Perth driving test centres have the lowest pass rates in Australia. With a Western Australia state average of just 35% -- compared to the national average of 62% -- preparing for your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) in Perth requires extra diligence. This guide examines the data behind each centre and provides practical advice to help you beat the odds.
Why Does WA Have Australia's Lowest Pass Rate?
Before diving into individual centres, it is important to understand why WA's pass rates are so much lower than other states:
- Fewer mandatory practice hours: WA requires only 50 supervised driving hours, compared to 100 hours in Queensland and 120 hours in Victoria and NSW.
- Less experienced candidates: The lower hour requirement means many learners sit the test before they have developed sufficient skills and road awareness.
- Strict assessment criteria: WA's PDA uses a section-based system where candidates must pass 4 out of 5 sections with no critical errors.
The low pass rate is not because Perth roads are inherently more dangerous. It reflects a systemic gap between the minimum required preparation and the actual skill level needed to pass.
State-by-State Comparison
| State | Average Pass Rate | Mandatory Practice Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 75% | 120 hours |
| Queensland | 61% | 100 hours |
| NSW | 56% | 120 hours |
| Western Australia | 35% | 50 hours |
Perth Test Centre Pass Rates at a Glance
The following pass rate data is based on an analysis of over 30,450 driving tests conducted between January 2022 and December 2023.
Highest Pass Rate Centres
| Rank | Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs WA Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Success DoT Service Centre | 49% | +14% |
| 2 | Butler DVS Centre | 46% | +11% |
| 3 | Cannington DVS Centre | 41% | +6% |
| 4 | Kelmscott DoT Centre | 36% | +1% |
Lowest Pass Rate Centres
| Rank | Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs WA Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandurah DVS Centre | 27% | -8% |
| 2 | Mirrabooka DVS Centre | 30% | -5% |
| 3 | Midland DVS Centre | 32% | -3% |
| 4 | Rockingham DVS Centre | 32% | -3% |
| 5 | City West Perth DVS Centre | 33% | -2% |
Even Perth's best-performing centre (Success at 49%) falls below the national average of 62%. Mandurah's 27% is the lowest pass rate of any test centre in Australia, meaning nearly 3 out of 4 candidates fail there.
Detailed Centre Analysis
Success DoT Service Centre (49% Pass Rate)
Success is Perth's clear top performer and should be the first choice for most candidates. Located in the southern suburbs, the test area features well-planned residential streets with wide roads, good visibility, and manageable traffic levels. Roundabouts are present but tend to be single-lane and straightforward. The suburban layout gives candidates room to demonstrate their skills without the pressure of congested traffic or complex intersections.
Key tips from successful candidates:
- Stop completely at every stop sign, even when no traffic is visible -- rolling stops are an instant fail.
- At give way signs, observe carefully in both directions before proceeding.
- Make head checks extremely obvious when turning or changing lanes -- turn your head far enough to see through the rear side window.
- Check your centre mirror frequently: before slowing, before turning, and at red lights.
- When the examiner instructs consecutive turns (such as left then immediately right), position yourself in the correct lane during the first turn.
Best for: All candidates, especially those prioritising the highest statistical chance of passing.
Butler DVS Centre (46% Pass Rate)
Butler, in Perth's far northern suburbs, is the second-best option. The surrounding area is relatively new residential development, meaning roads are wide, well-marked, and generally in good condition. Traffic tends to be lighter than at more central locations, and the road layout is modern and predictable.
Best for: Candidates in Perth's northern corridor who want a favourable test environment.
Cannington DVS Centre (41% Pass Rate)
Cannington sits in Perth's southeastern suburbs and offers a moderate test environment. The area includes a mix of residential streets and arterial roads, with some busier intersections near commercial zones. Community feedback suggests some examiners at Cannington are accommodating, which may contribute to the slightly above-average pass rate.
Best for: Southeastern Perth residents who have practised in the local area and are comfortable with mixed traffic conditions.
Kelmscott DoT Centre (36% Pass Rate)
Kelmscott, in Perth's southeastern foothills, sits right at the state average. The test area includes some hilly sections and a mix of suburban and semi-rural roads. There are reports that assessment standards at Kelmscott have been tightened recently after a period of higher pass rates, so candidates should be prepared for a thorough examination.
Important note: Some driving instructors report that the 45-degree reverse parking manoeuvre can be assessed differently at Kelmscott. If your car's front extends past the right-hand corner during the manoeuvre, certain examiners may mark it as driving on the wrong side of the road. Clarify the expected technique with your instructor before testing here.
Best for: Candidates who live locally and have practised extensively in the foothills area.
City West Perth DVS Centre (33% Pass Rate)
City West Perth presents an urban test environment with all the challenges that come with inner-city driving: narrow lanes, heavy traffic, complex intersections, and abundant pedestrians. The pass rate of 33% reflects the demanding conditions. Most driving schools and instructors advise against choosing this centre unless you specifically need a city-centre location.
Why it's harder: Dense traffic, complex road layouts, heavy pedestrian activity, and limited margin for error in tight urban streets.
Mirrabooka DVS Centre (30% Pass Rate)
Mirrabooka, in Perth's northern suburbs, has a notably low pass rate. The area features a mix of residential and commercial zones with moderate to heavy traffic. Community feedback on examiners is mixed, and the road environment includes some challenging intersections.
