Your overseas driver's licence doesn't stay valid forever in Australia. Depending on the state where you live and your visa type, there's a specific timeframe to convert your foreign licence to an Australian one — and past that deadline, driving on a foreign licence is illegal.
Important change in 2025 — the end of EDR for overseas drivers
Until April 2025, some overseas drivers could convert their licence without tests under the EDR (Experienced Driver Recognition) system. Austroads progressively wound down this system throughout 2025.
The practical result: most countries, including Brazil, are not on the Austroads Recognised Country list. Therefore, converting an overseas licence to an Australian licence requires knowledge and practical driving tests in most states — there is no longer an automatic exemption based on experience.
Most countries are NOT on the Austroads Recognised Country list
Countries such as the USA, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand have Recognised Country Status and can convert their licence without tests. Most other countries — including Brazil — are not on this list, so licence holders will need to pass at least a knowledge test and, in most states, a practical driving test.
This does not prevent you from driving within the permitted timeframe — but it does define what you will need to do when you convert.
How long can you drive on your overseas licence?
While your overseas licence is valid in your home country and you are within the timeframe permitted by your state, you can drive normally. The licence must be within its expiry date — an expired licence has no validity in Australia.
If your licence is in a language other than English without a recognised translation, you will need either an official English translation (made by a NAATI-accredited translator) or an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained from your home country's motoring authority before you arrived.
Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued by your home country's motoring authority and functions as an internationally recognised official translation of your licence. Valid for 2 years, it makes life much easier in Australia during your first months. Cost: free or a minimal fee in most countries. There is no way to obtain one after you arrive — it must be issued in your home country before you leave.
Rules by state
Each Australian state has its own transport authority and its own rules. Below are the states with the largest concentration of immigrants:
| State | Authority | PR / Citizens | Temporary visa | Tests required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Service NSW | 3 months after arriving to convert | 6 months — then a Temporary NSW Licence is required (rule from Jul 2023) | Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) + Practical Driving Test |
| VIC | VicRoads | 6 months after arriving or after PR is granted | Can drive for the duration of the visa with licence + translation | Hazard Perception Test + Practical Driving Test |
| QLD | TMR | 3 months after establishing residence in QLD | Can drive while the visa is valid | Road Rules Test + Practical Driving Test (Q-SAFE) |
| WA | Dept. of Transport WA | Convert as soon as possible after establishing residence | Can drive while the visa is valid with licence + translation | Theory Test + Practical Driving Test |
| SA | Service SA | 3 months after establishing residence in SA | Check directly with Service SA | Rules of the Road Test + Practical Driving Test |
| TAS | Transport Services Tasmania | 6 months after PR is granted | Can drive while the visa is valid | Knowledge Test + Hazard Perception Test + Practical |
| ACT | Access Canberra | 3 months after establishing residence | Can drive while the visa is valid | Road Rules Knowledge Test + Practical Driving Test |
| NT | Motor Vehicle Registry | 3 months (possible exemption up to 12 months) | Can drive on an overseas licence for the duration of the visa | Theory Test + Practical Driving Test |
QLD — special attention if you fail the practical test
If you fail the practical test while holding an overseas licence in Queensland, you immediately lose the right to drive. Do not book the practical test unless you are well prepared.
The tests — what they are and how to prepare
Driver Knowledge Test (theory)
The theory test assesses your knowledge of Australian road rules — signs, speed limits, right of way, safe following distances and state-specific rules. It is completed on a computer at a service centre (or online in NSW), takes around 30–45 minutes and typically involves 45 multiple-choice questions.
The test questions come directly from the official handbook
Each state publishes a free handbook — Road User Handbook (NSW), Road to Solo Driving (VIC), Road Rules Handbook (QLD). With 2–3 days reading the handbook and completing the free practice tests on official websites, most people pass on their first attempt.
Driving Test (practical)
The practical test is conducted with an examiner from the state authority in the car. It lasts around 30–45 minutes and assesses: safe starting and stopping, manoeuvres, mirror use, signalling, right of way and behaviour on higher-speed roads. One or two lessons at an Australian driving school can help a great deal — not for the content, but for the differences in local traffic and typical test routes.
