Car (C)

Find out how to upgrade your licence to a car (C class) licence.

You will need a DoTDirect account to book, swap or cancel your practical driving assessment. Register for DoTDirect today.

  Car (C class) unrestricted (manual) licence

Car (C class) licences allow you to drive a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) not greater than 4,500 kg and constructed or equipped to seat no more than 12 adults (including the driver).

There is no experience required to upgrade your licence from an R-E or C-A licence.

You can start learning to drive on attaining your restricted car licence (C-A class) automatic vehicles or your LAMS (R-E class) licence.

  Car (C class) licence

You can apply for a learner's permit to drive a car (C class) vehicle once you are 16 years of age. There are 6 steps involved in getting a licence that allow you to drive a car.

Please refer to Learn to drive (my first licence) for details of those steps if you have not previously held a driver's licence or you only hold a moped (R-N class) licence.

If you are the holder of a LAMS (R-E class) licence or the holder of a car licence which is restricted to automatic transmission use you will need to follow the below steps.

  Light vehicle competency standard

The vehicle competency standards aim to produce safer drivers and underpin the driver training and licensing system in Western Australia.

The light vehicle standards are used by assessors to determine if learner drivers are competent in operating light vehicles. It is not a set of competencies for learner drivers, but should be used as a guide for driving instructors. 

  Step 1:Learn to drive (C class)

Holder of C-A class licence only

Once you have been issued your C-A class licence, you can begin to learn to drive.

A learner's permit is not required when you hold a C-A licence, however, you must:

  • Display L plates: download the printable L-plates
  • Be accompanied by an approved supervisor (see below)
  • Hold a current C-A class licence.

Visit the Novice drivers page for more information on what rules you are subject to as a novice rider.

Holder of R-E class licence only

Once you have been issued your R-E class licence, you can begin to learn to drive.

You must obtain a learner's permit before beginning to learn to drive a car. You must also:

  • Display L plates: download the printable L-plates
  • Be accompanied by an approved supervisor (see below)
  • Hold a current licence

Approved supervisors

In order to be an approved supervisor, you must either be:

  • a licensed driving instructor holding the relevant class, or
  • hold a current licence of the relevant class; and
  • 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 four years or two years in the case of a moped.

A person who is authorised to drive a C class vehicle with an A restriction (automatic vehicle) cannot supervise a learner driver in a manual vehicle.

Visit the Novice drivers page for more information on what rules you are subject to as a novice rider.

  Step 2:Complete an application (Form DLA1)

Please download and complete the form.

  Step 3:Provide proof of identity

You will be required to submit sufficient proof of your identity for the application.

Please go to Proof of identity for more information.

  Step 4:Submit the application in person (Form DLA1)

Applications for a Western Australian driver's licence must be submitted in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent.

You will need to provide:

  • Completed vehicle licence application form DLA1.
  • Proof of identity documents.
  • Required fees.

Note:

Applications cannot be submitted by post.

  Step 5:Undertake an eyesight test: Car (C class)

All applicants will be required to take the eye test when applying for a driver's licence.

This will be conducted at the Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent when you apply for your licence. If you use any visual aids to pass the eyesight test, your licence will be endorsed to show that you must wear those aids when driving.

  Step 6:Pass the Practical Driving Assessment: Car (C class)

Before your licence can be issued, you will need to take a practical driving assessment in a C class vehicle fitted with a manual transmission if you wish to remove the restriction to automatic transmissions. If you have a driver's licence that permits you to drive an R-E class vehicle and you complete the practical assessment in an automatic vehicle you will only be permitted to drive an automatic.

Visit the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) page for information on booking your PDA and what you need on the day.

What happens if I fail the practical driving assessment?

If you fail the Practical Driving Assessment, you will need to retake the assessment after a minimum of seven calendar days.

This will allow you more time to improve your practical driving skills and therefore achieve the required driving standard.

You will be required to pay another practical assessment fee.

Note:

There are no exemptions to this waiting period.

Page last updated: Fri Oct 6 2023 10:18:38 AM