Western Australia · Drive Safe · chapter 3 · 17 min read

Speed, Following Distance & Driving Conditions

The Six Steps to a Provisional Licence Step 1 – Learner’s permit

Before you can learn to drive you will have to: ƒ Pay for and pass a computerised theory test. The computerised test consists of multiple choice questions on the road rules and safe driving practices. You need to read this book beforehand as the information will help you to answer the test questions. You can also practice the learner’s test online at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs to help you pass the test. ƒ Select a Log Book: paper or electronic (unless exempt). If you pass the theory test, you need to pay for and be issued a Log Book or elect to use the digital version of a learner log book, which is available for free at www.transport.wa.gov.au. Hours can be recorded in the printed Log Book, the App or a combination of both. ƒ Pass an eyesight test. If you need glasses or contact lenses to pass the test, your permit and licence will be endorsed to show that these must be worn when you drive. ƒ Pass a medical test (if required). If you have a medical condition and/or take medication, you MUST declare this on the application form when you apply for a driver’s licence. The customer service officer will advise whether or not you will need to have a medical assessment before you can obtain a learner’s permit. ƒ Pay application fee. Once all of the above requirements have been met, you must pay an application fee to be issued with a learner’s permit. The application fee paid will include one practical driving assessment entitlement. Step 2 – Start to learn to drive Once you have your learner’s permit and an approved Log Book, you can begin learning to drive with a supervising driver. You must complete and record a minimum of 50 hours (including a minimum of five hours at night) supervised driving experience prior to being eligible to sit a practical driving assessment. The person who teaches you to drive can be: (a) a person who holds an instructors licence issued under the Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors Act 1963; or (b) a person who is an instructor in a youth driver education course conducted or supervised by a body authorised by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure for that purpose; or (c) a person who is authorised (licensed driver) to perform any driving of a kind for which the driving instruction is to be given* and has had that authorisation for a period of, or periods adding up to - (i) at least 2 years, in the case of driving of a moped; or (ii) at least 4 years, in any other case. *This means that a person who is authorised to drive a ‘C’ class vehicle with an ‘A’ condition (automatic vehicle) cannot supervise a learner driver in a manual vehicle.

If your instructor has an automatic transmission condition on their licence, they can only supervise you in an automatic vehicle. You must display ‘L’ plates on the front and rear of the vehicle when you are driving. The highest speed allowable for learner drivers is 100 km/h. Learner drivers are not allowed to drive within the boundaries of Kings Park or wherever signs prohibit learner drivers. Learner drivers must not drive if they have a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.00 per cent. To help you learn to drive and pass the practical driving assessment you should read the Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers book, which is available from all DVS centres and regional DTMI agents or online at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs Step 3 – Hazard Perception Test (HPT) Once a minimum of six calendar months has lapsed from the issue date of your learner's permit, and you have reached the minimum age of 16 years and six months, you can sit your HPT. The test includes a series of moving traffic scenes. You must respond to each scene by clicking a mouse to indicate when it is safe to commence a manoeuvre or when it is necessary to take the appropriate action to reduce the risk of a crash for the traffic situation. The computer recorded response time, or lack of response from you, will then be compared to the recommended response (or no response) times required, to pass the test. You can sit the HPT at any DVS centre, regional Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure office or agent. You do not need to make an appointment, you will be charged a fee prior to sitting the HPT. Step 4 – Continue to gain experience Once you pass your HPT, you need to build on your experience and continue to record a minimum of 50 supervised driving hours including at least five hours at night (between sunset and sunrise). Research indicates that young novice drivers who gain at least 100-120 hours of supervised driving experience are better prepared for a lifetime of safe driving and are less likely to be involved in serious crashes. During this stage you must still display ‘L’ plates and drive within any of the conditions printed on your permit. You should get as much supervised driving experience in as many different road, weather and traffic conditions as you can. This will better prepare you for when you can drive unsupervised and will help you pass the Practical Driving Assessment. It is recommended that your supervised driving experience includes: ƒ driving on freeways, highways and/or major roads; ƒ driving at night time; and ƒ driving at speeds between 80 km/h and 100 km/h on permitted roads. You should also try some of the practise exercises in the Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers book. Only driving sessions that are properly recorded in an approved Log Book will be credited.

