Becoming an accredited driver trainer

In Queensland, a person wishing to provide pre-licence driver training for reward must be accredited as a driver trainer with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The requirement for accreditation as a driver trainer is in accordance with the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.

Driver licence

You must meet these driver licence requirements to become an accredited driver trainer:

• hold a valid open driver licence issued in Australia or New Zealand for the class of vehicle for which the applicant wishes to provide training
• have held the licence for a continuous period of at least 1 year immediately prior to making the application—refer to section 27(a) and (b) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.

Traffic and criminal history

Driver trainers have a legal, moral and professional obligation to understand, obey and know that regulations exist for very definite reasons. These include guidance, restraint, uniformity and safety.

It is essential therefore that driver trainers have a sound traffic history record. We may refuse to grant accreditation to a person who has an adverse traffic history.

We may also refuse to grant accreditation to a person who has been convicted of a criminal offence or is currently charged with a criminal offence and the charge has not been fully disposed of. In light of public interest and public safety considerations, we will take into account any charges or offences committed in any jurisdiction when deciding whether or not to issue the accreditation.

Traffic and criminal history checks are conducted by the transport and motoring customer service centre or QGAP office after an application is lodged.

Standard for accredited driver trainer

Accredited driver trainers are required to comply with statutory accreditation conditions as detailed in schedule 1 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015 and the Code of Conduct.

When applying for driver trainer accreditation, the person is required to declare on the application form that they understand their responsibilities under the regulation and that failure to comply with the statutory accreditation conditions may result in the driver trainer's accreditation being amended, suspended or cancelled.

Note: Accredited driver trainers must have a suitability card (blue card) issued by the Queensland Public Safety Business Agency. Find out more about applying for a blue card.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that businesses involved in providing learner driver training, seek independent professional advice and obtain appropriate levels of insurance to meet their business needs. This includes professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

Training qualifications

An applicant for driver trainer accreditation must demonstrate appropriate competencies to undertake the role by successfully completing the approved training course delivered by a Transport and Main Roads approved registered training organisation (RTO).

Current qualification requirements

Light vehicle classes (C and CA)

• TLI41222—Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training (Specialisation group A - Cars) or
• TLISS00235—Car Motor Vehicle Driver Training Skill Set.

Heavy vehicle classes (to specified level)

• TLI41222—Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training (Specialisation group B – Heavy Vehicles) or
• TLISS00233—Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Skill Set.

TLI41222 must include one of the following competency units:

• TLIC2002—Drive light rigid vehicle
• TLIC3003—Drive medium rigid vehicle
• TLIC3004—Drive heavy rigid vehicle
• TLIC3005—Drive heavy combination vehicle
• TLIC4006—Drive multi-combination vehicle.

This competency unit must be listed on the qualification issued by the RTO.

A driver trainer applicant wanting to deliver multi-combination class driver training must also hold and present a TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Motorcycle class (R class)

• TLI41222—Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training (Specialisation group C - Motorcycles) or
• all 3 units of competency below:
  • TLIC0035—Apply low-risk motorcycle riding behaviours; and
  • TLIM0013—Conduct motorcycle rider training; and 
  • TLIM0020—Develop low-risk motorcycle riding behaviours in others; or
• TLISS00234—Motorcycle Rider Training Skill Set. 

Motorcycle Q-Ride accredited rider trainer

To deliver the Q-Ride motorcycle graduated licence system as a Q-Ride registered service provider (RSP) or as an employee of an RSP, you will need to:

• have completed a Q-Ride rider trainer curriculum training course
• hold at least one of these qualifications:
  • a current driver trainer accreditation to provide driver training for a class R motorcycle
  • all 3 units of competency below:
    • TLIC0035—Apply low-risk motorcycle riding behaviours; and
    • TLIM0013—Conduct motorcycle rider training; and
    • TLIM0020—Develop low-risk motorcycle riding behaviours in others; or
  • TLISS00234—Motorcycle Rider Training Skill Set; or
  • TLI41222—Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training (Specialisation group C - Motorcycles).

Read more about becoming an accredited rider trainer.

Registered training organisations (RTOs)

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for Australia's vocational education and training sector. ASQA is responsible for the registration of RTOs and accrediting courses. Complaints about an RTO or the quality of training provided should be made to ASQA directly.

Mutual recognition

A current interstate or New Zealand driver trainer accreditation may be recognised and transferred to the equivalent Queensland accreditation for the same vehicle classes. Applicants must apply for recognition of their existing interstate or New Zealand accreditation and pay the applicable fee.

Review by the chief executive

Throughout the accreditation period, accredited driver trainers must maintain satisfactory levels of competency. If the chief executive reasonably believes the trainer is not competent to give training, the trainer may be required to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the chief executive that the trainer is competent to give training. Refer to schedule 1, part 1, sections 3 and 4 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.

Application process

Applications for driver trainer accreditation may be pre-lodged without course certification to allow for criminal and traffic history checks to be commenced. However course certification must be presented within 3 months from the lodgement date of the application. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the lapse of the application and a partial refund of the application fee paid.

Approval

Once the chief executive has made the decision to grant the accreditation, you may be issued with an interim industry authority. This interim industry authority will act as proof that you hold a driver trainer industry authority until your card arrives in the mail.

Accreditation as a driver trainer is granted for 12 months. Application for renewal of the accreditation must be made prior to the expiry date. If your accreditation has lapsed by 3 months or more after the expiry date, you must reapply and meet new application requirements including the current training qualifications.

If you are signed up for e-reminders we will email you:

• an interim industry authority as evidence that you are authorised to perform the role until your industry authority card arrives in the mail
• when your industry authority card is posted
• 3 days before your industry authority is due to be renewed.

Vehicle to be used for training and assessment

Vehicles provided by the accredited driver trainer to provide pre-licence driver training must comply with section 29 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Accreditation and Other Provisions) Regulation 2015.

Accredited driver trainers should ensure that any vehicle provided by the learner driver for training purposes must be typical of the class and meet the minimum standards for test vehicles as described in the Q-SAFE Driver Licence Assessment Policy.

For more information contact your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre.