Can you drive in Western Australia with a UK license?

Yes. Visitors can drive in Western Australia on a current and valid UK licence for the length of their stay.

Transport WA treats tourists, business travellers, students and temporary workers as visitors, and visitors can use their current overseas licence with no fixed time limit while their stay remains temporary. The licence must be carried while driving and must not be suspended, cancelled, disqualified or withdrawn. Under the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014, the 3 month limit only starts once the person holds a permanent visa and usually resides in WA.

Visiting from overseas or interstate | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 (legislation.wa.gov.au)

No. An International Driving Permit is not required for visitors driving on a UK licence in Western Australia.

Transport WA's page for overseas visitors does not require an International Driving Permit; it only requires a current and valid licence that is carried while driving. A UK licence is written in English, so no translation issue arises either.

Visiting from overseas or interstate | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

New permanent residents can drive on a current UK licence for up to 3 months, and must apply for a WA licence within that period.

Transport WA states that Australian citizens and permanent residents with a current and valid overseas licence can drive in WA for up to 3 months and must apply to transfer within that window; after 3 months they cannot legally drive on the overseas licence even if it is still valid. Regulation 61(4) of the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 ends recognition once a permanent visa holder has usually resided in WA for more than 3 months since the visa was granted.

Moving from overseas | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 (legislation.wa.gov.au)

Yes. The United Kingdom is a recognised country, so a UK car or motorcycle licence can be transferred to a WA licence without a theory test or driving test.

Transport WA's overseas licence checker classifies the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) as a recognised country. Holders of a current UK car or motorcycle licence that has not been expired for more than 12 months do not need to take the theory test or the Practical Driving Assessment when transferring.

Moving from overseas | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)Transfer a licence from a recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

No theory test or driving test is needed to transfer a UK licence, only an eyesight test at the service centre.

Because the UK is a recognised country, Transport WA waives the theory test and Practical Driving Assessment for current UK licences not expired more than 12 months. Applicants still take an eye test when they apply and must complete a medical declaration.

Transfer a licence from a recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

No. UK licences are issued in English, so no translation is needed.

Transport WA requires a translation for recognised country licences only when they are not written solely in English. UK licences in English and Welsh presented in the UK plasticised licence card format are specifically exempt from the translation requirement.

Transfer a licence from a recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)

Bring a completed Driver's Licence Application form, your UK licence and proof of identity documents to a DTMI service centre, and pay the fees.

Transfers are done in person at a Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) service centre or regional agent. You submit the DLA1 form, your UK licence and proof of identity documents, pass an eyesight test, have your photo taken and pay the application fee.

Transfer a licence from a recognised country or region | Transport WA (transport.wa.gov.au)