New Driver Licences

A Recoverable Assistance Payment may be made to a client to get a new driver licence when they have:

• not previously had a full driver licence and
• an immediate and essential need to get a driver licence

A payment can be made for the actual fees for applying and taking a test for a learner licence, a restricted licence, or a full licence of any class.

A Recoverable Assistance Payment is available for a client and their partner to each get a learner licence, restricted licence, and full licence.

Clients can apply for a Recoverable Assistance Payment to cover the costs of the:

• initial test fee covering 2 tests (the initial test and 1 re-sit), and
• re-sit test fee for any additional tests

Note the re-sit fee only applies for Class 1 (car) drivers who have failed to pass their driver licence test twice.

Generally, only 1 payment each can be made to a client and their partner per licence category in a 52-week period. MSD can use discretion to grant more than 1 Recoverable Assistance Payment in a 52-week period if the client has exceptional circumstances.

For more information see: 

• Exceptional circumstances

An essential need exists if MSD is satisfied it is necessary for the client to get a driver licence:

• to participate in a required activity to improve their work-readiness at least once every fortnight or
• to apply for employment when a driver licence is an essential requirement or
• to undertake an available employment opportunity or
• when they, or any member of their immediate family have a disability and needs help with transport to undertake their daily living activities (including getting treatment for their disability, or undertaking education or employment) or
• for any other special reason

When considering if a driver licence is necessary, MSD must consider the:

• availability and suitability of public transport, and any other transport options and
• circumstances of the client and their immediate family

A client will not qualify for a Recoverable Assistance Payment for driver licence costs if they:

• are disqualified from holding or getting a driver licence or
• have not renewed their driver licence before the expiry date without a good and sufficient reason