The process for changing an international licence into an Australian licence is changing from today.
Today “Experienced Driver Recognition status”, which many overseas licence holders held to drive in the country, expired today in all states and territories except Western Australia and Queensland.
It means some temporary visitors will no longer need to take an additional driving test, while others will.
Drivers from the following countries will need to undertake additional testing if they wish to convert their international driver’s licence into an Australian licence.
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Republic of Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Taiwan.
Drivers from countries that hold federal Recognition Status will not need to undergo additional testing to obtain an Australian driver’s license.
Those contries include: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man (for licences first issued on or after 1 April 1991), Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta (for licences first issued on or after 2 January 2004), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA.
Not all tourists planning on driving need to convert their international driver’s license to an Australian one – anyone staying for less than six months can use a valid international driver’s licence in most states.
The new process has also separated the applications for a motorcycle license and a car licence.
Anyone holding Recognition Status will be reassessed every five years to ensure they meet road safety standards.
