If you have your own 4WD, we encourage you to use it. Learning in the vehicle you regularly drive helps build confidence and improves your understanding of how it performs in different conditions.

For corporate clients, we recommend using the vehicle you typically drive for work (where practical), as training in your work vehicle ensures the skills gained are directly applicable to your day-to-day duties.

Vehicle requirements:

• 4WD vehicle (automatic or manual) with low range
• Must be mechanically sound and clean
• One vehicle per maximum two participants, with a spare seat available for the instructor during practical exercises
• Fuel tank must be full or near full at the start of the course

If you don’t have access to a suitable 4WD, we can refer you to a specialist 4WD hire company. Please contact us for more information.

If you don’t have your own 4WD, you can hire one from a specialist 4WD hire company, please contact us for further information.

Come with what you’ve got and possibly get advice on what tyres are good for when and where. If you have more than one type, come with what you generally use.

Camping on site is free of charge for course participants.
Please bring your own camping equipment.

Catering is available for most courses at an additional cost.
You’re welcome to bring your own meals if preferred.

Facilities available include:

• Hot showers

• Toilets

• BBQs (free to use)

It’s a great way to enjoy the full experience in a relaxed and social setting.

Local Accommodation
Prefer not to camp? Local accommodation options may be available nearby. Please contact us if you’d like more information or recommendations.

We will send you a confirmation email with a list of what to bring and how to get to the training area prior to course commencement. For further information on our Intermediate 4WDrive course see what to bring.

Catering is available for most courses at an additional cost—you’ll be well looked after with fresh and hearty meals. Details about catering options will be provided upon booking or in your course confirmation.

You’re also welcome to bring your own food. On-site facilities include BBQs, hot showers, and toilets, making it easy to self-cater if you prefer.

If you have any dietary requirements or questions about catering availability, just get in touch—we’re happy to help.

Yes! Family and friends are very welcome—and encouraged—to attend. It’s important they gain confidence in you as a driver, and you never know when they might need to drive or guide the vehicle through a tricky section themselves.

There’s no charge for children under 12, and they’re welcome to join in the experience as observers.

No – all equipment is provided for use during the course. We use our own gear because it is safe, compliant, and regularly checked.

You’ll get hands-on experience with a range of quality equipment, and we’ll explain what we use, why we use it, and what to look for when purchasing your own. It’s a great opportunity to learn before you buy.

PNL 4WDriving conducts the majority of its 4WD training at two purpose-built sites in Victoria, offering real-world driving experiences in safe and controlled environments:

🔹 Narbethong (NE of Healesville, Victoria)
Our dedicated training area includes an all-weather classroom with:

• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Microwave access
• Eco-toilets and a hot shower

Directly opposite is a beautiful free camping reserve with BBQs. Practical training takes place on real bush tracks within the adjacent Marysville State Forest, offering ideal terrain to apply the techniques we teach.

🔹 Smythesdale (SW of Ballarat, Victoria)
We train at the Ballarat 4WD Club’s facility, located near the Enfield State Park. This site features:

• A range of 4WD training obstacles
• Nearby access to bush tracks for real-world driving
• Free on-site camping

A large open fire, BBQs, undercover training/eating area, and hot/cold showers & toilets within cooee

Other Course Locations:
🔹 Bairnsdale (East Gippsland, Victoria):
We also run selected 4WD courses in the Bairnsdale area to cater to East Gippsland participants.

🔹 Carrum Downs (SE Melbourne):
Specialist training courses such as Vehicle Servicing & Maintenance and Trailer Handling are conducted at our Carrum Downs facility.

Please see the Contact page for maps to these locations.

Certificates are emailed within 1–2 business days after course completion, provided payment has been received.

If you haven’t received your certificate within 7 days of completing the course and your invoice has been paid, please contact us so we can follow up promptly.

While nationally recognised qualifications themselves don’t expire, many industry standards, workplace policies, and safety practices do change over time. That’s why most employers—and some regulatory or industry bodies—require reassessment or refresher training every five years for high-risk or safety-related skills, such as:

• 4WD vehicle operation

• Chainsaw use

• Vehicle recovery

• Manual handling

• First aid (often even shorter validity)

Please contact us on (03)9786 8490 or email us info@pnl4wd.com.au. Do note this page will provide some of the basic questions and answers regarding 4WD courses.