DO I NEED AN AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS LICENSE?
Wanting to drive in Australia during your travels? If so, it’s a great way of getting around to see all the amazing spots Australia has to offer, especially those secluded locations that are more difficult to find! Our favourite way to explore this beautiful country definitely has to be 4WD with rooftop tents, camping in spots with some crazy views. We can promise you, it’s worth it!
If you hold a current and valid overseas drivers license, no matter which state or territory you’re in within Australia there is a grace period where you’re legally able to drive using that license before needing to transfer over to an Australian license, but this is only for a short period of time - usually up to 3 months. It is important to check the requirements depending on what state you’re based in, as each region’s regulations slightly differ. On this page we give you a rundown of the different processes in the different states and how to convert your license over if you’re planning on staying longer than 3 months.
If your current international drivers license is not in English, you will need to either get an international driving permit (IDP) or and English translation of it, this can be done by a NAATI accredited translator. An IDP is valid for 12 months unless your driver’s license expires first. See website for more information on this process.
An international driving permit is a valid translation document which allows you to drive within a foreign country without the need of further tests and applications. Be sure to always carry this form of documentation whilst driving as failure to present this when asked can result in a penalty/traffic infringement for unlicensed driving. However, this is not a stand alone document and you will still need to carry your national driving license with you aswell.
Victoria
The grace period of driving in Victoria with your international license is 6 months, so if you’re an overseas or interstate license holder and planning on visiting Victoria for longer than this, then you will need to convert you drivers license over to a Victorian one. The type of license you’ll get depends on; how long you have had your license for and how old you are.
If you don’t possess a copy of your international driver’s license then you will need a ‘license verification letter’ which the licensing authority who issued your overseas license can give to you.
In order to convert your license to a Victorian one you’ll need to follow these steps:
Download the application form, which you can find on the link below. Fill it out but do not sign yet as you’ll need to sign it in front of a staff member.
You’ll need to bring some form of identification; one document from category A and one from category B. One at least one of these documents will need to be proof of address within Victoria.
Category A: passport, Immicard, Australian photo driver’s license or learner permit, document for travel to Australia.
Category B: pensioner or health care concession card, student ID, credit card or bank account card, Australian proof of age card, bank account statement which is no more than a year old and utility bill that is no more than a year old.
If you have a medical condition you will need to go through the medical review process which can be done via VIC roads.
You will need to book and pay for your appointment, this can be done either by visiting VicRoads Service Centre, online, or by calling 131171.
During your appointment documents will be checked, you’ll sign the application form, an eyesight test will be performed and your photo will be taken for your license card.
Lastly, if your application is successful, you will receive a temporary paper license which will be valid until your Victorian license has been delivered to you via mail.
If your international license is not in English, you’ll need to either get an English translation of it or an international driving permit. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
Be sure to read up on the most up to date information by visiting the closest service centre or visit the VicRoads website.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, you are able to drive using your overseas drivers license for up to six months, just like Victoria. Before those six months are up you will need to transfer over to a NSW driver’s license. If you do not hold a permanent visa, you will need to apply for the temporary driver’s license (Q condition) and the words ‘Evidence of permanent residency status not provided’ will be printed on the license.
You are able to drive within NSW as long as you;
Carry your overseas driver’s license with you at all times whilst driving.
Remain a temporary overseas visitor.
Have a current and valid licence.
Have not been issues a NSW license in the past.
Are not a New Zealand citizen or license holder.
Have not been disqualified from driving in NSW or anywhere else.
Have not had your licence suspended, cancelled or withdrawn.
In order to apply for this license you will need to;
If you arrived on or after 1 July 2023 and intend to stay in NSW longer than six months you will need to complete the License application form within the first six months.
If you arrived before 1 July 2023 and intend to stay in NSW after 1 March 2025 then you will need to complete the License application form before 1 March 2025. ***CONFUSED AT THIS BIT***
If you’re visiting from New Zealand and intending on staying for more than three months you will need to apply to transfer your driver’s license to an equivalent NSW license.
Visit a service centre with the required documents; the completed form, your overseas license or an authorisation letter from the country it was issued in and a form of identification.
During your appointment (unless exempted) an eyesight test, knowledge test and driving or riding test will be performed.
Lastly, a payment will be made.
If your international license is not in English, you’ll need to either get an English translation of it or an international driving permit. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
For the most up to date information and steps on how to transfer your international license to NSW license, visit closest service centre or visit the New South Wales Government website.
