Novice drivers

Getting your licence

The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure has a comprehensive checklist of the steps needed to get a driver’s licence in Western Australia.

You can also find out about getting your moped licence and the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing System.

L-plater rules

• Learner drivers must complete a minimum of 50 supervised driving hours prior to being granted a WA driver's licence, including five hours at night, prior to sitting the Practical Driving Assessment.
• Applicants aged 25 years and older are exempt from the requirement to complete a log book.
• L plates must always be displayed.
• All L plate drivers must drive with a zero-blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at all times.
• As a novice driver, your learner’s permit may be suspended or disqualified if you accrue 4 demerit points from the issue of your learner’s permit until the end of the first year of your provisional licence.
• For the most up to date information about driving on your L-plates, visit the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure's website.

L-plater rules

How many passengers can be in the car with a learner driver?

A learner driver must have a supervising driver sitting next to them, however there are no additional restrictions on passengers other than those rules that apply to all ‘Car-unrestricted’ C class licences.

A ‘Car-unrestricted’ (C) licence allows you to drive any motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle or motor carrier, equipped to seat not more than 12 adults (including the driver).

Additionally, only passengers that are sitting in a seat that is fitted with a seat belt or child restraint suitably fastened may be carried.

Are there limits on hours driven per day?

No. There are no limits on hours driven per day.

Can L-platers drive on the freeway?

Learner drivers are allowed to drive on the freeway and are encouraged to complete their supervised driving experience in a range of traffic and weather conditions.

What is the maximum speed limit for a learner driver?

The highest speed allowable for learner drivers is 100 km/h.

What is the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for learner drivers?

Learner drivers must not drive if they have a blood alcohol content greater than 0.00 per cent.

What other restrictions are placed on learner drivers?

Learner drivers are not allowed to drive within the boundaries of Kings Park or wherever signs prohibit learner drivers.

How many years does a "supervising driver" need to have held their licence?

A person instructing a learner driver must have held a current and valid driver's licence (for the class of vehicle in which you are teaching someone how to drive) for at least 4 years.

In the case of instructing a person to ride a moped, you must have held a current and valid driver's licence for at least 2 years.

You must ensure the vehicle you are instructing in has 'L' plates displayed at all times.

Be aware of the rules for novice drivers (includes 'L' and 'P' platers).

Can an L plater tow a trailer?

Yes. L drivers are not restricted from towing a trailer as long as the learner driver is driving within the conditions of their learning permit – and this includes having a supervising driver alongside them in the vehicle.

P-plater rules

• Provisional licence holders must always display the appropriate P plates:
  • red P plates for the first 6 months of your provisional licence
  • green P plates for the remaining 18 months or until you turn 19 years of age, whichever period is longer.
• All P plate drivers must drive with a zero-blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at all times.
• Red P-platers are not permitted to drive between 12am and 5am, however employment and education exceptions may apply.
• Red P-platers are only allowed one passenger in their vehicle at all times (exemptions apply).
• As a novice driver, your learner’s permit or provisional licence may be suspended or disqualified if you accrue:
  • 4 demerit points from the issue of your learner’s permit until the end of the first year of your provisional licence, and/or
  • 8 demerit points until the end of your second year of your provisional licence.

Night time driving

While driving or riding on your P plates, you cannot drive between midnight and 5:00am during the first 6 months of your provisional licence, unless you are:

• travelling directly to or from work, or as part of your work duties
• travelling directly to or from school.

Tom’s Law

In Western Australia, red P-plate drivers are limited to carrying only one passenger at a time. This restriction, known as Tom’s Law, applies to all current and future red P-plate drivers and was introduced to improve road safety by reducing the risk of serious crashes involving novice drivers.

For the most up to date information about driving on your P-plates, visit the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s website. 

You have passed your driver's test; you've got your licence and now it’s time to purchase your first car. There are a few things you need to consider before you get behind the wheel.

• If you’re buying a new car, check its safety rating on the ANCAP website. Cars with a five star rating provide much better protection in the event of a crash, compared to those with a lower star rating.
• For some novice drivers, a second-hand car is a more viable way of getting on the road. The Used Car Safety Ratings Buyer's Guide lists ‘Safe Picks’ that are not only safe for you, but safe for other road users as well.

For more information, visit our page for new vehicle buyers.

Visit the Wheelmates website to learn more about how to get everyone home safe.