Information for Learners

The proposed new legislation will help:

• strengthen industry standards
• improve driving skills of motorists
• safeguard learner drivers against corruption and sexually predatory behaviour in the driver training sector
• reduce costs for learner drivers.

The need for reform has been established through:

• community and industry consultation
• our audit and disciplinary
• criminal conviction outcomes.

The issues identified include:

• inappropriate behaviour, sexual comments, touching and grooming of young students
• bribery and corruption, including selling certificates of competency
• poor training standards
• poor business practices.

Driving tests and licences

Government examiners will undertake practical driving tests for Class C (car) licences, instead of private operators. Licensed motor driving instructors will continue to deliver driver training.

Driving tests are used to get a provisional (P1) licence or to transfer an overseas licence. A single, new practical driving test will replace:

• the Competency Based Training and Assessment (commonly referred to as logbook)
• the Vehicle on Road Test.

New training material for class C (car) driver licence will be made available. These materials are for all learner drivers and motor driving instructors.

Industry standards and regulations

Industry standards of behaviour will be formalised to a new Code of Conduct. This establishes higher standards of conduct and behaviour for motor driving instructors and government examiners

To enter the industry and maintain accreditation, motor driving instructors must obtain:

• working with children checks
• medical fitness to drive certificates
• enhanced practical driving and theory tests.

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles will have greater sanctioning authority and options. This includes suspension, cancellation, imposition of conditions and expiable offences.

Technology requirements

New digital environment will be introduced to reduce red tape. This includes digital scoring of practical driving tests and electronic certificate of competency.

All driver training and assessment vehicles must have cameras and GPS installed. The cameras and GPS must be operational while providing the service. This provides protection for instructors, examiners and students.

There will be prescribed car requirements, such as dual brakes and 5-star ANCAP rating.

Instructor transparency and consumer protection

We will publish a public, online register of:

• licensed motor driving instructors
• heavy vehicle authorised examiners.

This will help learner drivers and their parents make an informed decision about choosing an instructor.

Motor driving instructors must increase transparency to enter a contract for their service. They must disclose information about their fees, payments and services. This includes cancellation terms and refund rights.

The private sector will continue to provide driving training and examination for heavy vehicles, with the addition of

• a digital scoring system
• cameras and GPS tracking
• introducing a mandatory Code of Conduct.

Once the Bill has passed through Parliament, we expect there will be a two-year transition period.

Learner drivers can continue taking practical driving tests with an authorised examiner during the transition period.

Currently, the Government of South Australia does not regulate the fees for driver training and assessment. These fees are set by the market.

Under the proposed reforms, the government will set the fee for practical driving tests with a government examiner.

The fee has not been determined yet. However, we expect it to be less than the average fee currently charged by the industry.

Under the proposed reforms, the Competency Based Training and Assessment will no longer be available.

To prepare for the practical driving test, guidance will be produced for:

• motor driving instructors
• qualified supervising drivers
• learner drivers.

The proposed reforms are subject to the passage of a Bill through Parliament and a transition period. Until then, nothing will change for existing learner drivers.

The proposed reforms include a new practical driving test incorporating elements from:

• the existing Vehicle on Road Test (VORT)
• the existing Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A) methods
• industry best practice.

The practical driving test will be used to assess a wide range of driving skills and capabilities. This includes:

• greater emphasis on road safety
• sharing the road with others
• courteous driving.

The learner must show that they are competent to drive unaccompanied on our roads.

The proposed reforms are subject to the passage of a Bill through Parliament and a transition period. Until then, nothing will change for existing learner drivers.

Timing

Under the proposed reforms, government examiners will conduct practical driving tests throughout the week. This includes weekends.

Location

Learner drivers in regional South Australia will not have to travel to Adelaide to take a practical driving test.

Government examiners will deliver practical driving tests across South Australia.

Vehicles

Learner drivers will be able to use a government car to do their test without extra charge.

These vehicles will be representative of vehicles currently popular on our roads. The vehicles will:

• be fitted with dual brakes, cameras and GPS tracking
• meet the ANCAP 5-star rating.

Learner drivers won't be able to use their own car to do their practical driving test.

Adjustments will be made for people whose vehicles need special modifications recommended by a health professional.

Who can provide driving lessons

Learner drivers won't need to take driving lessons with a motor driving instructor. Qualified supervising drivers can supervise and instruct learner drivers.

