Some potential students, especially their parents, wonder: “Can a driving instructor teach me in my own car?”
In Australia, a driving instructor can teach you in your own car. Just ensure your car complies with all the necessary safety and legal regulations!
Your car, as a learner, will need to be registered, have working seatbelts and L-plates if you are a learner. Dual controls are essential safety equipment for most instructors, but some may consent to go without for advanced learners.
Always check with your instructor, though – regulations can vary from state to state. The central section will detail the main steps and advice.
WA Rules: Your Car Lessons
Learning to drive in Western Australia is not just about getting behind the wheel. The DOT has stringent rules for all learners. This is especially pertinent when using your own car.
Learning in your own car can be a more chilled experience. It has rules and checks that prevent everyone from getting hurt and from breaking the law. So, before you book that lesson, what does the law say, and what does your instructor need to abide by?
WA Law: What’s Allowed?
WA rules allow you to use your car for lessons, but there is a catch. The car should meet rigorous safety requirements.
It must not have windscreen cracks longer than 15cm and must have at least 1.5mm tread across the width on the tyres. Driving instructors must have dual controls installed in their cars.
Most instructors without these controls won’t teach in a car because safety comes first. Instructors are required to have a Cert IV in Transport & Logistics, and supervisors must have held their licence for four years.
Only qualified instructors can charge for lessons, and driving is prohibited in places such as Kings Park, Perth. If you do break these, you may get fined or risk losing your test.
Safety First: Key Checks
- Check that the brakes, lights, and mirrors work well.
- Tyres must have 1.5mm of tread with no bald spots.
- Windscreen free of cracks over 15cm.
- Seat belts, wipers, and the horn must all work.
- Fluid levels, brakes, and warning lights (especially the seatbelt one!) were checked before each lesson.
Instructor’s Insurance: Does It Cover You?
If you take your own car, insurance can be a little funny. Your car needs to be insured for learner use – some policies won’t cover business / paid instruction.
If you don’t have coverage, you’ll be exposed to major repair costs or a potential court case following a crash. Always check with your instructor to ensure that their insurance will cover lessons in your car.
Is Your Car Up To Scratch?
Before you book lessons in your own car, see if it’s up to the task. Better make sure your car is prepared! The shape, age and upkeep of a car can transform your learning. If your car isn’t up to scratch, it’s going to be hard to concentrate on skills. You could even endanger yourself or your teacher.
So, what do you need to watch out for to get a safe, smooth ride in WA?
- Roadworthy: Is It Legal?
Your vehicle must comply with specific roadworthiness regulations in WA. That means brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and seatbelts all need to play ball. Driving an unroadworthy car can lead to penalties, bans, or, even more importantly, a crash.A checklist helps: tick off working wipers, clear windows, and a valid rego before each lesson. - Insurance: Are You Covered Mate?
Learner drivers need to be insured for lessons. Most standard car insurance doesn’t extend to learners – check with your insurer. For peace of mind, take out comprehensive cover, so you’re protected if things go awry. - ‘L’ Plates: Gotta Show ‘Em’
WA law states you must display ‘L’ plates front and rear. These should be clear and not obstructed by dirt or sunlight. Wrong-sized or obscured plates can result in a fine or a halt to the lesson. - No Duals: Big Deal?
Dual controls allow instructors to intervene if you mess up. Without them, both you and your instructor are at increased risk. Bad habits can creep in quickly if you’re left to your own devices. - Fancy Features: Help or Hindrance?
Modern cars have tech such as lane-keep or auto brakes. These are useful, but depending on them too heavily could result in missing essential skills. Know your car’s tricks, but keep an eye on the basics. - Manual or Auto: Your Choice
Manuals teach clutch and gear work. These are covered in manual driving lessons. Auto cars are easier, but they might not set you up for every job or exam. That’s where automatic driving lessons come in, offering a smoother start for many learners. Choose whichever ticks your boxes, and you’re going to be driving most.
