If you’re visiting New South Wales for under three months you can use your overseas driver’s licence for an equivalent licence in Australia. However, there are restrictions:
Equivalent New South Wales licences for overseas drivers
Learner licence
If your licence is a learner licence, you will have the equivalent restrictions in Australia and must drive with a supervisor if in a car. You must be at least 16 years old for a learner driver licence or 16 years and 9 months for a learner rider licence. Vehicle must have L plates. You may be able to take a driving test to advance to P1 without taking a learner licence test. Call 12 22 13 to find out more.
Full licence but held less than a year, or restricted licence (NZ)
This is the equivalent to a P1 licence. You must be at least 17 years old. You may need to sit a driver or rider knowledge test and driving or riding test. Call 13 22 13 to find out more. Vehicle must have a P1 plate. Motorcyclists may need to take the MOST (Motorcycle Operators Skills Test) which, if failed, means you will need to start on a learner licence.
Full licence held between 1-3 years or restricted licence held more than one year (NZ)
This is the equivalent to a P2 licence. You may need to sit a driver or rider knowledge test and driving or riding test. Call 13 22 13 to find out more. Vehicle must have a P2 plate. Motorcyclists may need to take the MOST (Motorcycle Operators Skills Test) which, if failed, means you will need to start on a learner licence.
Full licence held more than 3 years
This is the equivalent to an unrestricted driver licence. You may need to sit a driver or rider knowledge test and driving or riding test. Call 13 22 13 to find out more. Motorcyclists may need to take the MOST (Motorcycle Operators Skills Test) which, if failed, means you will need to start on a learner licence.
Valid dates
Your NSW licence will be issued based on the first issue date of your overseas licence. If your overseas licence doesn’t have a date on it you will need to get written proof from your local licensing authority (on their letterhead) confirming when you first got your licence, including an official translation in English if the letter is not in English.
Staying longer than 3 months, but not a resident?
New Zealand drivers must get a New South Wales licence within three months or stop driving. Other visitors can apply for a temporary overseas visitor licence.
Applying for a New South Wales licence
This process if from the Roads and Maritime website
You must attend a registry or service centre in person and:
- Take your overseas licence with you
- If you can’t provide your overseas licence, you will need to provide a letter from the overseas licence issuing authority confirming your licence details and status,or a letter from a relevant consulate or diplomatic office (based on information received from the overseas licence issuing authority) confirming your licence details and status
- Provide proof of your identity and residential address
- Provide proof of your Australian permanent residency
- If you can’t provide this, you will be issued with a Temporary Overseas Visitor licence
- Complete the Licence Application form (PDF)
- Pass an eyesight test
- Pass a knowledge test for each class of licence you require, unless you are exempt
- Pass a driving or riding test for each class of licence you require, unless you are exempt
- Pay the relevant licence fee
Darren is an expert on driving and transport, and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists
