The Competency Based Training (CBT) course consists of 30 tasks documented in the "Driving Companion". It is a comprehensive program that covers the skills and knowledge required to drive lawfully and safely on South Australian roads. For most beginners this is the best method for them to learn to drive in a structured and supportive environment.

CBT training typically involves an explanation and sometimes a demonstration of a given task by the instructor and then practice by the learner until they can competently demonstrate the skill and/or knowledge. The tasks are trained in a logical order from simple to more complex, each task building upon previously mastered skills.

In order for a learner to be assessed as competent at a task they must drive the vehicle:

  • Safely
  • Legally
  • Smoothly
  • In full control
  • In a manner that meets the required criteria

The Driving Companion CBT section (yellow) documents each of the 30 tasks, which are signed off by the accredited instructor on achievement, serving as a record of the learner's progress through the training program. However, the task documentation is for assessment and not always useful for learning purposes. In the following sections I have provided explanations, step-by-step procedures and some helpful hints and guidelines that I use to assist my clients as they progress through the program.

The course is broken down into four units;

  1. Basic driving procedures
  2. Slow speed manoeuvres
  3. Basic road skills
  4. Traffic management skills

There are four reviews included in units 1, 2 and 4 to ensure that skills and knowledge learned earlier in the course are retained and can be performed reliably.