❓ A parliamentary question addresses difficulties faced by Aboriginal youth and remote residents in obtaining learner's permits and driver's licenses, particularly in Leonora, and seeks information on current processes and potential improvements. The response details existing programs and denies systemic issues.
AnsweredQoN 4475Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Did the Department of Transport recently undertake an annual visit to Kalgoorlie in order to help Aboriginal youth obtain their learner's permit? (2) If no to (1), what was the purpose of the visit? (3) If yes to (1), why was a certified copy of their birth certificates, together with their Medicare cards not acceptable identification? (4) Were the applicants told to obtain a copy of their birth certificate at a cost of 50 dollars? (5) If yes to (4), once the applicants reapplied with their birth certificate were they then informed they did not have enough identification and needed a letter from a public utility showing their address? (6) Does the Department of Transport know that residents in Leonora receive their mail from post office box addresses, which makes it very difficult for residents in Leonora to apply for a driver's licence? (7) Will the Minister please advise what the process of obtaining a Learner's Permit and Driver's Licence is for residents in remote areas and for those without a physical address? (8) Will the Minister please provide data on how many people have applied for Learner's Permits and Driver's Licence in Leonora for the past five years? (9) Does the Minister and the Department of Transport agree that the application process is made difficult for residents in remote areas? (10) If yes to (9), does the Minister and Department of Transport have a plan to rectify this? (11) If no to (10), does the Minister and Department of Transport understand that residents in remote areas find the process difficult? (12) If yes to (11), what will be done to rectify this or provide a better understanding of the process to applicants?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2016
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
36 days
The Department of Transport advises:
(1) No
(2) The Department of Transport (DoT) has a regional office located in Kalgoorlie. In addition DoT supports the Department of the Attorney General by attending community open days as part of the Aboriginal Justice Program to assist participants to address issues around driver licensing, fines and proof of identity.
(3) - (5)
Not Applicable
(6) Yes
(7) All applicants for a learner’s permit/drivers licence must present evidence of their residency within WA, birth certificate and other supporting documentation as part of meeting proof of identity requirements. Applicants are then required to pass the necessary theory test before the grant of a learner’s permit. A practical driving assessment, prescribed supervised driving hours and/or hazard perception test (if applicable) is required before the grant of a driver’s licence.
(8) 76 driver’s licence applications
(9) No
(10) Not applicable
(11) Yes
(12) DoT has, for a number of years, delivered a remote licensing program to assist residents in regional and remote areas obtain and maintain a driver’s licence. This includes staff travelling to remote communities to provide driver and vehicle licensing services, working with other agencies (Department of Corrective Services, Department of the Attorney General and WA Police) to assist community members with linked issues such as fines, developing targeted materials and engaging private industry and Aboriginal corporations to deliver learner’s permit theory testing as part of a driver education or pre-employment program.
(1) No
(2) The Department of Transport (DoT) has a regional office located in Kalgoorlie. In addition DoT supports the Department of the Attorney General by attending community open days as part of the Aboriginal Justice Program to assist participants to address issues around driver licensing, fines and proof of identity.
(3) - (5)
Not Applicable
(6) Yes
(7) All applicants for a learner’s permit/drivers licence must present evidence of their residency within WA, birth certificate and other supporting documentation as part of meeting proof of identity requirements. Applicants are then required to pass the necessary theory test before the grant of a learner’s permit. A practical driving assessment, prescribed supervised driving hours and/or hazard perception test (if applicable) is required before the grant of a driver’s licence.
(8) 76 driver’s licence applications
(9) No
(10) Not applicable
(11) Yes
(12) DoT has, for a number of years, delivered a remote licensing program to assist residents in regional and remote areas obtain and maintain a driver’s licence. This includes staff travelling to remote communities to provide driver and vehicle licensing services, working with other agencies (Department of Corrective Services, Department of the Attorney General and WA Police) to assist community members with linked issues such as fines, developing targeted materials and engaging private industry and Aboriginal corporations to deliver learner’s permit theory testing as part of a driver education or pre-employment program.
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