Code of Practice

Introduction

The Association and its members are dedicated to the safety, education and well being of all students in becoming safer drivers on our roads. We encourage diversity and tolerance within our organisation and require our members to do the same.

Our members must agree to abide by our Code of Practice which outlines the conduct necessary when working with children and other clients and colleagues. The code provides guidelines for instructors to abide by that helps display a level of professionalism within the Driver Instructor industry.

All people participating in child related work must hold a current Working With Children Check and be able to provide evidence of it. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, all allegations and safety concerns will be taken seriously.

This Code requires instructors to:

  1. Provide a suitable safe car for students to learn in

  • Vehicle must pass RMS standard for road worthy
  • Vehicle must have duel controls fitted for instructors use
  • Registration up to date
  • Vehicle is to be in clean state
  • Maintained to the manufacture’s service requirements, regularly checked to maintain safe and legal requirements of: windscreens, lights, tyres, mirrors, fuel, oil, and reservoirs for coolant, wipers, brakes and steering
  • Instructors must maintain Comprehensive Motor Vehicle insurance, as well as Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.

  1. High personal standards and driving ability:

  • Hold a high and professional level of personal hygiene
  • Be punctual and reliable
  • Not smoke in the vehicle during lessons
  • Refrain from using a mobile phone for making calls or messaging during lessons and tests
  • Have a zero Drug and Blood Alcohol Concentration
  • Only attend lessons when medically fit to do so
  • Have a comprehensive knowledge of, and comply with relevant road law, rules and regulations
  • Exhibit accurate, smooth, systematic and safe driving behaviour

  1. Behave with the utmost Integrity, Always:

  • Behave fairly, honestly, courteously, transparently, and never engage in unacceptable behaviour in person or online with students, parents, guardians, providers, State regulator staff, members and staff
  • At NO time is an instructor to harass, abuse, threaten or demean a student, parent, guardian, , providers, State regulator staff, members and staff, examples including:
  • Offensive jokes and language
  • Suggestive or derogatory comments
  • Inappropriate comments or questions about a person’s sex life or any other personal matter
  • Deliberate touching of a student
  • Display of pictures or other material which can be interpreted as offensive and/or obscene
  • Threats and intimidation
  • Coercive behaviour intended to inappropriately influence any decision
  • Misrepresenting drive test pass rates, instructor’s experience or training history
  • Discriminate against a persons age, race or gender
  • Posting inappropriate comments, images, videos or links on social media site
  • Provide and emotionally, physically and mentally safe environment for students to learn in
  • Be clear when providing instructions and directions
  • Feedback is to be clear and provided in a timely manner
  • Provide meaningful practice guidelines, be able to adapt the lesson to changing situations
  • Teach the student correct road rules and driving skills

  1. Comply with relevant legal requirements and have professional business practices

  • Abide by privacy laws keeping sensitive client information private
  • Have policies in place that rectify complaints in a professional and diplomatic manner
  • Maintain and keep accurate business records
  • Act according to State and Federal legislation and guidelines in correspondence with business management including Privacy, OH&S and Child Protection laws
  • Comply with State and Federal laws and guidelines with respect to the professional supply of driver training including privacy, OH&S, Road, Consumer and Child Protection legislation
  • Have policies in place in relation to refunds, advanced payments, and cancellation fees

  1. Support professional industry practices

  • Dress neat and tidy with sensible, practical foot wear
  • Not have your mobile phone as a distraction during the lesson by either turning off, putting on silent or diverting
  • Have no other third parties in the car other than supervising driver, licence testing officer, other person involved in the lesson, and only with permission of student (parent/guardian if student is under 18)
  • Be on time for bookings with students. If a delay or cancellation should occur inform the student as soon as possible and advise the student of time of arrival or offer to reschedule should it be required

Breaches of the Code

Should the Committee come to the agreement a member has breached the Code in any way, then the Committee may suspend or expel the member in accordance with the constitution

Dispute Resolution Procedure

Should a dispute arise between:

  1. A member and another member
  2. A member and the Association

the dispute resolution procedure set out in constitution

Complaint Procedure

Complaints by students and/or parents/guardians should be addressed with the driving instructor or driving school. Should the matter not be resolved or a breach in the Code of Practice has taken place, a written complaint is to be sent to the Association office for internal review and possible disciplinary action.
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