Photo: Outrune, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The WA Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) is a 35 to 50 minute on-road test with five sections: three where you follow the assessor’s directions and two set exercises made up of low-speed manoeuvres. You are scored on seven assessment items, and some errors, such as speeding or disobeying a stop sign, are an automatic fail. This guide is for Western Australian learners booking their first PDA. It covers eligibility, booking, the vehicle check, scoring, the fail items and what happens next.
Key facts
- Minimum age 17, at least 6 months on your learner’s permit, HPT passed.
- Under 25s: at least 50 logged supervised hours, including 5 at night.
- Book online through DoTDirect up to 6 months ahead. Give at least 48 hours’ notice to change or cancel.
- Your first PDA is included in your learner’s permit fee. Each resit costs $120.50 (as of November 2026).
- If you fail, wait at least 7 days before you book again.
Are you eligible for the WA PDA?
- You are 17 or older.
- You have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
- You have passed the Hazard Perception Test.
- If you are under 25, you have logged at least 50 supervised hours, including 5 at night between sunset and sunrise. See the WA 50 hour logbook.
Drivers 25 and over don’t need a logbook for a car licence.
Booking, changing and cancelling
- Online: DoTDirect covers all metro service centres and most regional agents. An account is free and there are no online booking fees.
- In person: only at regional service centres and agents. Metro centres don’t take in-person bookings.
- How far ahead: up to 6 months for your first licence.
- Changes: reschedule or cancel as often as you like through DoTDirect or on 13 11 56, but give at least 48 hours’ notice or you pay for a new PDA.
What to bring on the day
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you are late, your PDA is cancelled and you pay to rebook.
- Bring your completed paper log book, signed by you and your supervisor. If you logged all 50 hours in Learn&Log, submit the declaration of completion at least 24 hours before the test and bring the device you use.
- Bring your learner’s permit (preferred) or a Category B identity document.
- Bring a licensed, roadworthy car with the L plates removed.
The vehicle check
Before you drive, the assessor briefly inspects your car. If it fails, the PDA is cancelled and you pay for another one. The car must have:
- a centrally mounted park brake that holds the car on a slope (driving school cars with dual controls are exempt)
- working demister, door handles, horn, speedometer, windows, wipers and washers
- working, correctly focused lights, with no cracked or faded lenses
- headrests fitted, mirrors inside and out, and seatbelts that aren’t frayed or damaged
- tyres with at least 1.5 mm of tread across the full width, correctly rated and not mismatched
- no windscreen crack over 15 cm, and no chip or crack in the driver’s line of sight
- a secure exhaust, non-slip pedal covers, a reasonably clean interior with loose objects secured
- no red or amber warning lights on the dash, including the low fuel light.
You cannot use a car that is under a recall or fitted with Takata airbags. If you pass in an automatic, your licence is restricted to automatics.
How the WA driving test is structured
| Section | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Follow directions from the PDA site |
| 2 | Exercise A: two low-speed manoeuvres in an everyday task |
| 3 | Follow directions |
| 4 | Exercise B: two more low-speed manoeuvres |
| 5 | Follow directions back to the PDA site |
In the exercises the assessor explains the task, such as parking in a car park, and you decide the best way to do it. The manoeuvres come from a set of ten, including driveway turnarounds, U-turns, reverse parallel parking and angle parking. Practise them with our guide to the Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers exercises.
Assessors give clear directions and will not try to trick you. An auditor, trainer or trainee may sit in the back for quality checks.
The seven PDA assessment items
| Item | What the assessor checks |
|---|---|
| Flow | You combine skills smoothly and confidently, without stalls breaking your rhythm or holding up traffic |
| Look behind | Mirror checks and head checks before you slow, turn, change lanes or merge |
| Movement | Smooth starts, speed control, accurate stops, no roll-back |
| Path | You choose the best track and steer accurately, central in your lane |
| Responsiveness | You spot hazards early and adjust your speed and position |
| Signal | Indicating early enough, for long enough, and cancelling afterwards |
| Vehicle management | Seat, mirrors and belts set up, dashboard warnings and switches used, correct steering and gear use |
The assessor marks YES or NO against these items as you drive. If they write something, it doesn’t necessarily mean you made a mistake.
Automatic fail items in the WA PDA
You fail straight away if you:
- need the assessor to step in or help to avoid a potentially dangerous situation
- disobey a regulatory sign, such as a stop sign
- speed
- break any traffic rule in a way that threatens safety, now or potentially
- drive without your seatbelt on
- fail to respond to a crisis, or potential crisis, that an experienced driver would expect
- cause a crisis or potential crisis
- start the car when you are not in full control of it
- refuse, or are unable, to do any part of an exercise
- refuse to follow a reasonable direction from the assessor.
The assessor will also stop or not start the PDA if you seem unfit to drive, the car breaks down or isn’t suitable, or you offer a bribe.
After the PDA
If you pass
You have your photo taken and pay the licence fee, then you are issued a provisional licence and can drive solo. The assessor will still tell you which areas fell short of the standard. Read the WA red P plate rules before you drive with friends.
If you fail
The assessor explains where you fell short. You must wait at least 7 days before booking another PDA, and each resit costs $120.50 (November 2026). You can keep logging trips in Learn&Log until you get your licence.
Common questions
How long is the WA driving test?
Around 35 to 50 minutes in total, according to DTMI’s PDA page.
Can I use my own car for the PDA?
Yes. You must supply a licensed, roadworthy car that meets the vehicle standard, including a centrally mounted park brake.
Can I do the PDA in a car with an electronic park brake?
The rule is that the park brake must be centrally mounted and hold the car on a slope. If you are unsure whether a car qualifies, ask DTMI before booking.
What are the most common automatic fails?
DTMI doesn’t publish fail statistics. The handbook singles out speeding, disobeying a regulatory sign and not wearing a seatbelt.
Can my driving instructor book the test for me?
Yes, DTMI says you or your driving instructor can book.
Do I need to do the HPT again if I fail?
No. An HPT pass lasts 5 years.
For the full sequence, see learning to drive in Western Australia.
Sources
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Pass the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)” (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Book and pass your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)” (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Book a PDA securely” (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) vehicle standard” (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Digital learner log book – Learn&Log” (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers: A Guide for Learner Drivers”, revised 6 August 2026 (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, revised 5 August 2026 (transport.wa.gov.au)