How to drive in Australia with a foreign license | International drivers license Australia
Driving in Australia is mostly great fun! We have some pretty epic road trips, so it’s worth taking a drive or two when you visit! But many travelers aren’t sure about the laws. Can you drive in Australia with an overseas license? Is there an Australian drivers license for foreigners? Do you need an International Drivers License in Australia?
This post explains the laws about overseas visitors wanting to drive here, and who can drive in Australia with a foreign license. It will also help new residents wondering whether they can drive in Australia as a foreigner.
For info about general Australian driving rules, see our guide to Australian driving laws for travelers and ex-pats.
Can I drive in Australia with a foreign license?
The laws about driving in Australia with an overseas license are different in different states or territories. Generally, you’re allowed to drive in Australia with an overseas drivers license if you’re a temporary visitor. If your license isn’t written in English, you’ll need to carry a formal English translation or an International Driving Permit. And if you’re planning to use a GoGet, we’ll likely need to see this translation too!
That rule doesn’t include New Zealanders. Kiwis are treated like interstate visitors and need to apply for a local license after 3 months living in Australia.
Note also that the laws are different in the Northern Territory. Read the Northern Territory section of this page if that’s where you’re headed.
If you’re planning to live in Australia, you can drive with your overseas license for three months (six in Victoria) before you’ll need to have a local license. If you’re in Australia temporarily, but longer than 3 months, some states ask you to apply for a temporary drivers license.
International drivers permits and license translations in Australia
If your license is not written in English, you’ll need to carry either an international drivers license (also known as an international drivers permit) or a formal translation of your overseas license. You’ll need to carry the original versions of these documents when you drive, along with your overseas license.
An international drivers permit is a certified document, but, very importantly - it’s not an actual drivers license itself. International driving permits are issued from the same country as your license, normally from official motoring groups. Check with your country’s licensing office on how to get one.
Formal license translations need to be done by an approved translator*. They can also come from a consulate office in Australia. Check with your country’s consulate in Australia for more information.
*National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Can I drive a GoGet with an overseas license?
GoGet Carshare is a car sharing service that allows you to hire a range of cars or vans without owning them. You might have noticed cars and vans with orange wing mirrors driving around - that’s us! Better than a car rental, it’s the best way to hire a car or van if you’re in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. We have thousands of cars and vans conveniently located throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane available to hire by the hour or day. It’s very useful for travellers and expats living in Australia temporarily, who don’t want to bother with the cost or hassle of buying a car but do want to explore.
Our cars and vans are located all throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane so there’s no need to travel to an out of the way car rental depot. Parked in on-street parking spaces and car parks in local suburbs and near public transport hubs, you’re never too far away from your nearest GoGet. And they’re easy to identify with their orange driver side wing mirrors.
We don’t mind if you have an overseas license – you can still drive a GoGet and access all of our cars. Of course, you also need to follow the laws of the state you’re driving in, as you won’t be covered by our insurance if you’re driving illegally.
Find the nearest GoGet car to your Australian home, or join today!
Driving in Australia with a foreign license – state rules
Here are the rules for each Australian state about driving with a foreign license. No matter what state you’re in, you always need to have a current overseas drivers license with you when you drive. Also, you can only drive the type of vehicles that you’re licensed to drive on your overseas license, and you must always obey the local road rules. Check out our guide to Australian road rules.
Note: These conditions apply to full license holders, not learner or provisional drivers. Generally, if you have an overseas learner’s permit, you’ll need to re-apply for a local learner’s permit. Contact the state license authority for details on your circumstance.
Driving in New South Wales on an Overseas License
As a temporary visitor, you can drive on your overseas license for up to 6 months as long as:
It remains 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.
You don’t need an International Driving Permit if your overseas license is written in English. If your overseas license is written in another language, you’ll need to carry a formal translation or International Driving Permit.
If you’re an Australian citizen living overseas and you have an overseas license, you’re still considered a temporary visitor. You're allowed to drive on your overseas license this for up to three months from your arrival date in Australia.
