Australia is renowned for its natural beauty and endless coastlines. For this reason, many travellers like to buy or hire a car for road trips around the country. Of course, there are laws and regulations for drivers in Australia, which help to keep the roads safe for everyone. In this article, we go through what you need to know if want to drive in Australia on a foreign driving licence.
Overseas visitor or moving permanently?
If you are from abroad and would like to drive in Australia, the first question you need to ask yourself is whether you would be considered an “overseas visitor” or whether you are moving to Australia permanently.
An overseas visitor is someone who holds a temporary visa. If you are moving permanently to Australia, then you would have a permanent resident visa.
This doesn’t include New Zealanders, who are treated like interstate visitors. Travellers from New Zealand will need to get a local license after three months in Australia.
In Australia, driving regulations vary depending on whether you hold a temporary visa or permanent visa. The regulations also differ depending on the state that you intend to drive in. For this reason, there are detailed links to the relevant state information in this article. If you intend to drive in more than one state, then you will need to read more detailed information for all states that you intend to drive in.
Overseas Visitors (Temporary Visa Holders)
If you are an overseas visitor, you can drive vehicles that you are authorised to drive on your overseas licence. This is the general rule, but it does vary from state to state. For example, if you are licensed to drive a motorcycle on your Italian driver’s licence, then you will be allowed to drive a motorcycle in Australia. Visiting drivers must drive according to any conditions on their overseas licence.
Most Australian states and territories, apart from the Northern Territory, allow visiting drivers to drive on their overseas licence indefinitely, as long as it is current and not suspended or cancelled.
It is only when there is a change in visa/citizenship status or your overseas licence expires that you will have to apply for an Australian driver’s licence.
In the Northern Territory, you are required to obtain a Northern Territory issued driver’s licence after three months or apply to be granted an exemption from holding a local licence if you wish to continue to drive there.
You should always carry your overseas licence on you while driving.
International drivers license translations in Australia
If your licence is not in English, you must carry either a NAATI certified English translation of your licence, or an International Driving Permit. A NAATI Certified translator will be able to create an English translation for you that meets Australian requirements. Again, this is the general rule, but it does differ slightly state to state.
If you are pulled over by a police officer whilst driving in Australia, you should show them your licence if requested to do so. If your licence is not in English, then you should show the police officer your NAATI certified English translation or IDP.
More Information for Overseas Visitor (Temporary Visa Holder)
- New South Wales (NSW): More Information
- Queensland (QLD): More Information
- Victoria (VIC): More Information
- Western Australia (WA): More Information
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): More Information
- South Australia (SA): More Information
- Tasmania (TAS): More Information
- Northern Territory (NT): More Information
Permanent Residents (Moving to Australia)
The driving regulations in Australia differ for individuals who are moving to Australia on a permanent basis. If you are a permanent visa holder according to the Commonwealth Migration Act 1958 then you are considered to be a permanent resident, not a visitor.
If this is the case, then you will be required to apply for a state-issued driver’s licence. The application process differs state to state, so you will need to read the detailed information provided in the links below.
In most cases, if you are seeking to transfer your overseas licence into an Australian-issued driving licence, you will need a NAATI certified English translation service, if your licence is not in English.
In most cases, if you are residing in a state for more than 3 months, then you are considered to be a permanent resident and may also be required to transfer your overseas licence into an Australian-issued licence. Rules are different in Victoria, where you will be able to drive with your overseas licence for 6 months.
The process is quite easy and quick. The best option is to visit a RTA office where you intend to live. They will be able to provide you with the forms to complete and the list of documents to provide.
More Information for Permanent Residents
- New South Wales (NSW): More Information
- Queensland (QLD): More Information
- Victoria (VIC): More Information
- Western Australia (WA): More Information
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): More Information
- South Australia (SA): More Information
- Tasmania (TAS): More Information
- Northern Territory (NT): More Information
All information in this article is current as at the publication date. However, the information is subject to change without notice due to the state-based licensing authorities changing their driving regulations as they see fit.
FAQs
How long can I drive on an overseas licence in Australia?
Most Australian states and territories ( the exemption being the Northern Territory) allow visiting drivers on temporary visas to drive on their overseas licence for an indefinite period of time, as long as it is current and not suspended or cancelled. If your visa status changes to permanent, you will need to apply for an Australian driving licence within three months of the change.
How can I convert an overseas driving licence to an Australian driving licence?
If you hold an overseas driving licence and wish to convert it to an Australian licence, you should contact your nearest RTA office in the state where you live. You will need to provide them with various documents, including your current overseas licence and your ID. See here for more information.
Will I need to do a driving test to convert an overseas licence to an Australian licence?
Australian driver licensing agencies recognise certain overseas countries as having comparable licensing standards to Australia. These countries include:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guernsey
- Ireland
- Isle of Man (for licences first issued on or after 1 April 1991)
- Italy
- Japan
- Jersey
- Luxembourg
- Malta (for licences first issued on or after 2 January 2004)
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- UK
- USA
If you hold a licence from one of these countries, you should not have to do a practical driving test or knowledge test.
Certain other countries are judged to meet some but not all of Australia’s licence testing requirements. If you are from one of these countries and over the age of 25, you can be considered for Experienced Driver Recognition status and may be exempt from sitting a practical driving test and knowledge test in order to convert your licence.
A person who holds a driver’s licence from one of these countries and is under 25 will be required to sit theory and practical driving tests in Australia. If they pass the tests, their overseas licence will be converted, based on years of driving experience and age, to the class of licence they would have been on had they started driving in that Australian jurisdiction.
If you hold a driver’s licence from a non recognised country and want to convert it to an Australian licence, you will also have to undertake a theory test and a practical driving test. If you pass both the theory and practical tests, your overseas licence will be converted, based on years of driving experience and age, to the class of licence you would have been on had you started driving in that Australian jurisdiction.
Can I convert an overseas learner permit to an Australian learner permit?
The rules for this vary depending on the state of Australia you are in, but you may have to sit a knowledge test to convert an overseas learner permit to an Australian one. You can contact your local RTA office for more information on your specific case.
How much does it cost to get an Australian driving licence?
The cost of getting an Australian driving licence varies depending on the state where you live. In Victoria, for example, a new 3-year driving licence is $85.50 and a 10-year licence is $292.80. In Queensland, a 1-year licence is $85.65.
10 safety tips for driving in Australia
Driving in Australia comes with its own unique challenges, so make sure you stay safe with our tips below.
