WA Police Powers to Issue Driver Licence Disqualification Notices

Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 2026

19 Mar 2026: This bill has passed its first house and is now before the second house for its own debate.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

driver's licences driving disqualification road safety traffic offences

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Police officers can issue a notice that stops a person from holding or getting a driver licence if they suspect the person committed certain road law offences.
The notice must state when the disqualification ends; this is usually three months after receipt.
Police cannot issue a notice more than 14 days after the offence or the receipt of blood or oral fluid test results.
Police must revoke a notice if they find the detection equipment used for evidence was faulty.
Courts can extend a disqualification notice; the total time cannot exceed the minimum disqualification period for that offence.
A notice is automatically revoked if a court acquits the person, dismisses the charge, or sentences them.
The licensing authority must reduce a person's final disqualification period by the amount of time they already served under a police notice.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Matthew Swinbourn ALP

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 2026 gives effect to the government’s commitment to reducing road trauma in Western Australia. It will help protect all Western Australians from drivers who have been charged with serious driving offences.”

Official source →

David Michael ALP

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Road Traffic Amendment (Disqualification Notices) Bill 2026 gives effect to the government’s commitment to reducing road trauma in Western Australia. It will help protect all Western Australians from drivers who have been charged with serious driving offences.”

Official source →