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How Many Driving Hours Do You Need in Western Australia?
Western Australia has one of the lowest hour requirements in the country. 50 supervised hours, with just 5 at night. But the supervisor requirement is strict — they need 4 years of experience, not just a full licence.
Western Australia permit requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 50 |
| Daytime hours | 45 |
| Night hours | 5 |
| Minimum learner age | 16 |
| Minimum hold period | 6 months |
| Supervisor requirement | Held licence 4+ years |
| Driver education required | No |
| Maximum speed on Ls | 100 km/h |
| Instructor bonus | None |
| Blood alcohol limit | Zero |
Night driving rules in Western Australia
Night driving counts from sunset to sunrise. In Perth, sunset ranges from about 5:20 PM in June to 7:30 PM in December. Regional WA can vary further depending on how far north or south you are.
5 hours of night driving is the lowest night requirement of any Australian state. That’s 5 sessions at an hour each. Mix them in from the start — maybe one evening session every couple of weeks — and you’ll be done before you know it.
Supervisor requirements
WA’s supervisor rule is the strictest in Australia. Your supervisor must have held their licence for at least 4 years. Not 1 year, not 2 — 4 full years. That rules out a lot of older siblings and young family friends.
They need to sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and be ready to take control. Zero blood alcohol for the learner, and supervisors should stay well within their own legal limit.
Check before you drive. If your supervisor doesn’t meet the 4-year requirement, that session won’t count and you could both face penalties.
No instructor bonus
WA doesn’t offer a 3-for-1 or any other instructor bonus. Professional lessons count one-for-one in your logbook, same as driving with a parent or other supervisor.
Professional lessons are still valuable for learning technique, especially for complex manoeuvres and building confidence. They just won’t reduce your total hour count.
Speed restrictions
Learner drivers in WA are limited to 100 km/h regardless of the posted speed limit. Even on highways posted at 110 km/h, you need to stay at or below 100. Display your L plates clearly so other drivers know why you’re going slower.
How to plan your 50 hours
With a 6-month hold period, you have a clear window. Here’s how the schedule breaks down:
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed (25 weeks) | 2 | 1 hour | ~25 weeks |
| Moderate (13 weeks) | 4 | 1 hour | ~13 weeks |
| Intensive (9 weeks) | 6 | 1 hour | ~9 weeks |
50 hours is very achievable. Two sessions a week for six months gets you there with room to spare. The key is consistency — regular practice builds skills better than long weekend cramming sessions.
Night hours are just 10% of your total. One evening session every other week from the start is plenty.
Age exemptions
If you’re 25 or older when you get your learner’s permit, you’re exempt from the 50-hour logbook requirement. You still need to hold the permit for the minimum period and pass the practical driving assessment, but the logbook isn’t required.
Tracking your driving hours
Paper logbooks get lost, entries get forgotten, and handwriting gets messy. Moda logs every drive automatically, separates day and night hours, and shows your progress toward 50. When you’re ready for your test, export your logbook in the format WA requires.
How many supervised driving hours does Western Australia require?
Western Australia requires 50 total supervised driving hours. 5 must be at night and 45 during the day.
What counts as night driving in Western Australia?
Night driving in WA is defined as sunset to sunrise. Times vary by season, with Perth seeing sunset as early as 5:20 PM in winter.
Who can supervise a learner driver in Western Australia?
Your supervisor must have held their licence for at least 4 years. They sit in the front passenger seat and must be ready to take control.
Does Western Australia offer instructor bonus hours?
No. WA doesn’t offer any instructor bonus. Every hour in your logbook is one-for-one, whether with an instructor or a private supervisor.
How old do you have to be to get a learner’s permit in Western Australia?
You can apply for a learner’s permit in WA at age 16.
What’s the speed limit for learner drivers in WA?
Learner drivers in WA are limited to 100 km/h, even on roads with higher posted limits.
Do I need to complete all 50 hours if I’m over 25?
No. If you’re 25 or older when you get your learner’s permit in WA, you’re exempt from the 50-hour logbook requirement.
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