Qualified supervising drivers can be anyone that meets the licensing requirements. This can be a parent, friend or relative.

Supervised driving hours

Learner drivers will still need to record 75 hours of supervised driving hours with either:

• a motor driving instructor
• a qualified supervising driver.

Passing the test

The proposed reforms include a digital scoring system. This enables government examiners to:

• digitally score practical driving tests
• issue digital certificates of competency upon passing the practical driving test.

A system will remain in place for people who do not have an electronic device compatible with the electronic system.

Failing the test

Once the reforms are implemented, if you need to take a practical driving test to convert your overseas licence, you'll have to:

• pass the new practical driving test
• take the test with a government examiner.

When you are ready to take a practical driving test, you will be able to book it through an online booking system.

Before booking your driving test, it is recommended that you either:

• take some lessons with a motor driving instructor
• study the requirements in the driver training material.

The proposed reforms are subject to the passage of a Bill through Parliament and a transition period. Until then, nothing will change for anyone converting an overseas licence.

Motor driving instructors and authorised examiners must treat you with courtesy and respect. They must behave in a professional manner. They should not ask personal questions, touch you or make inappropriate comments.

All current licensed motor driving instructors are appropriately qualified and assessed. This is in accordance with our current requirements.

Benefits of the proposed reforms

The proposed reforms will increase transparency, accountability and standards of driver training members.

A Code of Conduct will be introduced to provide practical guidance on:

• the standards and expectations of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. This is to help the driver training industry comply with the legislation.
• the standards of conduct and behaviour expected of driver training industry members.

The code will also help learner drivers understand what to expect when they engage a driver trainer.

Motor driving instructors will need to provide you with information that explains their terms and conditions. For example, any proposed fees and their policy on cancellations and refunds.

There will be requirements prescribed for training and assessment vehicles. This ensures a safe learning experience. Requirements may include:

• dual brakes
• 5-star ANCAP rating
• maximum vehicle age.

The proposed reform includes creating a public, online register of:

• licensed motor driving instructors
• heavy vehicle authorised examiners.

This online register will provide people with the ability to:

• verify the credentials of a person offering the services of a trainer or examiner
• make an informed choice.

The register will be available on SA.GOV.AU when the reforms are implemented.

Booking your test

Under the proposed reforms, an online booking system will be developed. This will allow learner drivers to book a practical driving test with a government examiner.

Choice of examiner

Under the proposed reforms, a government examiner will be randomly allocated. Learner drivers will not be able to choose who they do a practical driving test with.

We will work with stakeholders to ensure that tests are accessible for all learner drivers.

Cameras and GPS must be installed in driver training and assessment vehicles.

Novice drivers are vulnerable members of the community. They are:

• unsupervised in an enclosed environment
• often children under 18 years
• often recent migrants with English as a second language.

An in-vehicle camera and GPS will enable monitoring of the delivered training standard. This helps to:

• deter poor behaviour and criminal conduct
• provides reassurance and protection for motor driving instructors, government examiners and learner drivers.

Under the proposed reforms, all driving lessons and practical tests must be conducted in vehicles fitted with cameras and GPS. All driver training and tests must be recorded.

Recordings will be stored securely. Only approved government officers will be able to access the recordings.

An in-vehicle camera and GPS will enable monitoring of the delivered training standard. This helps to:

• deter poor behaviour and criminal conduct
• provide reassurance and protection for motor driving instructors, government examiners and learner drivers.

The recording of your test

There are many skilled, professional, and honest motor driving instructors and authorised examiners.

However, there are individuals in the industry who have engaged in concerning behaviours. This has made reform of the driver training and assessment industry necessary.

We are committed to protecting:

• the safety of learner drivers
• their right to receive the services they paid for
• the safety of members of the driver training industry.

We will continue:

• to engage with stakeholders to identify behaviours of concern and address them.
• with current auditing practices and ongoing investigations into poor behaviour.

We encourage learner drivers, parents and members of the public to raise any concerns with us.

You can submit complaints or concerns about poor performance with our online form. Please direct complaints about criminal behaviour to South Australia Police.

When making a complaint, include the following information:

• where, when and how the incident happened
• who was involved
• any other supporting information, such as documents, photos, receipts and witnesses.

We will prioritise complaints based on the details you provide. Depending on the nature of the complaint, we may refer the matter to a relevant body for investigation. This can include internal investigators, South Australia Police and or other bodies.