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Youth Driving Program - RYDE

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The Cockburn RYDE Program provides young people (16-25 years) who live, work, study or are part of a sporting group in the City of Cockburn with the opportunity to complete their 50 hours of supervised driving with a volunteer driving mentor.

Many young people experience difficulties completing their supervised driving hours, whether that be because they do not have access to a vehicle or they do not have someone available to supervise them while they drive. The RYDE program connects young people with volunteers so that they can have someone to supervise them while they complete their hours.
 

How do I get involved? 

Step 1 Do you meet the RYDE program criteria? If you want to get involved as a participant, first see whether you fit the following criteria:
  • 16-25 years old
  • Live, work, study or are part of a sporting group in the City of Cockburn
  • Have your learners permit.
Step 2 Get in contact with a RYDE Provider Only a RYDE Provider can set you up as a participant of the program so book a sign-up appointment with a support worker. Make sure you bring the following information to your appointment: 
  • Learners permit
  • Mobile number
  • Working email address
  • If under 18 years, some RYDE Providers will also need a completed parent/guardian consent form (check with your RYDE Provider)

A list of RYDE Providers is available at the bottom of this page and on the RYDE website.
Step 3 Attend your sign-up appointment Meet with your RYDE Provider. They will sight your learners permit and show you a video explaining more about RYDE. They will be also to answer any questions you have about the program. 

Your support worker will set you up with an online profile on the RYDE website. This is what you will use to book sessions with in the future.
Step 4 Book a RYDE assessment Once your online profile has been set up by a RYDE Provide, you need to book a RYDE assessment with our partnered Driving School, Eclipse (08 9557 5010). 

The RYDE assessment is complusory and evaluates whether you possess skills for basic vehicle operation, an understanding of road rules and generally do not pose a significant risk to other road users or the volunteer driving mentors who may accompany you during driving sessions.

You will need to cover the cost of the assessment, which is $60.
Step 5 Begin to book RYDE sessions Once you have passed the assessment, Eclipse will tick you off as competent. You are now able to book RYDE sessions through the online RYDE portal. 

RYDE driving sessions have a cost of $15 for a 90 minute session. Sessions are paid for using credit codes bought through the RYDE website with Paypal, a credit card or debit card.

Cockburn RYDE providers

The following table provides contact information of RYDE providers and details on who they are available to assist.

RYDE Provider Address Phone Number Available To
Cockburn Youth Services 25 Wentworth Parade, Success 08 9411 3888 Any young person
Cockburn Youth Outreach 25 Wentworth Parade, Success 08 9411 3888 Current clients only
Cockburn Youth Justice 25 Wentworth Parade, Success 08 9411 3888 Current clients only
Port School 62 Wheeler Road, Hamilton Hill  08 9335 6323 Current students only
Youth Reach South 25 Wentworth Parade, Success 08 9499 4274 Current clients only

How do I become a volunteer driving mentor? 

To become a volunteer driving mentor you must fit the following criteria:

  • 21 years or older,
  • Hold a current C class drivers licence for four or more years continuously,
  • Current Working With Children card (or willing to obtain one),
  • Current National Police Check (or willing to obtain one).


Applications are open all year round. Just complete the online application form. Full training is provided and associated costs covered.
 

Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview, followed by:

  • Completing a driving session with our partnered driving school,
  • Completing an online induction,
  • Attending an evening induction session.

More information and contact 

For more information about the RYDE Program, please call 08 9411 3884 or email [email protected].
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does each session cost?
Each RYDE driving session has a cost of $15 for 90 minute session.
 
How do I pay for RYDE sessions?
Sessions are paid for using credit codes bought through the RYDE website with Paypal, a credit card or debit card.
Where do RYDE sessions take place?

The Cockburn Youth Centre, 25 Wentworth Parade, Success is the start and end location for each driving session.

Volunteer driving mentors will take participants driving in the City’s suburbs and surrounding areas.

Does RYDE provide driving lessons?

No. RYDE sessions are a chance to practice driving and complete the required 50 hours of supervised driving. They are not a formal lesson where you are taught new skills each time.

Mentors may show you different driving skills like parking and negotiating roundabouts, however their primary focus is building up participant's confidence and hours on the road.

If you do not feel fully confident in your driving skills, we highly recommend booking lessons with a driving school as they are better equipped to assess your driving skills and prepare you for your test. 

Is the RYDE car a manual or an automatic?
The RYDE vehicle is an automatic.

If you want to practice driving in a manual vehicle, we recommend booking a few lessons with a driving school or instructor. 
Can I cancel a RYDE session if something comes up?
Yes, you can. However, if you cancel too close to your session time you may still be liable for the cost of the session. 
I can't find any available sessions or sessions that work for me on the RYDE portal
Unfortunately this is sometimes the case. The RYDE program is run by volunteers and they may sometimes have limited availability to volunteer for RYDE. 

Volunteers put in their availabilty to volunteer and sometimes all available sessions are booked out quickly. 

We recommend checking more frequently in order to see when a volunteer is available for a session. 

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City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

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Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.