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Learning to drive/ride (overview)
To ensure you're a safe and confident driver once you drive solo, the Department of Transport uses a Graduated Driver Training and Licensing (GDTL) process.
Six steps to getting your licence
GDTL has a number of steps including supervised driving or riding on different roads, in different traffic conditions, and over a long period of time to build your experience:
The six steps of getting your first driver's licence are:
- Step 1: Get a learner's permit
- Step 2: Learn to drive/ride
- Step 3: Complete the Hazard Perception Test
- Step 4: Continue to gain experience
- Step 5: Pass the Practical Driving Assessment
- Step 6: Get a provisional licence (P plates)
This process can vary depending on your age and driving experience.
Age requirements
You can apply for a learner's permit for any of the following vehicles without any prior experience, once you meet the minimum age requirements:
| Vehicle type | Class | Minimum age to apply by class |
|---|---|---|
| Car | C | You can apply for a learner's permit at 16 years of age. |
| Motorcycle * | R-E | You can apply for a learner's permit at 16 years of age. |
| Moped | R-N | You can apply for a learner's permit at 15 ½ years of age. |
* R-E, LAMS approved, motorcycle (under 660 cc and under 150 kW/t).
To view all vehicle classes available and their eligibility requirements please refer to driver licences and vehicle classes.
Previous experience
If you hold an interstate, New Zealand or Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) 'C class' learner's permit and are applying for a WA learner's permit, you may apply for the recognition of competencies previously completed. You need to do this when you first apply.
If you’ve completed the Keys4Life pre-driver program through your school, you’re not required to sit the Computerised Theory Test (CTT).
There is no fee for renewing a learner's permit if you have passed the CTT in the past five years. If not, you will need to pass the CTT again.
Fees and charges
Learner driver fees
| Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver's licence application | |
| New driver licence application fee including one Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) (original issue, not HC or MC class) | $126.10 |
| Additional class application fee including one Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) (not HC or MC class) | $126.10 |
| Class restriction removal (does not include HC and MC class) | $104.40 |
| Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) | |
| Sit the Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) | $20.40 |
| Subsequent Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) resits | $16.90 |
| Learner Log Book (printed) | $10.00 |
| Learner's Permit card replacement | $30.90 |
| Hazard Perception Test (HPT) | |
| Sit the initial Hazard Perception Test (HPT) | $26.80 |
| Every subsequent Hazard Perception Test (HPT) resit | $21.00 |
| Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) | |
| Every subsequent Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) resit | $104.40 |
Minimum supervised hours
All learner drivers under the age of 25 must complete a minimum 50 supervised driving hours to be eligible for a WA driver's licence. Five of those hours must be completed at night (between sunset and sunrise).
The 50 hours can be completed at any time either before or after the Hazard Perception Test (HPT), but must be completed before you sit the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA).
If you are only applying for a C class and you are over the age of 25, you:
- are exempt from the requirement to complete the minimum 50 supervised hours, but
- must complete all of the other steps to get a WA driver’s licence.
If you are only applying for a Moped R-N class, you:
- are exempt from the requirement to complete the minimum 50 supervised hours, but
- must complete all of the other steps to get a WA driver’s licence.
There’s information for your supervising driver under Step 2: Learn to drive/ride. Programs such as Keys2drive can assist.
Rules for novice drivers
You’re considered a novice driver until you’ve held a driver’s licence for at least two years (or periods adding up to two years).
There are restrictions as a novice driver, so ensure you read and understand the rules before driving. Demerit points apply to learners and P plate drivers, and there are different limits depending on how long you’ve been driving.
Resources and FAQs
The Department of Transport has a range of resources to help you.
Ensure you understand the content in the Drive Safe handbook before applying for your C class learner’s permit, as you’ll need that knowledge to pass the Computerised Theory Test (CTT).
The Ride Safe handbook is provided for you if you wish to apply for an R-N or R-E learner’s permit.
Regularly downloaded documents are here for your reference.
