Converting an Overseas Driver Licence — Country-by-Country Differences & the 2025-2026 Reforms
Once you settle in Australia, you must convert your home-country driver licence to a licence issued by the state you live in. If your country of origin is a "recognised country" you can convert without a test; otherwise you must sit knowledge and driving tests. The 2025-2026 reforms have shifted that boundary significantly.
This article is general information only and is not legal or migration advice. Driver licence conversion is administered by each state and territory transport authority, so the rules can differ for the same country depending on where you live. Scheme names, test types, deadlines and fees change frequently, so before you apply you must re-check the official website of the transport authority in your own state.
Why is conversion necessary?
When you arrive in Australia as a permanent resident, there is a set period during which you may drive on your home-country licence; once that period ends you must convert to the Australian licence of your state to keep driving. Temporary visa holders (students, working holiday, work) can often drive on a home-country licence (with an English translation or an international driving permit where required) while the visa is valid, but conditions vary by state.
The heart of the process comes down to one thing. Whether your country of origin is a "recognised country" determines whether you are exempt from testing or must sit every exam. Below we explain that difference and what changed in 2025-2026, step by step.
The International Driving Permit (IDP) and driving in Australia — visitors and temporary residents
Short-term visitors and temporary visa holders can usually drive in Australia on a valid home-country licence. If the licence is not in English, you must also carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) (NSW rules, checked July 2026). People often search for an 'international drivers licence', but the official document is the IDP — a multilingual translation of your home licence, issued without any extra test by the authorised motoring association or consulate of the country that issued your licence, so in principle you arrange it before you leave home.
Once you stop being a 'visitor', though, the rules change. In NSW, since 1 July 2023, temporary visa holders who stay longer than 6 months must get a NSW licence (a temporary NSW licence for temporary residents) within 6 months. In Victoria you must convert if you plan to live there for more than 6 months. Queensland, by contrast, ties the obligation to citizenship or a resident visa, so you can keep driving on your home licence while on a temporary visa (checked July 2026). The same IDP can therefore carry you for very different lengths of time depending on your state and visa.
How long an IDP lasts: an International Driving Permit is generally valid for 12 months from issue, or until your home-country licence expires, whichever comes first (Service NSW, checked July 2026). An IDP is not a standalone licence — always carry it together with your home licence — and it does not exempt you from converting to an Australian licence.
From a short-term IDP to a long-term conversion — a decision flow
Whether to keep driving on a translation/IDP or convert to an Australian licence comes down to your length of stay. Work through the steps below.
- Tourist or a short visit of a few months → drive on your valid home-country licence (plus an English translation or IDP). No conversion needed.
- Temporary visa, staying 6+ months (student, working holiday, work) → it depends on the state. NSW requires a NSW licence within 6 months (since 1 July 2023), Victoria requires conversion if you plan to live there for more than 6 months, and Queensland lets you keep driving on your home licence while on a temporary visa (checked July 2026). Check your state's rules first.
- Permanent residency or citizenship → conversion deadlines apply: NSW 3 months · Victoria 6 months · Queensland 3 months. If you are subject to testing, start early to allow for booking waits.
- Your IDP is about to expire (12 months from issue) or you have missed the deadline → you risk driving unlicensed, so start the conversion process with your state's transport authority immediately.
Recognised countries — convert without a test (List A)
Holders of a recognised country (List A) licence are exempt from the knowledge test and the driving (practical) test and can convert to an Australian licence on document verification alone. Usually the licence must be currently valid or expired within a certain recent period (for example, within 5 years in NSW), and learner licences are excluded.
Examples of NSW recognised countries: United Kingdom, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, Ireland and more. The recognised-country list varies slightly by state, so check your state's list to see whether your country is included.
Even for recognised countries, heavy vehicle licence classes may require a separate test.
The 2025-2026 reform — abolition of Experienced Driver Recognition (List B)
Direct impact on residents from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Eastern Europe
In NSW, from 1 February 2026 the "Experienced Driver Recognition" (commonly called List B) that applied to some countries was abolished. As a result, drivers from those jurisdictions who are aged 25 or over must now pass both the Driver Knowledge Test and the driving test to convert to a NSW licence.
Background: under a national policy review by Austroads (the peak body for road transport and traffic agencies in Australia and New Zealand), a reform tidying up the overseas licence conversion rules was rolled out in stages from 30 April 2025, and the mandatory List B testing in NSW took effect on 1 February 2026 as part of it.
The 16 jurisdictions classified as NSW List B and now subject to testing (examples): Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Serbia, South Africa.
Key point: this reform is not just a NSW story. According to Austroads, Experienced Driver Recognition ended on 30 April 2025 in most states (WA on 31 October 2025, Queensland on 29 November 2025) and was abolished in every Australian state and territory by early 2026. The former jurisdictions — including Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong — can apply to be reassessed for recognised status, with outcomes expected in late 2026 (Austroads, checked July 2026). Until then, assume testing applies in most states and always check the current list for your own state of residence.
