If you hold a car or motorcycle driver’s licence from a non-recognised country that is current or expired less than 12 months, you will need to pass a theory test and a practical driving assessment.
Step 1: Learn about and prepare for your tests
You will need to take and pass the following tests:
- theory test
- practical driving assessment
Theory test
The theory test assesses your understanding of the WA road rules.
There are specific theory tests for cars and motorcycles.
Find out more about the theory test.
You can find all the information you need to pass the test in the Drive Safe or Ride Safe Handbook.
Practical driving assessment
The practical driving assessment will determine whether you are competent to drive safely on your own in Western Australia.
You must pass the theory test before you can take the practical driving assessment.
Find out how to prepare for the practical driving assessment.
Step 2: Prepare your identity and licence verification documents
You will need to provide the following documents to transfer your overseas licence:
- completed Driver’s Licence Application form at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre, regional DoT office or agent
- your overseas licence and the required proof of identity documents
- a translation of your non-English driver’s licence (if required).
Non-English driver’s licences
If any part of your overseas driver’s licence document is not in English, you will need to provide an official translation of your overseas driver's licence document.
We accept translations of overseas driver's licences from:
- National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) certified translators (excluding Recognised Practising).
- Tertiary qualified translators.
- Permanent Pre-2007 NAATI Accredited Practitioners listed on the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) website.
- Department of Home Affairs (DHA) ‘Free Translating Service’.
- This service is for eligible customers only.
- Refer to the DHA website for further information.
- Official consulates or embassies.
- Translations undertaken by consulates or embassies are only accepted where the language required to be translated is not provided by NAATI or a tertiary qualified translator.
Note: For NAATI translations, DoT will not accept translations by an accredited translator dated after 1 January 2018 (excluding translators holding Permanent Pre-2007 NAATI Accreditation listed on the OMI website). Translations by a NAATI translator dated before 1 January 2018 are not affected and will still be accepted.
Letter of verification for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq and Pakistan driver’s licences
If you hold a current driver's licence from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq, or Pakistan you will need to get a Letter of Verification from your high commission, embassy or consulate validating the authenticity of the driver's licence.
The verification process will take about 4 weeks to complete.
Please ensure that this letter of verification has been sent to the Department of Transport before applying for your driver's licence.
If you hold a current driver’s licence from Afghanistan, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra is no longer supplying letters of verification.
If you hold a driver's licence from Afghanistan, you will be subject to the full application process.
See our page on getting your first licence for more information.
Note: If you have been granted Australian Citizenship, the consulates of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Iraq may not verify a driver's licence issued in their respective country.
Consulate contacts - Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq and Pakistan
High Commission for the People's Republic of Bangladesh
VFS Global: India Passport & Visa Services Centre
Step 3: Visit a Driver Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office
To apply to transfer your overseas licence you will need to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre, regional DoT office or agent and:
- submit a completed Driver’s Licence Application form
- bring your overseas licence and the required proof of identity documents
- provide a translation of your non-English driver’s licence and other supporting documents (if required)
- pass the eyesight test and medical test (if required)
- pay theory test fee.
Eyesight test
You will need to take an eye test when you apply to transfer your overseas licence.
The test will be conducted at the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre, regional DoT office or agent .
If you need to wear glasses or contacts to pass the eyesight test, your licence will show that you must also wear them when driving.
Medical test
When you apply to transfer your licence, you must declare whether you have any medical conditions and/or take any medication that may affect your ability to drive. You may need to go and get medical examination. Find out more about reporting a medical condition.
Computerised theory test fees
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sit the Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) | $21.20 |
| Subsequent Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (CTT) resits | $18.20 |
Step 4: Pass your theory and practical driving test
Take the theory test
You can take the theory test at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre, regional DoT office or agent
All tests must commence before 3.45pm (excludes Joondalup Driver Assessment Centre).
You do not need to make an appointment to take the theory test at any metro DVS centre.
You may need to call ahead at our regional DVS centres or agents.
Take the practical driving assessment
You must pass the theory test before you can take the practical driving assessment. A transfer application fee, which includes a driving test fee will be applicable.
Find out how to prepare for the practical driving assessment.
Transfer application fee
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Driver's licence transfer application (if a driving test is required) | $143.30 |
If you are transferring an overseas driver’s licence and applying for the authorisation to drive heavy vehicles on the same day, only one application fee is payable. A theory test fee is payable for both the CTT and the HVTT.
If you choose to transfer your overseas driver’s licence (C class only) and re-attend to apply for an authorisation to drive heavy vehicles on a different day, you are required to pay two application fees and both theory test fees.
When you feel ready to take your practical driving assessment, book online using DoTDirect or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre, regional DoT office or agent.
Note: If you take the practical driving assessment in an automatic vehicle, you will be issued with a driver’s licence for an automatic vehicle only.
If you pass your practical driving assessment you will be issued with a WA driver’s licence for the relevant class of vehicle. You will have to pay a licence renewal fee for one or 5 years.
Licence renewal fee
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46.85 |
| 5 years | $163.50 |
If you do not pass, you will need to book another assessment and pay a resit fee for each PDA.
PDA resit fee
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Every subsequent Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) resit | $114.50 |