Can a Support Worker Drive You Places? What to Agree First

Yes, a support worker can drive you somewhere, but whether they do is something you and the worker agree in advance. Nothing here is automatic: some support workers are happy to drive, some prefer not to, and some will only use your car or only their own.

This guide is for care seekers and families who want a lift to appointments, shopping or social outings. It covers the questions to settle first, what to ask an insurer, and what to write down so everyone is clear.

The short answer: it depends on the agreement

Driving is a task like any other on the booking. A support worker who is willing to drive can say so when you talk. One who does not drive, or does not want to drive clients, will simply say no, and that is a fair answer.

A good starting point is to ask three plain questions before the first trip:

• Is the worker willing to drive at all?

• Will they use their own car or yours?

• Do they hold a current driver's licence for the vehicle?

If any answer is no, you can look for a worker whose answer suits you, or plan the trip another way.

Their car or yours?

The two options raise different questions, so decide which you want before you book.

Using the worker's car. You are a passenger. Agree whether the car is suitable for you to get in and out of, and how the cost of the trip is handled.

Using your car. You are lending a vehicle to someone else. Check your own insurer's rules about who may drive it, and make sure the registration and insurance are current before the trip.

Neither option suits everyone. What matters is that it is agreed before the day, not on the doorstep.

What to say about insurance

Insurance is the part that raises the most questions, so it helps to be clear about what is and is not known.

The business.gov.au page on types of business insurance says that third party personal injury insurance, which is often part of vehicle registration, is one of the insurances a business may need by law if it uses motor vehicles. That page does not say whether a particular car policy covers carrying a client. So the practical step is to ask.

Questions to ask:

• Ask the worker whether they have checked with their own car insurer that driving a client is allowed under their policy.

• If it is your car, ask your insurer whether another person may drive it and whether any conditions apply.

• Do not assume that any cover applies to driving a client until an insurer has said so.

Do not rely on a verbal "I think it's fine" for a regular driving arrangement. A short, clear answer from an insurer is easy to get and settles the question.

Agree the practical details

Most problems with transport come from things nobody said out loud. Before the first trip, agree these points and write them down:

• Where and when. The pick-up address, the destination and the time you need to arrive, with a buffer for parking and walking.

• Waiting time. Whether the worker waits during an appointment or returns later, and how that time is treated on the booking.

• Costs. Who pays for fuel, parking, tolls or a car park ticket, and how the worker is repaid.

• Passengers. Whether a family member or friend may come along.

• Seat belts and mobility needs. How you get in and out, and what help you need to do so safely.

• If plans change. What happens if the appointment runs late or is cancelled.

Writing these down does not need to be formal. A short message or a note on the booking is enough, and it protects both of you. The guide on rates and agreements shows how workers think about putting arrangements in writing.

Keep the relationship clear

Independent support workers on CareVicinity are independent contractors; CareVicinity does not employ or assign them as staff. That means the agreement about driving is between you and the worker, so it helps to be direct about what you are asking for.

If the worker is not comfortable driving in certain conditions, such as at night or in heavy traffic, take that seriously. A calm "I would rather not" is a sign of a careful worker. You can read more about how workers and clients set a respectful tone in friendship and boundaries with your support worker.

If you are still choosing a worker, the guide to hiring a support worker explains what to ask before you start.

Support workers who want to offer this kind of help can find out how to join on Deliver Care.

Frequently asked questions

Can a support worker drive me to appointments?

Yes, if the worker is willing and you have agreed the details first. Settle whose car is used, who pays for fuel and parking, and whether the worker waits.

Can a support worker drive my car?

They can if you are happy for them to, and your insurer allows another person to drive your car. Check the policy before the first trip.

Does insurance cover a support worker driving me?

This guide cannot say, and no page it draws on says that a car policy covers driving a client. Ask the worker's car insurer, or your own if it is your car, and get the answer in writing.

Who pays for fuel and parking?

You and the worker agree this before the trip. Write down the arrangement so there is no surprise afterwards.

Sources

• business.gov.au, Types of business insurance, read 26 October 2026.