If you have a current driver's licence from another country in English,or with an official translation from an acceptable source, you are allowed to drive for your first 3 months after arrival . After that, if you want to drive, you will need to have the appropriate Australian driver's licence. This will usually require you to
(a) pass a knowledge test,
(b) pass a practical driving test, and
(c) pass an eyesight test.
If you do not hold a licence from another country you will need to pass a Driver Knowledge Test to get a learner's permit.
• if they hold an overseas licence, present this to the Road Traffic Authority (RTA)(with an official translation which can be acquired from either the Community Relations Commission or Department of Immigration and Citizenship)
• provide proof of identity to satisfy RTA requirements
• provide proof of NSW residential address
• pass a Driver Knowledge Test (unless exempt)
• pass a practical driving or riding test (unless exempt)
• pass an eyesight test
• pay the required fees (unless exempt)
Holders of a car or rider licence from one of the following countries are exempt from the knowledge test and practical driving test when applying for a NSW licence of the same class:
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Croatia
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Luxembourg
Malta (licences issued since 2 January 2004)
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
Greece
Guernsey
Ireland
Isle of Man (licences issued since 1 April 1991)
Italy
Japan
Jersey
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America
For more information about licencing visit the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) website
www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/index.html or call:
RTA (general enquiries) 13 2213
RTA website www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
