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Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Schools

How much do driving lessons cost in Australia?

A standard 60-minute lesson is usually around $60–$90 depending on where you live, with regional and remote areas at the higher end and the major cities clustered near the middle. Test-day packages, which include a warm-up lesson and the use of a dual-control car for your practical test, typically cost more as a one-off but save you sorting out a test vehicle yourself. Buying a bundle of five or ten lessons almost always works out cheaper per hour than paying lesson by lesson. Where a school publishes its prices, you will see them on its listing in this directory, so you can compare a few nearby schools before booking.

How many driving lessons do I need to pass?

There is no fixed number, and it depends heavily on how much supervised practice you get outside paid lessons. Most learners benefit from a mix of professional lessons and logged practice with a supervising driver. Several states require learners to complete a set number of logbook hours before they can sit the practical test, and some structured courses (for example a safer-drivers or competency-based course) can earn bonus logbook hours. The exact logbook requirement, and whether bonus hours apply, is set by your state or territory road authority, for example Service NSW, VicRoads, or Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads, so check their site for the current rules.

Should I learn in an automatic or a manual car?

If you learn and pass your practical test in an automatic, your licence is restricted to automatic vehicles until you pass a further test in a manual. If you learn in a manual, you can drive both. Automatics are simpler to learn in and many people find they pass sooner, which is why a lot of learners now choose automatic. Choose manual if you expect to drive a manual car, ute or work vehicle. Around half the schools in this directory state which transmissions they teach, and many teach both, so you can pick one that matches your goal and book the test in the right type of car.

Do I need my own car for driving lessons?

No. Driving schools provide a dual-control car fitted with an extra brake (and often a clutch) on the instructor's side, so they can step in if needed. That is one of the main safety benefits of professional lessons over practising only with a family member. If you plan to sit your practical test in the school's car, book a test-day package and confirm the test car is the same one you have been practising in, since getting used to a vehicle's size and controls makes a real difference on test day.

Can I convert an overseas licence in Australia?

It depends on which country issued your licence and which state or territory you live in. Some overseas licences can be transferred with a knowledge test and an eyesight check; others require you to pass a practical driving test as well. Many learners new to Australia book a few lessons first to get used to local road rules, roundabouts, and driving on the left before sitting the test. The official conversion rules and any required tests are set by your state or territory road authority, so confirm the current process with them. A number of schools in this directory are flagged as experienced with overseas-licence holders.

How do I choose a good driving instructor?

Start with recent Google reviews from local learners, and weight the last 12 months more than the lifetime average. Good signs include reviews that name the instructor, describe a calm and structured teaching style, and mention passing the test. Match the instructor to the learner: a nervous adult, a teenager, and an overseas-licence holder each suit a different approach, and many listings here are flagged for exactly these strengths. Confirm the transmission they teach, what their lessons and packages cost, the suburbs they cover, and whether they offer home or school pickup. Accreditation such as the national keys2drive program is also a useful signal of a professional instructor.