Getting a driving instructor's licence
If you teach anyone how to drive a motor vehicle for money, reward or other remuneration, you must hold a driving instructor's licence. This includes employees who give driving instruction as part of their job (including local, state and federal government employees).
Are you eligible?
For an original application for a driving instructor's licence you must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Hold an unrestricted (not learner's or provisional) driver's licence for each class in which you wish to instruct and have held that licence for a continuous period of at least three years (overseas and interstate licenses can be accepted toward part or all of this tenure requirement).
- Be of good character. You will need to submit with your application a three-part criminal and traffic National Police Certificate available from WA Police.
- Be medically fit (you will need to pass a medical examination, including an eyesight test).
How do you apply?
If you meet the above criteria you can apply for a driving instructor's licence at a licensing centre or agent. You will need to:
- Produce primary and secondary identification (your current driver's licence can be used as primary identification as long as it includes a photograph).
- Pass a theory test of 150 questions. You must get 140 or more correct to pass.
- Pass an additional test if applying for a heavy vehicle driving instructor's licence (23 questions, 21 right to pass) or a motorcycle driving instructor's licence (15 questions, 13 right to pass).
- Complete an application form that includes 2 personal references.
You will also need to undergo a medical examination by your doctor. Your doctor will send the results of the medical examination to Licensing. You should contact Licensing 10-15 days after the examination for your results.
After successful completion of these requirements, you will then be required to pass the following two practical tests (a practical test fee is payable)
- A driving assessment in a vehicle appropriate to the type of driving instructor's licence sought; and
- An impart knowledge (instructional technique) test in a vehicle appropriate for each type of driving instructor's licence sought. This test assesses an instructor's knowledge of safe driving techniques and their ability to teach.
Applicants for multiple licence types must take a test in each type of vehicle - car, heavy vehicle (highest class being applied for) or motorcycle - for which they require a driving instructor's licence. The practical tests can be done at metropolitan and regional licensing centres.
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Certificates in Motor Vehicle Driver Training/Driving Instruction
Applicants who have completed a Certificate III in Motor Vehicle Driver Training (cars or heavy vehicles) or Certificate IV in Driving Instruction (cars, heavy vehicles or motorcycles) will not be required to complete any of the theory or practical tests applicable to the categories that they hold with their certificate, but will have to comply with all of the other requirements.
In WA the Certificates III and IV are delivered by Registered Training Organisations that are prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors Regulations 1964. Details of course providers can be found at the National Training Information Service website at or by calling the Training Information Service on 1800 999 167.
Once all of the requirements for a driving instructor's licence have been met, a licence fee is payable. Upon payment, your driving instructor's licence will be mailed to you. On receipt of the licence, and not before, you may begin to instruct clients.
Overseas and interstate driving instructor licences
A driving instructor's licence from overseas is not transferable and you must still apply for a driving instructor's licence in Western Australia.
Interstate driving instructor licences may be transferable under the Mutual Recognition Act, in which case the person must apply with a written notice specifying:
- in what other states they hold an instructor's licence,
- that they are not prohibited from being an instructor in any state;
- if they have any conditions on their original interstate licence, and what those conditions are;
- that they are applying under the mutual recognition principle;
- that their interstate licence is not cancelled or the subject of disciplinary proceedings; and
- that they consent to Licensing making enquiries with their home State about the application.
This notice must be accompanied by certified copies or originals of those other licences and all of the above must be verified by a Statutory Declaration.
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