Failing a driving test doesn't feel great — but it's a lot more common than most learners think, and it's not the setback it can feel like at the time. Whether it was the Computerised Theory Test (CTT), the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) or the big one, the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA), Transport WA has clear rules about what happens next: what you'll pay, how soon you can try again, and how to avoid paying for a test twice by mistake.
We've put together this straight-answer guide using Transport WA's own published pages, so if you (or your learner driver) just had a tough test day, you'll know exactly where you stand and what to do next.
The Quick Answer
| Test | Resit Fee | Mandatory Wait | Attempts Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computerised Theory Test (CTT) | $19.20 | Not stated by Transport WA | No published cap |
| Hazard Perception Test (HPT) | $24.10 | Not stated by Transport WA | No published cap |
| Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) | $120.50 | At least 7 days | No published cap |
Fees current as at September 2026 — always double-check the exact figure on Transport WA's site before you pay, since fees are reviewed periodically.
Failed the Computerised Theory Test (CTT)?
The CTT is the multiple-choice road rules test you sit to get your learner's permit in the first place. If you don't pass, Transport WA's fee schedule simply treats it as a new attempt: the first sitting costs $22.40, and every subsequent attempt is $19.20.
Transport WA's published pages don't list a mandatory cooling-off period before you can resit the CTT (unlike the PDA — see below), and there's no stated cap on how many times you can attempt it. In practice you'll simply need to book a new appointment through DoTDirect or at a driver and vehicle services (DVS) centre when you're ready.
The smartest move before a resit is to go back over the official road rules material rather than just re-guessing — most learners who fail the CTT once pass comfortably on the second attempt once they've revised properly.
Failed the Hazard Perception Test (HPT)?
The HPT is the online test where you click to show you've spotted a developing hazard — it's a separate step from the CTT, usually sat closer to when you're getting ready to book your PDA.
If you don't pass, Transport WA is direct about it: "you will need to resit the test on another day and pay a resit fee." That resit fee is $24.10 per attempt. As with the CTT, the published page doesn't state a mandatory waiting period or a limit on the number of attempts.
One detail worth knowing: once you do pass the HPT, that pass is valid for 5 years, which is normally longer than you'll need it — but it's good to know your pass doesn't expire before you get to book your PDA. For the full format, cost and prep breakdown, see our Hazard Perception Test guide.
Failed the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)? Here's What Really Happens
The PDA is the one everyone's nervous about, so it's worth knowing exactly what the rules are if it doesn't go your way on the day.
You'll need to book and pay for another PDA — no exceptions
Transport WA is clear: if you don't pass, you must book and pay for another PDA before you can get your provisional licence. There's no way around this step, however close you got. The resit fee is $120.50 (your very first PDA attempt is already included in your learner's permit application fee, so this cost only applies from your second attempt onward).
There's a mandatory 7-day wait before you can rebook
This is the one rule that catches learners out: Transport WA states you "must wait at least 7 days before you can book your next PDA." That's a firm cooling-off period that applies after every failed attempt — you can't jump straight back into the booking system the same day or the next.
After the 7 days is up, you rebook the same way you booked originally — online through your DoTDirect account, or in person at a regional agent if you're not eligible to book online.
There's no official cap on how many times you can attempt the PDA
Transport WA doesn't publish a maximum number of PDA attempts. Its advice to unsuccessful candidates is straightforward: take your assessor's feedback on board, spend some more time practising, and try again when you're ready. Every attempt after the first is charged at the standard $120.50 resit fee, so there's a real cost to going in underprepared — but there's no rule that stops you trying again.
What causes an automatic fail
Certain actions result in an immediate fail regardless of how the rest of your drive went. According to Transport WA, these include:
- The assessor needing to intervene to prevent a dangerous situation
- Disobeying a regulatory sign or traffic control
- Speeding
- Driving without a seatbelt fastened correctly
- Failing to respond appropriately to an anticipated hazard
- Creating a dangerous situation for yourself or others
- Starting or moving the vehicle while not in full control of it
- Refusing to attempt an exercise or follow the assessor's directions
For the full breakdown of everything the assessor is actually scoring on a normal drive (not just the automatic-fail list), see our PDA assessment items guide, and check your vehicle meets every requirement before test day with our PDA vehicle requirements guide — a non-compliant vehicle gets your test cancelled on the spot, and you'll need to rebook and pay again, exactly as if you'd failed the drive itself.
Cancelling or Rescheduling Before Your Test — How to Avoid Paying Twice
This applies whether it's your first booking or a resit: Transport WA requires at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a PDA, or you'll be charged for a brand-new booking. This 48-hour rule applies to weekends and public holidays too, since DoTDirect is available to manage bookings at any time.
You can cancel or reschedule online through DoTDirect (available 24/7), or by phone on 13 11 56, Monday to Friday, 7:00am–5:30pm (excluding public holidays). If something comes up — you're sick, the car's unavailable, you just don't feel ready — moving your booking outside that 48-hour window costs nothing. Leaving it later than that means paying for the test again even if you never actually sat it.
Does Failing Affect Your Logbook Hours or Learner's Permit?
A failed PDA doesn't undo your logged supervised hours — the 50 hours (including 5 night hours if you're under 25) you've already recorded in Learn&Log or your paper logbook still count. Your learner's permit itself also stays valid; it simply runs for its normal 3-year term from when it was issued, regardless of how many PDA attempts you've had within that window. (This is a reasonable reading of how the permit and logbook system works rather than a single line stated explicitly on Transport WA's PDA pages — if you're close to your permit's expiry date, it's worth checking your exact situation via DoTDirect.)
How to Bounce Back After a Fail
- Ask for specific feedback. Your assessor's comments point to exactly what to work on — don't just "drive more," target the actual issue.
- Book a few lessons focused on your weak spot, rather than general practice. A second opinion from an instructor often catches habits you can't see yourself.
- Practise in similar conditions to your test — same test centre area, similar time of day and traffic if you can.
- Don't rush the 7-day PDA wait. Use the full window; a rebooked test the moment you're eligible isn't necessarily an improved one.
- Stay calm about it. Plenty of confident, capable drivers don't pass their first PDA — nerves and one-off mistakes on the day are common, and they don't reflect your overall driving.
We've helped plenty of Perth learners turn a first-attempt fail into a confident pass on the second try — sometimes all it takes is a lesson or two zeroed in on the exact thing that tripped you up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my driving instructor book my resit for me?
Yes — driving instructors can log into DoTDirect and book a PDA on behalf of their student, which is often the easiest option if you're already taking lessons with one.
Do I get a different assessor for my resit?
Transport WA's published pages don't specify assessor allocation for resits — this isn't something publicly stated, so don't plan your prep around getting (or avoiding) a particular assessor.
Is the 7-day wait the same for the HPT and CTT?
No — the 7-day mandatory wait is specifically for the PDA. Transport WA's CTT and HPT pages don't state an equivalent mandatory waiting period.
What if I turn up and my car doesn't meet the vehicle standard?
Your assessment is cancelled before it starts, and you'll need to rebook and pay again — treated the same as a failed attempt in terms of cost. Check every item against our PDA vehicle requirements guide the night before, not the morning of.
Whatever brought you to this page, a fail is a data point, not a verdict — Transport WA's own rules are built around trying again, not shutting you out. Get the feedback, put in a bit more focused practice, and go in for the next one better prepared.
Book a driving lesson with Golden Road Driving Academy today.
Drive safe. Stay focused.
— Paul, Golden Road Driving Academy
Admin@goldenroaddriving.com.au | +61 403 089 100
© Golden Road Driving Academy (G.R.D.A) Perth 2026