Get your first driver's licence

There are various steps involved in getting your first Western Australian driver's licence. These steps are designed to help you acquire the necessary skills and experience to be able to drive solo. Find out when you are eligible to learn to drive.

Index



Overview


Frequently Asked Questions - Learner drivers KB
Frequently Asked Questions - Your details and photograph KB

Application form

You must complete a ‘Driver's licence application’ form when applying for your first driver’s licence and submit it in person at a Driver and Vehicle Service (DVS) centre or regional agent.
Frequently Asked Questions - Driver Licences KB
Driver's licence application (Form MDL1) KB

Learner's permit photo card

The Department of Transport has replaced the paper-based learner’s permit with a plastic learner’s permit card.

The new learner`s permit card displays a photo of the learner driver, date of birth, class of licence and security features such as a watermark and unique serial number.

Learner driver applicants are issued with an interim paper-based permit before receiving a learner’s permit card in the mail within 14 days.


Western Australian learner’s permit card KB

Proof of identity

When applying for your first driver’s licence you must supply a number of documents as proof of your identity.

A combination of five original documents must be presented to prove your date of birth, identity and residential address.

Please refer to the "Proof of identity requirements for your initial (WA) driver’s licence" flyer for more information on what identification documents you must provide and please bring these with you when applying for your first licence.


Proof of identity for your initial WA driver’s licence application KB

Payment

There are a number of payments you need to make when getting your licence.

You will need to pay for:

  • An application for a driver’s licence (entitles you to one free practical driving assessment).
  • Sitting the theory test.
  • The Learner Guide and Log Book you are issued with when getting your learner’s permit.
  • Sitting the hazard perception test.
  • Your provisional licence.

In the event of not passing a test or assessment the first time, you may need to pay an additional fee to redo it.


Driver licence fees (includes fees for learner drivers) KB
Licensing fees and rates (all driver and vehicle related fees) KB

Six steps to getting your licence

The graduated driver training and licensing (GDT&L) system is designed to make sure you get a wide range of supervised driving or riding experience under different road and traffic conditions, over a longer period of time before driving solo.

The GDT&L system is designed to help you acquire the practical driving skills, good driving habits and the responsible and courteous attitudes that are essential to safety on our roads.

The GDT&L requires learner drivers to accumulate at least 50 hours of supervised driving prior to being granted a WA driver’s licence.

Please refer to licence to ride a moped or motorcycle for information relating to information relating to getting a licence to ride mopeds and motorcycles.

The six steps of getting your first driver’s licence to drive a car (C class vehicle) are:



Publications for people living in remote areas

The following brochures are specifically to assist people living in remote communities.
Remote Licensing - The six steps to getting your driver's licence KB
Remote Licensing - Your car rego and number plates KB

Rules for novice drivers

There are a number of restrictions that novice drivers must comply with to assist them while they are developing the skills required to become safe drivers.

Ensure you read and understand all of the rules for novice drivers before starting to learn to drive.



Learner driver resources

There are a variety of resources available to help you during the six steps of obtaining your licence, including online quizzes and a simulator of the hazard perception test, plus information about the Western Australian Learner’s Permit Card.

Visit the learner activities and resources section of the website to make use of these.


Western Australian learner’s permit card KB

Driver licence's and vehicle classes

To view the different vehicle classes available and their eligibility requirements please refer to driver licences and vehicle classes.

What vehicles you can learn to drive with no experience

You can apply for a learner’s permit for any of the following vehicles without any prior experience, as long as you meet the minimum age requirements:

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