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Driver education implementation guidelines

Gaining a licence is perceived by adolescents as a symbol of independence, representing an important step towards adulthood. Motor vehicles provide teenagers with mobility, status, privacy and autonomy. However, young people (15-25 years of age) are significantly over represented among those killed and injured in road crashes.

Speed is the major cause of death and injury on NSW roads and the highest contributing factor for the involvement of young people aged 17- 25 years in fatal crashes. Peer influence and inexperience and other risk-taking behaviours such as drink and drug driving, fatigue, and not wearing a seatbelt, are major contributors to the high number of crashes involving young people of this age group.

School communities play a key role in assisting students in secondary schools to examine the responsibilities of being a road user, for themselves, for their peers, for their families and for members of the community. The knowledge, understandings, skills, attitudes and values which are necessary to fulfil these responsibilities as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist and future driver may be developed through sequential, comprehensive and age-appropriate PDHPE programs.

The focus for school-based driver education programs should be placed on assisting students to make informed decisions as road users. The school’s role is to guide the development of positive road safety attitudes and values.

Contact the DET Road Safety Education Consultant in your Region for support and advice for the development of comprehensive teaching and learning strategies and information about suitable resources.

Schools can choose to offer behind-the-wheel driver training for learner drivers, but it must be delivered within the context of the schools' driver education program and comply with strict guidelines. More information about these guidelines can be found on the Driver training implementation guidelines page.

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