Understanding the WA Logbook Requirements for Learner Drivers
What you actually need to log, how to log it correctly, and what happens if your logbook isn't in order before your PDA.
The WA logbook is one of those things learner drivers don't think about until it becomes a problem. Turning up to your PDA with an incomplete or incorrectly filled logbook can delay your assessment — and that's entirely avoidable.
Important: Logbook requirements are set by the Department of Transport WA and may change. Always check the DoT WA website for the current requirements before you start driving or plan your PDA.
What Is the Logbook For?
The logbook records your supervised driving experience as a learner. Its purpose is to ensure you've had enough varied driving practice — different times of day, road types, and traffic conditions — before you're assessed.
In WA, learner drivers are required to accumulate a minimum number of supervised driving hours before they can book the PDA. A proportion of those hours must be completed at night, and a portion must be with a qualified driving instructor. Check the DoT WA website for the current hour requirements.
What You Need to Record
Each logbook entry must include:
- Date of the drive
- Start and finish time
- Total duration of the drive
- Whether it was daytime or nighttime (night is typically after sunset — confirm the exact definition with DoT WA)
- Name and signature of the supervising driver
The supervising driver must hold a current full (not provisional) driver's licence and must have held it for a minimum period — check the current requirement with DoT WA.
Common Logbook Mistakes
Rounding time entries
Log the actual start and finish times. Don't round to the nearest half hour. Examiners check for patterns that look like estimated entries rather than genuine records.
Missing supervisor signatures
Every entry must be signed by the supervising driver. A logbook with unsigned entries is not valid.
Not recording night hours separately
Night hours need to be clearly distinguishable from day hours. If your logbook doesn't separate them, you may need to show how many night hours you've completed.
Forgetting lessons with your instructor
Your professional driving lessons count toward the total. Make sure your instructor records them in your logbook at the end of every lesson — don't leave this to memory.
Losing the logbook
If you lose your logbook and have no record of your hours, you'll need to start again. Consider photographing each completed page as a backup.
Getting Your Logbook Signed Off
Before you book your PDA, your supervising driver signs off the completed logbook. The DoT will check it when you arrive for your assessment.
If entries are missing, unsigned, or the required hours aren't completed, your assessment may be postponed. Book your PDA only once you're confident the logbook is complete and correctly filled.
Tip: Log Every Drive
Many learners try to time their logbook to fill up at the right moment. A better approach: log every single drive from your first day. If you're doing regular supervised practice alongside professional lessons, your hours accumulate faster than you'd expect — and your driving will improve significantly in the process.
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