Transport & Licensing

Available Services

The Shire of Lake Grace Administration Office is a transport licensing agent and can carry out most services a Department of Transport (DoT) office can. Licensing services are open on all working days from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm (with some exceptions for lengthier services).

The list of services we can provide are below:

Driver's Licenses Vehicle Registrations (Licensing) Other
Driver's License Applications & Renewals Vehicle Licensing & Renewals Temporary Movement Permits
Learner's Permit Issuing Vehicle Ownership Transfers Driver's License Photographs
Computer Theory Test (CPT) Agricultural Machinery Licensing & Renewals Change of Name
Logbook Issuing Agricultural Machinery Ownership Transfers Change of Address
Hazard Perception Test (HPT) Seasonal Vehicle Licensing Change of Gender
Practical Driving Assessment Fleet Licensing
Overseas License Conversion Change of Vehicle Plates
New or Replacement Vehicle Plates Orders
Boat Licensing & Renewals

Please note that most services above require Proof of Identity to be sighted by our licensing officers. The next section covers what documents are acceptable for this, and how many of each is needed.

Proof of Identity

Most licensing transactions we carry out requires proof of identity. This also means we cannot provide any services (besides booking appointments) over the phone so you must come in person to our front office.

The identity requirements are different depending on whether you are applying for a new Driver's License, or if your request is administrative in nature i.e. changing ownership of vehicles, renewal of registration, ordering replacement plate, etc.

Which types of documents are acceptable and how many of each can be found on the Department of Transport website links below.

External Link: Department of Transport - Identity requirements for driver's license, learner's permit or WA photo card

External Link: Department of Transport - Identity requirements for existing customers and other transactions

Vehicle Classes

When you attain your Driver's License it will be limited to whichever class of vehicle you have been assessed for. Afterwards you can apply to add additional vehicle classes to your Driver's License, with higher level classes requiring driving experience from preceding levels. Driver's Licenses with higher level classes allow you to operate lower level vehicle classes.

From highest level to lowest level, these classes are: MC (multi-combination) > HC (heavy combination) > HR (heavy rigid) > MR (medium rigid) > LR (light rigid) > C (manual car) > C-A (automatic car) > R-N (moped).

There is a separate upgrade path for motorcycle classes. These classes are, from highest level to lowest level: R (motorcycle) > R-E (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme, or LAMS approved motorcycle) > R-N (moped).

The below DoT webpage explains in greater detail the requirements for application, restrictions of each license class, and what the vehicle definition is for those classes.

External Link: Department of Transport - Vehicle classes

New Drivers

Starting Requirements

If you do not have a current Driver's License and would like to apply for one, you may follow the Department of Transport link below to find the complete process for your application. You must be at least 16 years old to start the process (15 and a half for a moped license).

External Link: Department of Transport - Get your first license

The vehicle classes that you can initially apply for are C-A (automatic cars), C (manual cars), R-N (mopeds), and R-E (LAMS motorcycles).

Most of the following steps requires bringing proof of identity documents before we can start the licensing transaction. Please refer to the Department of Transportation links above to see which documents are required.

Computer Theory Test (CTT) & Learner's Permit

To be issued with a Learner's Permit, you will need to:

  • Be at least 16 years old (15 and a half for a moped license)
  • Submit all paperwork per the DoT website's procedures, including the Driver's License Application;
  • Bring proof of identity documents;
  • Pass an eye test;
  • Pass your Computer Theory Test (CTT); and
  • Pay all required fees.

As a regional agent we can accept all paperwork including your Driver's License Application, and we have the facilities to conduct a Computer Theory Test (CTT). There is no need to book an appointment to take the CTT at our Shire office. Due to the time required to process all paperwork, we close acceptance of CTTs at 3:00 pm.

Once you have passed the CTT and paid the fees you will be issued a Learner's Permit and a logbook. Part of these fees includes an Entitlement that allows you to book your first Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) later in the process.

Logbook & Hazard Perception Test (HPT)

You will be required to drive a certain amount of hours in your car, in a variety of road conditions, weather conditions and times of day under supervision, all recorded into your issued logbook.

When you feel like you have accrued enough experience you may come into the Shire Administration office to take your Hazard Perception Test (HPT). Same as the CTT, you do not need to book an appointment to take the test, however we close acceptance of HPTs at 3:00pm.

Prior to sitting the HPT, you will:

  • Need to be at least 16 and a half years old (15 and a half if trying for a moped license);
  • Have held a Learner's Permit for at least 6 months;
  • Need to bring your Learner's Permit, or primary and secondary identification, to be sighted by our licensing officers; and
  • Pay a fee before sitting the test.

HPT passes are valid for 5 years for the purposes of taking your Practical Driving Assessment.

If you do not pass, must wait at least one day before retaking the HPT.

Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)

Every month a driving assessor visits our Shire to carry out Practical Driving Assessments (PDAs). Due to limited availability per month, anyone making a request to take a PDA with us are put on a waitlist. Local residents are prioritised over people residing outside of our Shire.

Before making a PDA booking, you will:

  • Need to be at least 17 years old (16 if trying for a moped license);
  • Have held a Learner's Permit for at least 6 months;
  • Have enough hours of driving logged into your logbook;
  • Passed an HPT within the last 5 years; and
  • Have an Entitlement (your first Entitlement is paid for when first receiving your Learner's Permit).

Once we have made a booking for you, you will receive a booking confirmation letter by mail or email. It will be up to you to prepare for the day of the PDA. Please arrive 15 minutes before your assessment time, bring your Learner's Permit and completed logbook, and a roadworthy vehicle of the same class that you are applying for.

The roadworthiness of your vehicle is expected to meet the Vehicle Standard in the link below.

External Link: Department of Transport - PDA Vehicle Standard

If you pass your PDA, you will be issued a provisional license (red "P" plates for the first 6 months, green for the next 18 months) after payment of fees. A Driver's License card will then be sent to you in the mail by the DoT.

If you do not pass your PDA, you will be required to pay for an another Entitlement that allows you to make another PDA booking here or elsewhere. Booking with us again will place you at the back of the waitlist so we advise gaining enough experience that you feel comfortable passing your PDA on your first try.

Provisional License & Restrictions

Having your provision license allows you to drive unsupervised (with restrictions) until you have graduated to a full license. These restrictions are:

  • You must follow Western Australian road rules;
  • You must always display P-plates (red P-plates for the first 6 months, green P-plates for the next 18 months);
  • You must have a blood alcohol content of 0.00% at all times you are driving;
  • If you are on red "P" plates, you cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 am unless it is for work or study purposes (evidence must be carried for these purposes);
  • If you are on red "P" plates, you can only have a maximum of one (1) passenger at any time in your vehicle, with three exemptions.
    • Exemption 1: A passenger has held a C class (manual car) license for at least 4 years, which removes the maximum one (1) passenger restriction while you are operating the vehicle.
    • Exemption 2: Additional passengers besides the one (1) ordinary passenger are immediate family members.
    • Exemption 3: Additional passengers besides the one (1) ordinary passenger are required for the provisional driver's employment, with evidence from the employer carried in the vehicle.

More information about the maximum passenger restrictions can be found in the links below, including a handy infographic. Once you have moved on to green P-plates this passenger restriction is lifted. Please see the links below for further information.

External Link: Department of Transport - "Red Plate. One Mate"

External Link: Passenger Exemption Infographic

Graduating from a provisional license to a full license requires 2 years to have passed since receiving your provisional license, or when you turn 19 years old, whichever period is longer.