Pass the Practical Driving Assessment

  Book a PDA (first licence and upgrade)

We have made changes to improve the practical driving assessment (PDA) online booking system and enhance customer security.  

PDA bookings can be made:

  • Online via DoTDirect for all metropolitan Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centres and most regional agency sites.
  • In person at a regional DoT office or agent. In person bookings cannot be made at metropolitan DVS centres.

For more information on the importance of protecting your identity visit Book a PDA securely

Book a Practical Driving Assessment (online)
 

Cancellations and changes

  • You can change your PDA as many times as you need to and can book your PDA up to six months in advance. 
  • You can check the date and time of your PDA booking via DoTDirect for all metropolitan DVS centres and most regional sites.
  • Driving instructors can book or cancel a PDA for you. Any changes by an instructor are on your behalf and are a matter between you and your instructor.
  • If your PDA is changed or cancelled, you must give more than 2 full working days’ notice, or you will need to pay for another PDA.
  • If you are late for your appointment, fail to show up or your Log Book (printed or app) has not been completed correctly or signed, you will not be assessed and will have to rebook and pay for another PDA.
  • If you live in a remote area the Department of Transport (DoT) has many agents throughout the State, who provide licensing services to their local community including the provision of driving assessments. Find your nearest Driver and Vehicle Services centre, regional DoT office or agent.

Who can book online?

Online PDA bookings are limited to tests in the following vehicle classes:

Who can't book online?

Online PDA bookings are not available for the following vehicle classes:

You cannot book online if your PDA is required because of:

  • A medical condition and the medical assessment process being incomplete.
  • An extraordinary licence application.
  • A conditional licence application.
  • Senior licence renewals, persons aged 85 years or more, with only one class of licence held.
  • Overseas licence that has expired.

Or

  • Your license or learner's permit is subject to a sanction.

Please call 13 11 56 between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday to book your PDA if any of these circumstances apply to you.

  Learner driver fees

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) $138.70
Additional class application fee including one Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) (not HC or MC class) $138.70
Class restriction removal (does not include HC and MC class) $113.70
Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT)
Sit the Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) $21.20
Subsequent Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) resits $18.20
Learner Log Book (printed) $10.70
E-log book app No fee
Learner's Permit card replacement $32.20
Hazard Perception Test (HPT)
Sit the initial Hazard Perception Test (HPT) $28.40
Every subsequent Hazard Perception Test (HPT) resit $22.90
Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)
Every subsequent Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) resit $113.70

  Task 1:Prepare for your Practical Driving Assessment

In addition to completing the minimum supervised driving hours, you should refer to the Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers: A Guide for Learner Drivers (Booklet) and Drive Safe handbook to prepare for your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA).

It is recommended that you choose to dress for comfort and practicality.

If you are undertaking a PDA for any motorcycle class (R-N, R-E or R), you must wear appropriate clothing, including fully enclosed footwear, an approved helmet, long trousers, and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket. It is also highly recommended that you wear gloves and eye protection.

The Ride Safe handbook is a useful resource if applying for a moped (R-N class) or LAMS approved motorcycle class.

If you fail your PDA you will need to pay for your next PDA and wait a minimum seven days before you rebook to sit another assessment.

  Task 2:Sitting your Practical Driving Assessment

Note: Due to the inherent dangers defective Takata airbags pose, a vehicle fitted with a defective Takata airbag, or a vehicle subject to a critical recall, is not able to be used for a practical driving assessment (PDA). Please see our Vehicle safety, standards and security page for more information about Takata airbags.

