Minimum age for a car driving licence in Western Australia (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Western Australia issues a learner's permit from 16 and allows the driving assessment for a provisional licence from 17, after 6 months and 50 supervised hours. A red P driver may not drive between midnight and 5am without an exception and may carry one passenger.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence17 years [1]
Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence16 years [2]
Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licenceA learner's permit is available from 16. The Practical Driving Assessment for the provisional licence needs age 17 or older, the permit held for at least 6 months, at least 50 hours of supervised driving including 5 at night (if under 25) and the hazard perception test. [1]
Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licenceA visitor from overseas or another Australian state or territory may use a current driver's licence in Western Australia, following the WA road rules, any conditions of the licence and, for a provisional driver, the provisional driver restrictions. A visitor from another state or territory may drive on a current learner's permit with a supervising driver and L plates. The page states no age condition. [3]
Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence16 years [2]
Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licenceAt least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 5 hours at night (if under 25), recorded in the learner log book or the Learn&Log app. Applicants aged 25 or older are exempt from the log book requirement. [1]
Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licenceA red P-plate driver (first 6 months of the provisional licence) must not drive between midnight and 5am, unless travelling directly to or from work or school or as part of work duties. [4]
Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licenceA red P-plate driver (first 6 months) may carry only one passenger at a time, subject to exemptions. A learner driver has no passenger limit beyond a seat belt or child restraint for each passenger. [4]
Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licenceProvisional licence: the Hazard Perception Test and the Practical Driving Assessment. [1]
How long the licence is validCar (category B) driving licenceA learner's permit is valid for 3 years; after it expires a new application is needed. [2]

Notes

  • Western Australia: licences are issued in stages. The minimum age shown is the age for the Practical Driving Assessment that leads to the provisional licence, the first licence that allows driving without a supervisor; the learner stage is shown separately.

Sources

  1. Department of Transport (Western Australia): Book and pass your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) | Transport WA (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Western Australian Government: Apply for a learner's permit | Western Australian Government (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (Western Australia): Visiting from overseas or interstate | Transport WA (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
  4. Road Safety Commission (Western Australia): Novice drivers (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Western Australia

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; 10 g or less may get an intervention notice · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
  • Home educationNature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
  • MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA licence
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or not touched
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, on rent or hire
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.