Moving to Australian Capital Territory, overseas licences and renewals

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state how long you have to get an ACT licence after moving from interstate.
• You can explain what happens to interstate learner hours and P-plate conditions.
• You can describe the general process for overseas licence holders.
• You can explain how full licence renewal works in the ACT.

What you need to know and understand

• If you hold a full interstate licence and move to the ACT, you need an ACT licence within 3 months.
• You apply in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre with your interstate licence and proof of identity and ACT residency. A current full interstate licence is swapped for an ACT licence with the same expiry date, with no fee.
• Learners moving from another state can have their previous driving hours and education recognised by bringing evidence such as their logbook.
• Full licence holders from a recognised country can get an ACT full licence without extra tests. Since 1 July 2025, others must do the Pre-Learner Licence Course and road rules test, then pass a practical assessment to get a provisional licence.
• Full ACT licences can usually be renewed online for up to 5 years. A 10-year renewal needs a photo of you taken within the last 12 months.
• You must tell Access Canberra about any long-term illness, injury or condition that could affect your driving.

Moving from another state

1. Gather your current interstate licence, identity documents and proof of your ACT address.
2. Visit an Access Canberra Service Centre within 3 months of moving.
3. Complete the application and pay any fee that applies. If your interstate licence is lost or has expired, bring a recent licence history from your old state.
4. Access Canberra tells your old state so it can cancel its licence record.
5. Until your ACT licence is issued, learner and P-plate drivers follow the licence rules of the state that issued their licence.

Coming from overseas

The ACT recognises full licences from a list of countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. If your full licence is from a recognised country, you can get an ACT full licence without extra training or tests. Since 1 July 2025, if it is not, you must complete the Pre-Learner Licence Course, pass the ACT road rules test and then pass a practical driving assessment. Passing gets you a provisional licence (P1 if under 25, P2 if 25 or older), not a full one. You get one attempt at the assessment on your overseas licence; if you fail, you must get a learner licence and follow the normal learner steps.

If you are granted a permanent visa, you can drive on your overseas licence for only 3 months before you need an ACT licence. The country list and visitor rules change from time to time, so check with Access Canberra before you apply.

Renewing and keeping your licence valid

• Watch for your renewal notice and renew before the expiry date.
• Carry your licence whenever you drive. Police can ask to see it.
• Tell Access Canberra within 14 days when you change address.
• Report medical conditions that may affect driving; you may be asked for a medical check or an occupational therapy driving assessment.
• New-look ACT licence cards began in February 2025, but existing cards stay valid until they expire.

Common mistakes

• Driving on an interstate licence for months after moving and missing the 3-month deadline.
• Throwing away an interstate logbook before your ACT learner hours are assessed.
• Assuming every overseas licence converts directly. Check the recognised country list first.
• Letting your licence expire and driving unlicensed.

Test yourself: Moving to Australian Capital Territory, overseas licences and renewals

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Learning to Drive in the ACT