- Review and consultation on WA's learner and provisional driver scheme led by Department of Transport (DoT)
- Reference group to be established to review DoT discussion papers on licensing requirements for car drivers and motorcycle riders
- Stakeholder and community consultation will commence in April
A Department of Transport (DoT) review of Western Australia's graduated licensing system will focus on the State's learner and provisional driver schemes and skills and training requirements for people to be granted driver's licences for car and motorcycles.
The review, a recommendation from the State Government's Road Safety Roundtable last year, will see DoT establish a reference panel comprising of members from Department of Education (School Drug Education and Road Aware), The University of Western Australia's Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, Road Safety Commission, WA Local Government Association, WA Police and RAC WA.
Two separate discussion papers - one for car licences and one for motorcycle licences - will be developed by DoT and will outline various potential changes to the current graduated licensing system for drivers and riders of cars and motorcycles to improve road safety outcomes.
The reference group will assist DoT in identifying and confirming potential changes, based on the latest evidence and experience with these cohorts.
The car and motorcycle driver licensing reviews will be looking at what licensing-related measures, over and above what is currently in place, can be considered to ensure that learner drivers and riders get the best grounding possible in their vehicle handling, knowledge of road rules, hazard perception and road craft, before they go solo.
The review will also look at what additional restrictions or support a solo novice driver or a novice or returning motorcycle rider might need to mitigate the risks of their early solo driving/riding and to gradually expose them to the full risks inherent in using the road as they gain more experience.
DoT will seek feedback on both discussion papers from industry stakeholders and the community through an online consultation process that is anticipated to commence in April 2025 using the My Say Transport platform, with recommendations for the State Government to be formed by DoT before the end of the year.
For trucks and buses, DoT has finalised its engagement with WA's heavy vehicle industry through a My Say Transport consultation as part of planning for the implementation of Austroads' national heavy vehicle licensing reforms.
That review will consider whether minor adjustments are necessary to WA's heavy vehicle licensing system to reflect the unique nature of the freight industry in Western Australia.
As stated by Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael:
"These reviews are an important step in improving road safety outcomes for novice drivers, as well as new motorcycle riders and those looking to upgrade their motorcycle licence.
"The Department of Transport is developing two discussion papers on how changes or improvements to the current graduated licensing system could better prepare new car drivers and new and returning motorcycle riders for WA roads.
"I encourage the community to have their say when the online consultation period commences towards the middle of the year using the My Say Transport platform."
