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Learn all about driver licences in Australia. Find out licence types, rules, and steps to get, renew, or upgrade your licence easily.

Comprehensive Guide to Driver Licences in Australia

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Can foreigners get an Australian driver's licence?

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How to convert to an Australian driving licence?

Can you get an Australian driver's licence on a tourist visa?

Which countries can I drive in with an Australian licence?

Why A Driver's Licence Matters in Australia

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Learn how to safely and correctly perform a three-point turn with our easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for beginners and learners.

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Yes, foreigners can get a driver's licence in Australia based on their residency and the state/territory.
If you are a temporary resident in Australia, you can use your overseas licence for a limited period (typically 3 months). After that, you can apply for a territory or temporary Australian state licence.
Again, if you are a permanent resident, you can use your overseas licence to drive for three months, and soon after, you must obtain a full driver's licence in Australia.
Suppose you do not have an overseas licence. In that case, you can obtain a learner’s permit and a provisional licence to complete your training and testing as a learner driver and get a full Australian driver's licence. 
This process creates a connection between Australian road safety and international driving standards.

In most Australian states and territories, you can use an overseas driver's licence to drive indefinitely as long as it is current. You must always carry the original documents and the foreign driver's licence when you drive. However, there is a time restriction in states like NSW, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. For instance, you can use an overseas driver's licence for up to three months in the Northern Territory from arrival. Afterwards, you must apply for a local driver's licence. Temporary visitors in New South Wales and Victoria can drive on their foreign licence for up to six months. Some additional security measures may be applied to verify foreign licences. Once they become permanent Australian residents, they can obtain an Australian-issued learner licence for training and testing to become a fully licensed driver.

As per the new arrangements from Austroads, all drivers with a foreign driver's licence must undergo the required training and testing unless they hold a licence recognised under the “Experienced Driver Recognition” scheme. Each Australian territory has guidelines for converting an international driver's licence. Drivers must complete identity and security checks. To convert a driver's licence in NSW, you need to provide:
The PDF form of the licence application
Proof of identity
Your original overseas driver's licence
If not in English, an NSW-approved translation.
If not available, an English authorisation letter from the issuing country is required.
Your licence validation letter
Proof of Australian permanent residence
The payment
If applicable, 
a practical driving assessment
a knowledge test
a hazard perception test
a fitness test for drivers 75 years or older
If you have any questions about the process or state-specific requirements, it is best to contact your local licensing department.

No, you cannot get a driver’s or learner’s licence in Australia if you are on a tourist visa. The Austroads association in Australia categorises vehicles under the licence class system. If you want to drive a heavy-duty vehicle, you need a heavy vehicle licence under class HR. But, if you want to drive a small vehicle like a car, the licence class will be C. However, such privileges are given to permanent residents or Australian citizens. So, to obtain a learner or full driver's licence, you must be a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
If you hold a valid overseas licence, you can drive in Australia as a temporary visitor for 3 to 6 months, depending on the state or territory.

You can drive in many countries with your Australian driver's licence, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. However, many countries, like Japan, require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive. An IDP is an official translation of your Australian driver's licence in nine languages issued by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) with a one-year validity. Countries like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Uzbekistan, Timor-Leste, and many Pacific Island countries do not require an IDP if you hold a valid Australian driver's licence. You can check the AAA website for country-specific driving permit rules and licence class guidelines for Australians.

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