Getting a bus licence

If you wish to drive a bus or small charter vehicle for hire or reward purposes, you will need to apply for an 'F' extension endorsement on your current licence.
You will also need to hold the appropriate licence class for the vehicle to be driven.

• When do you need an F extension endorsed on your licence?
• When don't you need an F extension endorsed on your licence?
• What do you need to apply for an F extension on your licence?
• How do you apply?
• Overseas and interstate bus driver licences

When do you need an F extension endorsed on your licence?

An 'F' extension is required if you:

• drive a motor vehicle carrying passengers during working hours as part of your general employment;
• drive a motor vehicle carrying passengers during working hours which is incidental to your general employment and the motor vehicle seats more than 12 persons (including the driver);
• drive a passenger carrying motor vehicle being operated as an omnibus, charter bus, limousine;
• are given a consideration or reward to drive a motor vehicle carrying passengers by an organisation of which you are not an employee and the consideration or reward exceeds the operating costs per kilometre of the vehicle as provided in the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2008, Schedule 3;

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When don't you need an F extension endorsed on your licence?

An 'F' extension is NOT required to be endorsed on your driver's licence when you drive:

• a motor vehicle carrying passengers and no reward or consideration is received by you or the owner of the motor vehicle.

For example a purely voluntary service is provided; a vehicle carrying passengers during working hours which is incidental to your general employment and the motor vehicle seats less than 12 persons (including the driver).

For example,

• a teacher driving students on an excursion;
• you drive your private motor vehicle to carry passengers and the reward given is not intended to cover the operating costs per kilometre of the vehicle as provided in the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2008, Schedule 3;
• a vehicle carrying passengers in your capacity as a Police officer appointed under the Police Act 1892, Part I;
• a motor vehicle carrying passengers in your capacity as a person providing child care services or as an employee of a child care service holding a licence under the Child Care Act 2007.

What do you need to apply for an F extension on your licence?

To apply for an 'F' extension you must:

• be at least 21 years old;
• have held a driver's licence for a period of four years and not hold a provisional licence;
• hold the class of licence for the vehicle that will be driven for hire and reward purposes;
• be of good character (Licensing will undertake a criminal/traffic check and may also contact your character referees to establish this);
• pass a medical assessment.

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How do you apply?

If you meet the above criteria you can apply for an 'F' extension to your licence at a licensing centre or agent by taking the following steps:

Attend a licensing centre with:

1. primary and secondary identification (your current Australian driver's licence can be used as primary identification);
2. the names and contact details of two referees who are not family members and who have known you for at least four years. These referees may be contacted by Licensing to verify that you are a suitable applicant for an F extension.
3. Complete an eyesight test and application form.
4. Pay an application fee of $103.30

You will then need to undergo a medical examination by your doctor and Licensing will undertake a criminal/traffic check. When the medical and the police check have been completed and you have been assessed as meeting all requirements you will be advised by letter that your licence has been endorsed with the 'F' extension.

If your licence is not due for renewal, you may wish to purchase a replacement licence document that displays the 'F' extension.

Please note: Your 'F' extension endorsement will automatically cease to be valid if you do not complete and pass the periodic medical assessment as prescribed in the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2008.

Please contact us for more information.

Overseas and interstate bus driver licences

A bus driver's licence from overseas is not transferable and you must still apply for a bus licence in Western Australia.

Bus licences may be transferable under the Mutual Recognition Act, in which case the person must apply with a written notice specifying:

• in what other states they hold a bus licence,
• that they are not prohibited from being a bus driver in any state;
• if they have any conditions on their original interstate licence, and what those conditions are;
• that they are applying under the mutual recognition principle;
• that their interstate licence is not cancelled or the subject of disciplinary proceedings; and
• that they consent to Licensing making enquiries with their home State about the application.

This notice must be accompanied by certified copies or originals of those other licences and all of the above must be verified by a Statutory Declaration.

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