Driving in Australia on an overseas licence

Permanent residents

South Australia says you need an SA licence within 3 months of becoming a permanent resident.

Temporary visa holders

On a temporary visa you can drive on your current overseas licence if you carry an English version or an international driving permit.

What you need to know

• Use the official tool to check if your country's licence can be transferred
• If your country is not recognised, you may be asked to do a driving test

Not confirmed here: whether a UAE licence qualifies. Use the official check tool or call Service SA on 13 23 24.

Check if you can transfer your licence ↗

Last checked 8 Oct 2026.

Permanent residents

NSW says permanent residents need a NSW licence within 3 months to keep driving.

Temporary visa holders

NSW says temporary visa holders can drive on an overseas licence for up to 6 months, then need a temporary NSW licence to keep driving.

What you need to know

• Documents in another language must be translated
• Some overseas drivers must pass a knowledge test, a driving test or both. It depends on the country that issued your licence

Check the official page for your country's rules. They changed in 2025 and 2026.

Moving your overseas licence to NSW ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.

Victoria says that if you plan to live there for more than 6 months, you must convert your overseas licence to a Victorian one before you have lived there for 6 months in total.

What you need to know

• Until then you can drive on a valid overseas licence that is in English or has a translation
• The 6 months start from the day you first begin living in Victoria, even if you leave and come back
• Whether you need tests depends on your country and age. Rules changed for a list of countries on 1 May 2025
• If you fail a test, you can no longer drive in Victoria on your overseas licence

The pages read do not say whether your visa type changes these rules. Use the official conversion checker for your country.

Convert an overseas licence (VicRoads) ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.

Permanent residents

Queensland says you must get a Queensland licence once you have lived there for 3 months on a resident visa (a permanent visa).

Temporary visa holders

Queensland's 3-month rule applies to resident visas, which do not include temporary visas. Visitors can drive on a valid overseas licence if they follow its conditions.

What you need to know

• Carry your licence and show it to police when asked
• Licences from recognised countries: no road rules or driving test if you hold, or held within the last 5 years, an equivalent car or motorcycle licence
• Other countries: you must pass a road rules test and a practical driving test

Check the official list for your country. The current list of recognised countries was not checked here.

Driving in Queensland on an overseas licence ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.

Permanent residents

WA says permanent residents can drive on a valid overseas licence for up to 3 months after moving to WA, and must apply to transfer it within that time.

Temporary visa holders

WA says people visiting, studying or working temporarily do not need to transfer their licence and can drive on a current overseas licence.

What you need to know

• If your licence is not in English, carry an English translation certified by your consulate
• From 31 October 2026, licences from recognised jurisdictions can be transferred without a theory test or practical driving assessment. Other countries follow the full process

The pages read do not say when a long-term temporary visa holder counts as a resident, so ask the Department of Transport.

Moving from overseas (WA Department of Transport) ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.

Permanent residents

Service Tasmania says you must convert your overseas licence within 6 months from the date you are granted permanent residency.

Temporary visa holders

Tasmania says you can drive on your overseas licence if you are a visitor or hold a temporary visa, for example as a student or worker.

What you need to know

• Your overseas licence must be current and you must carry it
• If it is not in English, you also need an official translation or an International Driving Permit
• Recognised countries with a current licence: no test. Other countries: a knowledge test, a hazard perception test and a practical driving assessment

Some older Tasmanian documents say 3 months instead of 6 for permanent residents. If your timing is close, confirm with Transport Services.

Convert an overseas driver licence (Service Tasmania) ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.

Permanent residents

Access Canberra says permanent visa holders can use an overseas licence for 3 months, after which they must hold an ACT licence to drive in the ACT.

Temporary visa holders

The ACT pages read cover permanent visa holders and visitors, not long-stay temporary visa holders. Ask Access Canberra on 13 22 81 about your visa.

What you need to know

• Visitors with a full overseas licence do not need an ACT licence. They should carry an International Driving Permit
• Licences from non-recognised countries: you must pass a practical driving test, and are then issued a provisional licence
• If you have not passed within 3 months of receiving your permanent visa, you can no longer drive on your overseas licence in the ACT

The page does not say exactly when the 3 months start, so confirm with Access Canberra.

Drivers with licences from overseas (Access Canberra) ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.

The NT says new residents and visitors can drive on an overseas licence for up to 3 months, and must transfer it within 3 months of living in the NT.

What you need to know

• Your licence must be current and you must carry it
• If it is not in English, you also need an international driving permit or an official English translation
• Licences from countries on the government's list transfer without a theory or practical test. Others must take the theory test
• You need at least 3 original identity and residency documents. Copies and digital licences are not accepted

The pages read do not say whether your visa type changes these rules. Motor Vehicle Registry: 1300 654 628.

Transfer your overseas driver licence (NT Government) ↗

Last checked 12 Oct 2026.