Converting drivers license
 

Apologies if this has been answered before but have been getting conflicting advice.

OH needs to drive and has a full Irish Drivers' Licence - does he need to do another test when we get to Oz? Or does it depend on how long you have a full license?
Thanks
Irish Gal

Re: Converting drivers license
 

It depends what state you are going to I think, We in SA and just filled in a form paid them money and got a licence. It changes all the time. some people have to do written ,sometimes have to do full test check with the state you are moving to

Re: Converting drivers license
 

We are in Wa and just had to go to licencing office, fill out a form, have eye test (basic letters on back wall test) and pay the fee. They then sent our new WA licence through the post. Think Irish licence is the same as an English one.
:blink: Good luck.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

In Victoria we did the following:

Made a booking - nearest for you will be in camberwell
Filled in form - details of old license, current address etc
Quick eye test (ie read from chart behind counter).
Paid money
Had digital photo:) taken

Some license to require another practical but I would expect the Irish to be the same as the british - no test.

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

For all information on driving on public roads in victoria see above

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Cheers for that.:thumbsup:
Irish Gal x

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Anyone know about NSW, think it's just a written test but not too sure, can anyone advise??:D

Re: Converting drivers license
 

It's a straight swap for a UK licence in all states. :)

NSW Link http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...countries.html

Re: Converting drivers license
 

You need to take along two forms of id one of which must have your home address on it (in Australia). This means usually a passport and a utilities bill (they are quite picky about this).

You can pick up the new license there and then.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

A few years ago ('99? 2000?) when I wanted to do this QLD required a full re-test to get a local licence from a UK one.

However, around that time I was moved (against my will) to work in Darwin for a few months and NT licences were available for nothing more than a flash of paperwork. Then when I returned to QLD the transfer from NT-QLD licence was simple!:rofl:

No idea whether this is still the case...

Re: Converting drivers license
 

But please note (in WA anyway) HGV licenses are NOT transferable. You have to redo a test

Re: Converting drivers license
 

In NSW, unless you are PR, you can use your own license indefinately as you are classed as a visitor.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

This is from the website linked earlier.

"If you do not intend to stay in NSW and do not hold a permanent visa, you will be regarded as a visiting driver. If you hold a current overseas driver licence you are not required to get a NSW licence even if your stay is longer than three months. If the licence is not written in English, an International Driving Permit, or an English translation must also be carried with the licence when driving.

As of 14 October 2005, visiting car licence holders may drive vehicles of a kind covered by NSW class C licences (up to 4.5 tonnes GVM and seating up to 12 adults, including the driver."

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Geelong Gent has answered your question but I would advise you (even if your visa is not a PR one) to swap your licence. you don't lose your home countries licence and the Australian licence is given much more credence as a form of ID than a foreign one.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

One thing that I found out yesterday is if your UK/Irish license is less than three years old they put you on P plates. Which is disappointing as OH only passed his full test last Saturday and I have mine in June!!!!

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Correct. But for lots of things they want a photo ID with your address on it - therefore having an Oz driving license is pretty convenient.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Thanks guys, not too sure about the utilities bill to be honest as we will be stopping with relatives but i'm sure i'll work it out somehow, it was more the written tests and stopping distances in KM's that i was worried about:rofl:

Thanks again for all your advice

Re: Converting drivers license
 

That is more convenient but a JP copied Visa stamped passport is ok which most poeple have sent as part of a 457 visa.
To the OP, if your OH has only passed his test in the last year then your options have changed. Please refer to the link posted earlier.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

I am going for an Oz license as well, but, some colleagues have mentioned that by taking an Oz license you have to surrender your UK one. This is merely hearsay but there is no bloody way I am going to give my UK license to any bugger!!! I may or may not have a future fight on my hands!!! lol

Re: Converting drivers license
 

I didn't have to here in WA. I don't know if the rules are different in NSW. If you have to surrender it you can always apply for another one from the DVLA saying you have lost it. It doesn't stop your entitlement to a UK licence.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Yes NB, understand all that, just paying for one here and then having to pay for another replacement UK one when back in UK was the bit that aggrieved me. But, at the moment its just hearsay so I will keep my antagonism in check....just for now!! lol

Re: Converting drivers license
 

I didn't even think of the cost aspect.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

We would have been lost with out our Australian DL......used for most forms of ID with everything, even for collecting post at the depot

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Absolutely. If you are entitled to one I can't see any reason why you wouldn't get one.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

We didn't surrender ours either

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Got to say out of all that we have paid out for these last few months. The Australian DL is worth its weight in gold ......oh and foxtell :thumbsup:.....and the internet :rofl:

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Don't forget brekkie at the fig, worth its weight in gold that too :lol:

Re: Converting drivers license
 

often my UK licence was not accepted as ID when entering licensed premises.

so i got a Vic one.

In my wallet i have my UK license, my Vic Motorcycle License and my Vic Car License....

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OMG yes !!!! ......we still go there TOO often :thumbsup: Especially when we didn't have the internet because you could use it free in there

Wont be too long before our little treat is due either C ;)

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lol.....I ALWAYS think of the cost aspect!!! Tight git that I am!!

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Well as its only 17 quid, it is almost negligible really.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Negligable?? NEGLIGABLE??? 17 quid is a Valentines meal in my book!!! ALL money is relevant....you know the saying...look after the pennies ect

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Poor Mrs Paddyo, 17 quid on a meal ;)

Re: Converting drivers license
 

You do not need to surrender your UK licence when getting a NSW licence. They used to stamp cancelled across a UK paper licence or clip a hole in the card one but they no longer do any of that.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Irish provisional licence will mean you start at the very beginning in NSW.
If you have a full licence for less than 1 year you go on to P1 plate for 12 months then do a test and go on to P2 plates for 2 years.
If you have full licence between 1 - 3 years you go on to P2 plates for 2 years.
greater than 3 years you get full licence.

Re: Converting drivers license
 

It's a 2 second rule here, no more and no less :lol:

Seriously, the rule is that you can count to two before you get to the spot they are at (that's the 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand thing). None of this how many Kilometers away are you here :D

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I know I know, I spoil her but she's worth it, my princess!!! lol

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Well folks when my darling case officer gives me my visa, i'll let you all know every single little detail in regard to anything (that i know of that is) let alone stopping distances and driving licences in NSW:rofl:

Re: Converting drivers license
 

Didn't have to surrender uk license in WA. Even if you haven't got it with you, you can phone Swansea and get them to fax details to the Oz d/l office and they accept that. Cost around twelve quid though. Not sure if i remember correctly but think it's the paper licence you need, not the photo card. (correct me if i'm wrong). Definitely worth doing though. You need all sorts of ID for just about everything. What was really stupid though was that the wife (spouse visa ) could join medicare with minimal ID. Me...as a returning Aussie...had to go through loads more paperwork, stat dec etc etc..