Less nerves.
More let’s go.

The reality is that many parents would struggle with the PDA if they attempted it today. This is because bad driving habits creep in over the years. Many parents are also unaware of changes to road rules that have occurred since they got their licence, there is a widespread misunderstanding of how to indicate at roundabouts, and many don’t come to a ‘complete stop’ at stop signs/lines.

Just take a look at the quality of drivers on Perth roads and it’s obvious that standards are seriously lacking across the board. Some of these bad drivers are parents of teenagers.

Many parents avoid the more dangerous — but incredibly important — manoeuvres such as turning right at traffic lights without an arrow, and turning right onto a busy dual carriageway from a stop or give-way sign. Students then present for lessons just before their PDA without any experience of these tricky AND DANGEROUS manoeuvres.

A lot of parents also teach their children to steer using an inefficient, shuffling push-pull style despite they themselves quite legitimately crossing their hands when turning corners and parking. This misguided belief held by many parents is due to an ‘urban myth’ that has been perpetuated for decades by parents, learners and some driving instructors — particularly those who may have been trained overseas under different rules.

The official instruction in the “How to Pass Your Driving Assessment” booklet issued by the WA Department of Transport is: You do not have to use a special method of steering or using the gears but the method you use should help you operate the car safely.

• Steer with both hands unless you are operating the controls.
• Keep your hands on the outside of the steering wheel.
• Keep your hands in a position that allows you to adjust your steering if you need to do so.
• Do not completely cross your ARMS.

While the system allows for parent instruction, it is very important for a learner to be taught correct habits from the outset. An accredited instructor understands the required standard for sitting and passing the PDA and can provide this initial input and help set up the learner driver for later success.

Contrary to popular belief, you can use either method. There is a misguided assumption among countless learner drivers, parents and some instructors that the push-pull method should be used in the PDA, however this is not the case.

The official instruction in the “How to Pass Your Driving Assessment” booklet issued by the WA Department of Transport is:

• Steer with both hands unless you are operating the controls.
• Keep your hands on the outside of the steering wheel.
• Keep your hands in a position that allows you to adjust your steering if you need to do so.
• Do not completely cross your ARMS.

NOTE: Crossing of ARMS refers to the situation where your elbows lock after half a turn if you try to turn the wheel with your hands locked in the “10 and 2” or “9 and 3” position — not the mere crossing of HANDS as per the hand-over-hand technique. As a licensing-centre driving assessor once put it to us, “Push-pull steering is ‘old school’.”

At Otter Driving School we demonstrate both methods and allow you to decide what’s right for you. There are strong opinions about the merits of each steering method within the driver training industry, however we won’t engage in that debate here! If you come to us with a preference of either push-pull or hand-over-hand, we won’t try to change you to another technique — provided that the execution of your chosen style is EFFICIENT and allows for quick changes of direction in low-speed manoeuvres.

Lesson hours: 06:00–18:00. Available days: Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday · Thursday · Friday · Saturday · Sunday. Contact us to confirm public holiday availability.

For automatic lessons you’ll be driving a low-mileage BYD fully electric automatic, with dual controls to help keep you safe and sound, a crystal-clear 360-degree reversing camera for enhanced visibility and safer manoeuvring, air conditioning for your comfort, and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Manual lessons are taught in a manual car. You can see each coach’s learner car on our Our Team page.

Our instructors are fully accredited and have spent years teaching learners of every level. Between them they have delivered thousands of hours of lessons, and they keep up to date with the standard the assessors actually apply on the day.

I am a friendly, patient, understanding and easy-going person. I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and helping them to gain their driver’s licence.

Every learner is unique. I am able to assist all levels of learners, whether you have zero driving experience (beginner) or need a refresher to build confidence. I can tailor our lessons based on what your needs are.

I am looking forward to assisting you. Your road to a happy driving journey starts here!

Yes. We pick you up and drop you off anywhere within 15 km of any of our test centres: Cannington, Kelmscott, Success and City West.

Not sure whether your address is inside the area? Send us your suburb and we’ll confirm.

Lessons are paid in person; booking online needs no payment. Once your lesson time is confirmed, please don’t cancel unless you really have to.

• Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before your lesson: no charge. Anything you have already paid is kept as account credit for a future lesson.
• Cancel within 48 hours of your lesson: half of the lesson fee applies. If you have already paid, half is deducted and the other half is kept as account credit; if not, the half fee is paid at your next lesson.