AUSTRALIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE

AUSTRALIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE

APPLYING FOR A NEW ZEALAND DRIVER'S LICENSE
New Zealand recognizes driver's licenses from certain foreign countries. Information on which countries are recognized and how to become a recognized New Zealand country can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz (Opens in a new window).

APPLYING FOR AN AUSTRALIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE
If your foreign driver's license expires, you may be able to apply for an Australian driver's license.

Individuals entering Australia on an indefinite visa or with indefinite leave to remain may drive on their current foreign driver's license for a maximum of three months after arrival in Australia. To continue driving after three months, an Australian driver's license must be obtained in the state or territory where the individual resides.

Recognized countries and jurisdictions

Australian driving licence authorities recognise certain foreign countries and jurisdictions with driving licence standards comparable to those in Australia.

Applicants from the countries listed below are exempt from taking a knowledge and driving test when applying for an Australian car or motorcycle driver's license.

This simplifies the exchange of the driver’s license.

Recognized countries and jurisdictions are:

Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada
Croatia
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
guernsey
Ireland
Isle of Man (for driving licences first issued on or after 1 April 1991)
Italy
Japan
jersey
Luxembourg
Malta (for driving licences first issued on or after 2 January 2004)
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Great Britain
USA
Recognition as an experienced driver

Countries and jurisdictions whose driving test standards meet the strict assessment criteria regarding identity verification, card security features, and driving examiner training and assessment standards, but do not fully meet the requirements of the driving test, will be considered for experienced driver recognition. The "Experienced Driver" category aims to consider an individual's driving experience and age as a substitute for driving test measures for novice drivers.

The following countries and jurisdictions have received Experienced Driver status:

Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China)*
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Republic of Cyprus
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Republic of Serbia
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Taiwan
Individuals aged 25 or over who hold a driver's license from one of these countries may be able to exchange their foreign license for an Australian driver's license without taking a driving test.

Individuals holding a driver's license from one of these countries who are under 25 years of age must take a theory and practical driving test. If an individual passes the tests set by the relevant authority, their foreign license will be converted, based on driving experience and age, to the license category they would have had if they had started driving in the relevant Australian jurisdiction.

* Anyone wishing to exchange a Hong Kong driving licence without a driving test must be at least 25 years old and have held a Hong Kong driving licence for at least 12 months.

Other countries

Applicants for an Australian driver's license who hold a driver's license from a non-recognized country must pass a theory test and a practical driving test. If applicants pass both the theory and practical tests, their foreign driver's license will be converted, based on driving experience and age, to the license category they would have had if they had started driving in that Australian jurisdiction.

Conversion of a foreign driving license

Persons wishing to convert a foreign driver's license should contact the relevant Australian road traffic authority directly.
Australian Capital Territory (Opens in new window)
New South Wales (Opens in new window)
Northern Territory (Opens in new window)
Queensland (Opens in new window)
South Australia (Opens in new window)
Tasmania (Opens in new window)
Victoria (Opens in new window)
Western Australia