You will not be given any credit for supervised driving that is not substantiated and detailed in an approved Log Book. If your printed Log Book is lost, destroyed or misplaced and you do not wish to use the digital version of a learner log book to record your supervised driving hours, you will need to pay for a new printed Log Book. Any previous supervised driving experience will not be credited. The Log Book, including the digital version of a learner log book, is a legal document and false or misleading information will cause those that have signed these documents to be liable to prosecution. Step 5 – Practical driving assessment (PDA) When you have developed the ability to control a vehicle safely, completed a minimum of 50 hours (including a minimum of five supervised night time driving hours) of supervised driving experience and if you are at least 17 years old, you can book and sit a PDA. Online PDA bookings can be made for tests conducted at most DVS centres and agent locations, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs or call 13 11 56 and have your learner’s permit number on hand. The assessment looks at the quality of your driving rather than the way you perform individual skills. When a learner driver shows signs of quality driving it generally means that they have had plenty of practice and have encountered many different driving experiences. So, to be ready to go for your PDA you will need to be able to handle many different situations without relying on your supervisor’s help. If you don’t pass the PDA you will have to pay another fee to take the PDA again. It is in your interest to make sure you have enough experience before you make your appointment. If you wish to change or cancel an appointment you must give more than two full working days’ notice, otherwise you will forfeit your PDA entitlement and have to pay for another one. To cancel or change an appointment for a PDA, please change your online PDA booking at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs or phone 13 11 56. On the day of your PDA: ƒ arrive at least ten minutes before the appointed PDA time; ƒ provide a roadworthy vehicle of the correct class for your PDA (C class vehicles must have a centrally mounted park brake); ƒ as soon as you arrive, inform the staff that you have an appointment to sit a PDA; ƒ if you have used the printed Log Book to record any hours, you must bring it with you. The assessor will check that you have completed the minimum 50 hours (including a minimum of five supervised night time driving hours) of supervised driving before taking you for your PDA; ƒ if you have used the digital version of a learner log book to record all supervised driving hours, submit the declaration in the App 24 hours prior to the PDA; and ƒ you must produce your learner’s permit card or one form of primary and one form of secondary identification prior to undertaking the PDA. Note: Ensure your Log Book has been completed correctly and signed or you will not be assessed. If you are late for your appointment your PDA will be cancelled and you will have to pay for another assessment.

During your PDA, you will be given clear directions and no attempt will be made to confuse or trick you. Assessors are subject to regular auditing and training. Step Six – Provisional Licence Once you have your provisional licence, you can drive without supervision. For the next two years you will have to display P plates whenever you drive. A person will be issued with a provisional licence if they: ƒ have not previously held a valid driver’s licence (issued in either WA or another State or Country) for an aggregate period of two years; and/or ƒ are younger than 19. While a novice driver on P plates it is illegal to drive with any alcohol in your blood (i.e. Blood Alcohol Content of 0.00%). Supervising drivers are subject to blood alcohol content levels and a prohibition on illicit drugs in their system when supervising a learner driver. These are the same requirements that apply to the supervisor if they were driving the vehicle. You will be subject to night time driving restrictions for the first 6 months of holding a valid provisional licence. This means you are unable to drive between the hours of midnight - 05:00am. Night time driving restrictions do not apply to people travelling to, from, and in the course of paid or voluntary work or for training or education purposes. If you do need to drive between midnight and 05:00am for these reasons, we suggest you obtain and carry proof with you, such as a letter from your employer. You will be subject to passenger restrictions for the first 6 months of your holding a valid provisional licence. This means you can only have one passenger in a car or on a motorbike at all times. There are three exemptions to the passenger limit law which will only apply if: ƒ the additional passenger(s) is an experienced driver who has held an ordinary C class licence for at least four years; ƒ other passengers are immediate family members. Immediate family include a spouse, de facto partner, child, step-child, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, grandparent or step-grandparent of the person driving the vehicle; or ƒ if additional passengers are in the vehicle as a necessary requirement of the driver's employment (paid or unpaid). For this to apply, a letter from the driver's employer must be carried by the Red P Plate driver for presentation on request. A template letter is available online. You will also be subject to demerit point restrictions until you have held a driver’s licence for two years or periods adding up to two years. During your provisional licence period, you must display P plates in a visible position at the front and back of your vehicle or motorcycle at all times. Further information regarding these restrictions and other laws relating to provisional drivers is available online at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs.

If you hold a provisional licence you may be disqualified and your licence cancelled if you are convicted of any of the offences listed below: ƒ driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC equal to or in excess of 0.02 per cent; ƒ failing to stop after a crash; ƒ failing to report a crash; ƒ failing to supply your correct name and address when required by a police officer; ƒ driving with a prescribed illicit drugs in oral fluid or blood; ƒ forging or altering any driver licence document, vehicle licence document, or number plate; ƒ stealing a motor vehicle; ƒ dangerous driving; ƒ careless driving (including issue of infringement); ƒ failing to stop when called upon to do so by a police officer; ƒ unlawfully interfering with the mechanism of a vehicle; ƒ using false number plates, or being in possession of false driver or vehicle licence documents; or ƒ causing excessive noise or smoke from a vehicle’s tyres. ƒ unlawfully possessing and using false number plates;