Six steps to your licence
Translate your overseas licence
If your licence isn't in English, you'll need an official translation. NAATI-certified translators, tertiary-qualified translators, or your consulate/embassy are all accepted.
Gather your proof of identity
The DOT asks for a specific set of documents for Proof of Identity. Check the full list before you go, so you're not making a second trip.
Visit a DOT centre
Bring your translation and all your documents, and complete the Driver's Licence Application form (DLA1) at any Department of Transport office.
Sit the Road Rules Theory Test
A 30-question computer test — you need 24 correct to pass. Practise with the official quiz and study the Drive Safe Handbook before you go.
Pay for and book your Practical Driving Assessment
Once you've passed the theory test, pay the transfer fee (which includes the driving test) at the counter and book your date through DoTDirect. You can reschedule for free with 24 hours' notice — but you'll lose the fee if you cancel with less notice, or if your car doesn't meet the minimum standard.
Your car needs to have
- Current rego, no unpaid fines
- Tyres in good condition, not worn
- All lights working
- No windscreen damage that affects visibility
Not fully confident?
A driving lesson (~$60–75) can be the difference between passing and paying for a resit ($120.50).
Worth asking someone to check your car from the outside before test day, too.
Pass the PDA and collect your licence
Once you've passed the practical, choose and pay for your licence term. You'll drive on a temporary document for two weeks while the official card is mailed to you.
What you'll pay
What the PDA actually assesses
The MILO check — use it on every turn, merge or park
Mirror. Check your centre mirror.
Indicator. Signal the direction you're about to move.
Look over. Turn your body and check your blind spot — make it obvious to your assessor.
Automatic fail
- Not giving way at a stop sign
- Going more than 5 km/h over the limit
- The assessor has to intervene for a dangerous situation
Costs you points
- Looking at the gearstick while driving
- Revving the engine too high
- Not checking your mirrors often enough
The 2nd of 5 PDA sections. The assessor is checking how you enter a public car park and park safely — space selection, signalling, speed and brake control, awareness of pedestrians, staying within the lines, and a controlled exit.
1. Entering
- Slow down and read the car park
- Pick a suitable, available space
- Indicate towards the side you're parking on
2. Parking
- Check mirrors and blind spot before turning
- Turn smoothly into the space
- Avoid over-correcting back and forth
- Stay inside the lines
3. Exiting
- Mirrors + head check for pedestrians or moving cars
- Indicate in your exit direction
- Pull out slowly and with control
The 4th of 5 PDA sections — a simulated stop, then a reverse-park manoeuvre into a driveway, then heading back to your starting point.
1. Initial stop
- MILO with indicator left
- Stop straight, close to the kerb
- Indicator off, into neutral, handbrake on
- Note a landmark — you'll need to find this spot again
2. Back on the road
- Handbrake off, 1st gear
- MILO with indicator right
- Merge back into traffic safely
3–4. Return & reverse
- Find the first safe place to turn — usually a driveway
- MILO before turning in, pull up near the letterbox
- Check behind before reversing
- Turn the wheel from the start to straighten out
- Keep checking behind the whole time — a wheel drifting slightly off the lane isn't a big deal
5. Finish
- Indicator right, pull out in 1st gear
- MILO again if you need to turn back
- Stop in neutral, handbrake on
1st exit
Indicate left on approach, and switch it off once you're aligned in the exit street.
2nd exit (straight through)
No indicator on approach. Once you pass the 1st exit, indicate left and switch off once straightened.
3rd exit
Indicate right before entering. After passing the 2nd exit, switch to left to signal your exit.
4th exit (U-turn)
Indicate right before entering. After passing the 3rd exit, switch to left to signal your exit.
You don't need a perfect score in every section — you need to hit the minimum in at least 4 of the 5 sections, and pass every essential item overall. This candidate did both.
This candidate met the minimum for 4 of 5 sections, but the roundabout intervention was an automatic fail on its own — a good reminder that one serious error outweighs several small ones.
Recommended videos
Practical Driving Assessment Walkthrough
Official video · Department of TransportFull walkthrough in Spanish
EXD · real test route explainedStopping For Shopping
Driving Test Tips Australia2 Minutes: Left Something Behind
Quick tutorialLeft Something Behind exercise
Full walkthroughTurning right without a green arrow
Intersection examplesDOT resources
Unlock the rest of this guide
Get the full roadmap, live pricing and every PDA resource — free, two minutes.
