Is your driver's licence from a ‘recognised’, ‘experienced driver recognised’ or ‘non-recognised’ country?
If you hold a driver's licence from a ‘recognised country’ and the licence has not expired by more than 12 months, when applying for a WA licence:
You are exempt from taking the computerised theory test on the road rules
You may be exempt from the requirement to undertake a practical driving assessment.
Recognised countries include the following:
Recognised countries
Austria Guernsey New Zealand
Belgium Ireland Norway
Canada Isle of Man* Portugal
Croatia Italy Singapore
Denmark Japan Spain
Finland Jersey Sweden
France Luxembourg Switzerland
Germany Malta ** United Kingdom
Greece Netherlands United States of America
*Only recognised if your Isle of Man licence was issued on or after 1 November 1991
**Only recognised if your Malta licence was issued on or after 2 January 2004.
Experienced driver recognised country
On 1 September 2012 Western Australia adopted a new ‘experienced driver’ recognised country category. If your driver licence was issued by an ‘experienced driver’ recognised country and you are 25 years of age or older, WA will recognise your overseas driving experience*.
* Only applies to new applications received on or after 1 September 2012.
Upon application for the grant of a WA driver’s licence you will be exempt from the theory and practical assessments (car and motorcycle only), provided your overseas driver licence has not expired by more than 12 months.
If you hold a driver licence from an ‘experienced driver recognised’ country and you are under 25 years of age you will be required to undertake and pass the theory and practical driving tests prior to the grant of a WA driver’s licence.
Experienced driver countries
Czech Republic Hong Kong Taiwan
Estonia Republic of Korea
Driver from a non-recognised driver country
Non-Recognised countries are countries that are assessed as not meeting the minimum requirements of the National Australian Standard. Applicants from these countries must undertake and pass both the practical assessment and the theory tests.