The Team
Your Instructors
Local professionals who are as committed to your safety as they are to your success.
Brett Tipton
Principal Instructor, Derive Driving School
Brett is the founder and Principal Instructor at Derive Driving School, bringing over two decades of experience across transport, training, and instruction. He holds a Class MC heavy vehicle licence, a Private Pilot Licence, and has progressed from bus driver to trainer at CDC NSW. Brett founded Derive in 2022 with a commitment to patient, safety-focused instruction for drivers at every stage — from first lessons to heavy vehicle licence upgrades.
Darren Dougherty
Driving Instructor, Derive Driving School
Certified driving instructor with a commitment to patient, structured, and safety-focused instruction. Darren brings a calm, methodical approach to every lesson — helping students build real confidence behind the wheel.
All instructors at Derive Driving School are certified professionals dedicated to helping you pass with confidence. Every lesson is delivered in a dual-controlled vehicle for your safety.
What to Expect
Structured Lessons
Each lesson builds on the last. You always know what to work on next.
Honest Feedback
Clear, constructive feedback after every lesson — no sugar-coating.
Test-Day Preparation
We prepare you thoroughly so test day feels routine, not stressful.
Book with Brett or Darren
Friendly, professional, patient. Your licence is closer than you think.