Visiting/moving from interstate

Find out about driving in Western Australia on an interstate driver's licence, when you will require a WA driver's licence, and how to apply.

  Visiting from interstate

If you are visiting Western Australia from another Australian state or territory, you may use your existing driver's licence or learner's permit for the period you are visiting WA or until the licence or permit expires (whichever comes first).

If you are in WA to live here permanently, or intend to take up permanent residence, you are no longer considered to be a visitor. 

You must apply for a WA driver's licence within 3 months of becoming a WA resident or replace your interstate learner’s permit with a WA learner's permit. Visiting drivers include:

  • People on business trips.
  • People on working holidays.
  • People working temporarily in WA.
  • Students studying in WA.
  • Tourists.

To be able to drive on WA roads with your driver's licence from your home state, you must:

  • Always carry your licence with you while driving and show it to a police officer if asked to do so.
  • Comply with any other conditions of your licence.
  • Drive only those vehicles that you are authorised to drive.
  • Hold a current licence that is not suspended or cancelled (you cannot drive on your interstate licence if you are disqualified from driving or your driving privileges are withdrawn).

Note: Spouses, dependants and eligible family members of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are authorised to drive in Western Australia (WA) on their existing interstate driver's licences, provided their interstate driver's licence remains valid and their authority to drive has not been revoked.

Interstate learner drivers

If you are visiting WA and hold a current interstate learner's permit, then you may drive under supervision in WA.

You must follow the WA road rules and WA learner permit restrictions even if these restrictions do not apply in your home state.

It is an offence to not follow any of the WA learner driver restrictions and penalties will apply.

Note: If you are a provisional licence holder ('P' plater) familiarise yourself with the rules for novice drivers.

Transfer an interstate learner’s permit 

If you hold a current interstate, New Zealand or Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) learner’s permit and are applying for a WA learner's permit, you can apply to have the following recognised:

  • learner’s permit or licence
  • theory test or heavy vehicle theory test
  • hazard perception test
  • supervised driving hours

To apply, visit at Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre, regional DoT office or agent and submit:

  • a completed Recognition of Learner Driver Competencies Australia/New Zealand/IOT form 
  • required supporting documents.
     

  Converted classes of vehicles you are authorised to drive

Another Australian jurisdiction

  • All classes converted

External territory (Cocos, Norfolk and Christmas Islands)

  • All classes except Norfolk Island (C class only) converted
  • MC class transfers will only be accepted where: The licence holder can provide proof that the appropriate mainland training course has been completed; or The MC class had been transferred from another mainland licensing jurisdiction.

Defence forces

  • All classes converted

  Australian Defence Force driver's licence

Spouses, dependants and eligible family members of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are authorised to drive in Western Australia (WA) on their existing interstate driver's licences, provided their interstate driver's licence remains valid and their authority to drive has not been revoked.

  • ADF personnel, their spouses, dependants and other eligible family members will not be required to apply for a WA driver's licence should they reside in WA for a period exceeding three months.
  • ADF personnel, their spouses, dependants and other eligible family members must carry a valid Department of Defence driver identification document, and their current interstate driver's licence when driving in WA.

A Department of Defence driver identification document must be in the form of either a:

  • Current ADF Identity Card;
  • National Defence Families Access Card; or
  • Form AB 135 issued by the Department of Defence.

No other identity cards are acceptable.

Driving on an Interstate or New Zealand Heavy vehicle licence

From March 1, 2023 holders of an interstate or New Zealand heavy vehicle driver’s licence will need to apply for a WA driver’s licence.

I hold a valid interstate heavy vehicle driver’s licence - how does this affect me?

You are not authorised to drive on your heavy vehicle driver’s licence in WA after 28 February 2023.
You must apply for a WA driver’s licence. You can do this by exchanging your interstate licence and applying to the Department of Transport. For more details see: Visiting/moving from interstate

I hold a valid New Zealand heavy vehicle driver’s licence - how does this affect me?

You must apply for a WA driver’s licence. For more details, see: Transferring your overseas licence

  Apply for a WA driver's licence (interstate licence holders)

If you hold a licence from another Australian state or territory, and are now residing in WA, you can use your licence from your home state for up to 3 months. After that you will need to transfer your licence to a WA licence.

Note: You will be able to convert all vehicle classes on your licence to your WA licence, except for licences issued by Norfolk Island.

If you hold a provisional driver’s licence issued in another Australian state or territory, you can have the time you have held an active driver’s licence credited towards WA’s provisional period when applying for the grant of a WA driver’s licence (C or R class only).

A WA provisional period is a total of 730 days, or time until 19 years of age, whichever is the greater. If your licence has been inactive for any period of time (due to late renewal, fines suspensions, or any other disqualification), this time will not count towards your provisional period.

 

  Step 1: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 2:Provide proof of WA residence

You will be required to provide proof that you are currently residing in Western Australia. This will generally take the form of an electrical, water or gas bill to your address.

  Step 3:Submit the application in person, visiting/moving from interstate

You will need to apply in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent and provide the following documentation:

  • Your driver's licence from another Australian jurisdiction (current or expired less than 5 years), or a combination of driver licence details/letter from your issuing authority.
  • Proof of your WA residential address.
  • Required proof of identification documents.

For more information, please refer to proof of identity.

While at the DVS centre or regional agent, you will be required to:

  • Complete an application form.
  • Answer questions regarding traffic or criminal convictions.
  • Declare any medical conditions or medication taken.
  • Have your photo taken for your new licence (if you have not already provided one).

You may also be required to complete a customer consent to obtain information from another licensing authority form which may be used to verify the initial date of issue of your licence.

For information on fees, please refer to Driver licence fees for more information.

If you meet all of the requirements below you will be granted a WA driver's licence.

Note:

  • If you’re a visa holder and the name on your visa application does not match your passport, we will request an update to your name on Department of Home Affairs records before you’re issued a driver’s licence. This may take 1-2 weeks. 
  • If you are a provisional licence holder ('P' plater) familiarise yourself with the Rules for novice drivers (includes 'L' and 'P' platers).

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) $59.90
Overseas or (expired) Interstate driver's licence transfer application (if a driving test is required) $138.70
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:Undertake required tests: Visiting/moving from interstate

All applicants will be required to take the eye test when applying for a driver's licence. If required, medical and other tests must also be completed before issue of the licence.

Note: If your driver's licence has expired by more than 5 years, you must complete any theory tests and practical driving assessments that are applicable as well as comply with the above requirements.

Eyesight test (all applicants)

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.

Medical test (if necessary)

When applying for your licence you must declare on your application whether you have any medical conditions and/or take any medication that may affect your ability to drive. We will let you know if you need to undertake a medical examination.

Theory tests (if required)

Theory tests that you may be required to take include:

  • Road rules theory test.
  • Motorcycle theory test.
  • Heavy vehicle theory test.

Upon passing the necessary tests you will be issued with a learner's permit ('L' plates) until you pass a practical driving assessment. You must abide by the conditions listed on your learner's permit at all times when driving in WA.

For more information, refer to rules for novice drivers (includes 'L' and 'P' platers).

Practical Driving Assessment (if required)

For more information on undertaking a Practical Driving Assessment please go to Pass a Practical Assessment.

  Step 5:We take your photograph

You will need to have your photograph taken for your driver's licence. Your photograph will be taken at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent or Photopoint location. Your signature will also need to be captured.

If you have concerns regarding the photograph, please refer to our frequently asked questions.

Page last updated: Fri Dec 1 2023 2:03:54 PM