The Complete 2026 Guide to Driving in WA on an Overseas Licence
- Cameron Haughey
- Jun 28
- 5 min read
I've already written a blog about driving on an overseas licence, and it's become one of the most popular pages on my website. Since publishing it, there have been some changes to the licensing system in WA, as well as a few common questions that keep coming up in lessons. This article updates the original guide and answers the questions I'm asked most often.
Please note: Licensing rules can change. This article is intended as a practical guide based on the rules in place at the time of writing. If you're unsure about your specific circumstances, always check the latest information published by the WA Department of Transport.
Who Can Drive in WA With An Overseas Licence?
Well, if you're here on a visa, the simple answer is: anybody. You SHOULD have an approved English translation of your licence, just in case you get pulled over by police, but ultimately anyone with a valid overseas licence (that covers the class of vehicle you're driving) can actually drive in WA if you're here on a visa.
If you get a WA learners permit while you're on a visa, but your international licence is still valid, you can continue driving unsupervised until the date of expiry. After that date you can only drive, supervised, with your WA learners permit.
What About if I'm a Permanent Resident?
Once you gain permanent residency, you have 3 months to obtain your West Australian drivers licence. If you don't get your WA licence within that 3 month period, you'll need to get a WA Learners Permit if you want to continue driving (supervised). Otherwise, you can continue to sit your PDA for one year after that 3 month period, but you cannot drive any other time.
Will I Be on P-Plates When I Pass My PDA?
If you've held your overseas licence for less than 2 years, you will be treated as a novice driver. This means you'll need to sit the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) before attempting your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA). And, once you pass, you'll be on red P-plates for 6 months, followed by green P-plates for 18 months.
If you've held your overseas licence for longer than 2 years, you won't have to sit the HPT and you'll get a full WA licence once you've passed your PDA.
Can I Convert My Licence Without Sitting A PDA?
Most overseas drivers will need to pass a Practical Driving Assessment. However, there are a number of recognised countries whose licence holders can convert directly without sitting a PDA. Rather than reproducing the list here (as it can change), you can find the current list on the Department of Transport website.
What Are The Rules For An Australian Citizen With An Overseas Licence?
As an Australian citizen, you can drive on an overseas licence for up to 3 months. If you don't obtain a West Australian licence within that 3 month period, you must then get a WA learners permit to continue driving (supervised). Otherwise, you can continue to attempt PDAs for up to one year after this 3 month period, but you cannot drive any other time.
Can I Drive Automatic if My Overseas Licence is Manual?
Most countries that are represented by my students overwhelmingly tend to have significantly more manual licence holders than exclusively automatic.
In Western Australia, if you hold a manual licence you can drive automatic cars. However, if you hold an automatic licence you cannot drive manual cars.
Can I Supervise A Learner Driver?
If you've had your full licence for at least 4 years, and it authorises you to drive the same class of vehicle, then yes you can.
If you've had your full licence for less than 4 years, no.
If you have an automatic licence and the learner driver is learning in a manual car, no.
Summary
This should answer the vast majority of question you might have surrounding driving in WA with an overseas licence. I genuinely can't think of another question I might've gotten about overseas licences in my 7 years of instruction.
However, if you do have a question about driving with an overseas licence that you don't think I've answered here - comment below. Or email me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can: info@goatdriving.com
GOAT Driving
If you need assistance preparing for your PDA or adapting to WA road conditions, GOAT Driving might just be the best in WA.
One thing I hear quite often from people who are new to WA is that they simply can't afford ongoing driving lessons. I completely understand that. Driving lessons are expensive, especially when you're trying to establish yourself in a new country. While they're not a necessity, it can be difficult to meet the standard expected in the PDA without some professional guidance.
That's exactly why I created GOAT Driving. It's the same structured 19-step system I use with my own students, designed to help learners understand exactly what they're expected to do in WA. More than 60% of my students pass their PDA on the first attempt, and more than 90% pass on either their first or second attempt.
The full GOAT Driving course is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese and includes the complete 19-step learning system that I use with my own students. Whether you've never driven before, or you've been driving overseas for years, the lessons are designed to help you understand exactly what is expected on WA roads and during the Practical Driving Assessment.
If your main focus is simply passing the PDA, there's also a lower-cost option that covers the assessment itself without the full course.
The complete course is available for $27.90 per month and includes a free one-week trial, giving you full access to every lesson before you decide whether it's right for you. If you're only interested in the PDA material, that starts from just $4.90.
I want to help as many people as possible, and I want the price point to be as accessible as possible. Membership also gives you direct access to me. If something isn't clear, or you'd like advice about where to practise a particular skill in your area, you can simply send me an email or text message. I aim to respond to every enquiry within 24 hours.
Moving to a new country comes with enough challenges already. Learning how to drive safely in WA shouldn't be one of them. My goal with GOAT Driving has always been to make professional instruction more accessible, whether that's through on-road lessons or affordable online learning.
If you'd like to get started, I'd love to welcome you to the GOAT Driving community.
Whether you're looking for:
structured online lessons,
one-on-one coaching,
a mock PDA,
or just a better understanding of how the WA driving test works,
I hope this website helps make the process a little less confusing.
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