Converting Overseas Driving Licence in NSW

virajsen on 06/09/2023 - 00:31

Hello everyone,

I have approximately 13 years of driving experience with an overseas driver's license. Since I'm in the process of obtaining permanent residency (PR), I need to convert my license to a New South Wales (NSW) driver's license.

To do this, I understand that I must first complete a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT), after which I will receive a Learner permit until I can take the actual driving test. My question is: Can I continue to drive using my old overseas license until I pass the driving test, or am I required to have a fully licensed driver accompany me in the car during this period?

Thank you for your help.

Automotive Driver's Licence

Comments

  • jv on 06/09/2023 - 00:57
    +1

    I have approximately 13 years of driving experience with an overseas driver's license.

    Which country?

  • Benoffie on 06/09/2023 - 04:13
    +2

    https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driver-…

    From the page:

    Conditions of use
    Once you’ve been issued with a NSW licence, it becomes the authority under which you can drive or ride on NSW roads. You can no longer use your overseas licence as it is not recognised while you hold a NSW licence.

    When driving or riding in NSW, you must meet all the conditions and restrictions that apply to your NSW licence.

    You must carry the licence while riding or driving and show it to police if they ask you. They may also ask you to prove your overseas visitor status.

    Sounds like - up to point of NSW licence issue = OS licence (as long as within 6 months of arrival)
    After either of those points - NSW licence only

  • pjetson on 06/09/2023 - 06:24
    +2

    My guess would be that once you've been issued with a learner's permit, your overseas licence would no longer be valid. But why not ring and ask?

  • wots on 06/09/2023 - 07:29

    I just swapped mine over, no test. Previously had a Dutch licence

  • Motek Benzona on 06/09/2023 - 07:30

    No you cannot

    Well you can, but if you get stopped and they link your 2 licenses, you are screwed

  • CheapandUsed on 06/09/2023 - 07:39

    NSW recently tightened up the rules around this reducing the time from 12months to 3months.

    Depending on which country issued your licence and how long ago will depend on which process you go through, I.e. Drivers knowledge test (DKT), Learner permit, or direct to provisional or full license.

    "If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or if you hold a New Zealand driver licence, you're able to drive in NSW on an overseas licence for 3 months. Within this 3-month period however, you'll need to visit a Service NSW Centre and transfer your overseas licence to a NSW Driver Licence"
    https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/transfer-an-overs…

  • pjetson on 06/09/2023 - 08:11
    +1

    Are you sure you need a learner's permit?

    If you hold a car or rider licence issued by a recognised country and jurisdiction, you can apply for a NSW licence without passing a knowledge test or driving test.

    The licence must be current or expired within the last 5 years, and it must not be a learner licence.

    There are 2 categories of recognised countries and jurisdictions – A and B. List B exemptions are for drivers and riders who are 25 years of age or older.

    https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driver-…

  • iCandy on 06/09/2023 - 08:17
    +1

    I’m assuming OP is from a country where there is not a straight swap, usually because of concerns about English. Which begs the question of why we grant international licences to people who don’t understand English in the first place. Everyone should be able to read Street signs and know the road rules of the country they are driving in.

    • Motek Benzona on 06/09/2023 - 08:22
      +1

      Because all white anglo english speaking people are so brilliant at driving they always look at signs?

      Correct me if i am wrong but MOST signs are not word driven, but are picture driven and even the ones with words have an almost universal meaning (same as in most other countries) and the idea of that is that even the simplest of bogan yokels could understand the meaning?

      I can (and do) drive in non English speaking countries just fine by using common sense and looking at the signs but than again im not a bogan yokel Aussie. Should i be banned from driving in non English speaking countries?

      • mskeggs on 06/09/2023 - 11:00
        +3

        I am a bogan yokel Aussie and can confirm I have been able to drive successfully in countries where I do not speak the language.

      • RockyRaccoon on 06/09/2023 - 11:11
        +2

        Agree its been standard practice in many countries to let visitors drive while being in the country on a temporary basis. Why should we be any different as iCandy claims?

        Many drivers of many races are not all that proficient including myself.

        However why is it necessary to go overboard and label some Aussies as

        bogan yokel Aussie

        That's rather racist is it not?

        • Motek Benzona on 06/09/2023 - 11:46
          +1

          Naaah..people can be aussie..be yokel…and can be bogans but not be Caucasian.

    • pjetson on 06/09/2023 - 08:25
      +2

      Everyone should be able to read Street signs and know the road rules of the country they are driving in

      That'd take most local drivers off the road…

    • mskeggs on 06/09/2023 - 10:59
      +5

      I don’t think it is to do with language. The exempt countries list includes Japan, for example, where English is common but far from universal.
      More likely about countries where there is less integrity in the testing process, or where there is no or a limited skills test.

      • iCandy on 06/09/2023 - 19:00

        Yes, you’re right I think.

  • RM on 06/09/2023 - 08:55
    +2

    Clear your learner test but don't take a learner licence/permit. Ask them not to issue it since you will be moving to next tests. They only make a note/update records that you have cleared this test and are eligilble still to use your overseas one

    If you do end up taking a learner licence, then your overseas licence is no longer valid. You will then have to drive as a leaner until you get your P/full licence

  • desibaba on 06/09/2023 - 08:57
    +2

    You have to finish DKT but don't have to get a learners license. You can continue driving using your overseas license till your road test. Once you pass the road test you will get NSW full license, but if you fail you will have to take learners license and drive using that until your next road test.

    • apple2016 on 06/09/2023 - 10:40

      You can continue driving using your overseas license till your road test.

      its either the test or the 3 months duration. which ever is less.

      • desibaba on 06/09/2023 - 11:08

        Isn't that the new rule for people who arrived in Australia after July 31 2023? OP has arrived in Australia 13 years before so the 3 months rule won't be applicable for him if he haven't got his PR. If he has got his PR irrespective of he have done DKT or not he can't use internationals license for more than 3 months after getting PR.

  • xuqi on 06/09/2023 - 11:07

    I worked overseas for a number of years, and the organisation I worked for ended up having to carry out additional testing of all individual driving abilities, prior to allowing them to drive locally.

    Issue was caused by drivers from some countries (African & Indian sub-continent) using fake licenses, then showing up & clearly unable to drive a car.

    Some owned up to the fact they had never driven a car, but received their license as going-away gift from friends or family members…..

    It became a real issue for the facilities department who would for e.g. hire a plumber, but then having worked out he can't drive, needed to pair him with another plumber who could on every job….

  • lordra on 06/09/2023 - 11:27

    All depends on which country's licence you want to exchange.

  • stickingly on 06/09/2023 - 12:47

    When I came to AU I was able to do the learners test and driving test on the same day.

    Drove myself to the testing center using my international license, did the learners test, then did the driving test straight away and drove myself home on my new full AU license.
    No learner hours or Ps were required

    That was in Vic but may be the same in NSW

    • pjetson on 06/09/2023 - 13:34

      That's interesting. Did you have a supervising driver during the learner test?

      • stickingly on 06/09/2023 - 15:36

        No, the learner test is just a written test.

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