Derek Brewer, the director of Panache Driver Training is passionate about giving people the right tools to help them become observant and safe drivers on our roads. As a truck driver for over twenty years, Derek witnessed far too many accidents – many of them avoidable and often caused by lack of driver knowledge, distraction or pedestrian and cyclist carelessness.
Panache Driver Training was started in January 2009, providing learner driver training to all students across the ACT.
Derek quickly found he was being contacted by parents with one of two stories: ‘My child is totally overwhelmed when they get behind the wheel and refuses to even try to learn to drive,’ or ‘My child has passed their license but is not confident at all about driving on the road.’ Derek continued to talk to parents and other key caregivers and discovered a clear concern that Indigenous students and students with special needs were slipping through the cracks in the mainstream system.
In 2010, the additional program – Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program – focusing on Indigenous learner drivers as well as those with special needs, such as Autism and Asperger’s was initiated.
In the eleven years this program has been running, Derek has seen over five hundred Indigenous and special needs students move through his course, successfully obtain their provisional licence and go on to be safe, observant and defensive drivers. Many students return to enrol in Panache Driver Training’s advanced driver programs and often students and their caregivers contact Derek, sometimes many years later, to report they have had ‘no accidents’ since obtaining their licence.
Adaptability has been key to the success of this program. It is essential that Panache Driver Training instructors get to know each individual student so they can adapt their methodology, pedagogy and instructional practices to best meet their needs and help students achieve their goals.
‘Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program’ was developed with the goal of assisting learner drivers to become confident, safe and defensive drivers before obtaining their ACT Driver Licence.
Using our extensive knowledge of learning and teaching strategies best suited for Indigenous learners and learners with special needs, such as Autism and Asperger’s, we go one step further than other driver training programs in that we explain the ‘why’ behind driving techniques and road rules.
Each of our lessons is tailored to the individual. We spend time getting to know each student, their strengths and limitations, and work with these to build confidence, a positive attitude, an awareness of other drivers and a deep knowledge of the importance of safe driving techniques.
‘Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program’ is not designed for the learner driver who just wants to get their licence in the shortest time possible. This means our students obtain their provisional licence with the knowledge they are truly ready to be independent drivers on our roads who understand and action best practice for driving in all situations and play a key role in keep our roads safe.
Panache Driver Training was started in January 2009, providing learner driver training to all students across the ACT.
Derek quickly found he was being contacted by parents with one of two stories: ‘My child is totally overwhelmed when they get behind the wheel and refuses to even try to learn to drive,’ or ‘My child has passed their license but is not confident at all about driving on the road.’ Derek continued to talk to parents and other key caregivers and discovered a clear concern that Indigenous students and students with special needs were slipping through the cracks in the mainstream system.
In 2010, the additional program – Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program – focusing on Indigenous learner drivers as well as those with special needs, such as Autism and Asperger’s was initiated.
In the eleven years this program has been running, Derek has seen over five hundred Indigenous and special needs students move through his course, successfully obtain their provisional licence and go on to be safe, observant and defensive drivers. Many students return to enrol in Panache Driver Training’s advanced driver programs and often students and their caregivers contact Derek, sometimes many years later, to report they have had ‘no accidents’ since obtaining their licence.
Adaptability has been key to the success of this program. It is essential that Panache Driver Training instructors get to know each individual student so they can adapt their methodology, pedagogy and instructional practices to best meet their needs and help students achieve their goals.
‘Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program’ was developed with the goal of assisting learner drivers to become confident, safe and defensive drivers before obtaining their ACT Driver Licence.
Using our extensive knowledge of learning and teaching strategies best suited for Indigenous learners and learners with special needs, such as Autism and Asperger’s, we go one step further than other driver training programs in that we explain the ‘why’ behind driving techniques and road rules.
Each of our lessons is tailored to the individual. We spend time getting to know each student, their strengths and limitations, and work with these to build confidence, a positive attitude, an awareness of other drivers and a deep knowledge of the importance of safe driving techniques.
‘Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program’ is not designed for the learner driver who just wants to get their licence in the shortest time possible. This means our students obtain their provisional licence with the knowledge they are truly ready to be independent drivers on our roads who understand and action best practice for driving in all situations and play a key role in keep our roads safe.
We were thrilled to attend the ACT Chief Minister's inclusion awards night and receive a Commendation for Inclusion in Education and Training! This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to inclusion and our dedication to providing the highest quality education and training possible. Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists - you are an inspiration! We're also incredibly grateful to our amazing clients, whose unwavering support, beaming smiles and positive attitudes have been invaluable in helping us achieve this recognition.
Our director Derek Brewer is honoured to have been selected as a finalist for the "Lifetime Achievement in Supporting People with Disability" Award at the
ACT CHIEF MINISTER'S INCLUSION AWARDS
Derek would like to congratulate Wendy Millar from Hartley Lifecare on winning this award and all the other winners and finalists at tonight's ceremony!
Alexandra Hudson did an outstanding job as Master of ceremonies. And, of course, Dylan Alcott OAM inspired everyone in the room to live their best life!
Derek wants to say a massive thank you to all of our customers and supporters for making all of this possible.
We are proud to be the 'Leading Experts in Driving Education!'
Our Director Derek Brewer excepting The Indigenous Road Safety Award at the 7th Australian Road Safety Awards for The Panache Special Needs Learn to Drive Program.
Our Director Derek Brewer excepting The Indigenous Road Safety Award at the 7th Australian Road Safety Awards for The Panache Special Needs Learn to Drive Program. From Channel 7s Mark Beretta.