Student Support
Driving a motor vehicle in NSW
The below summary of information should be read in conjunction with the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) website.
Are You a Visiting Driver?
The RTA (Road Transport Authority) defines a visiting driver as a person who arrives in New South Wales with no intention of becoming a resident. These include:
- tourists;
- business people;
- people visiting friends or relatives;
- visitors on working holiday visas;
- people studying or working temporarily in NSW who intend to return to their home countries when they finish their courses or jobs.
Will a Visiting driver require a NSW (New South Wales) licence?
Visiting drivers are not required to obtain a New South Wales licence even if they stay longer than three months, providing their overseas licences or international driving permits issued in their home country remain current and their tourist or visitor status remains unchanged.
What are the requirements of a Visiting driver?
Visiting drivers must carry their licence while driving and must not be disqualified in New South Wales or elsewhere. If their Overseas licence is not written in English, they will also be required to carry an official translation with them at all times. They must not have had their visiting driver privileges withdrawn. Visiting drivers must be able to satisfy the NSW Police Service of their genuine visitor status.
Can a visiting driver on a L Licence (learners licence), drive in NSW?
Visiting drivers who hold current overseas learners licences can continue to drive in NSW. They must comply with all NSW road rules (eg. display L plates, and be accompanied by an unrestricted licence holder) and any relevant restrictions endorsed on their overseas licence.
Are you a visiting driver with permanent residency status?
People from another country who come into New South Wales and intend to or decide to take up residence must hold a NSW driver's licence of the appropriate class if they drive a vehicle. They are permitted to drive in this State for a maximum period of three months after becoming residents using their current overseas licences or international driving permits issued overseas provided they are not disqualified or have their licences cancelled. They must actually obtain (rather than simply apply for) a NSW licence within this 3 month period if they wish to continue to drive.
How to apply for a NSW driver's licence?
To obtain a New South Wales driver's licence, holders of overseas driver's licences, including learner's licences, must:
- have a NSW residential address;
- prove your identity;
- complete a written application form;
- satisfy minimum age requirements;
- pass an eyesight test;
- pass a knowledge test for each class of licence required;
- pass a driving test in a vehicle relevant to the licence class requested (not required if you hold a current licence issued from one of the following Countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K. or the United States;
- have your photograph taken ;
- pay the required fees.
What if you failed your driving test?
If you fail the driving or riding test, all visiting driver or rider privileges will be withdrawn. You must then get a NSW learner's licence that will allow you to drive or ride (drivers must be supervised by a licensed driver) and then go for another driving or riding test.
What type of Driver's Licence will be issued to me when I pass my driving test?
If you have held your overseas licence for less than one year you will only be eligible for a NSW provisional licence. See the Road Users' Handbook for descriptions of the different licence types.
The overseas licence must be surrendered before a NSW licence can be issued. The surrendered licence will be invalidated and returned. If you apply for a NSW licence you must present your overseas licence. If your overseas driver's or rider's licence (including a learner's licence), is not written in English, you must provide either:
- your overseas driver's or rider's licence and an official translation from either the Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW or the Translating and Interpreting Service of the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs; or
- a letter from the licensing authority in the issuing country or the relevant consulate or diplomatic office (based on advice from the licence issuing authority) confirming your licence details and status.
Customer_Service_Centre@rta.nsw.gov.au
Roads & Traffic Authority, NSW
Call Centre
Phone 132213
Further useful and important information: Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA): International and Interstate Visitors.
The above summary of information should be read in conjunction with the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) website.