Learning to drive

Getting behind the wheel for the first time can be exciting, but there's a lot to learn before a new driver gets their P plates. We can help you navigate your way through the process, whether you’re a learner, parent or supervisor helping someone learn to drive.

Learner drivers – steps to getting your licence

Before you can get behind the wheel you need to learn the road rules and get your learner’s permit. To apply for your permit in Western Australia you must be at least 16-years-of-age. All up, there are six steps to getting your full licence.

1. Gain learner’s permit – minimum age 16, score at least 24/30 on the written assessment.

2. Learn to drive – Start to record supervised driving hours in log book - must include minimum five hours night time driving. Must be in this stage for 6 months.

3. Hazard Perception Test – minimum age 16 years and 6 months. You do not need to take your Log Book to a Licensing Centre.

4. Continue to gain experience – Must have recorded at least 50 supervised driving hours in the post practical driving assessment log book.

5. Practical driving assessment - minimum age 17 years.

You must present your completed log book.

6. Provisional licence – hold for 2 years total with the first 6 months on red ‘P’ plates (with night-time restrictions), remaining 18 months on green ‘P’ plates.

For more, visit the Department of Transport website.

Supervisors/parents – Learn to Drive pack

We know that you want to help your learner driver gain as much experience as possible before they get their licence and start driving on their own.
We offer practical advice to RAC members to help you teach your learner the basics, with our free Learn to Drive pack with information for supervisors, free ‘L’ plates, a blind-spot mirror and a guide for learner drivers.

In this pack you will receive:

Supervisor's survival guide – tips and hints for help be an effective supervisor
Learner Driver's Survival guide – contains a checklist of the skills to learn and practise
L plates – your communication to other drivers when you get behind the wheel
Supervisor's mirror – to be placed on passenger sun visor to enable supervisor to view traffic behind the car

Supervisors/parents – Keys for Life Workshop for Parents and Students

For learner drivers, parents and supervisors, come along to one of School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA) Keys for Life workshop for parents. They are delivered by RAC Community Education in the metropolitan area.

SDERA logo

This one-hour session will cover questions and advice to get you on the road safely:

What to expect in the practical driving assessment
Four stages of learning to drive
Tips for successful and safe driving
Role of the supervisor
Tips on choosing a car

Book a workshop

Free driving lesson – Keys2drive

A federal government initiative, Keys2drive gets both learners and parents in the car for one free driving lesson with an accredited driving instructor.

The program is very practical, giving both learner drivers and driving coaches or parents great tips to reduce risk, increase safety and improve driving.

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Young man driving his car with a female friend during the day

Road ready

Before you hit the road, check out the Road Ready website for helpful information about safe behaviour on and around the roads – including skateboarding, cycling and learning to drive.

Find out more

Our partners

Paraplegic Benefit Fund

PBF delivers a powerful and influential road safety program run by people who have sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of a road trauma event. Schools who book an RAC Community Education presentation in the calendar year are entitled to a free PBF presentation.

PBF website

School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA)

We work alongside SDERA and present the workshop Keys for Life: A Workshop for Parents and Young People. This workshop aims to motivate young people and their parents to work as partners in the learning to drive process.

SDERA website