Drive School camera and audio recording collection notice

RACV Drive School vehicles are fitted with a camera and audio recording system. This notice explains what personal information we collect through that system, why we collect it, how we handle it and your rights. It should be read together with the RACV Privacy Charter. We provide this notice at or before the time of collection so you can make an informed decision before each lesson.

Depending on your consent, we may collect:

• External camera footage – video from front-facing and rear-facing external cameras. These operate during all lessons.
• Internal camera footage and audio – video and audio from an internal device mounted on the windscreen. This is collected only where you (and any other person in the vehicle) consent for that lesson.
• Associated information – date, time, vehicle and lesson details linked to the footage.
• External footage of the road and surrounds will incidentally capture images of other road users, pedestrians and vehicles. No footage is recorded during VicRoads driving tests.

The external cameras record automatically once the lesson begins. For the internal camera and audio device, at the start of each lesson your instructor will ask you to scan a QR code and complete a digital consent form. If a parent, guardian or friend is present, they must also consent – if anyone does not agree, the internal camera and audio device stays off for that lesson.

We collect this information to:

• improve the safety of learner drivers, instructors and the wider community;
• investigate and respond to formal complaints and motor vehicle incidents;
• support insurance, claims and dispute-resolution processes; and
• comply with our legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities.

We will not use the recordings to monitor lesson performance or for marketing.

The external cameras operate during all lessons and are a standard feature of our vehicles. Consent to the internal camera and audio device is voluntary; if you do not consent, that device remains off and your lesson proceeds as normal. Withholding consent will not affect your access to lessons.

Recordings are accessed only where there has been a formal complaint, a motor vehicle incident, or a request from an external authority (such as Victoria Police). Access is restricted to authorised RACV administrators (the Driver Safety Technology team); Drive School instructors cannot access recordings. We may also disclose recordings to insurers, legal advisers, VicRoads, courts or regulators where reasonably necessary for a purpose described above or as required or authorised by law.

Recordings are stored on an encrypted SD card in the vehicle for up to 30 days, after which new recordings automatically overwrite the oldest data. A recording is retained beyond this period only where it is needed for a specific safety-related purpose, such as an incident or complaint. We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access.

We do not disclose recordings to overseas recipients.

You can ask to access or correct your personal information, or make a privacy complaint, by contacting RACV's Privacy Officer at care@racv.com.au. The RACV Privacy Charter explains how we handle personal information and how to make a complaint, including to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.