Many senior drivers—especially those with decades of road experience—want to help family members or migrant friends learn how to drive in Australia. This is a generous and important role. But it’s also very different from simply being a passenger.
Supervising a learner driver takes patience, planning, and understanding. The person you are teaching is not just “new”—they may have zero experience with how a car behaves or how Australian roads work.
Let’s go over what you can expect and how you can teach safely and successfully.
Before the First Drive
Before driving, have a quiet conversation with your learner. Explain what today’s focus will be (e.g., just starting and stopping). Set some basic rules: no phones, listen to instructions, and it’s okay to make mistakes.
Take 5–10 minutes to walk around the car together:
- Show how to adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering.
- Explain basic controls: indicators, wipers, gears, lights, and horn.
- Make sure they understand where the brake and accelerator are—and which foot to use!
This early preparation helps reduce fear and confusion once the car starts moving.
What to Expect from a Learner
When you’ve been driving for many years, many things feel automatic—like how much to turn the steering wheel or how fast to slow down for a corner. But your learner doesn’t have that “driving common sense” yet.
Be prepared:
- They may turn into a roundabout too fast, or even drive straight across the central island.
- They might move the gear lever to “Park” while the car is still rolling.
- Some won’t understand when to brake or how far to stop behind another car.
If your learner is a new migrant, they may have:
- Never seen a roundabout or used an intersection without arrows.
- A habit of only checking left when turning left, forgetting to check for cars from the right.
- A “give way” mindset that only exists in theory—not yet in real-time judgment.
This is all normal. Don’t assume they “should know.” Your job is to guide calmly and explain clearly—before, during, and after each drive.
Train with a Plan
Random driving without a goal is frustrating and unsafe. Each lesson should focus on one or two key skills only.
Start with simple tasks in quiet places. Don’t mix turning, roundabouts, merging, and parking all in one drive. That’s too much.
Example lesson sequence:
- Lesson 1: Start/stop, steering, smooth braking in a quiet street
- Lesson 2: Turning left and right at small intersections
- Lesson 3: Roundabout entry and exit (only after mastering turns)
- Lesson 4: Lane changing and merging on wide roads
- Lesson 5: Hazard scanning and decision-making
Always finish with calm feedback—what went well, and what needs more practice.
Train in the Right Environment (Based on the Type of Skill)
How and where you train should match the type of skill your learner is developing.
A simple but effective method is:
• For basic skills like starting, stopping, turning, and steering:
👉 Train in the same, familiar environment and repeat the same tasks.
This helps build muscle memory and reduces stress. Repetition builds confidence.
• For traffic response and judgment skills (e.g. merging, give way, hazard spotting):
👉 Use open and wide roads where there is more time and space to react.
Avoid busy roads too early—start with clear intersections and low-pressure situations.
Don’t mix the two styles in the same session. Teach calmly, one layer at a time.
Skill Progression Table
Stage Focus Area Where to Train
- Start/stop, steering, braking Quiet, flat backstreets
- Turns, speed control Suburban side roads
- Roundabouts, give way Open intersections
- Lane changing, merging Multi-lane wide roads
- Hazard response, traffic awareness Wide arterial roads
- Night, wet, hills, freeway After full daytime mastery
Keep It Short and Repetitive
Driving is mentally tiring for new learners.
15–30 minutes is enough in the early stages.
It’s better to drive the same route 5 times than a long confusing one. Routine builds comfort—and comfort builds safety.
Let your learner master one task at a time.
Choose the Right Vehicle
The car you use can make a big difference.
Look for:
- Small or medium size
- Good visibility
- Automatic transmission
- Reverse camera and blind spot sensors
- Crash avoidance or warning systems (if available)
Turn off the radio. Keep the car tidy and calm.
Also check your insurance:
- Some companies require you to list the learner as an additional driver.
- Some don’t require this, but will raise your excess (the amount you pay if there’s a crash) based on their age or licence type.
- Check your policy carefully before handing over the keys.
Logbook and Legal Requirements (South Australia)
In South Australia:
• Learners must complete 75 supervised driving hours, including 15 at night.
• Supervisors must have held a full (unrestricted) licence for at least 2 years.
• Keep a paper logbook to record each drive.
📎 More info: https://mylicence.sa.gov.au/my-car-licence/driving-lessons-and-log-book
When NOT to Drive
It’s okay to cancel a lesson.
Avoid driving when:
- The learner is tired, anxious, or distracted
- You feel unwell, stressed, or unsafe as the supervisor
- It’s raining heavily or visibility is low
- The route is unfamiliar or too complex for their level
A calm, focused lesson is better than a stressful or risky one.
Final Tip: You’re More Than a Teacher — You’re Their Safety Net
You are not just instructing. You are scanning ahead, watching for risks, staying calm, and keeping everyone safe.
Keep instructions short. Give directions early. Don’t expect perfection.
If something goes wrong, calmly pull over and talk it through.
Even if your learner makes 50 mistakes in one drive—it’s normal. What matters is progress.
You are not just helping them pass a test. You’re helping them learn how to drive for life.
In Summary
• Expect confusion and mistakes—this is normal.
• Migrant learners may not understand roundabouts or gap selection.
• Plan every drive, and focus on one skill at a time.
• Match the environment to the task: repeat quiet roads for basics, open roads for hazard skills.
• Keep sessions short and focused.
• Use a safe, easy-to-handle vehicle and check your insurance.
• Log the hours and follow SA rules.
• Only drive when both of you are calm and ready.
With patience and structure, senior drivers can be some of the best mentors. You know the roads. Now you’re helping someone else learn to respect them too.