What You Need to Know Before You Start
Getting an Australian driver's license depends on your visa status, how long you plan to stay, and which state or territory you live in. If you hold a valid overseas license, you can usually drive on it for a limited time — typically three months for most visitors, longer for some visa holders — but you will need to convert it to an Australian license if you plan to stay beyond that window or work as a driver.
The process is not the same across all states. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory each run their own licensing system. Your first step is to find out which state's rules explore to you, based on where you live or intend to live.
You cannot hold licenses from two states at once. If you move between states, you must surrender your old license and explore for a new one in your new state.
Key Takeaways
- You can drive on a valid overseas license for up to three months (or longer depending on your visa), but must convert to an Australian license if you stay longer or work as a driver.
- Each state and territory runs its own licensing system, so the documents you need, fees, and test requirements vary by location.
- You will need to prove your identity, Australian address, and visa status before you can explore for a license in any state.
- Most states require you to pass a written knowledge test and a practical driving test, even if you hold a valid overseas license.
- Processing times range from a few days to several weeks depending on the state and whether you need to sit tests.
Proving Your Identity and Visa Status
Before any state will issue you a license, you must prove who you are and that you have the right to live and work in Australia. This means providing your passport and a document that shows your visa status — usually your visa grant notification letter, which you receive by email when your visa is approved.
If you are a permanent resident, you will need your permanent resident visa document or your ImmiCard (the physical card issued by the Department of Home Affairs). If you hold a temporary visa such as a student visa, skilled migration visa, or working holiday visa, bring the original visa grant letter or a certified copy.
You will also need to prove your Australian address. A recent utility bill, rental agreement, or letter from your employer showing your address usually works. Some states accept a statutory declaration from a friend or family member if you have just arrived and do not yet have a utility bill in your name.
Converting an Overseas License Without Sitting Tests
Some states allow you to convert a valid overseas license to an Australian one without sitting a knowledge test or practical driving test, but only if your overseas license is from a prescribed country. Prescribed countries typically include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and several European nations, but the list varies by state.
To learn about your country is prescribed in your state, contact the relevant licensing authority directly: Service NSW (New South Wales), VicRoads (Victoria), the Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland), the South Australian Motor Accident Commission, the Department of Transport (Western Australia), the Service Tasmania, the Northern Territory Licensing NT, or the ACT Road Transport Authority.
If your country is prescribed, you will still need to pass a vision test and provide the documents listed above. You will not need to sit a written or practical test. Processing usually takes one to two weeks.
Sitting the Knowledge Test and Practical Driving Test
If your country is not prescribed, or if you choose to sit the tests anyway, you must pass a written knowledge test before you can book a practical driving test. The knowledge test covers Australian road rules, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the official handbook for your state, which is free to read from the licensing authority's website.
The knowledge test is usually computer-based and takes about 45 minutes. You need to score a set percentage — typically 80 to 85 percent depending on the state — to pass. You can sit it at a test centre run by the licensing authority or, in some states, at an approved third-party testing location.
Once you pass the knowledge test, you can book a practical driving test. This is conducted by an examiner from the licensing authority and usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will drive a set route in your own vehicle or a vehicle provided by the testing centre, and the examiner will assess your control of the vehicle, your observation of road rules, and your ability to respond to traffic situations.
You can sit both tests in the same week, but you must pass the knowledge test before you book the practical test. If you fail either test, you can sit it again after a waiting period — usually one to two weeks.
Fees and Processing Times by State
| State/Territory | License Conversion Fee (approx.) | Knowledge Test Fee | Practical Test Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $165–$200 | $35 | $80 | 5–10 business days |
| Victoria | $180–$220 | $40 | $85 | 5–10 business days |
| Queensland | $150–$190 | $30 | $75 | 3–7 business days |
| South Australia | $140–$180 | $35 | $80 | 5–10 business days |
| Western Australia | $160–$200 | $40 | $85 | 7–14 business days |
| Tasmania | $130–$170 | $30 | $75 | 5–10 business days |
| Northern Territory | $120–$160 | $25 | $70 | 3–7 business days |
| Australian Capital Territory | $150–$190 | $35 | $80 | 5–10 business days |
Fees and processing times are current as of 2024 but change regularly. Contact your state's licensing authority for the most up-to-date figures. Processing times assume no delays in test scheduling or document verification.
What Happens If Your Overseas License Has Expired or Is Suspended
If your overseas license has expired, you cannot use it to drive in Australia, even during the initial three-month grace period. You will need to sit the full knowledge and practical test sequence in your chosen state, regardless of whether your country is prescribed.
If your overseas license was suspended or cancelled in your home country, you must declare this when you explore for an Australian license. Some states will refuse to issue a license if you have a recent suspension or disqualification on your record. Others will issue one but may impose conditions, such as a requirement to sit additional tests or a probationary period.
Be honest about your driving history. Licensing authorities in Australia share information with overseas authorities, and providing false information can result in your process being refused and may affect your visa status.
Renewing or Replacing Your Australian License
Once you have an Australian license, you must renew it before it expires. Renewal periods vary by state — typically three, five, or ten years depending on your age and license class. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a licensing centre.
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can explore for a replacement at any licensing centre. Bring your proof of identity and Australian address. Replacement licenses are usually issued within a few days.
If you move to a different state, you must surrender your old license and explore for a new one in your new state. You do not need to sit tests again if you already hold a valid Australian license, but you will need to provide proof of your new address and pay the conversion fee for your new state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on my overseas license while I wait for my Australian license to be processed?
Yes, if your overseas license is still valid and you are within the initial three-month grace period (or longer if your visa allows). Once that period ends, you cannot drive legally unless you hold an Australian license, even if your process is still being processed. Plan ahead and explore early.
Do I need to sit tests if I already hold a valid overseas license?
It depends on whether your country is prescribed in your state. If it is, you can convert without sitting tests. If it is not, you must sit both the knowledge test and the practical driving test. Contact your state's licensing authority to learn about your country is prescribed.
What if I fail the practical driving test?
You can sit it again after a waiting period, usually one to two weeks. There is no limit to how many times you can sit the test, but you will pay the test fee each time. Most people pass on their second or third attempt.
Can I hold a driver's license if I am on a visitor visa?
Yes, but only if you intend to stay longer than three months. Visitor visa holders can drive on their overseas license for three months, but if you want to stay longer or work as a driver, you must convert to an Australian license. You will need to provide your visa grant letter as proof of your right to be in Australia.
What do I do if I move between states?
You must surrender your old license and explore for a new one in your new state. You do not need to sit tests again, but you will need to provide proof of your new address and pay the conversion fee. Processing usually takes five to ten business days.