Convert Your Overseas Licence in Australia: 2026 Guide

Which Path Are You On?

Not everyone goes through the same process. It depends on where your licence was issued.

Check your country below, then jump to the section that applies to you.

Everyone, regardless of country, must convert within 3 to 6 months of becoming a permanent resident (exact deadline varies by state).

Direct Swap (Recognised Countries)

If your country is on the recognised list, conversion is straightforward. No knowledge test, no driving test.

How it works

1. Visit your state's licensing centre (Service NSW, VicRoads, TMR, etc.)
2. Bring your documents (see checklist below)
3. Pay the licence fee
4. Receive your Australian licence

Most people are in and out within an hour, though wait times at busy centres can stretch longer. Some states let you book an appointment online.

What licence you get

If your overseas licence is a full (unrestricted) licence, you'll get a full Australian licence. No P-plates, no restrictions.

If your overseas licence has conditions (automatic only, limited hours), those conditions may carry over.

Deadlines

Temporary visa holders can generally drive on their overseas licence plus an English translation for the duration of their stay. But check your state's rules.

Recognised Countries (Full List)

All Australian states recognise the same 28 countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.

If your country is on this list, you do not need to take any tests. Bring your documents and go.

Tests Required (Non-Recognised Countries)

If your country is not on the recognised list, you must pass both a knowledge test and a practical driving test. This applies to licence holders from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and most countries in Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

The tests, costs, and pass rates vary significantly between states.

State Comparison

New South Wales (NSW)

Authority: Service NSW

1. Pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT), $57
2. Pass the Practical Driving Test, $70

Total cost: DKT $57 + driving test $70 + 5-year licence $228 = $355 all-in.

What licence you get depends on your overseas experience: less than 1 year gets P1, 1-3 years gets P2, 3+ years gets a full licence.

NSW Driving Test Complete Guide. Pass rates by centre, test routes, and tips.

Victoria (VIC)

Authority: VicRoads

1. Pass the Road Rules Knowledge Test, free online (first attempt)
2. Pass the Hazard Perception Test, free online (first attempt)
3. Pass the Practical Driving Test, ~$52 + $21.50 appointment fee

Victoria is the cheapest state for conversions. Your first knowledge test and HPT attempts are free through the Motorist Package. VIC also has a 75% pass rate.

VIC Driving Test Complete Guide. Pass rates, scoring rules, and what to expect.

Queensland (QLD)

Authority: Transport and Main Roads (TMR)

1. Pass the Road Rules Test, ~$24
2. Pass the Q-SAFE Practical Driving Test, ~$67 (30-45 minutes)

Warning: If you fail the Q-SAFE while driving on your overseas licence, your authority to drive in Queensland is immediately withdrawn. You cannot drive at all until you get a QLD Learner licence. No other state does this.

Overseas licence holders can only book the Q-SAFE by phone (13 23 80), not online.

QLD Driving Test Complete Guide. Q-SAFE format, centres, and booking tips.

Western Australia (WA)

Authority: Department of Transport

1. Computerised Theory Test (CTT): 30 questions, need 24 correct
2. Vision test
3. Practical Driving Assessment (PDA): must pass 4 out of 5 sections

WA has Australia's lowest pass rate at 35%. The best centre (Success) only reaches 49%. The worst (Mandurah) sits at 27%. If you pass in an automatic, you get an automatic-only licence.

Cost: Theory ~$20, PDA ~$85, licence ~$164.

WA Driving Test Complete Guide. PDA breakdown, centre pass rates, and preparation tips.

South Australia (SA)

Authority: Department for Infrastructure and Transport

1. Theory Test, ~$36
2. VORT (Vehicle On Road Test), 45 minutes

SA is the most expensive state. The VORT is run by private certified assessors, not government examiners. Fees range from $340 to $430+ depending on the assessor. Some packages with pre-test lessons cost up to $1,200.

The pass mark is 90%, the highest in Australia. Any traffic violation ends the test immediately.

SA school zones are 25 km/h (other states use 40 km/h). Easy to forget, easy to fail on.

Coming in 2027: Government examiners will replace private assessors. Costs should drop to around $240.

SA Driving Test Complete Guide. VORT breakdown, assessor selection, and pass rates.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Authority: Access Canberra

1. Complete the ACT Pre-Learner Licence Course
2. Pass the Road Rules Knowledge Test
3. Pass the Practical Driving Assessment (25-45 minutes, 23 competencies)

You get one shot. Fail the driving test with your overseas licence, and you enter the full ACT graduated licensing system: Learner licence, 50-100 hours of supervised driving, starting from scratch.

Pass rate has dropped from 60.8% (2021) to 47.7% (2025).

Cost: Driving test ~$129, P licence ~$160.

ACT Driving Test Complete Guide. New 2025 rules and what to expect.