Costs by state
NSW, VIC and QLD
| Item | NSW | VIC | QLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory test | ~A$57 (DKT online) | Free on 1st attempt | ~A$41 |
| Hazard Perception Test | ~A$47 | Free on 1st attempt | Included |
| Practical test | ~A$70 | ~A$129 | ~A$67 (Q-SAFE) |
| Full licence — 5 years | ~A$228 | Check with VicRoads | ~A$200 |
| Estimated total cost (tests + 5-year licence) | ~A$350–400 | ~A$300–360 | ~A$300–340 |
WA, SA and TAS
| Item | WA | SA | TAS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory test | ~A$21 | ~A$20 | ~A$20 |
| Hazard Perception Test | ~A$28 | — | Included |
| Practical test | ~A$85–100 | A$340–430+ (VORT — private examiners) | ~A$165–180 |
| Full licence — 5 years | ~A$190 | ~A$285 | ~A$160–180 |
| Estimated total cost (tests + 5-year licence) | ~A$330–380 | ~A$650–760 | ~A$360–420 |
SA — the most expensive state in Australia to get a licence
In South Australia, the practical test (VORT) is conducted by private examiners — prices vary between A$340 and A$430+. Packages including lessons can reach A$1,200. This is expected to change in 2027, when the government takes over testing and prices should fall to around A$240.
ACT and NT
| Item | ACT (Canberra) | NT (Darwin) |
|---|---|---|
| Full licence — 10 years | ~A$440 (2nd most expensive in Australia) | ~A$204 (the cheapest in Australia) |
| Conversion deadline (PR) | 3 months | 3 months (possible exemption up to 12 months) |
Step-by-step guide to converting your licence
Find out how much time you have left to drive on your overseas licence in your state. Gather: valid passport, visa (grant letter), your original overseas driver's licence, IDP (if you have one), proof of Australian residential address and a NAATI translation if required.
Download your state's free handbook, study and book the Driver Knowledge Test through the state authority's website. Bring original documents on the day. Cost: A$20–57.
Book well in advance — demand is high in capital cities. You can take the test in your own car or hire a driving school car for the test.
After passing the tests, take your results to the service centre with all your documents. The licence is issued and sent by mail — you receive a temporary paper licence to use immediately.
The Australian licence is plastic, includes your photo and is valid for 1, 3 or 5 years (your choice). It also serves as a secondary identity document — widely accepted at bars, hotels and banks.
Provisional licence — P Plates (P1 and P2)
Depending on your age when you first obtain a licence and the state, you may be required to drive with P Plates (a red or green "P" sticker) for a period before obtaining a full licence. This can come as a surprise to adults with many years of overseas driving experience.
| Type | States | Main restrictions | Minimum duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 (red) | NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA | Max speed 90 km/h · 0.00% BAC · no mobile phone even hands-free · in NSW: no passengers 11pm–5am (under 25s) | 12 months |
| P2 (green) | NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA | Max speed 100 km/h · 0.00% BAC · no mobile phone | 24 months |
| Full licence | All | 0.05% BAC limit · mobile phone use with fixed mount permitted | — |
In some states, overseas adult drivers with several years of documented experience may be able to skip P1 and go directly to P2 or a full licence. Confirm with your state's transport authority.
Practical tips
| IDP | Obtain your International Driving Permit before leaving your home country — it makes your first months much easier and is recognised as an official translation in all states |
| Expired licence | Note your overseas licence's expiry date — if it expires while you are in Australia without an Australian licence, you can no longer drive legally |
| Photo Card | Consider getting a Photo Card while you do not yet have an Australian licence — it serves as ID in everyday life (bars, banks, shops) |
| Booking the practical test | In capital cities the wait can be 4–8 weeks. Do not leave it to the last minute |
| Driving school | Take at least 1 lesson before the practical test — roundabouts, the direction of traffic and road signs have important differences |
| Original overseas licence | When converting, some states keep your original overseas licence. Take photos of it before handing it over |
| Rideshare (Uber/DiDi) | To work as a rideshare driver, an Australian licence is mandatory — an overseas licence with translation is not accepted by the platforms |
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