Geelong learners feel the pinch, city crowned third most expensive for driving lessons
Geelong is the third most expensive city in Australia for driving lessons. However, one instructor with a passion for helping students is bucking the trend.
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Geelong has been named the third most expensive city for professional driving lessons in Australia.
Driving lessons in Geelong cost on average $84.48 per hour, making it the third most expensive city for professional driving lessons in Australia, as revealed by analysis conducted by EzLicence.
Geelong trails only behind Adelaide and Canberra, where an hour lesson costs $113.30 and $85.05 on average respectively.
But a Lara-based instructor is bucking the trend, offering some of the cheapest prices in the region.
Aly Bandari, who owns Learn Perfect Driving School, offers some of the most affordable lessons in Geelong at $70 per hour – $14.48 less than the average price.
“The reason I keep my prices down is that I can see the kids go to school and study, plus many of them work in fast food restaurants, and get low pay,” Mr Bandari said.
“I’m just trying to help them with that so they can save money, and go on holidays and complete further studies.
“I don’t go too hard like other driving schools in the region. Some charge about $80, which is a lot of money for a student.”
Mr Bandari’s student Sarah English, who passed her driving test on Thursday afternoon with zero faults, said that driving lessons were integral to her success.
“Professional driving lessons are the only way to properly understand how to drive,” Ms English said.
“Aly taught me how to reverse park, do three points, how to lane change and all of the road rules.
“He’s very knowledgeable, very relaxed and calm while doing lessons.”
Mr Bandari began his driving school two years ago as he wanted flexible hours and to work for himself, but he soon discovered a natural flair for the trade.
“It can sometimes be challenging, but I feel really proud,” he said.
“It’s great to help young people to start driving and get on the road.”
Since 2023-24, the cost of driving lessons has risen across every Australian state, with the national average now sitting at $81.02 per hour in 2024-25.
By contrast, Bendigo is the most affordable place for driving lessons, with prices rising by just $2.03 over the past year, from $72.82 per hour to $74.85.
The Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) chief executive officer Tracey Slatter said that learner drivers can access a free 60 minute coaching lesson through the myLearners initiative – a program run by the Department of Transport and the TAC.
“We know that the more on-road experience learner drivers get, the better equipped they will be navigating our roads alone,” Ms Slatter said.
According to the TAC, young drivers move from having the lowest to the highest chance of being involved in a fatal crash when they transition from leaners to a P1 Licence.
While 18-25 year olds only account for 10 per cent of Victorian licence holders, they make up 18 per cent of drivers killed in the state.
“Professional driving lessons can provide a strong foundation at the start of a learner’s journey and in preparation for their probationary licence test, but it’s the continued support and supervision from mentors such as parents and guardians that helps prepare young people for safe solo driving,” Ms Slatter said.
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Originally published as Geelong learners feel the pinch, city crowned third most expensive for driving lessons
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