Can internationals students holding valid overseas driver’s license drive in Australia? Can they legally obtain an Australia driver’s license? What are the requirements? Read on as we answer these questions (and more) regarding driving in Australia for international students, and other temporary Australian residents and visitors.
Can you as an international student holding a valid overseas driver’s license drive in Australia?
Yes. Subject to the following conditions (applicable in all Australian states and territories):
- Your overseas driver’s license is not expired, suspended or cancelled.
- Your license is written in English. If your license is not in English, you must also have a valid international driving permit written in English, or an official English translation of your license. You must have these documents with you all times while driving on Australian roads.
- You’re not disqualified to drive in your home country or anywhere while in Australia.
How long can an international student drive in Australia using an overseas driver’s license?
| ACT | As long as your driver’s license (and international driving permit, if license is not in English), and visa status, are valid. |
| NSW | As long as your driver’s license (and international driving permit, if license is not in English), and visa status, are valid. |
| NT | Allowed to drive up to three (3) months |
| QLD | As long as your driver’s license (and international driving permit, if license is not in English), and visa status, are valid. |
| SA | As long as your driver’s license (and international driving permit, if license is not in English), and visa status, are valid. |
| TAS | As long as your driver’s license (and international driving permit, if license is not in English), and visa status, are valid. |
| VIC | Allowed to drive up to six (6) months |
| WA | As long as your driver’s license (and international driving permit, if license is not in English), and visa status, are valid. |
Can you as an international student legally obtain driver’s license in Australia? What are the requirements?
Yes, temporary residents, such as international students, can obtain a driver’s license in any Australian state or territory.
If you don’t have a driver’s license from your home country you can apply for an Australian license in the same manner as any Australian applying for a driver’s license for the first time would.
Procedures may vary slightly among different states and territories, but the overall steps in getting a driver’s license for the first time in Australia are as follows:
1. Generally, you need to be at least 16 years old when you first apply for Learner license or permit.
2. Pass the knowledge test
3. You’re issued a Learner license or permit which allows you to practice your driving skills under supervision by a qualified person, i.e., someone who has a full license, or a professional driving instructor.
4. Satisfy the minimum number of months (depending on the state or territory) you have had your Learner license/permit. Satisfy also the minimum number of hours (again depending on the jurisdiction) that you must spend behind the wheel practising your driving skills.
5. Pass the practical driving test
6. You’re issued a P1 provisional driver’s license. Some states and territories will also require you to pass a Hazard Perception Test, a short computer-based exam that test your ability to recognize potentially dangerous situation. You may also be required to have an eyesight examination. Having a P1 license allows you to drive unsupervised, subject to restrictions.
7. After having your P1 license for 12 months you’re qualified to progress to P2 license, your restrictions become lesser.
8. After having your P2 provisional license for 24 months you’re qualified to get your full licensed.
Recognised overseas license
In all Australian states and territories, if you have a driver’s license from one of the following countries below you don’t need to pass the knowledge and practical driving tests in order to convert to an Australian driver’s license:
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada
Croatia
Channel Islands – Jersey and Guernsey (not recognised in ACT)
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America
Recognised overseas license (experienced)
Similarly, you don’t need to sit the knowledge and practical driving tests if you have driver’s license from one of the following countries below, AND, you’re 25 years old and older:
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hong Kong (license is at least 12 months old)
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Taiwan
If you have a license from a Recognised overseas license (experienced) countries but you’re under 25 years old, AND, if you have license from other countries not listed anywhere above you need to sit and pass the knowledge and practical driving tests given by the Australian state or territory you’re applying at.
What type of Australian license can you obtain when you convert your overseas-issued driver’s license?
