Australia - British Expat Forum

Hi

Can anyone tell me if my UK driving licence is ok for use when living in Australia or do I have to re-take a test when I move to Australia

Thanks

Hi Dave, sorry I somehow missed this post, here are the licence requirements for Australia.

SSue 8)

Here is the official driving requirements in Aus, last update 10/3/04:

If you have a driver's licence from another country, in English or with an official translation, you are allowed to drive for your first three months as a resident in Australia.

After the three months, if you want to drive, you will need to have the appropriate driver's licence. To get one you will usually need to pass a knowledge test, a practical driving test, and an eyesight test. In Australia, drivers' licences are issued by state and territory governments.

NSW Roads and Traffic Authority - licencing
VIC Vic Roads - New Residents from Overseas
QLD Queensland Transport - see Driver licence information for overseas people
SA Transport SA
WA Dept of Planning and Infrastructure - Licencing Services
TAS Dept of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
ACT Road User Services - Overseas Drivers
NT Dept of Infrastrure, Planning and Environment - Driver Licencing

All drivers in Australia are expected to obey traffic and drink driving laws.

Last update: 10 March 2004 at 17:25 AEST

Thank you....its great to know that their are some people out there with useful advice....keep up the good work SSUE

Hi,

Not sure if this is still useful for you, but if you're moving to Victoria from the UK then things seem pretty straight forward. According the the info at the following link VicRoads then you can simply transfer your license.

Aidan

Thank you very much Sue........

evertondave2004 wrote:Hi Can anyone tell me if my UK driving licence is ok for use when living in Australia or do I have to re-take a test when I move to Australia Thanks

Info and links for the relevant States on the transferring your UK Car licence to an Australian one.
This info is valid as at 11 May 2005

NSW & ACT
No theory test required
As from 17 January 2005 customers are exempt the car driver knowledge test if they hold an acceptable car licence from the UK or one of the other recognised countries.
The RTA reserves the right to require customers to undertake a knowledge test or driving test, and may not issue a licence until it is satisfied that the overseas licence is valid.

If you have held your driver licence for less than 12 months, you will be issued a NSW provisional P1 licence. If you have held your driver licence for more than 12 months but less than three years, a provisional P2 licence will be issued.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/newtonsw/international_drivers.html

WA
No theory test required
If you are the holder of a licence from a 'recognised country', you are not required to sit the road rules theory test or the motorcycle theory test (if applicable). However, you are still required to sit the heavy vehicles theory test if you are applying for the equivalent WA classes.
If you are under 19 or have held your overseas licence for less than two years, you will get a probationary WA licence. A probationary licence means that you will be required to display 'P' plates when driving until the probationary period expires. While you are on 'P' plates it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.02% or above.

http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/mylicence/overseas.html



VIC
No theory test required
If you are an existing licence holder from a recognised country, no tests are required to apply for a car or a motorcycle licence in Victoria

Probationary period: The probationary period is 3 years. This may be reduced if you have held an interstate or overseas licence after your 18th birthday.
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

QLD
Theory Test is required.
The test consists of 30 general questions for a motor vehicle licence.
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/LTASinfo.nsf/index/licensing_question1#licence

SA (Now no longer required - changed in Oct 2005 see my next post)
Theory Test is required.
You will have to pass a written test on the Australian Road Rules

An applicant obtaining a Provisional Licence is required to hold the Provisional Licence until they turn 19 years of age or for two years, whichever period is longer.
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licences_certification/drivers/overseas_residents.asp

NT
I assume that a Theory test is required, but I can't find any info on the website.
http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/mvr/licensing/index.html

TAS
Theory Test is required.
A customer must pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian road rules.

If an applicant for a Tasmanian licence holds an overseas provisional licence, the Tasmanian provisional conditions will apply. If the overseas licence is non provisional, the applicant will be issued with a non provisional Tasmanian licence
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licence_information/overseas_licence.html

Copied with permission from: http://www.britzinoz.com/info/driving.htm

I have just read all this and sort of got a bit bogged down with it all. I suppose the important thing is to remember you only have 3 months driving time on your own licence before changing it so make it a priority once you've settled into your new home.

Michelle

Update to my previous post:

SA
No Theory Test required.

As of the 31st October 2005 The holder of a current overseas Driver's Licence from certain recognised countries do not have to now undertake a theory test, The UK is one of these countries.

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