Six steps to your licence
Translate your overseas licence
If your licence isn't in English, you'll need an official translation. NAATI-certified translators, tertiary-qualified translators, or your consulate/embassy are all accepted.
Gather your proof of identity
The DOT asks for a specific set of documents for Proof of Identity. Check the full list before you go, so you're not making a second trip.
Visit a DOT centre
Bring your translation and all your documents, and complete the Driver's Licence Application form (DLA1) at any Department of Transport office.
Sit the Road Rules Theory Test
A 30-question computer test — you need 24 correct to pass. Practise with the official quiz and study the Drive Safe Handbook before you go.
Pay for and book your Practical Driving Assessment
Once you've passed the theory test, pay the transfer fee (which includes the driving test) at the counter and book your date through DoTDirect. You can reschedule for free with 24 hours' notice — but you'll lose the fee if you cancel with less notice, or if your car doesn't meet the minimum standard.
Your car needs to have
- Current rego, no unpaid fines
- Tyres in good condition, not worn
- All lights working
- No windscreen damage that affects visibility
Not fully confident?
A driving lesson (~$60–75) can be the difference between passing and paying for a resit ($120.50).
Worth asking someone to check your car from the outside before test day, too.
Pass the PDA and collect your licence
Once you've passed the practical, choose and pay for your licence term. You'll drive on a temporary document for two weeks while the official card is mailed to you.
What you'll pay
What the PDA actually assesses
The MILO check — use it on every turn, merge or park
Mirror. Check your centre mirror.
Indicator. Signal the direction you're about to move.
Look over. Turn your body and check your blind spot — make it obvious to your assessor.
Automatic fail
- Not giving way at a stop sign
- Going more than 5 km/h over the limit
- The assessor has to intervene for a dangerous situation
Costs you points
- Looking at the gearstick while driving
- Revving the engine too high
- Not checking your mirrors often enough
The 2nd of 5 PDA sections. The assessor is checking how you enter a public car park and park safely — space selection, signalling, speed and brake control, awareness of pedestrians, staying within the lines, and a controlled exit.
1. Entering
- Slow down and read the car park
- Pick a suitable, available space
- Indicate towards the side you're parking on
2. Parking
- Check mirrors and blind spot before turning
- Turn smoothly into the space
- Avoid over-correcting back and forth
- Stay inside the lines
3. Exiting
- Mirrors + head check for pedestrians or moving cars
- Indicate in your exit direction
- Pull out slowly and with control
The 4th of 5 PDA sections — a simulated stop, then a reverse-park manoeuvre into a driveway, then heading back to your starting point.
1. Initial stop
- MILO with indicator left
- Stop straight, close to the kerb
- Indicator off, into neutral, handbrake on
- Note a landmark — you'll need to find this spot again
2. Back on the road
- Handbrake off, 1st gear
- MILO with indicator right
- Merge back into traffic safely
3–4. Return & reverse
- Find the first safe place to turn — usually a driveway
- MILO before turning in, pull up near the letterbox
- Check behind before reversing
- Turn the wheel from the start to straighten out
- Keep checking behind the whole time — a wheel drifting slightly off the lane isn't a big deal
5. Finish
- Indicator right, pull out in 1st gear
- MILO again if you need to turn back
- Stop in neutral, handbrake on
1st exit
Indicate left on approach, and switch it off once you're aligned in the exit street.
2nd exit (straight through)
No indicator on approach. Once you pass the 1st exit, indicate left and switch off once straightened.
3rd exit
Indicate right before entering. After passing the 2nd exit, switch to left to signal your exit.
4th exit (U-turn)
Indicate right before entering. After passing the 3rd exit, switch to left to signal your exit.
You don't need a perfect score in every section — you need to hit the minimum in at least 4 of the 5 sections, and pass every essential item overall. This candidate did both.
This candidate met the minimum for 4 of 5 sections, but the roundabout intervention was an automatic fail on its own — a good reminder that one serious error outweighs several small ones.
Recommended videos
Practical Driving Assessment Walkthrough
Official video · Department of TransportFull walkthrough in Spanish
EXD · real test route explainedStopping For Shopping
Driving Test Tips Australia2 Minutes: Left Something Behind
Quick tutorialLeft Something Behind exercise
Full walkthroughTurning right without a green arrow
Intersection examplesDOT resources
Unlock the rest of this guide
Get the full roadmap, live pricing and every PDA resource — free, two minutes.