Drive Safely SA

5.0(10)

Main Rd, Blackwood, South Australia, 5051

Patient, professional, and supportive driving lessons that will prepare you for safe driving for a lifetime, not only for the VORT test.

Drive Safely SA in Blackwood
Female InstructorPatient with Nervous LearnersGood with TeensTest-Day PackageHome PickupOverseas LicenceDefensive DrivingNamed Instructors
Lessons:Automatic
Instructors:Julie O'Hara

Why Choose Drive Safely SA?

Customers consistently praise Julie O'Hara's patience and calm approach with nervous learners and teenagers, alongside her transparent communication with parents. Backed by 25 years of teaching experience and full SA licensing and safety certifications, Drive Safely SA focuses on building confident, defensive drivers across Adelaide's southern suburbs.

About Drive Safely SA

Instructor Julie O'Hara brings over 25 years of teaching experience to Drive Safely SA, her women-owned driving school serving Adelaide's southern suburbs. Operating from Blackwood and covering everywhere from Belair and Coromandel Valley to Mitcham and Marion, Julie specialises in automatic driving lessons that help learners build real-world skills and confidence. Parents consistently praise Julie's gift for working with young drivers. Reviews highlight her calm, patient approach with teenagers, including nervous starters, and her ability to keep families informed throughout the learning journey. One parent noted their cautious son's confidence growing after just the first lesson, while another remarked that Julie's teaching background shows clearly in how she connects with learners. Her structured lessons focus on practical driving situations, not just ticking boxes for the VORT test. Julie's knack for putting anxious learners at ease is mentioned again and again. She uses clear, calm language and adapts her teaching style to each student's pace, creating a supportive environment in her 2022 Toyota CH-R Hybrid Sport (equipped with dual-control brakes and dash cameras). Multiple learners have passed their test first go under her guidance, and her near-perfect Google rating reflects the trust families place in her. Drive Safely SA offers beginner lessons, VORT test preparation with test-day packages, refresher courses for returning drivers, international driver lessons, and night driving instruction. Julie's goal is simple: to develop safe, defensive drivers ready for a lifetime behind the wheel. First-timers, overseas licence holders, and teenagers all benefit from Julie's patient, professional teaching style in Blackwood and across Adelaide's southern suburbs, making learning to drive a positive experience. Lessons can be booked by phone, with flexible scheduling including Saturday mornings.

Lesson Prices

Published lesson prices from $100
Lesson / PackageDetailsPrice
60-Minute Lesson60 min$100
Night Lesson (60 Minutes)60 min$120
90-Minute Lesson90 min$150
120-Minute Lesson120 min$190
VORT Test Preparation60 min$450

Prices are published by Drive Safely SA and may change — confirm current rates when booking.

Services

  • Beginner driving lessons
  • VORT test preparation
  • Refresher courses
  • General automatic driving lessons
  • International driver lessons
  • Night lessons

What Customers Say on Google

Service

Julie kept parents informed of their son's progress each week with tips on areas to work on, a standout level of communication and support.

Patience

A nervous learner's confidence grew noticeably after lessons with Julie, who remained patient, calm, and incredibly supportive throughout.

Confidence

A 16-year-old felt safe and totally supported during all lessons; Julie's teaching background is evident in her clear communication and professionalism.

Source: Google Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions About Drive Safely SA

Yes, instructor Julie O'Hara provides door-to-door pickup across Adelaide's southern suburbs, including Blackwood, Belair, Coromandel Valley, Mitcham, Marion, and surrounding areas. This means learners don't need transport to a meeting point, Julie collects them from home and returns them after the lesson. It's particularly helpful for parents juggling work or other commitments, and families tell us the convenience makes fitting lessons into busy schedules much easier.

Absolutely. Julie offers lessons specifically for international drivers, whether you're converting an overseas licence or simply need to adjust to Australian road rules and driving on the left. She tailors sessions to each learner's background, covering local regulations, roundabout navigation, and defensive habits that differ from other countries. Learners tell us Julie's clear explanations and patient approach make the transition much smoother, and her 25 years of teaching experience show in how she adapts to different starting points.

Julie has a strong track record with anxious young drivers. Families tell us she's especially patient with nervous starters, one parent noted their cautious son's confidence grew visibly after just the first lesson. Julie's background in teaching shows in how she connects with teenagers, using calm, clear language and building skills gradually. She also keeps parents informed each week about progress and what to practise at home, which families say is invaluable for supporting learners between lessons.

Yes, Julie provides VORT test preparation as part of her service. Her lessons focus on real-world driving skills and defensive habits, not just ticking boxes for the test itself. Learners tell us they felt well-prepared and confident on test day thanks to her structured approach. Julie's 25 years of experience mean she knows exactly what examiners look for, and she'll guide you through the process so you're ready for safe, independent driving long after you pass.

Published lesson prices start from around $100, and Drive Safely SA offers multi-lesson package discounts for learners committing to several sessions. Package payment must be made in full at least 24 hours before your first lesson, and Julie accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PAY ID transfers. Confirm current rates and package options when you book, as pricing can vary depending on the number of lessons and any updates to the schedule.

Contact Details

Address
Main Rd, Blackwood, South Australia, 5051

How Drive Safely SA Compares

in Adelaide

Rated 5.0 above the Adelaide average of 4.7
This biz
5.0
Average
4.7

10 reviews on Google

Defensive Driving — 1 of 15 in Adelaide

Home Pickup — 1 of 16 in Adelaide

Opening Hours

Monday
8am-5pm
Tuesday
8am-5pm
Wednesday
8am-5pm
Thursday
8am-5pm
Friday
8am-5pm
Saturday
8am-1pm
Sunday
Closed

Business Details

Service Areas
Blackwood, Belair, Eden Hills, Glenalta, Hawthorndene, Coromandel Valley, Craigburn Farm, Upper Sturt, Bellevue Heights, Lynton, Torrens Park, Pasadena, Panorama, Springfield, Colonel Light Gardens, St Marys, Flagstaff Hill, Mitcham, Clapham, Kingswood, Netherby, Daw Park, Melrose Park, Bedford Park, Darlington, O'Halloran Hill, Aberfoyle Park, Marion, Urrbrae, Happy Valley
Certifications
SA Licensed Driving Instructor, Member of the Australian Driver Trainers Association, Dual-Control brakes installed and Certified by Goodall Engineering, First Aid Certified, Working With Children Clearance, National Police Check clearing, 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating
Years in Business
25+
Payment Methods
Credit cards, Debit cards
Pricing
Multi-lesson package discounts available. Pack payment must be made in full at least 24 hours before the first lesson via credit card or PAY ID (0431 866 483).

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