- Roadworthy: Is It Legal?
Perks of Using Your Wheels
Okay, so there are some strong benefits of learning to drive in your own car. Many people in Australia find the easiest way to play is in a car they know well. This is the same for lessons and the driving test. This method provides greater control over lesson timings and can even save a decent wad of cash. There are a few things to consider before going ahead.
Comfort Zone: Your Own Car
When you’re learning in your own car, you’re not bemused by new buttons or silly seat heights. This reduces nerves, allowing you to concentrate on the road itself rather than the car. Learners tend to develop their abilities more quickly this way.
So if you’ve spent weekends driving about with your mum or mate, every hour counts. You appreciate the little quirks of your car! You feel how hard you need to push the brakes, and you learn where the blind spots are. That comfort can lead to fewer errors and an easier learning curve.
Saving Some Cash? Maybe!
So, is it cheaper to learn in my own car?
Well, using your own wheels could save you some cash, as you avoid the instructor’s car rental cost. Some pay up to an additional $50 a lesson for a hired car. After more than ten lessons, that’s $500 saved.
If your car isn’t maintained and it fails, you’re flat-out out of luck, especially when it comes to driving lessons Perth. Then, of course, if you have an accident, you could be liable for any damage. Make sure to read over your policy before you kick things off.
Test Day: Practice Perfect
Taking your test in the car you learnt in means no nasty surprises. You’re accustomed to how the car behaves, allowing you to concentrate on the test itself. For manual and auto swappers, using your own car makes it easy.
Practice with a passenger – your friend or family member. Theirs is a great way to mimic race day and prepare well! Keep in mind that some states require cars to conform to safety regulations, such as dual controls. Just make sure your wheels tick all those boxes.
Not Always a Smooth Ride
It appears that driving lessons in your own car is an excellent choice. However, it’s not always a smooth ride. There’s plenty to go wrong, and it’s worth knowing what you’re up against. Dense urban traffic and weird roads don’t help.
Throw in poor weather and the pressure of being a learner, and it’s even tougher! Many people get nervous or anxious when working with an instructor. They feel it too when they’re alone. If you have driving lessons in your own car, that pressure mounts in force, particularly if things go wrong.
The Missing Safety Brake
There are dual controls, so the instructor can intervene when things go pear-shaped. For example, if you freeze at a stop sign or mash the pedals, the brakes can slam. In cars without dual controls, the instructor can’t intervene as quickly, which adds more danger if something goes wrong.
This can make both you and your instructor tense, and even small mistakes sometimes feel magnified. In traffic or bad weather, that absence of a safety net is a genuine concern.
Your Insurance, Your Risk
Driving your own vehicle, you’ll need to verify your insurance. If you’re not insured for lessons, a crash could set you back a packet. You don’t usually have lessons covered unless you tell them, and even then, you’ll probably have to pay more.
Not being aware of what’s covered could leave you footing the bill for repairs yourself, and that’s a risk not worth taking.
Instructor Might Say No
Some instructors won’t even drive in a learner’s car. They want to know the car is safe and fits the bill. If your car isn’t set up properly or looks too sketchy, they could reject it.
It’s worth talking this out beforehand and being prepared to use their car if yours isn’t right.
Instructor’s Take: Your Car
So when a student approaches the instructor asking about using their own car for lessons, instructors consider more than just convenience. Most, of course, instruct in their own cars. They’re fitted with dual controls so the instructor can intervene if the car starts acting up. That’s not just a preference, but an Australian regulatory requirement.
Instead, it concentrates on keeping the learner and instructor safe. Some instructors will even accept using your own car, as long as it’s safe. For one, the car must be roadworthy and insured on a learner’s policy. It ideally needs to be set up – manual or automatic – like the instructor is used to.
Their Rules, Their Comfort
Every instructor has their own rules for lessons, especially in someone else’s car. Some won’t touch it unless you have a well-kept car, or it has dual controls. Some might want insurance verification.
