Last updated: 28 July 2026
Editorial responsibility: Moving To Australia.
Quick Answer
Western Australia's Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) handles driver-licence transfers and vehicle licensing. A new WA resident generally has three months to transfer an interstate licence. An Australian citizen or permanent resident using an overseas licence also has a three-month resident route, while visitors follow different rules.
If You Hold An Interstate Licence
Apply to transfer within three months of becoming a WA resident. Take the completed driver's licence application, interstate licence and original identity and WA-residency documents to a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or participating regional agent.
The interstate licence process includes an eyesight check, medical declaration, photo and any applicable fee. A current interstate licence, or one expired for less than five years, is generally transferred without theory or practical tests. A licence expired for five years or more follows a testing route.
Learner, provisional, defence-force, heavy-vehicle and conditioned licences have specific exceptions.
If You Hold An Overseas Licence
Immigration status, licence status and issuing country control the route. An Australian citizen or permanent resident with a current overseas licence may drive for up to three months after becoming a WA resident and must transfer within that period. A visitor is not automatically on the same transfer route.
Use the current moving from overseas guidance, then take the application, original identity and WA-residency documents, physical overseas licence and an approved English translation where required to a service centre.
A current licence from a recognised country may transfer without the ordinary theory and practical tests. Other-country, expired and heavy-vehicle licences can require extra knowledge, hazard-perception or practical assessment. Use the current recognised-country checker rather than a copied list.
If You Bring Or Buy A Vehicle
A vehicle from outside WA must complete the WA licensing process before it is treated as a WA-licensed vehicle.
- Arrange the required inspection at an Authorised Inspection Station.
- Gather the vehicle-licence application, original identity evidence, proof of ownership or entitlement, current interstate registration papers or purchase receipt, and any standards or approval documents for that vehicle.
- Apply in person, surrender interstate plates where required, and complete the registration and payment steps. The vehicle must be primarily garaged in WA.
The WA vehicle licensing process explains the current transaction. A temporary movement permit may be needed to drive an unlicensed vehicle to inspection.
An overseas vehicle also needs the applicable Commonwealth import approval or Register of Approved Vehicles evidence and must meet WA standards. Use the imported-vehicle process. Modified, written-off, left-hand-drive and heavy vehicles have separate approval branches.
Fit The Vehicle To The Perth Move
Use Moving to Perth to compare the actual work, study, school and appointment journeys with public transport and parking. Include purchase or freight, registration, insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking before deciding that a vehicle improves the move.
Exceptions And Help
If ownership names, vehicle identifiers, import status or licence class do not match the ordinary route, contact DTMI on 13 11 56 before paying for an inspection or attending a centre.
Driving in Australia explains the national context. Western Australia Guides connects these transactions to renting, schools and arrival planning.
This is general information, not legal or transport advice. The official routes above were checked on 28 July 2026.