Non-recognised and List B — the full testing process
If your country is not recognised (or has become subject to testing, like NSW List B), you usually go through the following to obtain an Australian licence.
- Knowledge test (knowledge / learner permit test) — multiple-choice on road rules and traffic signs. Some states allow you to sit it in your own language or with an interpreter.
- Hazard Perception Test — required additionally in some states (for example, Victoria).
- Driving (practical) test (driving / drive test) — a practical with an examiner in the car.
Test types, order and fees vary by state, so check the exact items and how to book with your state's transport authority. Until you pass, you may drive only within the valid conditions of your home-country licence or international driving permit.
Conversion deadline warning: In NSW, permanent residents must obtain a NSW licence within about 3 months of entry / starting residence, and temporary visitors within about 6 months. In Victoria, permanent residents must convert within 6 months of starting residence. If the deadline passes you may be driving unlicensed, so start early (re-check the exact deadline with your state).
It differs by state — check your state first
Licence conversion is run by each state and territory rather than the Commonwealth, so the recognised-country lists, test types and deadlines all differ. Below are examples from two representative states, but the official website of the state you live in always takes priority.
NSW (Service NSW)
Recognised countries (List A) convert without a test. From 1 February 2026, List B jurisdictions (the 16 — Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Eastern Europe) must sit knowledge and driving tests even if aged 25 or over. For enquiries and bookings call 13 22 13 or a Service NSW centre.
Victoria (VicRoads)
If you plan to live in Victoria for more than 6 months you must convert, and the deadline is 6 months from the day you start living there. Recognised countries convert without a test; everyone else must pass the Learner Permit Test (knowledge) + Hazard Perception Test + Drive Test. Experienced Driver Recognition ended on 30 April 2025, so the former EDR countries (including Korea) are currently subject to testing (checked July 2026). Check your own requirements with the VicRoads online requirements checker; enquiries: 13 11 71.
Other states and territories (QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT)
Queensland (13 23 80), Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory each run their own recognised-country lists and conversion deadline / test rules. On the official page of your state's transport authority (Transport / Department of Transport / Service centre), check the exact requirements using "your country + the licence class you hold".
State-by-state comparison — conversion deadlines, test exemptions and fees
A summary of the conversion rules in the three biggest states (checked July 2026). Classifications and fees change every year, so re-check the official page when you apply.
| State (authority) | Conversion deadline | Recognised-country test exemption | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW (Service NSW) | Permanent residents 3 months · temporary residents 6 months (for residence starting on or after 1 July 2023) | List A recognised countries: no tests (licence current or expired within 5 years, learner licences excluded) · former List B 16 jurisdictions (incl. Korea): knowledge and driving tests from 1 Feb 2026 | Driver Knowledge Test $58 · driving test $72 · licence $74 (1 yr) to $434 (10 yr) — fees effective 1 July 2026 |
| VIC (VicRoads) | Convert if you plan to live in Victoria for more than 6 months · within 6 months of starting residence | Recognised countries: no tests · others: knowledge + Hazard Perception Test + drive test · Experienced Driver Recognition ended 30 April 2025 | Check the official VicRoads fees page (13 11 71) |
| QLD (TMR) |
What to prepare — documents and eligibility
When applying to convert you usually prepare the following (varies by state).
- Original home-country driver licence — if it is not in English, a certified translation (such as a NAATI-accredited one) may be required.
- Proof of identity and residence — passport, visa (VEVO / permanent residency), and proof of your Australian address (mail, lease, etc.).
- Eyesight test — an on-the-spot eyesight test is done when the licence is issued.
- Fees — a licence issue fee, plus a test fee if you are subject to testing.
If you are required to test, you need to book the knowledge and driving tests, and bookings can be crowded right after a reform, so it is best to book early. Re-check the exact document list and fees with your state's transport authority.
It's fine if English is hard — certified translation and free interpreting
You can still convert your licence even if English is not your first language. Make use of translation and interpreting support.
Licence translation (certified translation)
If your home-country licence is not in English, you often need a translation accepted by the transport authority, such as one by a NAATI-certified translator. Queensland requires a translation from an approved NAATI translator, and Victoria accepts a NAATI-accredited translator or a translation by your country's consulate in Australia (checked July 2026). While driving, many states accept an International Driving Permit in place of an English translation, but for the conversion application itself a certified translation may be required — check your state's rules.
Free interpreting — TIS National (131 450)
For enquiries and consultations you can use the government's free interpreting service, TIS National (131 450). Some states allow you to sit the knowledge test in your own language or with an interpreter, so when booking let them know in advance that you 'need an interpreter'.
Official sources
- Service NSW (13 22 13)(opens in a new window)
NSW overseas/interstate licence conversion guidance (conversion process, bookings, enquiries 13 22 13)
- NSW — Knowledge and driving test exemptions(opens in a new window)
NSW recognised countries (List A) / test exemptions and List B mandatory testing guidance
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