The RAC has purchased the state's only specialised driver training facility, the Driver Training and Education Centre (DTEC), located near the Perth International Airport.
The RAC has purchased the state's only specialised driver training facility, the Driver Training and Education Centre (DTEC), located near the Perth International Airport.
The announcement is below:
The RAC has confirmed it has purchased Western Australia's only specialised driver training facility, the Driver Training and Education Centre (DTEC) located near the Perth International Airport.
The Centre, which was formerly known as the AHG Driving Centre, offers a range of driving courses from defensive driving to four wheel drive training to both business and individuals.
The RAC's Executive General Manager for Motoring Mike Heath said the purchase was a good strategic fit with the RAC business and the club aimed to develop a stronger business to consumer offering over the first two years of operation.
"DTEC works with the goal of eliminating driving fatalities and injuries in WA through delivering a number of post-license driver training activities," Mr Heath said.
"In the past DTEC has largely been run as a business to business proposition but we see an opportunity to grow our business by expanding the product offering for the benefit of our substantial membership base.
"DTEC is a uniquely Western Australian business that will extend the RAC's position and reputation in the motoring industry and will ultimately offer practical solutions to road safety to our members.
The facilities at DTEC include six purpose built areas providing a safe and secure environment to conduct driver training and education for a wide range of vehicles.
"The Centre is also one of the only sites in WA to offer vehicle dealers adequate facilities to showcase their products and the RAC will look to develop this business throughout the whole of the motoring sector in Perth," Mr Heath said.
The business, which was founded in 1989, has had significant growth in the past five years increasing its revenue from $3m in 2005 to a projected $5.5m in 2009.
RAC President Alden Halse endorsed the purchase saying the courses encouraged proactive driving aimed at improving community road safety for RAC members.
"As WA's peak motoring organisation and advocate the RAC is in the business of road safety," Mr Halse said.
"We believe the purchase of DTEC represents a substantial road safety benefit to our members and the wider community because improving the standard of driving in WA will help save lives on our roads.
"The defensive driving courses on offer help drivers to understand their own capabilities and the capabilities of their vehicle."
DTEC will operate as a stand alone business within the RAC with the current management team continuing with the business.
The RAC has no plans to restructure the business that currently offers strong revenue streams.
