People with certain mobility needs use wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) to go to work, school and social events.  

To ensure everyone stays safe, drivers of WAVs must receive training. 

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Drivers

To ensure everyone stays safe, drivers of WAVs must receive special training.

What do I need to do to become an accredited WAV driver?

You need to complete two tests – one theoretical and one practical.

To complete these tests, you will need to show that you can provide safe WAV services. That includes:

  • Hoists
  • Wheelchair restraints
  • Passenger restraints
  • Daily pre-operational vehicle checks

What should I do to stay up to date?

WAV drivers should complete refresher training every 12-18 months.

You can also ask your Booking Service Provider (BSP) or vehicle owner for training if you have not driven for some time.

Safety standards change and you must stay up to date with these changes. Your BSP or ST Vic can tell you about any changes.

Do I need to keep records of my WAV training?

Yes. You should keep a logbook of your training, or you can ask your BSP to give you proof of completion of WAV training.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Booking Service Providers

Booking Service Providers (BSPs) must train drivers and make sure they provide safe services.

What training do I need to provide?  

You must ensure your drivers can provide safe WAV services. That includes:

  • Hoists
  • Wheelchair restraint
  • Passenger restraint
  • Daily pre- operational vehicle checks

Safety standards change. Make sure you regularly check your training and processes are up to date.

BSPs should provide refresher training to WAV drivers every 12-18 months or if earlier when:

  • There are vehicle or equipment changes
  • A safety complaint has been made
  • A notifiable incident has occurred

How can I provide training?  

Training can be led by an instructor, web based or practical (on the job).

You can provide the training directly or use a third party provider.

What records do I need to keep?

As a registered BSP you have record-keeping and reporting responsibilities.

You must keep a training register that includes:

  • Driver’s full name
  • Driver’s accreditation number
  • Date of training
  • Type of training (e.g. induction, refresher or targeted training)
  • Details of the trainer
  • Training location

ST Vic can check your training register at any time.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Owners

Vehicle owners must train their WAV drivers so that they can provide safe rides.

What training do I need to provide?

You must ensure your drivers can provide safe WAV services. That includes:

  • Hoists
  • Wheelchair restraint
  • Passenger restraint
  • Daily pre-operational vehicle checks

Safety standards change. Make sure you regularly check your training and processes are up to date.

Vehicle owners should provide refresher training to WAV drivers every 12-18 months or if earlier when:

  • There are vehicle or equipment changes
  • A safety complaint has been made
  • A notifiable incident has occurred

How can I provide training?

Training can be led by an instructor, web based or practical (on the job).

You can provide the training directly or use a third party provider.

What records do I need to keep?

As a registered vehicle owner you have record-keeping and reporting responsibilities. This includes vehicle and equipment service maintenance records.

You must keep a training register that includes:

  • Driver’s full name
  • Driver’s accreditation number
  • Date of training
  • Type of training (e.g. induction, refresher or targeted training)
  • Details of the trainer
  • Training location

ST Vic can check your training register at any time.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Assessors

Assessors must assess WAV drivers to ensure they are competent.

You need to assess drivers according to the requirements in TLIC0026 – Provide wheelchair accessible services to passengers with disabilities.

The assessment must:

  • Occur in real time and last at least 60 minutes
  • Include a range of relevant scenarios, exercises, case studies role plays and/or simulations
  • Provide all necessary materials and equipment
  • Record reasons for satisfactory or unsatisfactory result
  • Consider the literacy levels and learning styles of different drivers and deliver materials accordingly

Do I need to keep records?

Yes, you must keep private records of your completed assessments and checklists.

Safe Transport Victoria can ask to see copies of training assessment records at any time.

You can refer to Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for help with how to keep records.

What else do I need to do?

You need to share assessment results with the driver you are assessing (pass or not yet competent) and the reason why they achieved this result.

You need to review any feedback from drivers and trainers to continuously improve your processes.

How can I become an assessor?

You need to provide the following information to Safe Transport Victoria:

  • Documented assessment strategy, including written content and structure of the assessment
  • Practical assessment plans, tasks and assessor checklists
  • Certified copy of your Certificate IV Training and Assessment from a recognised training provider
  • Evidence of your relevant training and assessment experience
  • Details of your own W-endorsement

Assessor contracts must be renewed with ST Vic every 12 months.