Obtaining WAV endorsement
In Victoria, drivers must have a wheelchair accessible commercial passenger vehicle (WAV or W) endorsement on their driver accreditation to drive a WAV. This is an additional requirement for drivers regulated by Safe Transport Victoria.
To operate a WAV, drivers must pass an assessment that tests their knowledge and skills. This assessment includes both theoretical and practical components.
Only drivers who have successfully passed the assessment and received a W endorsement are allowed to provide commercial passenger WAV services to passengers who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Drivers will be assessed on successfully demonstrating their skills and knowledge of:
- ability to conduct pre-vehicle checks on a WAV vehicle
- communicating effectively with a wide variety of passengers using a WAV service
- assisting passengers into and out of a WAV suited to their disability needs
- operating a WAV vehicle
- planning scheduled activities
- understanding ethical and responsible behaviours
Preparing for the assessment
It is important that drivers prepare for the training assessment. Drivers must successfully demonstrate they understand all the requirements of driving a WAV in Victoria.
The assessment has both theory and practical components and is broadly based on the Provide wheelchair accessible taxi services to passengers with disabilities TLIC0026 unit of competency from the Certificate II in Driving Operations.
Drivers should complete some training and study available resources prior to booking the assessment.
The criteria used during the practical component is like the Programmed Observation Licence Assessment (POLA) used by VicRoads. This standard was developed to achieve a consistent and objective evaluation of an applicant during assessment.
The practical assessment criteria are similar to those for providing wheelchair accessible taxi services to passengers with disabilities, as described in TLIC0026. For more information, visit https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/TLIC0026.
How to book your assessment
To book an assessment, please contact ST Vic [email protected]
If sending an email to us, please write ‘W endorsement booking’ in the subject line and include in the body:
- your name and contact details
- the number of assessments required
- Driver Accreditation numbers for each of the drivers to be assessed
- contact details
- preferred location.
We will contact you within two business days to discuss your requirements. Please note that three business days’ notice of rescheduling is required.
Before booking, applicants must have:
- a current driver accreditation
- identified the area in Victoria that would be most suitable for being assessed (for example, metropolitan Melbourne or a location in regional Victoria).
The cost of completing the assessment is $190 and payable directly to the assessor. This applies to all applicants.
If you are a booking service provider wanting to register your drivers who are ready for assessment for the W endorsement, please ensure to include:
- Driver Accreditation numbers for each of the drivers to be assessed
- your driver’s full names
- information on the available WAV vehicles at your depot.
Assessment tasks
- Check the vehicle.
- Load a wheelchair in the vehicle with a passenger using a hoist.
- Load a second wheelchair in the vehicle without a passenger using a hoist.
- Undertake a directed drive of approximately 30 minutes.
- Unload the wheelchair without a passenger using a hoist.
- Unload the second wheelchair with a passenger using a hoist.
- Load a wheelchair using a ramp.
- Unload a wheelchair using a ramp.
- Scenario based disability assessor questions.