A new study by driving lesson booking platform EzLicence has revealed Western Australia as one of the quickest and cheapest states to obtain a full driver's licence. However, local driving instructors are questioning whether this is a positive development, citing safety concerns.
WA's Licence Timeline
According to the study, WA is the joint quickest state to gain a full licence, taking just two and a half years, alongside the Northern Territory. Learners must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including five hours at night, complete a minimum of six months of supervised driving, and hold a provisional licence for 24 months.
In contrast, eastern states have stricter models. Victoria requires a minimum of five years, with 120 supervised hours (20 at night), 12 months of supervised driving, and 48 months on a provisional licence. Other states typically take four years.
Instructor Concerns
Driving instructor Raj Ismalage expressed strong concerns about the 50-hour requirement. “Fifty hours is not enough. If you count, it’s only two days and two hours ... it’s not enough experience on the road as a learner,” he said. “I would like to see WA going for 120 or 150 hours. The more experience, the better it gets.”
Mr Ismalage highlighted that P-platers have more crashes than any other road users and account for about 25 per cent of road fatalities annually. He welcomed the State Government's April announcement of a major learner system overhaul, which will increase the minimum learner period to one year, supervised hours to 80 (including 10 at night), and introduce red and green P-plate stages, along with a new online theory and hazard perception test.
However, he noted that stronger processes are needed. “(Learners) can write down anything in the book. If you write down something you didn’t do, instructors know, but we can’t do anything,” he said. “People try their luck going to easy centres and waiting for more lenient assessors ... The question is money over safety.”
A fellow Canning-based instructor also questioned the reforms, saying, “All kids learn at a different rate, so changing the learning hours will make no difference. They shouldn’t go for a (practical driving assessment) until they are ready.” This instructor suggested improving instructor quality by requiring certificate four instructors to take a driving test every three years, and extending the practical assessment from 35 minutes to one hour.
Cost Analysis
The EzLicence study also analysed licensing costs. WA came in on the cheaper side, with a total cost of $774, calculated based on six driving lessons and the safe driver discount (available in all states except South Australia and Queensland). South Australia was the most expensive at $1,356.
EzLicence head of marketing Amanda Butler said the upcoming reforms would improve road safety but likely increase costs for new drivers. “The upcoming changes will extend both the time and experience required before reaching a full licence, bringing WA more in line with stricter Eastern State models,” she said. “While the reforms are designed to improve road safety, they will likely mean learners spend longer learning to drive and potentially more money on lessons.”