Queensland
Visitors who carry an overseas license can drive with this for the first 3 months of being in Queensland. Once the 3 months is up, you will need to transfer to a QLD licence.
There are some circumstances, if applied to you, will not allow you to drive in Queensland;
An Australian court has disqualified you from holding a license.
Your authority to drive in Queensland has been suspended for reasons such as; not paying fines that have been issued to you or driving more than 40km/hr over the speed limit.
Your authority to drive in Queensland has been withdrawn, there are a number of reasons this could happen such as; been classed as medically unfit to drive safely, failed a practical driving test in Queensland etc)
In order to apply for a Queensland driver’s license you will need to do the following;
Visit a transport and motoring customer service centre, if you choose to apply this way you do not need to complete the drivers license application form.
If you don’t visit a service centre then you need to complete the driver licence application form at police stations or QGAP offices.
Once you receive your QLD driver’s license, the authority to drive on your overseas license in QLD will be withdrawn.
If you are transferring from an interstate license to a QLD license you will need to bring your license, proof of living in QLD, declare you are medically fit to drive.
Lastly, you will need to make a payment.
If your international license is not in English, you’ll need to either get an English translation of it or an international driving permit. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
For the most up to date information and steps on how to transfer your international license to NSW license, visit closest service centre or visit the Queensland Government website.
Northern Territory
Like most states in Australia, you are legally able to drive within the Northern Territory on an overseas driver’s license for up to three months, given that your license is both valid and you haven’t been disqualified from driving in the Northern Territory or anywhere else.
To transfer your overseas license to a NT driver’s license you’ll need to;
Depending on which country you are from you will need to check if you need to pass the theory and practical tests. You can find the list of all the countries that this applies to on the NT Gov website.
If you are exempt from passing these tests you will only need to complete the L1 application form, provide proof of identity and residency and take these documents to an MVR office.
At your appointment you will need to pass an eyesight test, have your photo taken for your license and a payment will be made.
If you are not exempt from passing these tests you will need to pass both the driver theory and practical test.
If your international license is not in English, you’ll need to either get an English translation of it or an international driving permit. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
You must carry with you all required documents at all times whilst driving, including your overseas license.
For the most up to date information and steps on how to transfer your international license to NSW license, visit closest service centre or visit the Northern Territory Government and Information Service website.
Western Australia
People who are on a temporary visa are free to use their international drivers license within Western Australia without the need to convert it to an Australian license, as long as it remains valid in the country of issue. However, permanent visa holders will need to convert to a WA license before the first 3 months is up.
To transfer your overseas license you will need to use the overseas license check on the WA Government website to check if your driver’s license was issued by a recognised country or an experienced driver recognised country.
If your license was issued by a recognised country complete the following steps;
Complete the Drivers License Application form.
Provide proof of identification and your overseas license.
Visit a driver and vehicle service centre or regional DoT office where you will need to take the documentation mentioned above.
At your appointment an eyesight test will be performed as well as your photo being taken for your new license.
Lastly you will need to pay an application and license renewal fee.
If your license was issued from an experienced driver recognised country complete the following steps;
If you’re under 25 years old - you will need to pass the relevant theory and practical driving test.
If you hold a Hong Kong driver’s license - you will need to pass the relevant theory and practical driving test.
All the information to pass the theory test can be found in the Drive Safe Handbook and the Ride Safe Handbook. This test can be taken at a driver and vehicle service centre or DoT regional centre.
To prepare for the practical driving assessment, you can find a list of PDA exercises in the Driver techniques for Safer Drivers: Guide for Learner Drivers Handbook. You can book the practical driving test online using DoTDirect or in person at a driver and vehicle services centre or regional DoT office.
If you’re 25 years or older - you do not need to take a theory or practical driving test.
Once you have completed the steps above you will need to complete the Driver’s License Application form.
For those that hold a Hong Kong driver’s license you will also need to complete a Customer Consent to Obtain Information from Hong Kong Licensing Authority (E56C) form.
Visit a driver and vehicle services centre or regional agent where you will need to provide the completed form, proof of identity and your overseas license.
At your appointment an eyesight test will be performed, any medical conditions or medication you take which may affect your ability to drive must be declared.
Lastly, a payment will be made.
If the international license is not in English, an international driving permit is required or an English translation and it is important to carry both these forms of documentation at all times whilst driving. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
You must carry with you all required documents at all times whilst driving, including your overseas license.
