're nearby and not named, just ask.

Question 5

Is there a fee for pick-up outside Mount Barker or Murray Bridge?

Accepted Answer

Lessons starting from Mount Barker or Murray Bridge have no travel fee. Anywhere else is case by case, with a travel surcharge of $10 to $20 depending on distance. I'd rather tell you up front than surprise you later, so ask when you enquire and I'll confirm before you book.

Question 6

Can you pick me up from school or work?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. I teach Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, and weekends by appointment, so after-school and after-work lessons are generally workable.

Question 7

Do you conduct the VORT?

Accepted Answer

No. The Vehicle On Road Test is conducted by an Authorised Examiner appointed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. What I do is prepare you for it, find an assessor who suits you, book the test on your behalf, run a warm-up lesson beforehand, and provide my car on the day.

Question 8

Do you do logbook or CBT&A assessments?

Accepted Answer

No, I'm not a logbook assessor, so it isn't a service I offer. South Australia has 2 pathways to a P1 licence: the VORT (a single on-road test) or CBT&A (a progressive assessment across 30 tasks, with no pass or fail on individual tasks). If you want the CBT&A pathway you'll need a CBT&A Authorised Examiner. I'm happy to explain the difference so you can pick.

Question 9

What does the VORT actually involve?

Accepted Answer

It can take up to 45 minutes. You'll demonstrate 5 slow-speed manoeuvres (moving off, angle park, U-turn, 3-point turn and reverse parallel park), then drive a general section covering lane changes, turning on and from busier roads, traffic lights, roundabouts, stop and give-way signs, and interacting with other traffic.

Question 10

What score do I need to pass?

Accepted Answer

90% or more, and no breach of road law. Any breach of road law results in an immediate fail and the test is terminated on the spot. That's why we spend lesson time on the habits that cause breaches rather than only on manoeuvres.

Question 11

Can you tell me the test route?

Accepted Answer

No, and I'd be wary of anyone who says they can. Official VORT routes are released only to Authorised Examiners through their mySAGOV accounts. What I do instead is make sure you can handle every element the test covers, on the kinds of roads it covers them on, so the specific streets stop mattering.

Question 12

How far ahead do I need to book the test?

Accepted Answer

Assessors generally need at least 3 days notice. In practice it's worth planning further ahead so we can fit a warm-up lesson close to the date.

Question 13

What happens if I don't pass?

Accepted Answer

You have to wait at least 13 clear days before attempting another practical driving test. It isn't the end of anything, and we use that time deliberately rather than just re-booking and hoping for a better day.

Question 14

Where do I go once I've passed?

Accepted Answer

You take your certificate of competency, your completed log book and the fee to a Service SA centre to be issued your P1 licence. The nearest are Mount Barker (12 Morphett Street) and Murray Bridge (19 Seventh Street). There's no centre or agent at Nairne, Hahndorf or Strathalbyn. Note the certificate of competency by itself does not authorise you to drive.

Question 15

How many supervised hours do I need?

Accepted Answer

At least 75 hours of supervised driving, including a minimum of 15 hours at night. Night driving means between sunset and sunrise. Hours are recorded in the log book in The Driving Companion, or an approved electronic log book app.

Question 16

Do lessons with an instructor count for triple?

Accepted Answer

No, and this one catches a lot of people out. Some states have a multiplier scheme for professional lessons. South Australia does not. An hour with me counts as 1 hour toward your 75, exactly the same as an hour with a parent. Be careful of anyone implying otherwise.

Question 17

Who is allowed to supervise me?

Accepted Answer

A qualified supervising driver must have held a current full licence for that class of vehicle for the past 2 years. A learner's permit, provisional or probationary licence doesn't count. If you're unsure whether the person helping you qualifies, check before you log hours that won't count.

Question 18

How long do I have to hold my learner's permit?

Accepted Answer

At least 12 months if you're under 25, or at least 6 months if you're 25 or over. You also need to be 17 or older and to have passed the Hazard Perception Test before you can get a P1 provisional licence.

Question 19

What if I don't have anyone at home to supervise me?

Accepted Answer

Longer lessons are a good option here. They let you build a meaningful block of hours in one session rather than relying on someone who isn't available. They're arranged on request, with the price depending on your location and the number of hours.

Question 20

I'm really anxious about learning. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and you're in good company. A lot of my students arrive nervous, whether they're 16 or 46. I go at your pace, start on quiet roads, and I don't rush anyone or raise my voice. I hold a Cert III in Disability Studies and I'm mental health first aid trained, which mostly means I don't make assumptions about what someone should already find easy.

Question 21

Can a parent or carer sit in on the lesson?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, and you're welcome to. Ride-alongs are encouraged, subject to the student's comfort, and they're a good way for parents and caregivers to see how it's going and to get up to date with current road rules themselves.

Question 22

How many lessons will I need?

Accepted Answer

I genuinely can't tell you before we've driven together, and I'd be suspicious of anyone who gives you a number up front. It depends on how much practice you're getting between lessons, how comfortable you already are, and what you're aiming for. After the first lesson I'll give you an honest read, and the written summary after each lesson will show you exactly what's left to work on.

Question 23

What car will I be driving?

Accepted Answer

A Toyota Yaris Cross hybrid automatic, fitted with dual brake and accelerator controls and front, rear and in-car cameras. The dual controls mean I can step in if needed, which most nervous learners find reassuring in the first few lessons.

Question 24

I already have a licence but haven't driven in years. Can I book?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Refresher lessons are for exactly that, and you won't be treated like a beginner. We start wherever you actually are and work on whatever you've been avoiding.

Question 25

Can you help me convert an overseas licence?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I run tailored lessons to get you comfortable with local road rules and conditions before you convert. Check your specific conversion requirements with Service SA, since they depend on which country issued your licence, and I'll handle the driving side.

Question 26

I need a licence for work. Can my provider arrange this?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I take referrals from Job Network providers and agencies, and I can arrange a lesson package with progress reports supplied back to the referring provider.

Driving lesson questions, answered

Cost and payment

Where I teach

The driving test

Supervised hours and the log book

If you're nervous about driving

Refreshers, overseas licences and jobseekers

Still not sure about something?

Ready to start your driving lessons?