Proof of identity

Western Australian road laws require persons to establish their identity when licensing vehicles, transferring vehicle licences and for the grant or renewal of a driver's licence. The Western Australian Photo Card Act 2014 also requires persons to establish their identity for the application of a Photo Card.

Consequently, when conducting these transactions, the Chief Executive Officer has discretion to accept a variety of documents to establish or confirm a person's identity.

Depending on what type of transaction you are conducting with us, a range of proof of identity documents can be accepted.

If you have changed your name you will need to provide documentation relating to your name change; for example: divorce papers, marriage certificate, change of name certificate or licence to change name documentation.

The Department of Transport (DoT) use facial recognition (biometrics) to safeguard an individual's personal details and prevent identity crime.

In order for DoT to manage the prevention of fraud and identity theft it may be necessary for Officers from the Driver and Vehicle Services, Investigation Services unit to visit clients at their residence and conduct verification of identity documents.

Uniformed officers will attend a client's residence and will always produce photographic Identity Cards to verify their status as Transport Wardens.

How do I find out if my identity is being investigated?

Confirmation that a DoT officer is conducting Proof of Identity verifications can be obtained by contacting the Investigation Services Manager:

You must supply a number of documents as proof of your identity when first applying for a driver’s licence or Photo Card. A combination of five original documents must be presented to verify your full name, date of birth and current residential address (proof of residency in WA).

The fact sheet named 'Your Secure Identity: Meeting proof of identity requirements' relates to the proof of identity documents required for the initial issue of a driver's licence or Photo Card.

If you have concerns about your ability to meet any of the proof of identity requirements, please contact your nearest metropolitan or regional DVS centre for assistance.

The fact sheet named 'Primary & Secondary Proof of Identity' relates to the proof of identity documents required for all other transactions where you are required to provide proof of identity.

You must produce the identity documents outlined in the fact sheet where you are required to provide proof of identity for other DVS transactions or you will not be able to complete the transactions.

Note: Vehicles can only be licensed in WA if they are primarily kept in this State. You will be required to provide one primary and one secondary identification document, one of which must show your WA residential address. 

DoT recognises the challenges teenagers may have in supplying some identity documents when they apply for their initial WA driver's licence or Photo Card.

Driver and Vehicle Services has introduced additional options for teenage customers to prove their identity.

To make it easier for them while still maintaining a national gold standard of identity security, teenagers can now use the following documents as proof of identity for category 'C':

• Western Australian (WA) secondary school report (less than six months old).
• WA Keys for Life certificate (less than two years old).
• Current DoT Recreational Skippers Ticket.
• Australian Taxation Office taxation notice.