Learner drivers and their supervisors benefit as more resources become available online

To help supervising drivers prepare and teach safe driving, Transport for NSW has launched a new free online resource (PDF, 105.96 KB). 

The Supervising Learner Drivers online learning resource is now available online and provides better access to parents, guardians and other full licensed drivers wishing to supervise learner drivers to help them supervise and teach learner drivers about safe driving before taking the driving test. 

Transport for NSW, in conjunction with local councils, has been delivering free face-to-face workshops ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’ across the state for over two decades to support supervising drivers. 

Executive Director Road Safety Regulation at Transport for NSW, Duncan Lucas, said now offering the learning resource online as well is a natural step towards more accessible road safety education, after the successful launch of the Driver Knowledge Test online last year.  

“Learning to drive is a big milestone and the role of supervising learner drivers often falls on parents, guardians and other full licensed relatives.  

“We want to support supervising drivers in understanding their responsibilities and to be able to provide safe and constructive feedback when they take their son, daughter, friend, or relative on the road to complete their logbook hour requirements,” Mr Lucas said.  

The online resource features five modules that cover a range of topics including what is involved in being a supervising driver, issues facing young drivers, how the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme works, the importance of learner driver experience, lesson planning, dealing with stress, how to develop safe solo driving, where to go for more information and how to share the roads safely with heavy vehicles, motorcycles, bicycle riders and pedestrians.    

“For people in regional areas or those juggling work and other commitments, attending in-person workshops can be challenging,” Mr Lucas said. 

“With the learning resource now available online, supervising drivers will have a flexible and convenient option to ensure they can access critical road safety information and training from the comfort of their homes without having to travel long distances or sacrifice work hours. 

“I encourage all parents, carers and supervisors who are helping novice drivers complete their 120 driving hours to also access the new Supervising Learner Drivers online resource, for practical tips on how to stay safe and get the most out of driving practice.  

“I also encourage young learner drivers under 25 years to complete structured driving lessons under the ‘3 for 1’ scheme and enrol in the Safer Drivers Course to increase their knowledge and implementation of safe driving, with the bonus of getting additional supervised hours credited to their log book,” Mr Lucas said. 

Learners who complete a structured driving lesson with a licensed driving instructor can credit triple the time of their lesson to their log book under the ‘3 for 1’ scheme. Learners with 50 hours in their log book (excluding 3 for 1 bonus hours) who complete the Safer Drivers Course can credit an additional 20 hours to their log book.  

The resource can be completed any time at the supervising driver’s convenience and is available on the Centre for Road Safety website.