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Transfer a driver’s licence from an experienced driver recognised country
Find out how to transfer your car or motorcycle licence from an experienced driver recognised country to a WA driver’s licence.
Follow the steps below to transfer your current car or motorcycle overseas licence from an experienced driver recognised country.
The steps you need to follow will depend on your age.
Overseas truck and heavy vehicle licence
If you hold an overseas truck or heavy vehicle licence, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for that class and apply for a new licence for the relevant vehicle class. Your previous experience may be recognised and will be based on your age and class of licence.
How to transfer your licence
Step 1: Find out what tests you need to take
If you’re under 25 years old
You will need to pass the relevant theory test and practical driving assessment (PDA) to transfer an overseas licence for each class of vehicle you wish to transfer.
Heavy vehicle licences
If you hold a Light Rigid class equivalent, you will need to pass the relevant theory test and PDA.
If you hold any other truck or heavy vehicle licence, you will need to pass a Heavy Vehicle Theory Test (HVTT) and relevant PDA.
If you’re 25 years old or older
You do not need to take the theory test or practical driving assessment to transfer a car or motorcycle licence.
Heavy vehicle licences
If you hold a Light Rigid class equivalent, you do not need to pass a theory test but you must pass a PDA.
If you hold any other truck or heavy vehicle licence, you will need to pass a Heavy Vehicle Theory Test (HVTT) and relevant PDA.
Hong Kong driver’s licences
If your driver’s licence is from Hong Kong and you have held your licence less than a year, you will need to sit the theory and practical driving assessment.
Tests
Theory test
The theory test assesses your understanding of the WA road rules.
There are specific theory tests for cars and motorcycles.
You need to visit a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre or regional DoT office to undertake the theory test and pay the required fee.
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.
| Drive Safe handbook | Kb | |
| Ride Safe handbook | Kb | |
| Heavy vehicle theory test fact sheet (Fact sheet E89) | Kb | |
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 centre or regional agent
- your overseas licence and the required proof of identity documents
- a translation of your non-English driver’s licence (if required).
| Driver's licence application (Form DLA1) | Kb | |
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.
Hong Kong driver’s licences
If you hold a current Hong Kong driver’s licence, you will need to also:
- Submit a completed a Customer Consent to Obtain Information from Hong Kong Licensing Authority (E56C) form.
- Show the Hong Kong passport and/or identity card you used to get your Hong Kong licence.
The number on at least one of the identity documents (passport or identity card) must be the same as the number issued on your Hong Kong driver licence.
The Hong Kong Transport Department will not release information to DoT without sighting a certified copy of the identity documents used to apply for the Hong Kong driver licence.
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 centre or regional DoT office 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)
- pay an application fee and licence renewal fee
- pay theory test fee and driving test fee (if required)
- pass the eyesight test
- have your photo taken.
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 centre or regional DoT office
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.
Driver licence transfer application (overseas/interstate) fees
| Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Transfer application | |
| Overseas or expired Interstate driver's licence transfer application (if no driving test is required) | $60.30 |
| Overseas or expired Interstate driver's licence transfer application (if a driving test is required) | $143.30 |
| Licence renewal | |
| Driver's licence renewal 1 year (non concession rate) | $46.85 |
| Driver's licence renewal 5 years (non concession rate) | $163.50 |
Step 4: Pass your theory and practical driving test (if required)
Take the theory test
You can take the theory test at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or DoT regional centre.
All tests must commence before 3.45pm.
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.
You will need to pay a fee to take the test.
Computerised theory test fees
| Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sit the Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test | $21.20 |
| Resit the Learner's Permit Computerised Theory Test (each attempt) | $18.20 |
Take the practical driving assessment
You must pass the theory test before you can take the practical driving assessment.
Find out how to prepare for the practical driving assessment.
When you feel ready to take your practical driving assessment, book online using DoTDirect or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office.
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 also have to pay a licence renewal fee for one or 5 years.
If you do not pass, you will need to book another assessment and pay a resit fee for each PDA.