How to apply for a PTD authorisation

A PTD authorisation is an annual authorisation that permits a person to drive a vehicle for hire or reward.

You need a PTD authorisation if you drive, or intend to drive, a vehicle for hire or reward.

In deciding whether you need a PTD authorisation, you must consider:  

• if you, as a driver, are receiving a payment or other reward for the driving, and 
• if the passengers are paying a fee or some other consideration for the transport service.

If you currently hold an equivalent of a passenger transport driver authorisation in another Australian jurisdiction or from New Zealand, visit: Apply for recognition of your non-WA PTD authorisation.

For more information, visit What are passenger transport driver authorisations?

You can apply for a PTD authorisation if you: 

• are aged 20 years old or more; and 
• hold a current and valid WA drivers licence; and
• have held a driver’s licence, or the equivalent driving authorisation from another jurisdiction for a period of three (3) years; and
• have not been disqualified from holding or obtaining a PTD authorisation (i.e. committed a disqualification offence).

Applications for PTD authorisations can only be made online via DoTDirect. 

DoTDirect is our secure online portal where you can access all your transport licences, authorisations and contact information at any time.

If you have a vehicle registered in your name, you can sign up online for DoTDirect – you will need:

• a current WA driver’s licence;
• an email address; and 
• all your vehicle details, including the VIN (you can find this on your vehicle licence renewal notice).

If you do not have a vehicle licenced in your name, there are three ways to get a DoTDirect account:

• go to DoTDirect and request an access code to be posted to you; or
• call 13 11 56; or
• visit a Licensing Centre.

Everyone must supply a National Police Certificate (NPC) as part of their PTD application in DoTDirect – you will not be able to complete your application if you do not supply an NPC. 

When you submit your application for a PTD authorisation, your NPC must be less than 3 months old from the date it was issued. NPCs older than 3 months will not be accepted.

Online providers are quicker than applying in-person, and it costs approximately $50 to apply for an NPC online. 

The NPC lists someone’s disclosable court outcomes and pending charges, based on information from the databases of all Australian police jurisdictions. DoT needs this information to be able to assess whether you are a fit and proper person to drive passengers – this is one way DoT is working to ensure the safety of the passenger transport industry.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has a list of all accredited organisations that can supply a NPC for you. Check out your chosen provider’s website to make sure they provide services to the general public.

The WA Police have informative FAQs about National Police Certificates.

You need to complete a medical assessment before applying for a PTD authorisation. Your medical assessment must be less than 6 months old when you apply.

Take the following forms to your health professional for your assessment (available below):

• M106A: Medical Assessment Instructions; and
• M107A: Medical Assessment certificate: Fitness to drive

Make sure you fill out M106A: Medical assessment instructions before your appointment.

You can access a copy of the M107A: Medical Assessment certificate: Fitness to drive form through your DoTDirect account that is pre-populated with your details, or you can fill out the blank version below to take to your health professional.

Your health professional will assess your medical suitability to be a commercial vehicle driver. They will then:

• forward the completed medical assessment certificate to DoT; or
• return the medical assessment certificate to you – you can upload this when you apply for a PTD authorisation.

If your health professional is forwarding your medical assessment certificate to DoT, you do not need to upload any medical assessment documents when you apply via DoTDirect. When you apply, you will only need to enter your health professional’s name, and the name and suburb of their practice. This information helps us match the details and process your application faster.

DoT will not actively contact your doctor for a copy of your medical assessment – it is your responsibility to ensure that DoT receives the documentation from your medical professional.

Please note: to maintain or renew a PTD authorisation, you will also need to complete medical assessments on an ongoing basis of intervals up to five years. The exact interval will depend on your individual medical assessment.

Once you have all the required documentation, you are ready to apply for your PTD authorisation on DoTDirect.

If you decide not to progress with your PTD authorisation application, you can cancel it in DoTDirect. 

Your application can be cancelled any time after you pay the application fee and before your application is assessed and you pay the authorisation fee.

To cancel your PTD authorisation application, log into DoTDirect and: 

• Select the On-demand Transport tab at the top of the screen.
• Click Passenger transport drivers.
• Your current application details will show. Click the “Cancel application” button. 

To maintain a PTD authorisation, you will need to:

• pay the annual authorisation fees when the PTD authorisation is up for renewal;
• provide a new NPC every five years; and
• undergo a medical assessment on an ongoing basis at an interval dependent on your individual medical assessment (up to five years).

How will I know when to get a medical assessment? 

You will receive a medical assessment notice approximately 12 weeks before your existing medical assessment is due to expire. If you hold a PTD authorisation, you can also view your medical due date in your DoTDirect account. 

You can access the medical assessment certificate form to take to your medical professional through your DoTDirect account. This form will be pre-populated with your details.

Your doctor may submit your completed medical assessment to DoT directly or you may upload a copy via DoTDirect. When DoT receives your new medical it is assessed against the Austroads fitness to drive standards. This may mean that the medical period assigned to you by DoT is different to what your doctor recommends. 

How can I check when my next medical assessment is due? 

If you have a PTD authorisation, there are two ways that you can check when your next medical assessment is due.

1. The PTD authorisation document that DoT emails to you shows your next medical assessment due date. 
    
2. Log into your DoTDirect account and select On-demand Transport at the top of the page, then click "Passenger transport drivers" – details about your PTD authorisation will appear, including your next medical assessment due date.

Alternatively, you can call Department of Transport on 13 11 56 to ask when your next medical assessment is due. 

Visit How to view, renew or cancel a PTD authorisation to find out how to get a copy of your PTD authorisation.

Please use this handy feature to check whether your driver's licence is current.

The online demerit point enquiry tool allows only a driver who holds a WA driver’s licence or learner’s permit to check Demerit point history such as:

• Details of infringements issued, 
• Demerit point penalties and demerit point expiry dates and
• Demerit points notices issued.

If you require a copy of demerit point notices served on you in WA for your insurance company, you will need to attend a DVS centre with primary and secondary identification and complete a Request for a certified copy of excessive demerit points notice (E16) form. A fee is payable.