Hi Folks,

I would like to know how easy is it to get a drivers license(car) in Australia after becoming resident. I have some of my queries listed below.

1) Is there seperate rules for each state for getting a license or is it if a take a license in one particular state is that valid for other states as well.

2) I have my driver license from another country which is four years since it has been issued so can I directly go to take up some p1 or p2 licenses or is it like I need to start again from R -> P1 -> P2 -> Original Australian License.

3) Should we have an own car before we go for the drivers test

Kindly let me know on these

All the States are different, so do you know where you are heading?

And what country issued your licence? How old are you? Is it a full driver's licence that you have currently?

Dunno where you're applying but I just walked into an RTA office in Sydney with my Irish driver license, filled out a form and Bob's your mother's brother!

I only had my full Irish license for a year and a half so had to get a P2 license which I'll hold for a year and a half more, then do a test to get my full license

I am at NSW, previously I hold a full license from India which was issued to me four years ago. I am 26 years at present.

Most of us just walk in, hand over our licence, and get an Australian one with no tests to do.

Yep, I've found this in NSW, WA and ACT, I assume the other states are the same.

Folks but is your license state specific i.e. is it possible to drive in Victoria with a NSW license. Is there some kind of license which allows me to drive anywhere in the country or is it compulsary that if I move to a new state I need to start off alltogether applying for a new license again.

If you have a license for one state you can drive anywhere in Oz. If you move permanently to new state then you swap your old state license for a one in the new state. No re-testing should be necessary.

They are now, although that was not the case a few years ago.

Hi Krishna,

Bad news: in NSW, only licences from some countries can be exchanged for NSW licences. India is not one of those countries so much of the above is not relevant for you: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...countries.html

If you are not a "temporary overseas visitor", you must obtain an NSW licence to drive legally: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...swlicence.html

If you get an NSW licence and decide to move to Victoria, for instance, you will be entitled to exchange the NSW licence for a Victorian licence: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/...rsLicences.htm Similar provisions apply in all other Australian states and territories.

Thank you Lapin_windstar and others for your responses

Only if you've had your recognised overseas full license for over three years...
that's the case in NSW anyway unfortunately..

That's nuts. What's the point of recognising overseas (UK) licenses at all then?

Ah! P plates I see.