| ACT | You get an ACT full license for your full overseas license. |
| NSW | If you have had your overseas license for less than 12 months, you get a NSW P1 provisional license. If you’ve had your overseas license for more than 12 months but less than 3 years, you get a P2 provisional license. If you’ve had your overseas license for more than 3 years, you’ll get a full NSW unrestricted license. Note: NSW license for temporary residents has Q code on it. |
| NT | You get a full NT license for your full overseas license. But you get a provisional license if: – You’re under 25 y/o and you have had your overseas license for less than two years – You’re 25 y/o and above but you have had your overseas license for less than a year |
| QLD | You get a full QLD license if your’re at least 20 years old. If you’re below 20 y/o you get a provisional license. |
| SA | You can get a SA full license for your full overseas license. Except when you have a recognised overseas license and you’re between 17-19 y/o, in which case you get a provisional license. |
| TAS | You can get a TAS full license for your full overseas license if you’re at least 20 y/o. If you’re between 17-19 y/o you get a provisional license. |
| VIC | You get a full VIC license if you’re at least 22 y/o and you’ve had your license for at least 3 years; if you’ve had your license for less than 3 years you get a P2 license. If you’re between 18-21 y/o and you’ve had your license for lesss than a year youy get a P1 license. If you’ve had your license for more than a year you get a P2 license. If you’re under 18 years old you cannot drive in VIC no matter how long you’ve been driving overseas. |
| WA | You can get a WA full license for your full overseas license. If you’re under 19 y/o OR have not had your license for 2 years, you get a provisional license. |
Tips to enhance your chance of getting an Australian driver’s license if you still need to take the road rules knowledge and practical driving tests
- Below are links to websites of state / territory government agencies responsible for anything about driver’s license:
a. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
b. New South Wales (NSW)
c. Northern Territory (NT)
d. Queensland (QLD)
e. South Australia (SA)
f. Tasmania (TAS)
g. Victoria (VIC)
h. Western Australia (WA) - If you need to take the knowledge test, make sure you visit these sites to help you in your preparation:
a. ACT
b. NSW
c. NT
d. QLD
e. SA
f. TAS
g. VIC
h. WA
The resources in these sites are free and extremely useful. Your knowledge test preparation should consist of:
– studying the road rules of the state or territory you’re applying at (from the materials provided in their website)
– taking the practice test several times till you can consistently pass it, and
– knowing the mechanics of the test. Like for example in South Australia (SA), the knowledge test consists of two parts: the give way questions and the multiple questions. It’s compulsory to answer all eight (8) give way question correctly, and get at least 32 out of the 42 multiple questions right.
- The most common type of license in Australia is Class C. This allows you to drive most 2-axle vehicles, e.g., car, SUV, pickup truck (or ute), small truck, van, etc., up to 4.5 tonnes. Generally, the requirements for converting your overseas motorcycle license is the same as the requirements when converting your regular or full overseas driver’s license. For example, if you have a motorcycle license from a recognised country you can also convert it to a NSW motorcycle license without any tests. If you have a motorcycle license from a non-recognised country you first need to pass the knowledge and practical test before you can convert it to a NSW motorcycle license.
- Remember that the steering wheel in Australian vehicles is on the right side, and we drive on the left side of the road. Unless you’re coming from a similar place where they also drive on the left side of the road maybe it’s a good idea not to rush into driving here. Even if you’re only here for a short period on a short-term study stint, we strongly suggest you consider getting someone to help you familiarise yourself with the vehicle and road and traffic rules first.
- If you need to sit and pass a practical driving test you don’t need to immediately get a qualified driving instructor. The more cost-effective way is to borrow, buy used car or even rent one which you can practice on. It’s also a good idea to take someone who’s familiar with Australian road rules with you, at least initially, as you drive around and familiarise yourself driving in Australia. When you’re already comfortable then it’s time to call a qualified driving instructor. By doing it this way you save money on driving instructor and you’ll be able to work better with the instructor. Remember, you’re hiring a driving instructor not to teach you how to drive, but to prepare you for the practical driving test.
- Remember that in all Australian states and territories once you’ve been issued a local license you can no longer use your overseas license. For example, if you’ve been issued a P1 provisional license you’re subject to the restrictions that go with the P1 license like lower maximum speed limit, driving curfew, etc. You can longer drive around in ways your regular overseas license allows you to do because it ceases to be valid in Australia. Note: In some states/territories like New South Wales (NSW) if you’ve been issued a NSW license and you surrendered it for whatever reason and you still have a valid overseas license, you can resume driving in NSW using that overseas license as long as it remains valid.
- If you’re already been driving in your home country and you’ve properly prepared for the practical driving test like getting comfortable and familiar with road and traffic rules in the Australian state or territory you’re staying, you should do fine with the test. However, please note that in some state or territory if you manage to fail a practical driving test the driving privilege you have on your overseas license will be revoked. You can no longer drive around using your overseas license. You may retake the test, but if you wish to do some further practice driving before the test you will need to get a learner’s permit.
- In Australia, Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) is automatically included in the total cost of car registration. This protects you from the financial impact of death or injury to other road users caused by your driving. Note that this doesn’t cover you for property damage and we strongly suggest you get one. Comprehensive insurance covers your own property and that of the other party, and is usually the more expensive type of car insurance. At the very least, get a 3rd party insurance, it’s much cheaper and will cover you for any damage that you might inadvertently cause to other people’s property.