If you have a permanent visa you must have a local license by the time you’ve lived in NSW for three months.
You can find out about driving in New South Wales here.
Driving in Victoria on an Overseas License
In Victoria, the conditions around driving on overseas licenses changes based on your visa status.
If you are a temporary visa holder:
You can drive on a current overseas drivers license, and do not need a Victorian license;
Your overseas license will be fine for the length of your stay; and,
You must have your license written in English. Alternatively, you must carry a formal English translation or International Drivers Permit.
If you are a permanent visa holder:
You can drive on your current overseas 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, permanent residents need to apply for a Victorian drivers license.
You can find out more about driving in Victoria here.
Driving in Queensland on an Overseas License
In Queensland you can drive with an overseas license as long as your authority to drive in Queensland hasn’t been withdrawn. If your overseas license isn’t written in English, you’ll need to carry a formal English translation of it with you.
Your authority to drive in Queensland on your overseas drivers license will be suspended if:
An Australian court has disqualified you from driving;
You’re convicted of driving over 40km per hour over the speed limit;
You haven’t paid fines issued to you;
You’re ruled medically unfit to drive;
You’re an Australian citizen and have lived in Queensland for three months or more; or,
You have a residential visa and have been living in Queensland for over three months.
A permanent resident must have a Queensland drivers license once they’ve been living there for 3 months.
You can find out more about driving in Queensland here.
Driving in South Australia on an Overseas License
The South Australian government says a temporary international visitor can drive in the state, as long as they have:
No driving disqualifications in any country; and,
A current overseas license written in English; or,
A current overseas license with a formal English translation, or an international drivers permit.
If your overseas license expires while in South Australia, you must apply for a South Australian license to continue driving.
If you become a permanent resident of South Australia, you must get your South Australian driver's licence within ninety days.
You can find out more about driving in South Australia here.
Driving in Canberra on an Overseas License
In Canberra/the Australian Capital Territory, you can use your overseas license to drive, as long as your visa remains a temporary visa and your overseas license remains current. However, if you’ve moved to the ACT to live, you need to apply for an ACT license within three months.
Temporary visitors can include:
Tourists;
Business people;
People visiting friends or relatives;
Visitors on working holiday visas; and,
People temporarily working or studying in the ACT who plan to return home afterwards.
If you’re driving in Canberra with your foreign license, you always need to have it with you. You also need an International Driving Permit or English translation of your license if it’s not in English.
You can find out more about driving in the ACT here.
Driving in Tasmania on an Overseas License
In Tasmania, temporary visa holders can use an overseas license under a few conditions. Permanent visa holders can use an overseas license under the same conditions for the first 3 months of their visa. After that, they need to have a Tasmanian drivers license.
These are the conditions you need to follow.
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.
You can find out more about driving in Tasmania here.
Driving in Western Australia on an Overseas License
Visiting drivers may use a current overseas license when driving in Western Australia, as long as they hold a temporary visa. You are a visiting driver in WA if you are:
A members of an overseas defence forces;
A family member of an overseas defence force member;
Visiting WA on business;
On a working holiday visa;
Temporarily working in WA;
A student studying in WA; or,
A tourist visiting WA.
If you have an English language license, you only need to carry it with you when you drive. However, if your overseas drivers license is not in English, you must carry a formal English translation of it or an international driving permit.
You also must not have your license suspended or cancelled, nor be disqualified from driving anywhere.
If you’re on a permanent visa, you may use your overseas license for up to three months before you’ll need to apply for a Western Australian license.
You can find out more about driving in Western Australia here.
Driving in the Northern Territory on an Overseas License
While most states have similar rules for using an overseas license in Australia, The Northern Territory is a bit of an exception. 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. You can apply for an exception to this. There are no standard circumstances where an exception will be granted, it’s decided on a case-by-case basis. The details for how to apply for an exception can be found on this webpage.
This post shouldn’t be regarded as legal advice. Check that this information applies to your circumstances by speaking with your local road authority.
