The Driver Training Academy story

In 1974 driving instructor Trevor Sobey was deeply affected when an eighteen-year-old woman, a former student, died in a car crash shortly after gaining her driver’s licence.

From this the DTA philosophy was born.

“On the day of the funeral I made two promises to her:

• I would never again teach someone how to merely pass a licence test and
• If there was anything that I could learn about driving, teaching or communication, then I would learn it.
• If I could look her in the eye now I would be able to say to her that I have kept my promises.   I would also thank her for the journey.”

(Trevor Sobey, on receiving the “BRACE - Micro Business Award”

at the 2006 CGU Ballarat Business Awards)

HISTORY: In the same year as the young lady's death (1974) Trevor Sobey purchased the Ballarat School of Advanced Driving from former British racing driver and Melbourne Traffic Operations Group Police Officer, Roger Ormsby.  The Ballarat School of Advanced Driving was renamed Driver Training Academy.

Trevor’s extensive and lengthy process of research and practical development included guidance from educational academic, the late Dr Helen Rabbette, who gave a theoretical basis for the practical program that DTA had developed.

Trevor Sobey BEd(ALD), dipProfCouns