JackJosy

I've done a bit of reading into the subject of driving over in Australia when I go over on a year long working holiday visa. Apparently you do not need to change your license, you can just use your existing British one?

I thought it would be worth asking some people who have experience on the matter. I am taking my test in the next few weeks and am hoping to pass in England before I go in January. I know a lot of countries have a rule that you must have had your license for over three years and I wondered if this applied at all in Aus.

Advise of any nature would be appreciated.
Jack

steen1976

I stand to be corrected but don't believe it will have any bearing on being able to drive there. As long as you have a full licence you are fine.

However you may find rental companies may require x no of years of driving before they will allow you to rent from them.

johnnye

Here's what happens in Victoria

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/...rsLicences.htm

As your visa is temporary you should be OK on your UK license. Perm residents have to obtain an Aussie license. Each state has it's own rules but all are similar.

jothefw

I can agree with what's been said already ...

We employ a lot of backpackers each year and they all use their UK drivers licences fine. As others said it's only when you're here more than temporary that it becomes an issue.

Steve2009

Effectively you will be on P Plates and subject to restrictions of same from a legal point of view. This includes zero blood alcohol. If you're over 25 these restrictions are less severe in some states. If you could tell us what states you will visiting then some links for more info can be posted.

JackJosy

I'm going to be in WA the whole time. That shouldn't be a big deal. I read that you cannot drive from midnight to 5 i think? Unless travelling to and from work (which could be useful as I play drums professionally).

Thanks for the help.

Steve2009

I can't work out from the website if you need P plates and if there are restrictions. Id you were in NSW you would need them. I don't know much about WA so perhaps someone else could comment.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/20653.asp

JackJosy

From what i've gathered doing a bit of reading. I should be fine as long as I pass my test in England to use my english license, but i will be on P plates, this will only mean i can't travel late and like you said Steve, I cannot drink and drive to any degree.

If anyone has any further information this would be great.

Ps: I am actually also looking at ways to get a permanent visa following that. Does anyone know if THAT will require me to have done a number of years driving?

Any info you can provide would really help me understand the procedure.

Steve2009

FYI, on blood alcohol this unfortunately will also mean that you will need to be very careful the morning after the night before. There may be other problems such as cough syrup and mouthwash etc.

As for if you transfer to an Aussie license, the restrictions remain the same. I assume this was your question with regard to Permanent Residency. If your query is a general visa enquiry then you should probably put a post in that forum as you will get better responses.

The hire companies through negligence will likely hire to you on a UK license, whether you are insured or not is another question. They definitely will not hire to you if you are on Ps.

Alfresco

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20668.asp

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/media...ws_English.pdf


If you have not held a driver’s licence for at least 6 months (either overseas or in Western Australia), you can only drive between midnight and 5am if you are driving directly to or from work, directly to or from school, or you are driving in the course of your work. You can not drive between midnight and 5am for any other reason.

3. If you have an overseas driver’s licence but have not held it for 2 or more years, or you are under 19 years of age, you will be issued a provisional licence. Your driver’s licence will show when the provisional driving period ends.
Driving on a provisional licence means that:
a) you must display ‘P’ plates on the front and back of your car when you are driving;
b) you must not drive with any alcohol in your blood;
c) if you have not held a driver’s licence for at least 6 months (either overseas or in WA) you can not drive between midnight and 5am, except for particular work or school reasons; and
d) your licence will be cancelled if you commit certain driving offences.

Come to Queensland rather. They don't have that silly rule.

Paul from Poole

I dont think you will need P plates you have a uk license, but the best way to go is buy a car for that you will need to an aussie address, and an aussie license and thats easy, they just want to make it look tough thats what they get paid for here.

Steve2009

Legally you are required to wear them and to abide by the regulations for them. I don't think it's common knowledge though.

IvanM

I would double check that. Was not the case for me when I bought here on the WHV but it was a long time ago.

I think the P Plate thing would only apply if converting an overseas to Aussie license. Car hire companies tend to worry about age ie if you are under 25.

ireshaun

Hello I have held a full Irish driving licence for 7 years but exchanged it 2 months ago for a british licence, do you think there would be an issue because i haven't held the uk licence for over 2 years?

Pollyana

What State are you heading for? (they all have different rules, just to confuse people!)