Be sure to read up on the most up to date information by visiting the closest service centre or visit the Government of Western Australia Department of Transport website.
South Australia
If you’ve become a permanent resident of South Australia, you have 90 days before you need to transfer over to a SA driver’s licence. However, if you’re just visiting you are able to drive in South Australia on an overseas license for up to 3 months as long as;
Your international license is valid.
You do not have any driving disqualifications in the Australia or any other country.
You will need to check if you can transfer your overseas driver’s license to a SA one by filling out a few questions online, this will then help determine which license you need to apply for.
For the transfer of an interstate license you would need to do the following;
Complete a driver’s license application form
Provide proof of identity and your interstate license card.
Visit a Service SA centre and provide the documents mentioned above.
Lastly, a payment will be made of $20.
Once you receive your license you are able to have a digital license on your phone via the mySAGOV app.
If your license expires whilst you are in South Australia, and you wish to continue driving within the state, you will be required to secure a SA permit.
If your international license is not in English, you’ll need to either get an English translation of it or an international driving permit. It is required to carry all the necessary documents at all times whilst driving, along with your passport. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
For the most up to date information and steps on how to transfer your international license to SA license, visit closest service centre or visit the Government of South Australia website.
Australian Capital Territory
The requirements for the Australian Capital Territory are slightly different compared to other states within Australia in the sense that you can drive with an overseas license and don’t need to transfer to an ACT driver’s license if you are just visiting as long as;
Your tourist/visitor status remains unchanged and temporary (tourists, business people, visiting friends or family, working holiday visas or studying/working temporarily in the ACT).
Your international driver’s license remains valid and current during your stay in Australia.
However if you have become a resident in ACT then you would need to transfer your license to an ACT driver’s license within 3 months. Depending on where you are from and whether you meet the correct criteria, which you are able to check on the ACT Government website, it is required for some people from certain countries to take a course and drivers test. If you are exempt from this process then to transfer your license you would need to complete the following steps;
Provide proof of identity and residency.
Present your current driver’s license.
Visit an Access Canberra Service Centre and take the required documents as mentioned above with you.
Lastly, a payment will be made.
If your international license is not in English, you’ll need to either get an English translation of it or an international driving permit. It is required to carry all the necessary documents at all times whilst driving along with your passport. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
You must carry with you all required documents at all times whilst driving, including your overseas license.
Be sure to read up on the most up to date information by visiting the closest service centre or visit the Government of the Australian Capital Territory website.
Tasmania
Similar to Victoria, you are able to drive in Tasmania on your overseas or interstate license for up to 6 months given that;
Both your overseas license and temporary visa is current and valid during your stay in Tasmania.
You don’t already have a Tasmanian driver’s license.
You have no disqualifications from Tasmania or anywhere else in the world.
You have not had your license suspended or cancelled before.
If you’re planning on staying longer than six months and wish to continue to drive in Tasmania then you will need to convert your driver’s license over to a Tasmanian one. The process of converting your license depends on which country your license is from, you can do this by completing the following steps;
If your license was issued by a recognised country you are not required to complete a test - the list of these countries can be found here.
If your license was issued by an experience driver recognition country (the list of these can be found here) then whether or not you need to complete a test will depend on your age.
Anyone under the age of 25 or who has held a Hong Kong license for less than a year will have to undergo a knowledge test on the Tasmanian Road Rules, an online Hazard Perception Test and an overseas conversion driving assessment.
Anyone over the age of 25 will not have to take any tests.
If your license was not issued by either a recognised country or an experience driver recognition country then you would also need to undergo all three assessments as mentioned above.
Complete a license application form.
You will need proof of identity (a minimum of 3 documents are required; one category A document and 2 category B documents or two category A documents and one category B document), your overseas license and proof of Tasmanian address.
Visit Service Tasmania with the required documents as mentioned above.
At your appointment, if applicable, you will need to provide a medical certificate. Here your photo will be taken along with a signature for your new license and a payment will be made.
If the international license is not in English, an international driving permit is required or an English translation and it is important to carry both these forms of documentation at all times whilst driving. The translation can be done by the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Serivce or NAATI Certified translators.
You must carry with you all required documents at all times whilst driving, including your overseas license.
Be sure to read up on the most up to date information by visiting the closest service centre or visit the Service Tasmania Government website.
