Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to bring the following to each lesson:

• A Valid Learner’s Permit or Overseas License with Photo ID
• “The Driving Companion” Log Book (Optional)
• Suitable shoe attire. Your shoes will need to have an enclosed heel and preferably an enclosed toe, and should be comfortable. Thongs, ill-fitting sandals or high-heeled shoes are not suitable options.
• Lesson fee (if not pre-paid)

All drivers learn at different rates, some will require fewer lessons and others will need more; the number of lessons all depends on your confidence and pace at which you can learn the techniques and required manoeuvres. What we do know is that drivers who dedicate time to practice outside of their lesson times, develop their skills faster and are ready for the VORT sooner. In general, many of our students can take 8-10 lessons but many have been able to have as little as 4 or 5 lessons.

It can take as little as 2 weeks to few months, depending upon your ability to learn things, confidence and current competency level.

See our Prices and Packages for our training rates, lesson packs and test packs. Buying a pack is convenient and means you will save on the standard hourly rate.

1. For Lesson / Lesson Package: You can pay by cash or EFTPOS (2.2% Transaction Charge apply) on arrival before start lesson OR Electronic funds transfer (EFT) to JDDA bank account OR pre-purchase a lesson/lesson package online on JDDA website but be aware online transaction charges (30¢ + 1.75% of total amount on domestic card and 30¢ + 2.90% of total amount on international card) apply whenever you do pre-purchase online. If paying on-line you will need to purchase at least 3 days before your lesson date. See our Prices and Packages Page for all the details. Keep on your mind pay in cash and save unnecessary transaction charges.
2. For VORT Test / VORT Test Package: You have to pay cash only and allow at least 3 days before you want to book test depending on availability. Keep on your mind all VORT Test fees are non-refundable.

YES, please refer Terms and Conditions for more info. Thank You.

You can pay cash on the day of the lesson or pre-purchase a lesson or pack on-line. If paying on-line you will need to purchase 3 days before your lesson date. See our Prices and Packages Page for all the details. Keep on your mind pay in cash and save unnecessary transaction charges.

JD’s Driving Academy has helped many new and nervous learner drivers acquire the skills needed to become safe drivers and obtain their license. Our training approach is simple and easy to understand and paced at your level. If you have not been in front of the wheel before, we will cover the basic controls of the car and commence the first lesson in a low risk environment, such as a car park. Training will progress onto the roads as soon as you feel comfortable.

The Vehicle On Road Test is a practical on road driving test where the driver successfully completes 5 slow speed manoeuvres as well as a “general drive”. Before undertaking the VORT the driver will have driving lessons to learn these manoeuvres and cover off required Australian road law. Once you feel you are ready we will book in the test for you.

The slow speed manoeuvres are:

1. Moving off on a hill
2. U-Turn
3. Reverse Parallel Park
4. Angle Park
5. 3 Point Turn

To pass the VORT, the driver must demonstrate all 5 slow speed manoeuvres in combination with the general drive, score a pass mark of 90% or more and not breach any road law during the drive.

If you choose the VORT method you have to:

• Record 75 hours of supervised driving with a qualified supervising driver
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test
• Pass a practical driving test (VORT)

If everything is progressing as needed during the test then it can go for as little as 45 min to 60 min depending upon the traffic conditions.

3 Days notice required to book VORT Test.

Yes, VORT test price includes government booking fees.

Competency Based Test & Assessment is another way to obtain your driver’s license. Under this option an accredited driving instructor will need to sign off all 30 tasks outlined in The Driving Companion before you can obtain your license.
If you choose the CBT&A method you have to:

• Get training from an accredited instructor
• Complete all the CBT&A tasks listed in The Driving Companion
• Record 75 hours of supervised driving with a qualified supervising driver
• Pass the Hazard Perception Test

Typically, fewer lessons are required under the VORT. The CBT&A method can take up to 15-20 lessons to cover off all the tasks. Under the VORT system, some of our students have finished their training in as few as 8-10 lessons however many have been able to complete all their training in as little as 4 or 5 lessons.

JD’s Driving Academy offers lessons during the week or on the weekend. If you are just starting out, having your lesson during quieter traffic periods may be a good option to build up your confidence. If you want lessons straight after school, our instructor can pick you up from school and return you to your home or work after the lesson if possible, for our instructor to do so. Also, we offer night time driving lessons on special request with higher fees apply than our normal fees.

The VORT can be booked on either a weekday or on the weekend and we need a minimum 3-day booking period for the VORT. On the day, you will need to allow 2 hours for the pre-test training session and the VORT itself to highest chance to clear your VORT recommended by our Instructors. The VORT is held throughout metropolitan Adelaide in local streets you will one day be using and commuting on.

Yes. All of our vehicles are covered with fully comprehensive insurance covering all drivers of all ages with legal learner’s permit.

Yes. You should request this as soon as the lesson is finished.

You must be 16 years of age or older.

A person with the learner’s permit may sit their VORT test at any stage but cannot obtain their provisional licence until they are logged 75 hours in their Driver’s Companion and held a learner’s permit for one year without disqualification also pass their Hazard Perception Test (HPT).

Learner driver may re-sit after 2 weeks for next Test.

Overseas licence driver may re-sit test after 3 working days for next Test.

When booking a lesson, the agreed time is exclusively reserved for you. If you cannot make the appointment, 48 hours notice must be given to Driver Intuition as courtesy to your instructor and other students waiting for available times. Failing to do this may incur the lesson cost.

JD’s Driving Academy is based in Adelaide’s North Eastern suburbs but does service a large area of Adelaide’s CBD, Northern, Eastern, and Western Suburbs. We do however, based on availability of instructors, travel outside the service area. This however attracts a higher fees to cover travel time and additional fuel costs. To find out if an instructor is available in your suburb please use the contact us form or get in touch with us by phone on 0433 994 172.