When is this licence required?
A dangerous goods driver licence is issued for five years and is required if a person drives a vehicle transporting:
- dangerous goods in a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500 L
or
- more than 500 kg of dangerous goods in a receptacle.
If transporting ammonium nitrate a dangerous goods security card (DGSC) or a recognised security clearance (certain interstate licences/permits recognised as equivalent to a DGSC) is required.
When is this licence not required?
A dangerous goods driver licence is not required if driving a road vehicle transporting dangerous goods where:
- the person holds a dangerous goods driver licence issued in other States and Territories of Australia, or
- the goods are transported in an intermediate bulk container (IBC), and
- the IBC is not filled or emptied on the vehicle, and
- the total capacity of IBCs containing dangerous goods on the vehicle is not more than 3,000 L, or
- the goods are mineral ores and concentrates classified as UN 3077—Environmentally Hazardous Substances, Solid, N.O.S., or
- the dangerous goods are being transported on a mine site, or
- the dangerous goods are in packages.
For further information on interstate dangerous goods driver licences, refer to Mutual Recognition section.
For further information regarding mineral ores and concentrates classified as UN 3077, refer to Exemption No. 23 30 June 2010.
Who can apply?
The applicant must:
- demonstrate a suitable driving record over the five years prior to making application
- be at least 17 years of age
- be a resident of Western Australia
- hold a current Western Australian motor driver’s licence (provisional “P” plate drivers cannot hold a dangerous goods driver licence)
- pass a medical assessment against the standards in Assessing Fitness to Drive – Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers 2022, not more than six months before the day the application is lodged
- be trained in the national unit of competency TLILIC0001 Preparation to transport dangerous goods by road, not more than six months before the day the application is lodged (this is a two-day driver training course).
If you hold a Western Australian dangerous goods driver licence but no longer reside in the State, you may continue using the licence. However, you will not receive a renewal notice.
If you have a court order prohibiting transport of dangerous goods by road, you may not be granted a dangerous goods driver licence. Contact Resources Safety before lodging application.
Applications can only be made online through the Safety Regulation System. Refer to Lodging the application for more information.
Required supporting information
Applications for a dangerous goods driver licence must be accompanied by specific information. Before completing your application ensure you have high quality colour images of the following documents.
If you have recently submitted an application for a different licence type and items provided with that application are still valid, they are prepopulated by SRS for subsequent applications. This may mean you do not have to obtain a new medical certificate or driving records etc.
The payment of fees must be by Visa or MasterCard.
| Item | Document details | Date before lodgement date |
|
Competency training |
Statement of attainment or certificate of competency in the course TLILIC0001 Preparation to transport dangerous goods by road |
Not more than 6 months |
|
Medical certificate |
Assessed against the standards in Assessing Fitness to Drive – Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers 2022 |
Not more than 6 months |
|
Motor driver licence (MDL) |
Colour image of both sides of the MDL issued from any Australian state or Territory or New Zealand |
|
|
Photograph |
Passport quality photo |
Not more than 6 months |
|
WA driving record |
National Police Certificate (NPC)
WA Certified copy of Traffic Infringements
|
Not more than 6 months |
|
Other WA driving record |
Other notices issued, if applicable:
|
In the last 5 years |
| Non-WA driving record | The driving records are required from Australian States or Territories and/or New Zealand where an MDL was held within the past five years, and/or you incurred a traffic offence or conviction where an MDL was not held (refer to driving record contact details). | Not more than 6 months |
| Proof of residency | If a Western Australian MDL is not held but you reside in Western Australia, a copy of another form of residency evidence must be provided (e.g. utility bill standing in your name or similar) | Recent |
Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications.
The following information may assist in obtaining the required supporting information.
Driving record
Driver training
Medical fitness
Assessing Fitness to Drive - Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers is available from Austroads.
Mutual recognition
Holders of dangerous goods driver licences issued in other States and Territories of Australia are deemed to be so licensed in Western Australia (WA). There is no requirement to apply for mutual recognition of your interstate licence even if you become a WA resident.
However, you are not prevented from applying for mutual recognition if you wish to obtain a WA licence.
This does not apply for holders of New Zealand explosives driver licences who must apply for mutual recognition of their licences.
For more information refer to: Applying for mutual recognition
Application fee
The licence fee payable covers the 5 year period of the licence.
For information regarding application and renewal fees please see Schedule of fees and charges.
Amending the licence and updating personal details
To amend your licence, update your personal details, or provide the department with information relevant to your licence, log on to Safety Regulations System SRS. There is no fee required.
Renewing the licence
Renewal notices are sent three months prior to the licence expiry. You may apply for a renewal online after you have received a renewal notice.
Licences must be renewed prior to expiry. If you require a licence after a licence expires, you must apply for a new one.
For more information refer to: Renewing a dangerous goods driver licence
Complying with a licence condition
If you are granted a licence subject to a condition requiring a review, a notification is sent six weeks prior to the review due date. To comply with the condition you must provide the documentation required by the review due date. Conditional compliance applications must be lodged online.
If you do not comply with the condition, you will be deemed unfit to perform the licensed activities on the grounds of your non-compliance with the condition and action may be taken to suspend your licence.
Applications can only be lodged online.
Lodging the application
The completed application form, together with supporting documents and the fee(s) payable to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
You must apply online via the Safety Regulation System (SRS).
If you have an existing SRS Ex account, Log on to SRS
Enter your Ex-Account number and password and follow online instructions to complete your application
If you are a new user go to SRS new user
Register for an ex-Account number.
Contact details
For any enquiries please contact Dangerous Goods Licensing:
Phone: (08) 6251 2300
Email: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Public Registers
The licensing regulations create public registers which require information about licence holders and licences to be publicly available. The actual information published in each licence register depends on the licence type.
Typically the register includes:
- Licence number
- Licence holder
- Conditions on licence(if any)
- Expiry date of licence
Route selection
There are general criteria regarding the transportation of dangerous goods and explosives. These are addressed in What are the route restrictions for dangerous goods and explosives transport?
Other guidance
Applicable legislation
The Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-Explosives) Regulations 2007 adopt the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG) and are aligned with the associated National Model Regulations.