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As of 1st March 2025 all drivers in NSW on a temporary visa and using an Overseas international licence and staying in Australia for more than 6 months must have a NSW drivers licence.
If you’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a New Zealand driver licence, you can drive in NSW on an overseas licence for up to 3 months. However, within this period, you’ll need to visit a Service NSW Centre to transfer your overseas licence to a NSW Driver Licence.
Depending on the country where your overseas licence was issued, you may be required to pass a knowledge test or a practical driving test.
Additional considerations include:
- Drivers aged 75 or older must undergo a medical review and may need to complete a practical driving test.
- Temporary visa holders or individuals unable to provide proof of permanent residency can apply for a NSW licence as a temporary overseas visitor.
Important Note:
If your licence was issued in certain countries, you may need to provide a validation letter from the relevant consulate or licensing authority. For detailed information about validation requirements, call 13 77 88 or visit a Service NSW Centre.
What You’ll Need
To transfer your overseas licence, bring the following to your Service NSW appointment:
- Completed Licence Application Form (PDF form).
- Proof of identity.
- Your overseas licence.
- If the licence is not in English, provide a Transport for NSW-approved translation.
- If the licence is unavailable, submit an authorisation letter (in English) from the issuing country.
- Licence validation letter (if applicable).
- Proof of Australian permanent residency.
- Payment for the licence fee.
Additional Requirements (if applicable):
- Knowledge test.
- Driving test.
- Medical assessment (to confirm fitness to drive).
- Contact lenses or glasses (if required for driving).
Acceptable Translations
Transport for NSW only accepts English translations of overseas documents from approved providers. Be sure to verify that your translation complies with these standards to avoid delays in processing.
If you’re over 25 & Need a NSW Drivers Licence
What Happens If You Fail the Driving Test?
- For Drivers Over 25:
If you fail the driving test, you’ll be issued a Learner licence. Once you pass the test, you’ll enter the Provisional licensing scheme, starting with your P1 licence and progressing to P2. - For Drivers Under 25:
The type of licence you’ll receive depends on two factors:- The country where your licence was issued.
- The amount of driving experience you have.
Since licensing outcomes vary based on these factors, it’s recommended to contact Service NSW for specific guidance about your situation.
New South Wales (NSW) accepts overseas driver’s licenses from many countries and jurisdictions, including:
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, and Greece.
Other countries and jurisdictions that are accepted include:
Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, and New Zealand.
To convert an overseas license to a NSW license, you’ll need to:
- Bring your overseas license
- Provide proof of your identity
- Provide proof of Australian permanent residency
- Complete the license application form
- Pass an eyesight test
- Pass a knowledge test unless you are exempt
- Pass a driving test unless you are exempt
- Pay the relevant license fee
If you’re a temporary visitor to NSW, you’ll need to get a temporary NSW license within 6 months to continue driving.
You can also apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you’re an Australian driver who’s planning to travel overseas. An IDP is valid for 12 months, unless your driver’s license expires first.
We have had the most success with Overseas driver passing their test first time.