Drive Safe - A handbook for Western Australian road users

Sep 18, 2026

Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users provides a simplified interpretation of Western Australia road law and focuses on safe driving practices for new and existing drivers. It explains key rules drawn from the Road Traffic Code 2000 and Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014, supports learners preparing for permits and tests, and emphasizes translating knowledge into responsible behaviour. The handbook highlights major crash contributors including speeding, drink and drug driving, seat belt use, and driving when tired.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages134

Reading Time5 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

PART 1 Safe Driving

The High Cost of Road Trauma

Speed

Alcohol and Drugs

Seat Belts

Driver Fatigue

‘Anti-Hoon’ Legislation

Mobile Phones

Other Road Users

Motorcyclists

Drive Safe A handbook for Western Australian road users A Message from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure This handbook is a comprehensive guide to the road rules that apply in Western Australia. It is written in an easy to understand format and designed primarily to help new drivers prepare for a lifetime of safe driving. If you are a new driver, this book contains the information you will need to obtain your learner’s permit. The laws explained in this book are the major ones that are contained in the Road Traffic Code 2000 and Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014. However, drivers should be familiar with all traffic laws and a copy of the relevant rules and regulations can be viewed on the [internet at](internet at www.legislation.wa.gov.au)[ ](internet at www.legislation.wa.gov.au)[www.legislation.wa.gov.au](internet at www.legislation.wa.gov.au) or purchased from the State Law Publisher. To earn your driver’s licence will require a great deal of effort and most importantly, many hours of practical experience driving with a supervisor. Those who have already obtained their licence will still need to refer to this handbook regularly and to the Road Traffic Code 2000 to ensure that their understanding of the road rules is up to date. While a good knowledge of traffic laws will help you drive more safely, research shows that human behaviour is a factor in over 90 percent of road crashes, so it is important that the theoretical knowledge of the correct use of our roads is translated into responsible and careful driving. The big killers continue to be speeding, drinking and driving, failing to wear a seat belt and driving when tired. Please take the time to learn the detailed information in this handbook, refer to it regularly and put into practice the safe driving behaviour that is the responsibility of us all. Chief Executive Officer Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure i A Handbook for Western Australian Road Users This handbook is a guide to safe driving and an interpretation of the law. It is NOT the law, but a simplified version of the road law as defined in the Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008 , including the Australian Road Rules that apply currently in Western Australia. It does not include all the traffic regulations and is not intended tobe used as a legal document. More information can be obtained [online at](online at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs)[ ](online at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs)[www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs](online at www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs). Available online This handbook can also be downloaded from our website. [Visit](Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs for)[ ](Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs for)[www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs](Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs for)[ for](Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs for) the locations of our Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centres, regional Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) centres and agents. Unless otherwise stated, DVS centres are open MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.15 am to 4.30 pm (excluding public holidays). Computerised Theory Tests (CTT) and Hazard Perception Tests (HPT) must be commenced before 3.45 pm at DTMI centres. You may be eligible to book your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) through your DoTDirect account. If you’re an overseas licence holder converting to a WA licence, please call 1300 738 939 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday to Friday to book a test. Revised edition date 5 August 2026. Prepared and published by Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, Driver and Vehicle Services. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is provided in good faith and believed to be accurate at time of publication. The State shall in no way be liable for any loss sustained or incurred by anyone relying on the information. Page 93-Image of Fire Engine provided courtesy of Department of Fire an

FAQs

Is this handbook the road law itself?

No. It is a simplified interpretation of the law, not the law. It does not include all traffic regulations and is not intended as a legal document.

Which laws are referenced as the basis for the explanations?

The handbook explains major laws contained in the Road Traffic Code 2000 and the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014.

What are considered major factors behind road crashes?

The handbook highlights speeding, drinking and driving, failing to wear a seat belt, and driving when tired.

Sep 18, 2026

Upload by Caleb Sterling