PassPeersHow long your licence is valid
There is no single Australian rule. This is what each authority says; where we couldn't confirm a time limit, we link the page instead.
| State or territory | When you need a local licence | |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Permanent residents: within 3 months of arriving. Temporary visitors: when staying longer than 6 months. | Source |
| Victoria | When you have lived in Victoria for 6 months or more. | Source |
| Queensland | Permanent (resident) visa holders: after living in Queensland for 3 months. Time on a temporary visa doesn't count. | Source |
| Western Australia | Citizens and permanent residents: within 3 months. Visitors on temporary visas don't need to transfer. | Source |
| South Australia | Within 3 months of becoming a permanent resident of South Australia. | Source |
| Northern Territory | Within 3 months of living in the Northern Territory. | Source |
| Australian Capital Territory | See Access Canberra. | Source |
| Tasmania | See Transport Tasmania. | Source |
Exchange without a test
Every state has a list of “recognised” countries. Licences from them can usually be transferred without tests; the lists are not the same everywhere.
- NSW: with a car (C) or rider (R) licence from a recognised country, you don't need the knowledge or driving test. The list: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand (not paper licences), Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and USA. Other countries: you pass the NSW knowledge and driving tests. Source
- NSW: since 1 February 2026, the former “Experienced Driver Status” for some other countries no longer applies. Source
- Victoria: VicRoads has an online check that tells you what you need, based on the country that issued your licence. Source
- Queensland publishes a list of “exempt countries” – check whether yours is on it before you book a test. Source
- Western Australia: from 31 October 2026, Bulgaria, Poland, South Korea, Taiwan and ten more jurisdictions join the recognised list. Car and motorcycle licences from them transfer without a theory test or practical driving assessment – for applications made on or after that date. Source
- ACT: since 1 July 2025, people with a licence from a non-recognised country get a provisional ACT licence after passing the practical driving test. Source
- Tasmania sorts overseas licences into recognised and non-recognised countries. Heavy vehicle licences can't be recognised. Source
- South Australia and the Northern Territory each have their own check and country list on the pages linked below. Source
Translation and documents
- Queensland: if your licence isn't in English, carry a recognised English translation with it (for example from a NAATI-certified translator). Source
- Tip Fees and document lists differ between states. Each authority lists its own.
International driving permit
- Tip If you want an international driving permit, ask about it in the country that issued your licence before you leave.
Sources
- NSW Government – Visiting or moving to NSW
- NSW Government – Moving your overseas licence to NSW
- VicRoads – Convert your overseas licence
- Queensland Government – Driving in Queensland on an overseas licence
- Queensland Government – Exempt countries
- Department of Transport WA – Moving from overseas
- SA.GOV.AU – Transfer your overseas driver's licence
- Transport Tasmania – Converting an overseas licence
- Access Canberra – Drivers with licences from overseas
- NT Government – Transfer your overseas driver licence
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rules change – confirm with the official page before you act on them. This page is general information, not legal advice. PassPeers is independent and not affiliated with any authority.