Become an instructor
Become a driving instructor in Cairns
startLdrive is recruiting qualified, dual-control driving instructors in Cairns and the suburbs around it. You set your own rates and your own hours, and keep your own learners — there are no franchise fees.
No startLdrive instructors teach in Cairns yet - you'd be one of the first learners there can book.
What you need in Cairns, Queensland
Instructors in Cairns, Queensland are accredited by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, which issues the driver trainer accreditation. In outline, you will need to:
- Hold an open Australian or New Zealand licence, held continuously for at least a year
- Hold a Certificate IV in motor vehicle driver training
- Pass traffic, medical and criminal history checks
- Hold a positive notice Blue Card for child-related work
This is a summary, not the full rules, and requirements change. Check the Department of Transport and Main Roads before you apply.
What startLdrive gives you
- Set your own hourly rate and your own working hours
- No franchise fees and no lock-in contract
- Learners come to you through the site, with your availability already visible
- Bookings, reminders and payment handled for you
Suburbs around Cairns
There are 59 suburbs within about 20 km of central Cairns. You choose exactly which ones you cover. The closest:
- Aeroglen
- Brinsmead
- Bungalow
- Cairns North
- Earlville
- Edge Hill
- Freshwater
- Kamerunga
- Kanimbla
- Lake Morris
- Mackinnon
- Manoora
- Manunda
- Martynvale
- Mooroobool
- North Cairns
- Parramatta Park
- Portsmith
- Redlynch
- Stratford
- Tarrawarra
- Westcourt
- Whitfield
- Bayview Heights
- Mount Sheridan
- White Rock
- Woree
- Barron Gorge
- Barron
- Caravonica
How joining works
- 1
Apply online
Tell us about yourself and upload your driver trainer accreditation and checks.
- 2
Get reviewed
We look over your application and get back to you.
- 3
Set up your profile
Pick your Cairns suburbs, your hourly rate and your weekly availability.
- 4
Start getting booked
Learners searching Cairns find you and book straight into your calendar.
Teaching in Cairns: common questions
Do I need a licence to teach driving in Cairns?
- Yes. To teach driving for payment in Cairns you need a driver trainer accreditation, issued by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. The requirements are summarised on this page - check the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the full rules before you apply.
Can I choose which Cairns suburbs I teach in?
- Yes. Once you're approved you pick exactly which suburbs you cover - one at a time, or everything within a radius of where you're based - and you can change them whenever you like.
How much does startLdrive charge?
- There are no franchise fees and no lock-in contract. startLdrive takes a 20% commission on lessons booked through the site, and you set your own hourly rate.
Do I need my own car?
- Yes - you teach in your own dual-control car. Your profile shows whether it's manual, automatic or both, so learners can find the right instructor.
Are there already startLdrive instructors in Cairns?
- No startLdrive instructors teach in Cairns yet - you'd be one of the first learners there can book.