To sit your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) you must:

  • Be a minimum of 17 years of age.
  • Have completed a minimum of 50 supervised driving hours, including at least five hours at night (between sunset and sunrise) if under 25.*
  • Present your Log Book - if any supervised driving hours are recorded in the Learner Log Book, ensuring your declaration of completion has been signed by you and your supervising driver. You must bring your entire printed Log Book with you. **
  • Present your learner's permit.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
  • Present your primary and secondary identification; or one of the below documents if both a photograph and signature are present:
    • WA learner's permit card (preferred).
    • WA driver’s licence (if held).
    • WA extraordinary driver’s licence card. 
    • WA Photo Card.
    • Australian driver’s licence card (current or which has expired by no more than two years).
    • Australian passport (current or which has expired by no more than two years).
    • Current overseas passport.
  • Provide a licensed roadworthy vehicle of the correct class for your assessment*** (refer to the vehicle requirements for practical assessments fact sheet below). Either a privately owned vehicle or a driving school vehicle may be suitable.
  • Ensure the vehicle you are taking the assessment in has a centrally mounted park brake accessible to the driving assessor.

Notes:

* Not applicable to moped R-N class licences.

** Not applicable if all of your hours have been completed in the Learn&Log app and you have signed the declaration in the app. If your Log Book does not have a declaration of supervised night time driving included in it, you will also need to present a completed Declaration of Supervised Night Time Driving (E49) form.

***At the commencement of your PDA, your driving assessor will conduct a brief vehicle suitability inspection to check that your vehicle meets minimum safety standards attributing to roadworthiness. If the vehicle is deemed unsuitable, your PDA will be cancelled, and you will need to pay for and book another PDA. Note, other factors may contribute to a vehicle being deemed unsuitable. 

You are entitled to one PDA as included in your licence application fee, but if you fail the assessment or do not give more than two full working days' notice to cancel or change the booking, you will need to pay for another PDA.

Driving assessors are subject to regular auditing and training. An auditor, trainer or trainee may sit in the rear of the vehicle observing and recording the assessor's role in the process.

Learner L plates must be removed for your scheduled assessment.

  Assessment items

The Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) will determine whether you are ready for your Provisional licence.

It considers the quality of your driving rather than the way you perform individual skills. You will be assessed on:

Assessment item What does this mean?
Flow How well you combine driving skills together.
Look behind Whether you keep an eye on what's happening behind you by using your rear view mirrors and checking blind spots.
Movement Whether you move smoothly when you drive the car forwards or backwards.
Path Whether you pick the best track and stay on track.
Responsiveness Whether you are aware of the hazards around you and respond to them appropriately.
Signal Whether you let other road users know what you intend to do.
Vehicle management Whether you do things like keep an eye on your vehicle's instruments while you are driving, use the steering wheel correctly and use the clutch and gearbox effectively.

You will automatically fail the PDA if any of the following occur:

  • Your assessor has to intervene, or give assistance, to avoid a potentially dangerous situation;
  • You disobey a regulatory sign;
  • You speed;
  • You disobey any traffic regulation that immediately or potentially threatens safety;
  • You drive without wearing your seat belt;
  • You fail to respond to a crisis, or potential crisis, that would normally be anticipated by an experienced driver;
  • You cause a crisis or potential crisis;
  • You start the vehicle while not in full control of the vehicle;
  • You refuse to attempt, or are unable, to perform any part of an exercise; or
  • You refuse to follow a reasonable direction given by the assessor. 

Moped (R-N class) and LAMS (R-E class) riders

The Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) will determine your general riding ability, in addition to the above assessment items.

This may include testing your ability to:

  • Balance the vehicle at low speeds by riding around a figure 'O' without putting a foot on the ground.
  • Correctly park and start on a hill.
  • Perform a quick stop under full control without locking either wheel.

What to wear:

  • You must wear appropriate attire that consists of enclosed footwear, approved helmet, long trousers and long-sleeved shirt or fully-sleeved jacket.
  • Gloves and eye protection are also highly recommended.

  What's next?

Once you have passed your PDA, you will be issued with a Provisional licence.

Note: The seven-digit number allocated to your WA learner’s permit will become your WA driver’s licence number.

Page last updated: Wed Nov 15 2023 12:09:30 PM