In Loving Memory of James “Jim” Teehan

10 December 1952 – 7 September 2025

On 7 September 2025, the Western Australian driving community lost one of its finest. James “Jim” Teehan – known to all as Jim, a legendary driving test examiner from Cannington in Western Australia. Born on 10 December 1952, Jim lived a life marked by service, humour, warmth, and an extraordinary ability to make people feel at ease in what is often a very stressful situation: the driving test.

I first met Jim in 1998 at the Welshpool Department of Transport. From the beginning, it was clear he was not just another assessor in a blue uniform. Jim carried with him a calm presence and an Irish sense of humour that made him stand out. He had that rare ability to disarm tension in an instant, whether it was through a few kind words, a light-hearted remark, or simply the way he carried himself.

When the Welshpool centre closed in 2012, Jim moved to the Cannington Department of Transport. Many in the industry would agree that Cannington has since become one of the busiest hubs for driving assessments, and Jim’s presence there brought reassurance to instructors, candidates, and his colleagues alike. He continued to work diligently almost until his last day, reducing his hours to part-time in recent months, but never losing his spirit, his warmth, or his dedication.

A Man and a Half

Jim was, in every sense, a man and a half. Even those who failed under his watch spoke of him with fondness, which is perhaps the most remarkable testimony to his character.

For learner drivers, sitting a driving test can be one of the most nerve-racking moments of their young lives. Many enter the test vehicle with trembling hands, racing hearts, and self-doubt. Jim understood this. He could create a sense of calm, to reassure without needing many words. He could balance professionalism with kindness, making sure candidates felt respected, even when they were not successful.

One of his most memorable traits was what he would often say to those who didn’t pass: “Not yet.” Two simple words, but delivered with such sincerity and hope that they carried far more weight than a cold “fail or you did not meet the standard.” For candidates, “Not yet” meant their time would come, that they weren’t defined by one setback, and that the door to success was still open. It was encouragement in its purest form.

The Irishman with a Big Heart

Jim never denied his Irish roots – he carried them with pride. He was the Irishman with a big heart, always ready with humour and an easy-going spirit that put people at ease. Jim was a man of principle. He believed in fairness, and he treated every person with the same level of dignity and respect, no matter their age, background, or skill level. That fairness is what earned him not just admiration from learner drivers and overseas licence converters but also the respect of driving instructors all across Perth. Amongst instructors, Jim wasn’t just another assessor – he was the assessor.

A Career of Service

Jim’s career spanned decades, and through it, he became a pillar of the industry in Western Australia. To put it simply: everyone knew Jim. And those who knew him knew him fondly.

Instructors would often breathe a sigh of relief when they saw him calling their candidate, because they knew their students were in the best possible company. Candidates who drew Jim as their assessor, even when unsuccessful, would often reflect on how fortunate they were to have had someone who treated them with kindness.

Driving tests are often remembered as either one of the happiest or most stressful days of a person’s young life. For thousands in Perth, Jim was part of that memory. For many, his calm words and gentle manner helped turn that stress into something manageable. For others, even a failure became a learning experience wrapped in encouragement, thanks to his way of saying, “Not yet.”

Three Decades of Memories

From 1998 at Welshpool to 2025 at Cannington, Jim gave nearly three decades of service in WA’s licensing system, at least since I first met him. He saw countless thousands of candidates, worked alongside multiple generations of instructors, and became a constant presence in an industry that sees plenty of change.

When Welshpool closed in 2012, many wondered how the driving community would adjust. Jim’s transfer to Cannington ensured that his experience and character continued to shine in a new environment. For 13 more years, he became a familiar face in Cannington’s test routes, and his voice – calm, encouraging, often humorous – remained a fixture until his final months. Even when he transitioned to part-time work, he continued to give his best, never compromising on the fairness and friendliness for which he was known.

A Legacy Difficult to Replace

Jim’s passing leaves a gap that will not be easily filled. The Department of Transport has many assessors, but very few with the unique blend of calmness, humour, and humanity that Jim brought to the job. In an industry where tempers can flare, nerves can run high, and tensions can sometimes boil over, Jim’s equanimity was priceless. I never knew anyone like him!

Beyond the Clipboard and Android Tablet

For those of us who knew him personally since the late 90s, Jim was a constant reminder that humanity matters most. That even in a highly structured, rule-driven environment like a driving assessment, kindness has a place. And that leaving people with hope, rather than despair, is the mark of true professionalism.

Rest in Peace, Jim

James “Jim” Teehan, born 10 December 1952, passed away 7 September 2025. He worked almost until the very last day of his life, serving the people of Western Australia with dedication, fairness, and kindness.

He will be deeply missed by colleagues, instructors, candidates, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His shoes will be hard to fill, his presence impossible to replicate, but his legacy will live on.

As long as memory lives, so does he. And for everyone who heard his gentle words – “Not yet” – his voice and his encouragement will remain.

Rest in peace, Jim. Thank you.

PS One of my students wrote him the above “Thank you” card on 21 August 2017

Steve

Driving School WA