Driving with a Foreign Driver Licence - A Comparative Review - Submission 38 - Supplementary 2

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

Comparative review of how Australian states and territories regulate driving on foreign driver licences, including differences in permitted duration before an Australian licence is required. Explores time limits tied to permanent visa receipt, and the varying documentation drivers must carry (international permit and/or English translation). Covers consequences of failing driving tests, transferring to Australian licences, heavy vehicle licensing testing and tenure periods, and specific rules for New Zealand licence holders, plus a summary of relevant legislation and definitions by jurisdiction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Driving with a Foreign Driver Licence - A Comparative Review

Duration to Drive on a Foreign Driver Licence

After Receiving a Permanent Visa

Documentation to Carry While Driving

Failing an Australian Driving Test

Transferring to an Australian Driver Licence

New Zealand Licence Holders

Name of Regulations and Applicable Legislation

Definitions

Aspects of road safety in Australia Submission 38-Supplementary Submission 2 DRIVING WITH A FOREIGN DRIVER LICENCE – A COMPARATIVE REVIEW Each state and territory regulates the ability of individuals holding foreign driver licences to drive within their borders. You may drive in every state and territory if you hold a foreign driver licence but for varying lengths of time. While there are similarities between the individual regulatory schemes, there are also considerable differences. This paper reviews and comments on the most notable variations. Length of time you may drive on a foreign driver licence before you are required to obtain an Australian Licence The Northern Territory’s approach is the strictest. You are only permitted to drive on a foreign driver licence for three months before you are required to apply for an Australian driver licence. In every other state and territory you may drive on your foreign driver licence indefinitely until you obtain a permanent visa. Length of time you may drive on a foreign driver licence after you receive a permanent visa Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia allow you to continue to drive on your foreign driver licence for up to 3 months after receiving a permanent visa. Victoria’s regulations are more generous, allowing you to drive for up to 6 months after receiving a permanent visa before requiring you to obtain an Australian driver licence. What you need to carry with you when driving on your foreign driver licence South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales require you to carry your foreign driver licence and either an international permit or an English translation of your foreign driver licence. The Northern Territory requires you to carry your foreign driver licence and an international permit. An English translation of your foreign driver licence cannot be used as a replacement for an international permit. Queensland requires you to carry only your foreign driver licence and Western Australia permits you to carry only your foreign driver licence so long as it is in English. If it is not in English you are required to carry your foreign driver licence with either an international permit or an approved English translation. Aspects of road safety in Australia Submission 38-Supplementary Submission 2 Failing an Australian driving test If you apply for a driver licence in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria or Tasmania, and are required to complete a driving test, you will be unable to drive on your foreign driver licence if you fail the test. There are no provisions to this effect in South Australia, Western Australia or the Northern Territory. This results in drivers who fail the driving test can continue driving on their foreign driver licence. Transferring to an Australian driver licence All states and territories allow foreign drivers to transfer Class C and R licences. Page 9 of this summary sets out the testing requirements and exemptions. All states and territories require foreign drivers to hold an Australian Class C licence for a specified period of time in order to obtain a heavy vehicle licence. The tenure periods vary between the licence classes. Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory allow experienced heavy vehicle drivers to apply for an exemption from the tenure requirements. All states and territories require foreign drivers to complete practical driving tests and written theory tests in order to obtain a heavy vehicle licence. New Zealand licence holders New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory require New Zealand licence holders to obtain an Australian driver licence after living continuously in the state for three months. There is no equivalent provision in any other state or territory. The requirements regarding licence tests particularly in rel

FAQs

How long can you drive on a foreign driver licence in the Northern Territory compared with other states and territories?

The Northern Territory allows only three months before applying for an Australian driver licence. Other jurisdictions generally allow indefinite driving until you obtain a permanent visa.

What documents are typically required to drive on a foreign driver licence in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales?

These jurisdictions require you to carry your foreign driver licence and either an international permit or an English translation of the foreign licence.

What happens if you fail an Australian driving test when transferring your licence in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, or Tasmania?

If you are required to complete a driving test and you fail it, you cannot drive on your foreign driver licence in those jurisdictions.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Finn