WA Novice Demerit Points: 4 and 8 Point Limits

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WA novice drivers have lower demerit point limits than full licence holders. You are disqualified for at least 3 months if you reach 4 points from your learner’s permit to the end of your first licence year, or 8 points by the end of your second year. Full licence holders get 12. This guide is for Western Australian learners and P platers. It explains who counts as a novice, how the two limits work, what happens if you go over, and how to check your points.

Key facts

Novice Driver Type 1 (learners and first year on Ps): 4 point limit.
Novice Driver Type 2 (second year on Ps): 8 point limit, counting points from the start.
Penalty for reaching the limit: disqualification for at least 3 months.
P platers who reach the limit have their licence cancelled and must reapply. That may mean a new theory test and PDA.
Novices cannot elect a good behaviour period or get an extraordinary licence for a demerit disqualification.

Who is a novice driver in WA?

You are a novice until you have held a driver’s licence for 2 years, or periods adding up to 2 years. Only periods when your licence was current and valid count. Novices include:

first-time learner’s permit holders
provisional licence holders
interstate and overseas drivers who have held a licence for less than 2 years
extraordinary licence holders.

The 4 and 8 point limits

Stage	Novice type	Limit
Learner’s permit	Type 1	4 points in total
First year of licence	Type 1	4 points in total
Second year of licence	Type 2	8 points in total
Full licence	Not a novice	12 points within 3 years

The limits are totals, not fresh allowances. Points you got as a learner still count in your first year on Ps, and the 8 point limit in year 2 includes everything you collected before.

Worked example

You get 3 points on your Ls and pass your PDA. One more point in your first year on Ps takes you to 4, and you are disqualified. If you instead get through year 1 on 3 points, you can collect up to 4 more in year 2 before reaching 8.

How many points do WA offences carry?

Each offence carries between 1 and 7 points, depending on the offence. Speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving are common examples. In the first 6 months on red Ps, breaking the passenger limit or the curfew costs 2 points and a $200 fine.

During double demerit long weekends and holiday periods, many offences carry twice the points, so a single offence can put a novice over the limit. See double demerit points in Australia.

What happens if you go over the limit

DTMI serves you an Excessive Demerit Points Notice (EDPN).
You are disqualified from holding or getting a licence for at least 3 months.
On a learner’s permit: the permit isn’t cancelled, but you can’t drive for the 3 months.
On a provisional licence: your licence is cancelled. After the disqualification you reapply for a new licence, which may include another Computerised Theory Test and PDA.

A novice disqualification has no workaround. You cannot get an extraordinary licence and you cannot elect a good behaviour period. You cannot drive at all, even if you need to for work or study.

Offences that can cost a P plater their licence without points

A provisional licence holder can be disqualified and have their licence cancelled if convicted of offences including:

driving or attempting to drive with a BAC of 0.02 or more
driving with a prescribed illicit drug in oral fluid or blood
dangerous driving, or careless driving (including by infringement)
failing to stop after a crash, or failing to report one
failing to stop for police, or failing to give police your correct name and address
causing excessive noise or smoke from your tyres
stealing a vehicle, using false plates, or forging licence documents.

The legal limit for every novice is still 0.00. The 0.02 figure is the point at which this extra penalty applies. See zero alcohol for learners and P platers.

How long points last and how to check them

Points expire 3 years from the date of the offence, unless an EDPN is issued first.
Points are recorded against the offence date, usually within 48 hours of the fine being paid or registered as unpaid.
Points from offences in other Australian states are not recorded on your WA licence, but you still have to pay the fine.
Check your points with DTMI’s online demerit point tool, through DoTDirect, or on the Demerit Point Hotline, 1300 720 111.

Demerits and getting your P plates

DTMI’s provisional licence page lists not having accrued more than 4 demerit points as a condition of getting your Ps. If you are close to 4 points as a learner, check your record before your PDA.

Common questions

How many demerit points do P platers get in WA?

4 points in your first year, and 8 in total by the end of your second year.

Do learner drivers get demerit points in WA?

Yes. Learners are Type 1 novices with a 4 point limit.

Can I do the good behaviour period on my Ps?

No. Provisional licence holders can’t elect one.

Do my points reset when I move from red to green Ps?

No. The limit goes from 4 to 8 at the start of your second licence year, but earlier points still count.

Will I need to resit my tests after a demerit disqualification on Ps?

Your provisional licence is cancelled, and you may need to sit the theory test and PDA again when you reapply.

Sources

Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, revised 5 August 2026, Parts 2 and 5 (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Demerit points” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Driving on your P plates” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Red plate. One mate | New rules for red P-platers” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Learn to drive and log your hours” (transport.wa.gov.au)
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Get your provisional licence” (transport.wa.gov.au)

WA Novice Demerit Points: The 4 and 8 Point Limits Explained