The Western Australia driving test and hazard perception

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check when you are eligible for the HPT and the PDA.
• You can book, change or cancel a PDA correctly.
• You can bring the right documents and a suitable car on the day.
• You can describe what the assessor looks for.
• You can list the errors that cause an automatic fail.

What you need to know and understand

• HPT: you must have held your learner's permit for at least 6 months and be at least 16 years and 6 months old.
• No appointment is needed for the HPT at metro centres; it must be started before 3.45 pm. A pass is valid for 5 years.
• HPT fees at the time of writing: $29.90 for the first attempt and $24.10 for each resit, which must be on another day.
• PDA: you must be at least 17, have held your permit for 6 months, passed the HPT and, if under 25, logged at least 50 hours including 5 at night.
• Your first PDA is included in the learner's permit fee. Each resit cost $120.50 at the time of writing.
• Give at least 48 hours' notice to change or cancel a PDA, or you will be charged for a new one.
• If you fail the PDA, you must wait at least 7 days before booking the next one.

The Hazard Perception Test

The HPT shows a series of moving traffic scenes on a computer. You click to show when it is safe to start a manoeuvre, or when you need to act to reduce crash risk. Your timing is compared with the recommended response, so clicking too early, too late or not at all can cost you. DTMI has free sample clips online; practise on a computer rather than a phone. Our WA hazard perception test guide goes into scoring and practice.

On PDA day

1. Book online through DoTDirect for metro centres and most regional agents, or in person at regional locations.
2. Arrive at least 15 minutes early; if you are late, the test is cancelled.
3. Bring your learner's permit and your signed log book, or submit the Learn&Log declaration in the app beforehand.
4. Provide a car that is licensed, roadworthy and of the right class. The handbook says C class test cars must have a centrally mounted park brake.
5. The car is checked before the test. If it is unsuitable, the PDA is cancelled and you must rebook and pay again.

How the PDA is assessed

The PDA takes about 35 to 50 minutes and has 5 sections: 3 where you follow the assessor's directions and 2 with set exercises. It looks at the quality of your whole drive: flow, looking behind with mirrors and head checks, smooth movement and speed control, choosing a good path, responding to hazards, signalling, and managing the vehicle.

You fail automatically if the assessor has to intervene, you speed, disobey a regulatory sign, break a traffic rule in a way that threatens safety, drive without a seatbelt, cause or fail to respond to a crisis, start the car without full control, refuse or cannot do an exercise, or refuse a reasonable direction.

Common mistakes

• Creeping over the speed limit. Any speeding is an automatic fail.
• Skipping head checks before moving off or changing lanes. Looking behind is assessed throughout.
• Bringing an unregistered or faulty car. It will be rejected and you lose the booking.
• Cancelling with less than 48 hours' notice. You will have to pay for another PDA.
• Clicking constantly in the HPT. Respond when a real decision is needed.

Test yourself: The Western Australia driving test and hazard perception

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• WA Hazard Perception Test
• Learning to Drive in WA
• Moving to WA