Best for: Only if you live locally and have done extensive preparation in the area.
Midland DVS Centre (32% Pass Rate)
Midland, in Perth's eastern suburbs, records a below-average pass rate. The area includes a mix of older suburban roads and some arterial connections, with moderate traffic volumes. The road environment can be less predictable than newer suburban areas.
Rockingham DVS Centre (32% Pass Rate)
Rockingham, south of Perth, matches Midland's 32% pass rate. Despite being a coastal suburb with some quieter residential areas, the overall pass rate remains low. Speed management and observation skills are commonly cited areas where candidates fall short.
Mandurah DVS Centre (27% Pass Rate -- Australia's Lowest)
Mandurah holds the unwanted distinction of having the lowest pass rate of any driving test centre in Australia. Located about 70 km south of Perth's CBD, fewer than 3 in 10 candidates pass here. Unless you live in Mandurah and cannot travel to a Perth-metro centre, this location should be avoided.
Common Reasons for Failure in Perth
Based on driving instructor feedback and community reports, these are the most frequent causes of failure at Perth test centres:
- Speeding by more than 5 km/h -- any amount of speeding can fail you, but exceeding by 5+ km/h is almost guaranteed failure.
- Not stopping completely at stop signs -- you must come to a full stop and observe before proceeding.
- Right of way confusion -- yielding when you have right of way, or failing to yield when you should.
- Examiner intervention -- if the examiner brakes, steers, or verbally intervenes with "stop," it is an immediate fail.
- Not giving way to buses -- a bus signalling to pull out from a stop must be given way.
- Running amber or red lights -- if you are far enough away to stop safely, you must stop.
- Not yielding to pedestrians at crossings -- including pedestrians who have reached a refuge island.
- Insufficient observation -- not checking mirrors and blind spots frequently enough.
- Missing examiner instructions repeatedly -- if you cannot hear or understand, ask the examiner to repeat.
- Poor observation when reversing -- including over-reliance on reversing cameras (glancing at the camera is acceptable, but staring at it is not).
Important: Do not wave pedestrians across the road. While it might seem polite, examiners may view it as interfering with traffic flow, and it can result in marks against you.
The "Left Something Behind" Manoeuvre
A test element that surprises some candidates at Perth centres is the "left something behind" instruction. After pulling over, the examiner will say something like "You left something behind." This means you need to find a safe place to make a U-turn or three-point turn and drive back to your original stopping point. It tests your ability to safely reverse your direction in traffic.
How to Choose the Right Centre
1. Success Should Be Your Default Choice
With a 49% pass rate -- 22 percentage points higher than Mandurah -- Success is the statistically strongest option for almost every Perth candidate. If you can travel there, it should be your first choice.
2. Butler as a Northern Alternative
If you live in Perth's northern suburbs and Success is too far, Butler (46%) is a solid second choice. The newer road infrastructure works in your favour.
3. Avoid Mandurah, Mirrabooka, and City West Perth
Unless you have a compelling reason (such as living immediately next to one of these centres), the data strongly suggests looking elsewhere.
4. Invest in Extra Practice Hours
Given WA's low mandatory hour requirement, the single most effective thing you can do is exceed the minimum significantly. Driving instructors recommend 80-100 hours of supervised driving rather than the 50-hour minimum. The data supports this: the states with higher hour requirements have dramatically better pass rates.
5. Take Professional Lessons
At least 5-10 hours of professional instruction, ideally with an instructor who knows your chosen test centre, can make a critical difference. They will know the specific routes, common trouble spots, and what examiners look for.
Booking Your Driving Test
You can book your WA Practical Driving Assessment through:
- Online: DoTDirect (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Phone: 13 11 56
- In person: Any Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre or regional agent
Your first PDA attempt is included in the $143.30 learner permit fee at no extra cost. If you do not pass, each re-test costs approximately $120.50.
Transmission note: If you take your PDA in an automatic vehicle, your licence will be restricted to automatic vehicles only for the first 12 months. A manual licence covers both manual and automatic.
Key Reminders for Your WA Driving Test
- The PDA lasts approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
- You must pass 4 out of 5 sections with no critical ("Discontinue" or "Fail") endorsements.
- Critical errors include running red lights, speeding, stop sign violations, failing to give way, and causing danger.
- Make all observation checks (mirrors, head checks, blind spots) exaggerated and obvious.
- Follow the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre sequence strictly.
- Use the free Learn&Log app via Service WA to track your practice hours digitally.
Summary
Perth's driving test pass rates are the lowest in Australia, but this does not mean passing is impossible -- it means preparation needs to be more thorough. Success (49%) and Butler (46%) offer the best statistical outcomes, while Mandurah (27%) should be avoided if at all possible. The most effective strategy is simple: exceed the 50-hour minimum by a significant margin, take professional lessons, practise extensively at your chosen centre, and choose a location that plays to your strengths.
Data source: EzLicence analysis of 30,450+ driving tests (January 2022 - December 2023). Pass rates are historical averages and may change over time.
Explore driving test routes near your chosen centre with AUDrive -- our interactive map helps you practise the exact roads you will encounter on test day.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Pass rates are based on third-party data and do not guarantee individual outcomes. Always refer to the WA Department of Transport for the latest official test requirements and booking information.