Road Rules and Traffic Law in Western Australia
The core duties every driver owes
Western Australian traffic law rests on a few duties that questions test again and again: keep left unless overtaking on multi-lane roads with a speed limit above 80 km/h, obey the posted speed limit and never exceed it even when overtaking, give way as directed by signs, signals and markings, and drive with due care. A learner or provisional driver must display L or P plates as required and obey the conditions attached to the licence, including passenger and night restrictions for provisional holders.
Give-way rules you must be able to apply
At an unmarked intersection the default is give way to the right, but this default disappears once signs or lines control the intersection. A stop sign requires a complete stop at the line, then giving way. A give-way sign requires slowing and yielding only if traffic is close. Turning vehicles give way to pedestrians crossing the road they are entering, and a vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must give way to that traffic. Roundabouts follow give-way-to-the-right logic with indicating rules for exiting.
Traps to watch for
Questions love absolutes: "always", "never", "must". Speed limits are maximums, not targets, and a lower safe speed is required in poor conditions. The give-way-to-the-right rule is a fallback, not a universal law. Demerit points, fines and licence sanctions are commonly mixed up, so learn the difference between an infringement and a court penalty.
Rule of thumb
Before entering any intersection, name out loud what controls it: sign, line, signal, or nothing. If nothing controls it, give way to the right and to any vehicle already in the intersection.