The Department of Transport (DOT) have made changes to the application process for a WA driver’s licence. The DOT are improving the process to obtain a provisional licence which will better prepare applicants - resulting in SAFER NOVICE DRIVERS. As from October 2017 learner drivers are required to complete the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) before the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA). Please note this is the only change they have made, the order of sequence.
How the new system looks:
On the old system, sitting the HPT test was always a requirement, but it used to be after the PDA. Now it is before. The HPT measures your ability to observe the whole road scene to identify and assess possible traffic hazards and to make timely responses to avoid or deal with those hazards. Therefore, the HPT result tells the DOT whether you have developed the hazard perception skills you will need to drive safely on your own basically. A good resource to use to prepare for the test is:
This is a test simulator and gives you a good idea of what to expect on the day and is definitely worth doing. So click on the link!
Once the HPT is completed, applicants must be 17 years of age or older and have completed 50 hours of supervised driving, including five hours of supervised night time driving, before being eligible to attempt the PDA.
Remembering the significant change is the sequence. The PDA is now the final stage, resulting in experienced learner drivers attempting their PDA. This is a GOOD THING, having more experience makes the learner driver a safer one and we should also see a shift in test passes. In theory there should be more pupils passing first time which is exactly how it should be. It is so important the learner is test ready which is what we, aim2drive live and breathe by. Like we’ve said change is a good thing! Here’s to many more competent drivers on the road. We want a community of safe drivers and this change will definitely encourage just that.
