Frequently Asked Questions - Driver licences

Frequently Asked Questions
Driver licences
How do I get a driver’s licence?
If you wish to apply for your first driver’s licence in Western Australia (including a moped, motorcycle or
car), you must meet minimum age and experience requirements specific to the vehicle you wish to drive.
Please refer to the Learner drivers section of our website for more information.
Do I need to transfer my interstate driver licence?
If you take up permanent residence in Western Australia (WA), you must transfer your interstate licence
and obtain a WA driver’s licence within three months of becoming a WA resident.
Do I need to transfer my overseas driver licence?
If you are just visiting Western Australia (WA) you can drive on your current overseas licence.
However, if your licence ceases to be valid or expires whilst you are here or if you have held a permanent
visa under the Migration Act 1958 and have usually resided in WA for three months since the granting of
the permanent visa, you cannot drive until you have obtained a WA driver’s licence.
How do I remove a class restriction on my driver’s licence?
To remove a restriction on your driver’s licence you will have to pass a practical driving assessment.
A fee applies.
How do I get a bus driver’s licence?
If you wish to drive a bus or small charter vehicle for hire or reward purposes in Western Australia, you will
need to apply for an 'F' extension on your current licence. You must also be authorised to drive the
appropriate class of vehicle.
How do I get a taxi driver's licence?
To become a taxi driver you will need to undertake specialised training and assessment as well as apply
for a 'T' extension on your driver's licence.
The taxi driver section of the Department’s website provides more information about this process.
Once you have completed all training and assessment requirements, you may wish to purchase a
replacement licence document to show the 'T' extension if your licence is not due for renewal.
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How do I get a heavy vehicle class driver’s licence?
To drive a vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes, or a vehicle that seats more than 12
adults (including the driver), you will have to meet eligibility requirements such as holding a licence
authorising you to drive a lower class vehicle and passing a heavy vehicle theory test and a practical
driving assessment.
How do I renew my driver’s licence?
The quickest way to renew your Western Australian driver's licence is online, however there are other
methods. You can find out when your driver's licence is due for renewal, how to renew it, by referring to
the Renew or replace your licence section of our website.
Can I renew my driver's licence before the expiry date?
Yes you may, up to a maximum of six months before the expiry date. However, driver's licence renewal
notices are posted to licence holders six weeks before the expiry date.
Driver's licences that are renewed more than six weeks prior to the expiry date are known as advanced
renewals.
If for some reason you require an advanced renewal you can request a renewal notice from our Customer
Contact Centre on 13 11 56 or by attending a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Centre or regional agent.
Advanced renewals can be paid for one or five years.
How do I renew my driver's licence if it has expired?
Driver's licences that have expired up to a maximum of six months may be renewed. If you do not have a
renewal notice you will need to produce proof of identity (POI), such as your old plasticised licence.
Otherwise you must produce primary and secondary POI documents.
Please refer to the fact sheet on proof of identity for other Driver & Vehicle Services transactions (Not an
initial driver’s licence) for acceptable forms of POI.
If your licence has expired more than six months but less than five years, you can renew it (for one or five
years) once you have:
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provided POI;
completed a Driver’s Licence Application form (DLA1), including any medical assessments; and
passed an eyesight test.
If your driver's licence has expired by more than five years, you must complete any theory tests and
practical driving assessments that are applicable as well as comply with the above requirements.
What period can I renew a provisional driver's licence for?
Provisional driver's licences are granted for one year and can only be renewed for one year. The quickest
way to renew your provisional licence is online.
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How do I replace a lost, stolen or damaged driver's licence?
To replace your driver's licence document you will need to complete an application form (DL26). If you
wish to apply for a replacement licence at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Centre or regional agent,
you must also produce primary and secondary proof of identity (POI) documents.
Applications by post are accepted if you have a valid photograph and signature on your licence. You must
provide certified copies of primary and secondary POI in addition to the DL26 form.
A fee applies.
Stolen driver's licence document
You can receive a replacement driver's licence document free of charge by supplying a Police incident
report number along with a completed application form (DL26).
How do I renew a learner's permit?
A learner's permit is valid for three years. When the permit expires you must attend a Driver and Vehicle
Services (DVS) Centre or regional agent to have a new learner’s permit granted.
Before you are granted a learner's permit for the first time, you will have to pay any relevant fees and pass
a series of tests.
What is a novice driver?
For the purposes of the Graduated Demerit Point system, a person is a Novice Driver until they have held
a driver's licence for at least two years or periods adding up to two years. This may include:
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a first time learner's permit holder
the holder of a provisional driver's licence
a driver from overseas who has not held a driver's licence for at least two years
the holder of an extraordinary driver's licence
What about an eyesight test?
This will be conducted at the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) Centre or regional agent when you apply
for your licence. If you need any visual aids to pass the eyesight test, your licence will be endorsed to
show that you must wear those aids when driving.
What if I need a medical assessment?
When applying for your licence you must declare whether you have any medical conditions and/or take
any medication on your application. We will let you know if you need to have a medical assessment
before you are granted your learner’s permit. For more information refer to driving with a medical
condition.
When you have passed the required tests, you will be granted your learner's permit.
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How do I report a medical condition?
You can report a medical condition online, or refer to our web page on reporting a medical condition for
other ways you can notify us.
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