Tasmania (TAS)

Authority: Service Tasmania

1. Knowledge Test, ~$38
2. Hazard Perception Test
3. Practical Driving Assessment, ~$90

Tasmania has the highest pass rate in Australia at roughly 86%. Quieter roads, lighter traffic, and a more relaxed assessment environment. Many experienced overseas drivers pass without difficulty.

TAS Driving Test Complete Guide. What to expect and why TAS has the highest pass rate.

Northern Territory (NT)

Authority: Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR)

1. Theory Test: $20, 30 questions, need 26 correct (87%)
2. Practical Driving Test: ~$165-180, about 40 minutes, fully video recorded

NT is unique: no minimum supervised driving hours (the only jurisdiction in Australia with none), L-plate valid for only 6 months, and tests are conducted by private examiners. Regardless of your overseas experience, you receive a P-plate licence after passing.

NT Driving Test Complete Guide. MVR test format and preparation tips.

How to Prepare for the Tests

Take this seriously even if you have years of driving experience. Australian road rules and examiner expectations differ from most countries.

• 3-5 professional lessons. An instructor will teach you the specific habits examiners look for. Worth every dollar.
• Learn your state's rules. U-turn laws vary between states. Melbourne has hook turns. SA has 25 km/h school zones.
• Practice near your test centre. Familiarity with the area helps more than you'd expect.
• Pick your centre carefully. Pass rates range from 27% (Mandurah, WA) to 86% (Tasmania). More on choosing the best time to book.

If English isn't your first language, tell the examiner before you start. They'll speak more slowly and use hand gestures. Some states allow an interpreter.

Common Mistakes

These are the top reasons overseas drivers fail. All avoidable.

1. No head checks. You must physically turn your head to check blind spots before every lane change, merge, or pull-out. Mirror glances are not enough. This is the #1 fail reason across every state. Full head check technique guide.
2. Not stopping at amber. If you can safely stop, you must. Treating amber as "go faster" is an instant fail.
3. Ignoring pedestrian priority. Give way to pedestrians at marked crossings and when turning into side roads.
4. Rolling stops. Come to a complete standstill at stop signs. Any rolling movement counts as a violation.
5. Overconfidence. Twenty years of driving experience means nothing if your habits conflict with Australian rules.

EDR Reform: 16 Countries Affected

The Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) category has been removed across all Australian states between April 2025 and February 2026.

Previously, drivers aged 25+ from 16 specific countries could swap their licence directly without any tests. That pathway no longer exists.

What changed

If you hold a licence from one of the 16 former EDR countries, you now must pass the same knowledge test and practical driving test as any other non-recognised country. See the state-by-state test requirements above.

Which countries lost EDR

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan.

When did EDR end

If you missed the deadline in your state, you must now complete the full testing process.

Documents You'll Need

Regardless of which path you're on, bring all of these to the service centre:

1. Original overseas licence (not a copy, not a photo on your phone)
2. NAATI-certified English translation if your licence is not in English. Options:
   • NAATI-certified translators (most reliable)
   • Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service (free for permanent residents)
   • Some states accept tertiary-qualified translators
3. Passport (current)
4. Visa or residency evidence
5. Proof of address: utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement
6. Payment for the licence (and tests, if applicable)

Bring extra ID. Requirements can vary between service centres, and backup documents save you a wasted trip.

FAQ

Can I drive in Australia with my overseas licence?

Yes, temporarily. Visitors on a temporary visa can drive with their overseas licence plus an English translation or International Driving Permit for the duration of their stay. Permanent residents and citizens must convert within 3 to 6 months depending on the state. NSW gives 3 months. VIC and TAS give 6 months.

How much does it cost to convert without tests (recognised countries)?

You only pay the licence issuance fee. This varies by state (typically $50 to $250 depending on the licence duration). No test fees.

How much does it cost with tests (non-recognised countries)?

Test fees range from about $73 in Victoria (cheapest, first attempts free for knowledge and HPT) to $350+ in South Australia (private VORT assessors). Add licence issuance and most states total $200 to $400 all-in. See the comparison table above for exact figures.

Which countries are "recognised"?

28 countries: UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and most of Western Europe. Full list here.

What happened to EDR (Experienced Driver Recognition)?

EDR was removed across all states between April 2025 and February 2026. Drivers from 16 countries (including Hong Kong, South Korea, South Africa, and Taiwan) who previously could swap directly now must pass knowledge and driving tests. Details here.

Which state has the highest pass rate?

Tasmania at 86%. Victoria follows at 75%. Western Australia has the lowest at 35%. If you have flexibility in where you take the test, it makes a real difference. Full comparison here.

Do I need a NAATI-certified translation?

Yes, if your licence is not in English. You can use a NAATI-certified translator, the Department of Home Affairs Free Translating Service (free for permanent residents), or a tertiary-qualified translator in some states. Bring the original licence and the translation.

Can I use AUDrive to practice for the test?

Yes. AUDrive provides GPS-guided practice on real driving test routes across Australia. You can practice the actual roads near your test centre before test day. Visit audrive.net to find routes near you.