Summary
How long you can drive on your overseas licence depends on your state and visa type — temporary visa holders can drive indefinitely in most states (except NSW and NT); permanent residents and new citizens typically have 3-6 months to convert before needing an Australian driver’s licence Australia migrant.
The EDR pathway is gone — the Experienced Driver Recognition scheme that allowed drivers from Hong Kong, South Korea, South Africa, Taiwan and 12 other countries to convert without tests was abolished across all states between April 2025 and February 2026; those country holders must now pass both a knowledge test and practical driving test.
Recognised country holders convert with no tests — if your licence is from Australia’s list of fully recognised countries (UK, NZ, Canada, USA, France, Germany, Japan and others), the conversion is straightforward: visit a licensing centre, pay the fee, surrender your overseas licence, and receive your Australian licence — usually within an hour.
Driving in Australia is one of the most practical skills a new migrant can have. Public transport in most Australian cities is reasonable but limited beyond the inner suburbs — and for regional work, road trips, grocery runs or simply getting around, a car is often essential.
The good news is that the process for most migrants is straightforward. If your licence is from a recognised country, you can often convert with no tests at all. If you are on a temporary visa, you can typically drive on your overseas licence for months or even years before needing to do anything.
This guide covers everything: how long you can drive before converting, what the process looks like by state, and what to do if your country is not on the recognised list.
The most important thing to understand first: it depends on your state
Australia’s licensing rules are set by each state and territory individually — not by the federal government. This means the rules in NSW are different from Victoria, which are different from Queensland and Western Australia.
There is no single national answer to “how long can I drive on my overseas licence?” The answer depends on:
- Which state you live in
- Whether you are on a temporary or permanent visa
- Which country issued your licence
Always verify the current rules with your state’s transport authority before driving.
How long can you drive on your overseas licence?
Temporary visa holders (working holiday, student, skilled temporary, partner)
Except for the Northern Territory (3 months) and New South Wales and Victoria (6 months), Australian states and territories allow visiting drivers to drive indefinitely on their overseas licence as long as it is current. It is only when a person becomes a permanent resident or Australian citizen that they are required to obtain an Australian issued driver’s licence.
In plain terms:
| State/Territory | Temporary visa holders | Permanent residents/citizens |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 6 months from arrival, then must get NSW visitor licence | 3 months to convert |
| VIC | 6 months from first living in Victoria | 6 months from first living in Victoria |
| QLD | Indefinitely while visa is current | 3 months from becoming a resident |
| WA | 3 months from arrival | 3 months from becoming a resident |
| SA | Indefinitely while visa is current | 3 months from becoming a resident |
| TAS | Indefinitely while visa is current | 3 months from becoming a resident |
| ACT | Indefinitely while visa is current | 3 months from becoming a resident |
| NT | 3 months from arrival | 3 months from becoming a resident |
NSW — the 2026 change: NSW is now the only state with a hard 6-month limit on temporary visa holders driving on their overseas licence. After 6 months, you must apply for a NSW temporary visitor licence (Q condition) — driving on your overseas licence past 6 months is considered unlicensed driving. Penalty: AUD $603 for a first offence, up to AUD $2,200 if the matter goes to court.
Western Australia: WA has one of the shorter grace periods — 3 months regardless of visa type. Convert early if you are in Perth.
The EDR change — what happened and who it affects
Until 2025, Australia operated an Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) scheme. Drivers aged 25+ from 16 specific countries could convert their overseas licence to an Australian one without any tests — the same as fully recognised countries. That pathway has now been abolished.
The Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) category has been removed across all Australian states between April 2025 and February 2026. Drivers from the 16 former EDR countries must now pass both a knowledge test and a practical driving test.
The 16 former EDR countries — now requiring tests: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan
If your licence is from one of these countries and you have not yet converted, you now need to complete the full testing process. There is no grandfather clause.
Recognised countries — convert with no tests
If your licence is from a fully recognised country, you can convert to an Australian licence without sitting a knowledge test or practical driving test in most states. The process is simply: visit the licensing centre, present your documents, pay the fee, and receive your Australian licence.
Recognised countries (no tests required in most states): Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
Note: Recognition status and testing requirements vary slightly between states. NSW, for example, introduced List A (no tests) and List B (tests required) from 1 February 2026. Always confirm with your specific state authority.
