You must hold a current motor driving instructor's (MDI) licence before you can train any driver for a fee or reward.
If you hold an interstate driving instructor's licence and wish to operate in South Australia, you can apply for mutual recognition status.
Trainers who teach 4WD or defensive driving courses to people who already hold a driver’s licence, don’t need an MDI licence.
Who can apply
To apply for a MDI licence, you must:
- hold a current South Australian driver's licence
- have held an unconditional car licence for a minimum of two years with no disqualifications in that time
- have held an Australian licence, or an overseas licence, for four years with no disqualifications in that time
- demonstrate competency as a motor driving instructor. This involves
- holding a current Certificate IV Motor Vehicle Driver Training
- demonstrating an understanding of the Australian Road Rules, and the roles and obligations of an MDI, by passing an MDI theory test
- completing a regulator assessment
- be a fit and proper person.
If your SA driver’s licence is less than 5 years old, you will need to provide your driver's licence and traffic record details from your previous licencing state and/or country. Documents not in English must be officially translated.
What you'll need
To apply for a MDI licence you will need to supply:
- a resume (139.4 KB PDF) with employment references
- a current (no more than three months old) national police check. Apply through SA Police or through organisations accredited by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)
- a current working with children check (WWCC) or a statutory declaration
(a volunteer WWCC will not be accepted) - a completed (no more than three months old) certificate of fitness for light vehicles (108.9 KB PDF) for class C or a certificate of fitness for heavy vehicles for other classes (248.3 KB PDF)
- a medical certificate, previously submitted to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for another licence or accreditation, but not more than 3 months old, will be accepted
- If your SA driver's licence is less than five years old, a licence extract from your previous state, territory, and/or country summarising the issue of your licence history and traffic offences (if any)
- a certified copy of a current Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training
- evidence of successfully passing MDI theory test within the last 12 months
- one form of photo identification
Apply online
If you are eligible and have your documents ready, start your application.
Resume an application you have already started.
Other ways to apply
You can apply at a Service SA centre.
What you'll need
You will need the documentation as listed above.
The one form of photo identification you provide must be a photocopy of your SA driver's licence.
How to apply
Fill out the application form (130.0 KB PDF) and lodge it at a Service SA centre with the supporting documents mentioned above.
Application guidelines
Your application may not be successful if:
- it is incomplete; you will be notified to make an application again
- you couldn’t demonstrate your competency as a MDI during your regulator assessment
- the information or documents provided in your application do not meet the required standard for the issue of a MDI licence
- you have been convicted of any sexual, fraud, financial, violent, drug related or theft offences
- you have a history of serious or frequent driving offences, licence disqualifications, or suspensions.
What happens next
Once your application is received, it will be assessed. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be notified to book and pay the fee for a regulator assessment.
If you meet the required standard in the regulator assessment your application and supporting documentation will be sent to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) for consideration.
If your application is approved you will be notified to pay the required fee. You will have the option to:
- pay over the phone (by credit card)
- pay in person at a Service SA centre.
You may need to attend a Service SA centre to update your photo before your MDI licence is issued.
Once the licence fee is paid, your photo MDI licence will be sent to your driver's licence registered address within three weeks. If you have a mySAGOV account, your digital licence will be immediately available in the mySAGOV app.
If you need to update your driver's licence address you can update your details online or visit a Service SA centre.
Motor Driving Instructors (MDIs) are required to clearly display their physical MDI licence card or produce their digital MDI licence upon request while teaching students to drive.
Fees
Service | Fee |
|---|---|
MDI theory test through Service SA | $98 |
Regulator assessment | $312 |
| Motor driving instructor licence annual fee | $125 |
Decision to issue a licence
The RMV will review all aspects of your application before a decision can be made to issue an MDI licence.
Depending upon the individual's circumstances, the RMV:
- may issue an MDI licence for up to five years
- may place condition(s) on your MDI licence, eg, 'Elected to Train Adults' if no WWCC has been supplied, or issue your MDI licence without conditions.
Once you have a licence
Motor Driving Instructors are required to clearly display their physical MDI licence card or produce their digital MDI licence upon request while teaching students to drive.
Code of conduct
There is an expectation that MDIs will at all times conduct themselves in a way that meets the expectations of the registrar and the community. The code of conduct (1.1 MB PDF) endorsed by the Australian Driver Training Association of South Australia and the Professional Driver Trainers Association of South Australia outlines the minimum standards of practice expected of all licensed MDIs and appointed authorised examiners covering:
- being honest and acting with integrity
- having respect for others
- being competent
- managing business competently.
Consumer law and complaints
Motor driving instructors have certain business obligations. Under Australian Consumer Law an MDI must provide a receipt for any payment over $75.00 or on request.
A client may also request a receipt for less than $75.00 and one must be provided within seven days of asking or for an itemised account within 30 days of being billed.
Businesses providing a service may, at some time, receive complaints - see Handling complaints. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Consumer and Business Services provide advice on making complaints.
Disciplinary action
The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may take disciplinary action if 'satisfied that the holder has been guilty of conduct making him or her unfit to hold such a licence'.
The following are examples of conduct that the registrar may consider for disciplinary action.
- any sexual assault including sexual assault of a driving student including inappropriate conduct of a personal or sexual nature, sexual harassment - this can include making inappropriate comments or discussion of a sexual nature or touching an applicant
- physical assault of a student or other persons related to the motor driving instructors business operations - ie student parent, other MDIs, authorised examiners or government officers
- drug possession and trafficking
- stalking of students, parents, other MDIs, authorised examiners or government officers
- dishonesty and fraud or poor or unscrupulous business practices
- driving offences
Further training for authorised examiners
Once you are an experienced motor driving instructor you may be eligible to undertake further training towards becoming an authorised examiner.
