Western Australia (WA) graduated driver training and licensing system (GDT&L) is the basis on which all West Australians learn to drive. Learner drivers are tested to ensure they meet the required criteria needed to be a safe and defensive driver. Testing is done via a Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) or driving test at a licensed driving centre in WA. Bliss Drive Perth use the Department of Transport, Joondalup Licensing Centre. It is central to the northern suburbs of Perth and is located with a train station for easy pickup and drop off of students, as required.

The process you need to follow to sit your Practical Driving Assessment at Joondalup Licensing Centre is as follows:

Obtain Your Learners Permit

Details of how and when you can apply for a learners permit can be found under our FAQ

Learn to Drive

You will need to demonstrate to your supervisor or instructor that you can operate and guide the car, put road rules into practice, fit in with other traffic and see and respond to hazards. The only way this can be achieved is by getting quality driving instruction. Begining your learning to drive journey with an instructor is an excellent idea to learn how to operate your vehicle safely and with the correct technique so that you can continue to practice with an appropriate supervisor (if possible) while you learn to drive and apply the road rules. 

You will need to have completed the required amount of driving experience to apply for the PDA. You must have completed and recorded a minimum of 50 hours (at least five at night) in your Learner Guide and Log Book, and you are at least 17 years of age you can sit the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA). Remember each driver is different, and some may take more or less time to reach the required standard to pass their PDA. However, the minimum number of recorded hours to sit the PDA is 50 hours.

How will I be assessed?

In Western Australia, the PDA is a 35-minute on-road test taken with the Department of Transport. They will be assessing whether the instruction and experience you have received have been retained and implemented as they guide you around the area local to your test centre. There are five sections to the PDA. You will be asked to follow directions, for example, when to make turns and also direct you to complete set exercises. There are three directional sections and 2 Exercises to achieve during your PDA. You will start and end the PDA at Joondalup Licensing Centre.

The assessor is going to be ensuring you do not make any serious faults. Serious faults are classed as those you would usually obtain a demerit point for, such as Disobey a regulatory road sign, eg STOP, speed or driving without a seat belt. The full list of serious faults can be found in the How to Pass the Driving Assessment Guide, provided by the DoT.

The assessor is also going to check that you FLOW having the correct driving technique and being able to flow while implementing the driving method means that you will be able to move smoothly when you drive forwards and backward. They will also check that you can choose the correct positioning on the road and stay on track. They will ensure you are responsive to hazards and maneuver your vehicle accordingly. They will need to know that you are aware of where you are on the road and also that you are aware of what is happening around you. This is achieved through regularly checking all of the mirrors and checking your blind spot. To stay safe on the road, other users need to know what you plan on doing. Therefore correct use of your indicators will need to be demonstrated. You will also need to ensure you know how to use all of the vehicles instruments such as speedos, correct hand technique on the steering wheel and a smooth transition in a manual gearbox. This list may seem overwhelming. However, our instructors will be able to provide excellent training to support you in your learning to drive journey. 

Our Instructors

At Bliss Drive Perth, all of our Instructors are part 3 trained through the Department of Transport at Joondalup. They have had to obtain sufficient further training themselves and undertake a thorough 3-hour examination on Practical Driving, Knowledge and Teaching Practice. What does this mean? Our Instructors know precisely what level of driving the examiner requires. Meaning we can deliver a pupil that is ready and competent on the test date to sit their PDA or driving test.

What does it cost to sit the Practical Driving Assessment?

The Department of Transport does not charge a fee for the first test; however, after this, you will be charged.