Driving instructor accreditation

Access Canberra is responsible for accrediting driving instructors under the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Act 1999.

Accredited Driving Instructors (ADIs) train and assess the competency of people learning to drive.

You must be accredited and use an acceptable vehicle to be a driving instructor in the ACT.

If you’re an accredited driving instructor in another state or territory, you may be eligible to work in the ACT under the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme.

Read about automatic mutual recognition.

Eligibility

To become an accredited driving instructor, you must:

• be at least 21 years old
• hold a current full Australian car licence or full Australian licence of a higher class
• hold  a current ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration
• pass a commercial driver’s health assessment
• have no prior convictions for a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years
• attain a Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training and Driving Instructor Skill Set
• have a public liability insurance policy for at least $5 million that insures you against liability in relation to death or injury while you’re teaching someone to drive.

Acceptable vehicles

If you want to use your own vehicle for driving instruction it must:

• be an acceptable vehicle make and model
• be fitted with dual controls that have been certified by an Engineer
• inspected and approved at the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.
• send all paperwork to audit.bookings@act.gov.au after passing final inspection.

Acceptable vehicle makes and models

If you don’t see your vehicle listed here, contact Access Canberra to see if it’s acceptable.

• Audi: A1 (4 door), A3, A4
• BMW: 1 Series, 3 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3
• Chrysler: Neon, PT
• Daewoo: Cielo, Espero, Kalos, Laccetti, Lanos, Nubira
• Daihatsu: Applause, Charade, Sirion
• Eunos: 500, 800
• Ford: Corsair, Falcon, Festiva, Fiesta, Focus, Laser (EX LYNX), Mondeo, Taurus, Telstar
• Holden: Apollo, Astra, Barina, Commodore, Cruz, Nova, Vectra, Viva, Zafira
• Honda: Accord, City, Civic, CRV, Insight hybrid, Integra Jazz
• Hyundai: Accent, Elantra, Excel, Getz, I30, Kona, Lantra, Venue, Sonata
• Kia: Cerato, Credos, Mentor, Optima, Picanto, Rio, Lexus, CT200H (4 Door)
• Mazda: 2, 3, 6, 121, 323, 626, 929, CX3, CX5, CX30
• MG: MG3 – Auto
• Mercedes Benz: C200, B180
• Mini: Cooper
• Mitsubishi: 380, Colt, Galant, Lancer, Magna, Mirage
• Nissan: Bluebird, Leaf, Miera, Pintara, Pulsar, Tiida
• Proton: Gen2, Persona, Satira, Wira
• Skoda: Yeti
• Subaru: Forester, Impreza, Impreza WRX, Liberty, Outback, XV
• Suzuki: Baleno, Gino, Ignis, Liana, Swift, Vitara
• Tesla
• Toyota: Avalon, Camry, CH-R Hybrid, Corolla, Echo, Prius, Prius C, Prius V, Starlet, Yaris, Yaris Cross Hybrid
• Volkswagen: Golf, Polo, T-Cross

Apply for driving instructor accreditation

Applying for driving instructor accreditation (ADI) has 4 steps.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Before enrolling in the Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training course, check your eligibility by getting the following:

• an ACT Working with Vulnerable People card
• a 5-year statement of your licence history
• completing a Commercial driver’s health assessment.

Step 2: Complete required training

Complete the training applicable to the type of work you want to do under your accreditation.

The Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Accredited Driving Instructor and Heavy Vehicle Assessor Training Course Approval 2022 (No 1) sets out the required training.

Step 3: Submit your application

To apply you will need to submit the following to audit.bookings@act.gov.au:

• a completed Application to become an Accredited Driving Instructor (ADI) or Heavy Vehicle Assessor (HVA) [PDF 254 KB] form
• your certificate proving attainment of the Certificate IV in Driving Instruction
• a passed certificate of inspection for your vehicle (if applicable)
• a completed Commercial driver’s health assessment issued within 6 months of applying
• a current ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration
• a current 5-year statement of your licence history
• a recent passport-sized photo of you
• a certificate of currency for your public liability insurance

Step 4: Induction and payment

Access Canberra will review your application and you’ll be invited to attend an ADI induction session.

Once the induction is completed, you’ll be issued an Accredited Driving Instructor stamp to use when signing off on competencies.

You'll need to pay a fee for the period of accreditation you choose.

Renew your accreditation

To renew your accreditation, you'll need to submit the following documents via email to audit.bookings@act.gov.au.

• a completed Application to renew Accredited Driving Instructor (ADI) or Heavy Vehicle Assessor (HAV) [PDF 216 KB] form
• a completed Commercial driver’s health assessment issued within 6 months of applying. This is needed every 5 years unless a medical condition advises otherwise
• a current ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration
• a certificate of currency for your public liability insurance.

Once approved, Access Canberra will contact you to arrange collection of your Certificate of Accreditation.

Pay your accreditation renewal fee

To make an enquiry or get help visit our contact us page.