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:
- You hold a dangerous goods driver licence from another Australian state or territory.
- The goods are transported in an intermediate bulk container (IBC) that is not filled or emptied on the vehicle, and the total capacity of IBCs is not more than 3,000 L.
- The goods are mineral ores and concentrates classified as UN 3077.
- The goods are transported on a mine site.
- The goods are in packages.
For further information regarding mineral ores and concentrates classified as UN 3077, refer to Exemption No. 23 30 June 2010.
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- Have a suitable driving record over the past five years.
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Be a resident of Western Australia.
- Hold a current Western Australian motor driver’s licence (provisional “P” plate drivers are not eligible).
- Pass a medical assessment against the standards in "Assessing Fitness to Drive – Medical Standards for Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers 2022".
- Complete the national unit of competency TLILIC0001 "Preparation to transport dangerous goods by road".
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 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 etc.
Applications must include (document must be no older than 6 months unless otherwise specified):
- Competency Training: Statement of attainment or certificate of competency in TLILIC0001
- Medical Certificate: Medical certificate assessed against the relevant standards
- Motor driver licence (MDL): Colour image of both sides of your motor driver licence
- Photo: Digital photo (passport quality; JPEG format; a photo taken on a smartphone is acceptable)
- WA Driving Record:
- National Police Certificate (NPC)
- Driving record of the past 5 years
- Proof of residency: Proof of residency if you do not hold a WA motor driver licence
Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications.
Application fee
The licence fee payable covers the 5 year period of the licence.
For information regarding application and renewal fees please see Dangerous goods fees and charges.
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 Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
You must apply online via the Safety Regulation System (SRS).
If you have an existing SRS ex account number (username), Log on to SRS
Enter your ex-account number and password and follow online instructions to complete your application
If you are unsure if you have previously registered as a user with SRS and may have an existing ex account number, please call 1300 489 099 to confirm in order to avoid the creation of an additional profile.
Having more than one ex account number can cause issues with your access to the Safety Regulation System and delays in processing your application.
If you are a new user, go to SRS new user
Register for an ex-account number (this will be your username).
Amending the licence and updating personal details
Show moreTo 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.
Mutual recognition
Show moreHolders 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
Public Registers
Show moreThe 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
Other guidance
Show moreRoute 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
This safety guide assists those transporting packaged dangerous goods by road in receptacles (e.g. packages, cylinders) with a capacity of 500 litres or more or net mass of 500 kilograms or more (i.e. 500L or KG).
This safety guide assists those transporting packaged dangerous goods by road in receptacles (e.g. packages, cylinders) with a capacity of 500 litres or less or net mass of 500 kilograms or less (i.e. 500 L or KG).
Applicable legislation
Show moreDangerous Goods Safety Act 2004
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.
