❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond asks about measures to ensure immigrants comply with WA driving rules, and the government's support for capacity-building. The Minister outlines existing rules for overseas license holders and resources provided by the Road Safety Commission.
AnsweredQoN 215Legislative Council
Asked
20 March 2024
Member
Portfolio
minister representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
QuestionView source ↗
IMMIGRANTS —
DRIVERS' LICENCES
215. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the fact that in 2023,
there were approximately 115 000 immigrants to Western Australia, with around
70 per cent coming from overseas.
(1) Given that
many of these immigrants come from jurisdictions with different driving rules
and/or norms, what measures are taken to ensure they are equipped to comply
with WA driving rules?
(2) Does the
government support capacity-building for new immigrants to adapt to WA driving
laws, regulations and conditions?
(3) If yes to
(2), which programs is this support provided through, and what is the overall
funding allocation?
DRIVERS' LICENCES
215. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the fact that in 2023,
there were approximately 115 000 immigrants to Western Australia, with around
70 per cent coming from overseas.
(1) Given that
many of these immigrants come from jurisdictions with different driving rules
and/or norms, what measures are taken to ensure they are equipped to comply
with WA driving rules?
(2) Does the
government support capacity-building for new immigrants to adapt to WA driving
laws, regulations and conditions?
(3) If yes to
(2), which programs is this support provided through, and what is the overall
funding allocation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I answer on behalf of the Leader of the House. The
following answer has been provided by the Minister Assisting the Minister for
Transport.
(1)–(3) Overseas
visitors to Australia who do not hold a permanent visa are subject to the same
driving rules as Australian drivers, limited to the vehicles and conditions
authorised by their overseas licence, and must carry their licence and international driving permit or English
translation while driving. Permanent residents with an overseas driver's
licence must hold a Western Australian driver's licence to drive if
they have resided in the state for more than three months. Drivers from
non-recognised countries who hold a driver's licence that is current or
has not expired more than 12 months will need to pass a road rule theory and
practical driving test to have their car or motorcycle driver's licence
transferred.
The
Road Safety Commission provides resources for new migrants and visitors to the
state. Guide to driving on WA roads is provided in 12
languages—English, Arabic, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Malaysian, Somalian, Vietnamese and Mandarin. The guide covers the main
road rules in WA and highlights the
different road and environmental conditions that drivers may experience. These
resources were updated in 2023 and are available from the Road Safety
Commission website.
some notice of the question. I answer on behalf of the Leader of the House. The
following answer has been provided by the Minister Assisting the Minister for
Transport.
(1)–(3) Overseas
visitors to Australia who do not hold a permanent visa are subject to the same
driving rules as Australian drivers, limited to the vehicles and conditions
authorised by their overseas licence, and must carry their licence and international driving permit or English
translation while driving. Permanent residents with an overseas driver's
licence must hold a Western Australian driver's licence to drive if
they have resided in the state for more than three months. Drivers from
non-recognised countries who hold a driver's licence that is current or
has not expired more than 12 months will need to pass a road rule theory and
practical driving test to have their car or motorcycle driver's licence
transferred.
The
Road Safety Commission provides resources for new migrants and visitors to the
state. Guide to driving on WA roads is provided in 12
languages—English, Arabic, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Malaysian, Somalian, Vietnamese and Mandarin. The guide covers the main
road rules in WA and highlights the
different road and environmental conditions that drivers may experience. These
resources were updated in 2023 and are available from the Road Safety
Commission website.
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