The reality is that many parents would struggle with the PDA if they attempted it today. This is because bad driving habits creep in over the years. Many parents are also unaware of changes to road rules that have occurred since they got their licence, there is a widespread misunderstanding of how to indicate at roundabouts, and many don’t come to a ‘complete stop’ at stop signs/lines.
Just take a look at the quality of drivers on Perth roads and it’s obvious that standards are seriously lacking across the board. Some of these bad drivers are parents of teenagers.
Many parents avoid the more dangerous - but incredibly important - manoeuvres such as turning right at traffic lights without an arrow, and turning right onto a busy dual carriageway from a stop or giveway sign. Students then present for lessons just before their PDA without any experience of these tricky AND DANGEROUS manoeuvres.
A lot of parents also teach their children to steer using an inefficient, shuffling push-pull style despite they themselves quite legitimately crossing their hands when turning corners and parking. This misguided belief which is held by many parents is due to an ‘urban myth’ that has been perpetuated for decades by parents, learners and some driving instructors – particularly those who may have been trained overseas under different rules. The official instruction in the “How to Pass Your Driving Assessment” booklet issue by the WA Department of Transport is:

You do not have to use a special method of steering or using the gears but the method you use should help you operate the car safely.

While the system allows for parent instruction, it is very important for a learner to be taught correct habits from the outset. An accredited instructor understands the required standard for sitting and passing the PDA and can provide this initial input and help set up the learner driver for later success

Contrary to popular belief, you can use either method. There is a misguided assumption among countless learner drivers, parents and some instructors that the push-pull method should be used in the PDA, however this is not the case.

The official instruction in the How to Pass Your Driving Assessment” booklet issue by the WA Department of Transport is:

NOTE: Crossing of ARMS refers to the situation where your elbows lock after half a turn if you try to turn the wheel with your hands locked in the “10 and 2” or “9 and 3” position – not the mere crossing of HANDS as per the hand-over-hand technique!
As a Joondalup Department of Transport Driving Assessor once advised me, “Push-pull steering is ‘old school’ “.

At EZY123 Driving School we demonstrate both methods and allow you to decide what’s right for you.
There are strong opinions about the merits of each steering method within the driver training industry, however we won’t engage in that debate here!
If you come to us with a preference of either push-pull or hand-over-hand, we won’t try to change you to another technique – provided that the execution of your chosen style is EFFICIENT and allows for quick changes of direction in low speed manoeuvres

Yes you will.

Apart from being an essential driving skill, there is a chance that you will need to perform the manoeuvre in your PDA.

As they say, “practice makes perfect”. Well, actually, “perfect practice makes perfect!” We spend a lot of time learning and practicing the various parking drills so you are best placed to execute correctly in your driving test.

And more importantly, your friends will think you’re a legend if you can confidently parallel park in the last available space right outside your destination, rather than making them walk half a kilometre in the rain because you weren’t prepared to attempt it and had to go and park somewhere easier further down the road!

It’s not that hard – you just need to know how!

EZY123 Driving School provides lessons 7 days a week from 7:30am to 6pm, including almost all public holidays.

You’ll be driving a low mileage BYD fully Electric automatic, with dual controls to help keep you safe and sound, a crystal clear 360 degrees reversing camera for enhanced visibility and safer manoeuvring, air conditioning for your comfort, and a five star ANCAP safety rating.

I have been a qualified driver instructor since 2020 . I have taught nearly 2,000 students over the course of more than 15,000 hours of driving lessons. I have been driven more than 1 million kilometres professionally as I have worked in the transport industry for more than 20 years .

I am a friendly, patient, understanding and an easy going person. I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and helping them to gain their driver’s licence.

Every learner is unique. I am able to assist all levels of learners, whether you have zero driving experience (beginner), international licence conversions or a refresher to build confidence. I can tailor our lessons based on what your needs are.

I am looking forward to assisting you. Your road to a happy driving journey starts here!

Once our time is confirmed, please don't cancel casually unless there's a very special circumstance.
If you cancel within 48 hours of the appointment, half of the tuition fee will be deducted.