Non-recognised countries — what you need to do
If your licence is from a country not on the recognised list — including India, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, South Africa and most countries in Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East — you must complete the full Australian licensing process.
This means:
1. Learner permit Pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) — a computer-based theory test covering road rules, road signs and safe driving behaviour. Free study materials are available from your state’s road authority website. The DKT is available in English only in most states.
2. Supervised driving (log book) Most states require learner drivers to accumulate supervised driving hours before taking the practical test:
- NSW: 120 hours (20 at night) with a supervisor
- VIC: 120 hours (10 at night)
- QLD: 100 hours (10 at night)
- WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT: varies — check your state
Important: Some states have an overseas licence conversion pathway that reduces or waives the log book hours requirement for experienced overseas drivers. Check with your state authority — for example, NSW allows experienced overseas drivers over 25 to apply for an exemption from the 120-hour requirement in some circumstances.
3. Practical driving test A 30-45 minute on-road assessment covering basic vehicle control, road rules, observation, and decision-making.
Pass rates by state (for guidance):
- Tasmania: ~86% — quietest roads, most relaxed assessment environment
- Victoria: ~75%
- Western Australia: ~35% — stricter assessment; a significant difference
State-by-state conversion guide
NSW — Service NSW
Authority: Transport for NSW / Service NSW Website: service.nsw.gov.au Grace period: 6 months for temporary visa holders; 3 months for permanent residents Recognised countries: List A (no test); List B (tests required from 1 Feb 2026 — includes some former EDR countries) What to bring: Passport, current overseas licence (or expired within 12 months), proof of residential address, NAATI-certified English translation if licence not in English Where: Any Service NSW Centre — book online for faster processing Fee: Approximately AUD $47 for licence; test fees extra if required Note: NSW is the strictest state for temporary visa holders — act before 6 months
VIC — VicRoads
Authority: VicRoads Website: vicroads.vic.gov.au Grace period: 6 months from first living in Victoria for all drivers — including temporary visa holders. The 6-month clock starts from the day you first begin living in Victoria, even if you leave and return. Recognised countries: Standard list applies What to bring: Passport, current overseas licence, proof of Victorian address, English translation if needed Where: VicRoads Customer Service Centre Note: VicRoads is the only state authority that applies the same 6-month rule to both temporary and permanent visa holders
QLD — Department of Transport and Main Roads
Authority: Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Website: tmr.qld.gov.au Grace period: Indefinite for temporary visa holders while visa is current; 3 months from becoming a QLD resident (permanent resident visa + 3 months living in QLD) Note: If you hold a resident (permanent) visa and have lived in QLD for 3+ months, you must convert within that period regardless of visa type. What to bring: Passport, current overseas licence, proof of QLD address, English translation if needed Where: Transport and Main Roads customer service centre
WA — Department of Transport
Authority: Department of Transport WA Website: transport.wa.gov.au Grace period: 3 months from arrival for all drivers — one of the shorter grace periods in Australia Recognised countries: Comprehensive list including EU, UK, USA, Canada, Japan, NZ, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong What to bring: Passport, overseas licence, proof of WA address, visa evidence, NAATI translation if needed Note: Act quickly in WA — 3 months passes fast
SA — Service SA
Authority: Service SA Website: sa.gov.au Grace period: Indefinite for temporary visa holders; 3 months for permanent residents Note: School zones in SA are 25 km/h — other states use 40 km/h; easy to miss on a driving test
TAS — Service Tasmania
Authority: Service Tasmania Website: service.tas.gov.au Grace period: Indefinite for temporary visa holders; 3 months for permanent residents Driving test pass rate: ~86% — Tasmania has the highest pass rate in Australia; ideal for nervous test takers
ACT — Access Canberra
Authority: Access Canberra (Roads ACT) Website: accesscanberra.act.gov.au Grace period: Indefinite for temporary visa holders; 3 months for permanent residents Note: If you fail the practical driving test in the ACT, you enter the full graduated licensing system — learner permit, 50-100 hours of supervised driving, starting from scratch. Prepare well.
