Photo: Ric Taylor, Pexels
You can drive in Australia on a current overseas licence, but how long it stays valid depends on your visa and which state you live in. Permanent residents usually have 3 months to switch to a local licence. Temporary visa holders face rules that range from 6 months in NSW and Victoria to “while your licence stays valid” in WA and Tasmania. This guide compares the rules for visitors, international students, workers and new residents in all eight jurisdictions as of November 2026.
Key facts
- Carry your overseas licence whenever you drive. If it is not in English, carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit too.
- Permanent residents and returning citizens: 3 months in NSW, QLD, WA (from the visa grant), SA and the NT.
- Temporary visa holders: 6 months in NSW (if you arrived on or after 1 July 2023). Victoria requires anyone living there more than 6 months to convert.
- Licences from recognised countries can be converted to a car licence without the knowledge and driving tests. Others must pass them.
- Overseas learner permits are not recognised in WA and cannot be converted in SA.
- Once you hold an Australian licence, you can no longer drive in Australia on your overseas one.
How long you can drive on an overseas licence
| State | Visitors and temporary visa holders | Permanent residents and citizens |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Temporary visa, arrived on or after 1 July 2023: up to 6 months. Tourists and short-term visitors: up to 6 months while a temporary visitor | Up to 3 months from arrival |
| VIC | Fine for short stays. Living in Victoria more than 6 months: convert, counted from the day you begin living there | Same 6-month rule |
| QLD | The 3-month clock starts only once you live in Queensland on a permanent or special category visa; check your situation with TMR | 3 months after taking up residence with a permanent visa, or from the visa grant if later |
| WA | As long as the licence remains valid | 3 months of usual residence after the permanent visa is granted |
| SA | Not stated in the handbook; check with Service SA | Within 3 months of becoming an SA resident |
| TAS | Visitors and temporary visa holders can drive while the licence is current | Must get a Tasmanian licence. Official pages give both 3 and 6 months; confirm with Service Tasmania |
| ACT | Check with Access Canberra | Check with Access Canberra |
| NT | In the NT more than 3 months and want to keep driving: apply for an NT licence | Same 3-month guidance |
Rules for temporary visa holders have changed in several states since 2019. Check your state page before relying on any time limit, especially if you plan to stay longer than 3 months.
What you must carry
- Your current overseas licence, for the vehicle class you are driving.
- An English translation or International Driving Permit if the licence is not in English. NSW, Victoria and the NT state this directly. WA needs an approved translation.
- WA accepts translations from NAATI-certified translators, tertiary-qualified translators and the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service. Queensland asks for a NAATI-accredited translation when you convert.
Follow the local road rules and any conditions on your licence. An expired or disqualified overseas licence gives you no right to drive.
Converting to an Australian licence
Recognised countries
Each state keeps a list of countries with similar licensing standards. Queensland uses the Austroads list, which includes the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. A current car licence from a recognised country can be converted without the knowledge test or practical test. In Queensland it must have been held within the last 5 years. In Victoria, at least 18 years old is a general requirement.
Non-recognised countries
- NSW: pass the DKT and the Driving Test. China and, from 1 February 2026, Hong Kong are non-recognised.
- Queensland: pass the road rules test and the practical test. The old experienced-driver category has been removed.
- SA: pass a theory test, Hazard Perception Test and practical driving test.
- Tasmania: a practical driving assessment. Licence holders from non-recognised countries, and under-25s from experienced-driver countries, also sit the HPT.
- Victoria: depending on your age, experience and country, you may need the learner permit test, HPT and drive test. Use the VicRoads conversion checker.
Steps that apply almost everywhere
- Check whether your country is recognised in your state.
- Gather proof of identity, proof of your local address, your visa details and your original overseas licence.
- Get an approved English translation if your licence is not in English.
- Book or visit the licensing centre, pass an eyesight check and pay the fee.
- Sit any tests required, then drive on the local licence only.
State-by-state notes
- NSW: your right to drive on an overseas licence is withdrawn once you have lived in NSW for 6 months without transferring. See moving to NSW.
- Victoria: the 6-month period does not restart if you leave and come back. See moving to Victoria.
- Queensland: you can sit the practical test on your overseas licence. If you fail, your authority to drive on it is withdrawn. See moving to Queensland.
- WA: an overseas learner permit is not recognised, so you cannot drive on it in WA. See moving to WA.
- SA: conversion is mostly limited to car and motorbike classes, and learner permits cannot be converted. A recognised-country licence holder can act as a qualified supervising driver if they meet the criteria.
- Tasmania: extensions to the conversion period are at the Registrar’s discretion. Apply before the period runs out.
- NT: if you live in the NT and have not transferred your licence, the handbook warns you may be excluded from insurance or have benefits reduced.
Learning to drive on an overseas learner permit
Generally you cannot. WA does not recognise overseas learner permits, and SA will not convert them. In NSW you must pass the DKT to get a NSW learner licence. Until you do, any learning on an overseas permit must follow NSW learner conditions: a supervisor with a full Australian licence, zero alcohol, L plates, and no phone use. The simplest route is to sit your state’s learner test. See learner knowledge tests compared.
Common questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Australia?
Only if your licence is not in English. Then carry an IDP or an approved English translation with your licence.
I am an international student. Do I need an Australian licence?
It depends on your state. In WA and Tasmania you can keep driving on a valid overseas licence as a temporary visa holder. In NSW the limit is 6 months for students who arrived from 1 July 2023. In Victoria you must convert if you live there more than 6 months.
Can I drive on my overseas licence if I move between states?
Each state applies its own rule from when you take up residence there. Check the rule in your new state when you move.
Is my UK licence recognised?
Yes. The UK is a recognised country in NSW and Queensland, so a current UK car licence usually converts without tests. Confirm with your state.
Do I need to do the hazard perception test?
Only in some cases: for example, licences from non-recognised countries in SA and Tasmania, and some Victorian conversions.
What happens if I drive after my time limit?
You are treated as driving unlicensed, which can bring penalties and affect insurance. Convert before the deadline.
Sources
- Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” (nsw.gov.au)
- NSW Government, “Moving your overseas licence” and “Visiting from overseas or interstate” (nsw.gov.au)
- VicRoads, “Driving with your overseas licence” and “Convert overseas licence” (vicroads.vic.gov.au)
- Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021” (legislation.qld.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Enrol in PrepL” (service.transport.qld.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Drive Safe: A handbook for Western Australian road users”, Appendix 2 (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Driving in Tasmania on an interstate or overseas licence” and “Converting an overseas licence” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Hazard Perception Test” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
- Northern Territory Government, “NT Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition (nt.gov.au)
- Access Canberra (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)