Driving in Australia is great fun for our visitors from overseas! If you are from overseas and you're wondering if you can drive in Australia, the answer is yes.
Generally, people with international licences are permitted to drive in Australia if you are a temporary visitor. If your licence is not in English, you will need to carry an official English translated licence or an International Driving Permit. This rule doesn’t include New Zealanders and you will need to apply for a local license after 3 months living in Australia.
If you're planning to visit Australia, you can drive with your international licence for three months in most states before you will need to apply for a local licence while other states may ask you to apply for a temporary drivers license.
To understand what each state requires of international drivers please read the following below.
New South Wales
If you are temporary visitor, you can drive on your international license as long as:
- It is valid or current;
- You aren’t disqualified from driving while you’re in Australia;
- Your license isn’t suspended or cancelled; and,
- You remain a temporary visitor.
If you are permanent visa holder and living in NSW for more than three months you must have a local license.
Victoria
If you are a temporary visitor, you can drive on a current overseas drivers license. You must have your license written in English, you must carry a formal English translation, or International Driving Permit.
If you are a permanent visa holder:
- You can drive on your current international license for six months from the date you entered Australia (if the visa was issued before arrival); or,
- You can use a current overseas license for six months after the date your visa was issued (if it was issued after you arrived in Australia).
After six months, you will need to apply for a Victorian driver's license.
Queensland
If you are visiting for less than three months, you can drive with an international license as long as your authority to drive in Queensland hasn’t been withdrawn. You must have your license written in English, you must carry a formal English translation, or International Driving Permit.
If you are permanent visa holder and living in QLD for more than three months you must have a QLD driver's license.
South Australia
The South Australian government allows temporary international visitors to drive in the state, as long as they have:
- No driving disqualifications in any country;
- A current international license written in English, carry a formal English translation, or an international drivers permit.
If your international license expires while in South Australia, you must apply for a South Australian license to continue driving.
Australian Capital Territory
If you are a temporary visitor, you can drive on your international license as long as:
- It is valid or current.
- You have an International Driving Permit or English translation of your license.
- You remain a temporary visitor.
However, if you’ve moved to the ACT to live, you need to apply for an ACT license within three months.
Tasmania
If you are a temporary visitor, you can drive on your international license as long as:
- Your overseas license must be current.
- You can’t have been disqualified from driving anywhere in the world.
- Your license can’t be suspended or cancelled.
- Your right to drive can’t have been withdrawn by the state.
- You can’t have been given a Tasmanian license.
- You must carry your license with you. You’ll also need an International Driving Permit or English translation if the license isn’t in English.
Permanent visa holder can use an international license under the same conditions for the first 3 months of their visa. After that, you need to have a Tasmanian drivers license.
Western Australia
If you are temporary visitor, you can drive on your international license as long as:
- It is valid or current.
- You have an International Driving Permit or English translation of your license.
- You remain a temporary visitor.
- Not have your license suspended or cancelled, nor be disqualified from driving anywhere.
If you’re a permanent visa holder, you can use your international license for up to three months before you’ll need to apply for a Western Australian license.
The Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, you are not allowed to drive with an overseas license more than 3 months after arriving in the state, regardless of whether you’re a temporary visitor or a permanent resident. For the first three months, you must carry your license with you. You also need to carry a formal English translation or an international drivers permit if the license is not written in English. After the first three months, you must apply for a Northern Territory drivers license.