Driver licences from recognised countries

Australian state and territory driver licensing authorities recognise certain overseas country's driver licences. Individual applicants from these countries (see list below) - excluding applicants from external territories of those recognised countries - are exempt from undertaking knowledge and drive/ride tests when applying for a car and/or a motorcycle licence.

New Zealand also recognises certain overseas country's driver licences. For information about which countries are recognised, or how to become a recognised country for New Zealand, please visit www.nzta.govt.nz

Recognised countries

• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Guernsey
• Ireland
• Italy
• Isle of Man
• Japan
• Jersey
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• UK
• USA

Individual applicants - more information

Individuals seeking conversion of an overseas licence should make direct contact with the relevant Australian or New Zealand road authority. Click on the appropriate link below for requirements.

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

New Zealand

How to become a recognised country

General information

Austroads is the association of Australian and New Zealand road transport and traffic authorities and within its structure a number of panels or task forces manage the development of national consistency for different aspects of road transport regulation. One of these, the Austroads Registration and Licensing Task Force (RLTF), is responsible for promoting national consistency across driver licensing and vehicle registration systems.

In order to assist those countries seeking recognition of their driving licences, a panel has been established to assess the application in order that their citizens may enjoy the privilege of obtaining an Australian licence without the need to undertake any additional practical or theoretical tests.

As part of the assessment process, countries seeking recognition are invited to consider establishing reciprocal arrangements with Australia in order that Australian drivers may, in turn, access driver licensing privileges in your country.

Australia will only accept applications from the agency responsible for driver licensing in your country. To assist us in completing the assessment of your country's application for recognition as quickly as possible, please complete an application and submit via email to austroads@austroads.com.au. Please note that only full and complete applications will be considered. A hard copy of the application must also be posted to the address listed at the bottom of this page.

Supply of documents

Please provide both an electronic and hard copy of the following documents:

• Sample licence document of each class/category issued by your country
• Sample/s of test papers and score sheets (theory and practical) used by your agency to assess driver competence.

The information provided in your application must be true and correct. Applications need to be made at a national level and submitted from the head of your country's agency responsible for driver licence administration. If at a later date the assessment panel discovers that the information is false, the recognition may be withdrawn.

While your application will be assessed by Austroads, the individual State and Territory licensing authorities of Australia retain responsibility for providing recognition. It should be noted that each of these authorities is committed to being consistent in recognising countries approved by Austroads.

Criteria for assessment

A number of key components make up driver licensing regimes in Australia. These components are considered essential to licensing arrangements in Australia and are used as a guide to the assessment of your application. The components are:

• Licensing systems
• Testing regimes
• Evidence of Identity requirements
• Driver Licence document
• Licence examiners.

Australian driver licensing standards

The Assessment Panel will look for minimum comparable standards to those adopted by Australia in determining eligibility for licence recognition.

Criterion 1 - Licensing Systems

• Minimum age to start learning to drive is 15 years and 9 months
• The acceptable minimum learning period is 3 months (car and motorcycle)
• The acceptable minimum supervised training period is 50 hours (car only), motorcycles cannot be supervised
• Supervising drivers hold an unrestricted licence
• A first licence (not a learner licence) must be held for a minimum of 2 years.

Criterion 2 - Testing Regime (elements of driving tests)

• All Australian jurisdictions include the following basic elements in a practical driving test;
  - pre-drive check (mirrors, signalling, indicators, horn, seatbelt etc.)
  - lane changes
  - approach
  - position stop
  - judgement
  - turning manoeuvres
  - progress and position on road
  - car control
  - safety margin
  - low speed manoeuvres (reverse parking, angle park, point to point reverse, 3 point turn).
• The minimum drive test duration is 20 minutes.

Criterion 3 - Evidence of Identity (EOI) Requirements

• Australia has developed a national Administrative Guideline for assessing EOI. A copy of the Guideline is included with the application form.

Criterion 4 - Driver Licence Card

• A driver licence document must contain a photo of the licensed driver. Security features of the driver licence card will also be assessed.

Criterion 5 - Licence Examiners

• Formal training and performance monitoring of examiners to ensure that consistent driver testing practices are maintained to acceptable levels.

Download a copy of the application form here. Please be sure to complete all sections. Electronic copies of the application form and sample documents (as specified) must be returned by email to austroads@austroads.com.au.

A hard copy of all documents (as specified) must also be posted to:

Mr Phil Allan
Austroads Program Manager
Registration and Licensing Task Force
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001
Australia