Frequently Asked Questions

- Make sure you have enough lessons to pass your test, as there will be a
considerable delay until you can get another test time. You can take your
practical test anytime after you are 16.5 years old.

- Complete your log book hours (currently 25 hours).

- Present your completed log book at a licensing centre (once you have turned
17 years old ) and successfully complete the hazard perception test.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This depends on how many lessons you need. If you have some driving
experience, you will get through the program quicker. Our information sheets
should help you retain the information and learn quickly, saving you money on
extra lessons.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO LEARN?

This depends mostly on how quickly you can adapt to problem solving when in
moving traffic and how observant and alert you can become.
Some people think it will take longer to learn to drive a manual car than an
automatic, but this is not really so, as it should only take 3 or 4 lessons to
work out how to use the gears. The extra control of the manual car easily
outweighs the cost of an extra few lessons.
How long it takes to learn depends on how good you wish to be when you
attend your assessment, but experience shows you will probably need more
than 12 to 15 lessons.

HOW AM I TAUGHT?

We work to a structured lesson plan. If you already have some experience, we
will jump ahead as much as possible to suit the skills you have. If you are
starting from scratch, we will start with the basics of instruments & controls
and progress through slow speed control, gear changes, steering etc., moving
through traffic management, slow speed manoeuvring and into the assessment
exercises. Once your knowledge and car control reach a reasonable level we
will conduct a mock test and assess your ability to pass.
The lessons and information you receive are based on the Driver Competency
Standard and information sheets are provided to help you learn.

HOW AM I ASSESSED?

The licensing department will carry out the assessment and will take about 35
minutes of driving in a general suburban driving situation. It will involve set
exercises and normal traffic driving.
When you pass, you will be issued with a log book and further training will
need to be documented. This is currently a minimum of 25 hours.

AM I INSURED?

We carry full comprehensive insurance arranged through the Australian Driver
Trainers Association of W.A. You should be fully covered in the unlikely event
of an accident.

MANUAL TUITION V AUTOMATIC TUITION

We believe all new drivers should learn to drive in a manual transmission
vehicle and so do not advise or offer instruction in automatic vehicles.
The reason for this is simple, we believe an auto vehicle allows you to "switch
off" and not train you to manage many tasks simultaneously as you maintain a
good traffic flow. Also, not enough is learnt about vehicle balance, control and
flow, especially at intersection approaches.
We think the possibility of vehicle crashes is increased by auto vehicles being
less balanced and less reactive and auto drivers less attentive. An
inexperienced driver in a small auto trans. front wheel drive car is more likely to
loose control when travelling too fast than if in a manual trans. Version,
especially if carrying a few passengers.
I frequently notice when a new student starts, if they have been driving an
auto their approach to turns is quite wrong (and dangerous). Their steering
method is usually "hand over hand" method which again adds to bad alignment.

ONE CHANCE TO LEARN PROPERLY

Don't waste the opportunity to learn to drive correctly. If you choose to learn
with a member of the ADTA of WA, you have some comfort in the knowledge
that your trainer has a serious attitude to driver training and has access to the
latest information and opinions on the subject.
Remember, it is possible to pass your practical test and still be a bad driver.
The practical assessment is the most basic test that can be applied. Even if
you pass with a good assessment mark, you will need to improve your ability to
read the traffic flow and understand your vehicle and the needs of other traffic
so as to always remain in a safe position in the traffic stream.
Vehicle control and balance is very important, especially on wet roads. Front
wheel drive cars and rear wheel drive cars will behave differently when too
much aggression or speed is used. Vehicles with automatic transmission can
behave differently to a manual transmission version, especially in the wet. A
good understanding of balance and control and common sense judgement is
necessary when driving in bad conditions.
You are at the greatest risk of a collision in your first 3 to 6 months of driving.
You will need to drive with skill and attention during this period.