These rules aren’t nitpicking; they keep us all safe. Respecting your instructor’s comfort is essential – they need to be able to step in quickly if necessary. Such policies exist for a reason, and learners should respect them.
Breakdown Drama: What Then?
If your car fails mid-lesson, it’s a pain for you and your instructor. That’s why it’s sensible to have a plan B: Book a serviced car or even the instructor’s own car!
Your car needs to be checked before each lesson—its tyres, brakes, and lights all have to be OK.
Mates in the Back? Check First!
Most driving instructors won’t permit additional passengers for lessons. It’s distracting, and some states have laws regarding this. Always check with your instructor before taking a mate.
Your Car for the WA Test?
There are strict rules governing the use of your own car for the WA driving test. You can be sure they’re all satisfied! They’re outlined by the Department of Transport to ensure every car is safe and fit for purpose. This helps to keep everybody fair and safe.
Want to have driving lessons in your own car? It must be registered, insured, and roadworthy. It must also fulfil safety requirements, such as those from ANCAP. Believe it or not, these rules exist to ensure the car behaves as intended and that people remain safe.
Just remember to take all the correct paperwork on test day. That’s your car’s registration, insurance documents and anything the DfT requests. If you forget any of these, you probably won’t be able to take your test. Getting these sorted in advance takes the stress away and gives you a seamless test day.
Department of Transport Rules
The DfT has a hard line on using your own car. It must have working seatbelts, lights and decent tyres. L-plates must be legible on both the front and rear.
If the car doesn’t meet these requirements, we won’t proceed with the test. Make sure to consult the latest rules on their website and speak with your instructor to be certain. WA instructors abide by these same rules, and their cars are equipped with dual controls for safety.
Pre-Test Car Checks
- Check tyres for tread and air.
- Make sure headlights, brake lights, and blinkers work.
- Test the horn and wipers.
- Look at the seatbelts for wear.
- Set up mirrors and seats for comfort.
- Proceeding calmly with these checks makes the test simpler.
For better understanding, check out our post: Is Your Car Suitable For Your PDA?
Can a Driving Instructor Teach Me in My Own Car? Conclusion
Having driving lessons in your own car in WA ticks a few boxes. You learn from what you do every day, which cements the habits. You know how the gears feel, where the blind spots lurk and how the brakes bite. A couple of rules make things slightly awkward. Your car, for one, has to pass all the checks, and your instructor will need to carry the right cover.
Nonetheless, numerous learners claim it gives their driving a genuine lift. Before you book, talk to your instructor and ensure your car complies with all WA regulations.
Got a question or concern? Contact your female driving instructor, Lisa, at
Or, alternatively, a nearby driving school for the right guidance. Your learning, your way. Have a go.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can a driving instructor teach me in my own car in WA?
A: Yes, even in WA, a qualified instructor can teach you in your own car if it’s roadworthy and insured. Of course, check with your instructor’s requirements first. - Q: What are the car requirements for lessons in WA?
A: Your vehicle needs to be insured, roadworthy, and have appropriate L-plates. Make sure it’s insured. Instructors might request dual controls or additional mirrors for safety. - Q: Do I need special insurance for lessons in my car?
A: Full-comprehensive insurance, yes. Tell your insurer you will be having a driving instructor teach you in your car. - Q: Are there benefits to learning in my own car?
A: Learning in your own car can be more comfortable and confident. Once you pass, you’ll become familiar with the controls and confident in your ability to drive independently. - Q: Can I use my own car for the WA driving test?
A: Yes, provided your car complies with all safety and registration requirements. It needs to have L plates and be clean, inside and out. - Q: Will instructors charge extra for lessons in my car?
A: Some instructors charge a small additional fee for teaching in your own car. ‘Always check prices before booking your lesson.’ - Q: What happens if my car isn’t suitable for lessons?
A: Your instructor may cancel the lesson if your car doesn’t meet the standard. However, they may provide you with lessons in their dual-control car.
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