Landmark overhaul of WA licensing system to deliver safer roads

ollowing strong community feedback, the Cook Labor Government is delivering reforms to strengthen Western Australia’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS) and help develop safer, more capable drivers.

More than 7,700 Western Australians had their say during last year’s consultation period, helping shape practical changes to better support young drivers as they learn and gain experience on the State’s roads.

The reforms include:

• increasing the minimum learner period from six months to 12 months;
• increasing the minimum provisional period from two years to three years (one-year P1, two years P2);
• increasing the minimum supervised driving hours from 50 hours (including five hours nighttime) to 80 hours (including 10 hours night-time);
• developing an online theory and hazard perception test in addition to the in-centre test;
• banning mobile phone use for learner and provisional drivers, except for hands-free use through in-built navigation systems and playing audio, if set up prior to commencing the journey; and
• introducing a zero-blood alcohol concentration limit for all supervisor drivers while supervising a learner driver.

The community consultation was backed by the ‘Tom’s Story’ campaign, based on the story of Tom Saffioti who was killed in a road crash as a backseat passenger in 2021.

An extension of the award-winning ‘Red plate. One mate’ campaign, Tom’s mum Samantha and his best friend Ben share their memories of Tom, asking young drivers to ‘Drive like your mate’s life depends on it. Because it does.’

Western Australia will also align with the rest of the nation by separating the car and motorcycle Graduated Licensing Systems.

Public consultation on proposed motorcycle GLS reforms will open on My Say Transport from Sunday, 3 May until Sunday, 24 May 2026. Proposed changes include:

• raising the minimum age to obtain a learner motorcycle licence from 16 to 18 years;
• increasing the provisional period, from two years to three years (one year on red P-plates and two years on green P-plates);
• introducing mandatory pre-learner and pre-provisional training and assessment during the learner rider phase and prior to granting a motorcycle rider’s licence;
• introducing late night riding restrictions during the learner phase;
• introducing pillion passenger restrictions for learner, P1, and P2 riders;
• introducing automatic progression from a restricted to an unrestricted motorcycle licence, noting new training requirements to better equip riders; and
• banning mobile phone use for learner and provisional riders, except for hands-free use through in-built navigation systems and playing audio, if set up prior to commencing the journey.

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