NT — MVR (Motor Vehicle Registry)
Authority: Motor Vehicle Registry NT Website: nt.gov.au/driving Grace period: 3 months for all drivers — same as WA Note: Darwin is very car-dependent; convert early
What documents do you need?
Regardless of state, the standard documents required for a licence conversion are:
- Original overseas licence — not a photocopy, not a phone photo. Original only.
- Passport — current and valid
- Proof of residential address — lease, utility bill, bank statement, or government letter
- Proof of visa — current visa grant notice or ImmiCard
- NAATI-certified English translation — if your licence is not in English. The Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service provides free translations for permanent residents.
Medical declaration: You will be asked to declare any medical conditions affecting your fitness to drive.
Getting an International Driving Permit before you leave home
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a certified translation of your overseas licence into multiple languages, recognised in Australia and 150+ countries. It is not a driving licence itself — it must be carried with your original licence.
In Australia, an IDP is most useful when your licence is not in English, as it can substitute for a NAATI translation in some states.
Get your IDP from your home country’s automobile association before you leave — IDPs cannot be issued after you arrive. In most countries an IDP costs the equivalent of AUD $30-50 and takes a day or two to issue.
Note: An IDP does not extend your grace period. It does not replace the need to convert to an Australian licence.
Australian road rules every migrant should know
- Drive on the left — Australia drives on the left side of the road. This is the biggest adjustment for drivers from India, Philippines, the USA, Europe, China and most of Asia.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in residential streets (unless signed); 60 km/h on urban roads; 100-110 km/h on highways. School zones are 40 km/h (25 km/h in SA).
- Blood alcohol limit: 0.05% for fully licensed drivers; 0.00% for learners and P-plate drivers. Random breath testing (RBT) is conducted everywhere.
- Mobile phones: Illegal to hold or use while driving, even when stopped at traffic lights. Penalties are severe.
- Seatbelts: Mandatory for all passengers. The driver is responsible for ensuring everyone is buckled.
- Roundabouts: Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Traffic flows clockwise. Signal left when exiting.
- Trams in Melbourne: Do not overtake a tram at a tram stop. When a tram stops and doors open, stop behind the rear of the tram and wait for passengers to board and alight.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked questions)
Can I drive in Australia on my overseas licence?
Yes, in most states — for a period. Temporary visa holders can drive indefinitely on a valid overseas licence in VIC, QLD, SA, TAS and ACT. In NSW and NT, the limit is 6 months and 3 months respectively. In WA, all drivers must convert within 3 months.
Do I need to sit a test to get an Australian licence?
It depends on your country of licence issue. If your country is on Australia’s recognised list (UK, NZ, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and others), you convert with no tests in most states. If your country is not on the recognised list (India, Philippines, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal and most others), you must pass a knowledge test and a practical driving test.
What happened to the EDR programme?
The Experienced Driver Recognition programme, which allowed drivers from South Korea, Hong Kong, South Africa, Taiwan and 12 other countries to convert without tests, was abolished across all Australian states between April 2025 and February 2026. Those licence holders must now pass both a knowledge test and practical driving test.
Do I need an English translation of my licence?
If your licence is not in English, yes — you need either a NAATI-certified English translation or an International Driving Permit. The Department of Home Affairs provides a free translating service for permanent residents.
Can I hire a car in Australia on my overseas licence?
Most car hire companies accept a valid overseas licence in English, or an overseas licence plus an IDP if the licence is not in English. Check with your specific rental company before booking.
What if I fail the practical driving test?
Most states allow you to rebook and try again (with additional test fees). The ACT is the exception — if you fail the practical test in the ACT, you may be required to enter the full graduated licensing system, starting with a learner permit.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Licensing rules change regularly — always verify current requirements with the transport authority in your specific Australian state before driving. Last updated July 2026.
Sources: Austroads — Overseas Drivers (austroads.gov.au) | Transport for NSW — Overseas Visitor Licence | Australia Backpackers Guide — Driving Overseas Licence Regulations 2026 (June 2026) | AuDrive — Convert Your Overseas Licence in Australia 2026 (April 2026) | AustralianVisaOnline — International Driving Licence Rules by State | ExpatFocus — Australia Driving Licences | First Migration Service Centre — Getting an Australian Driver’s Licence 2026
