Hi

I currently hold a UK driver's licence and have heard that it is ok to use this for 3 months in Australia. Do I eventually have to convert this licence to an Australian licence? I have an Australian passport (born there but grew up in SA and lived in UK since) so visa not part of the criteria.

Thanks for any useful reply.

Marion

Yes. Dead easy to do though. Down to the relevant office, fill in a form, hand over dosh (amount depends on how long you want your licence to run for), get given temp licence, have photo taken, new one in post in a few days. Makes it easier buying a car too as the registration of the car is linked to your licence. We did ours within the first week and the licences are regularly needed as ID. Even sending a parcel overseas needs ID verification and carrying a passport around is a faff!

need ID to send parcels abroad!!!?? really!?!?! hmmm....

Its really easy you go to the relevant department of transport, depending on which state your going to, some states might get you to do a small theory test but not all of them. I believe you dont need to if your returning to SA, but if its Queensland I think its a 30 question test.

Just google the relevant state transport department, should find all the info you need there.

If going to WA you get given a licence without taking a test if you hold a full uk licence

Only thing is a VERY quick eye test...

Yep

Or, you do not do anything, drive on the UK one for a while and any points get lost eventually...

No need to have an Aus licence. I have never had an Australian one and bought at least 5 cars over the time and never had a problem or ever needed anything other than a UK one.

Likewise, the rare few ocassions you need ID, your UK will be fine or just ake a passport. Howoften do you need ID?

As for sending a parcel and needing ID - eh? Think you must be going to the wrong places as I have never needed ID. Guess it depends what you are sending and what you are telling them, as I've certainly never required it.

AFAIK, if you are a Permanent resident, it is a requirement that you get an Australian Driving License after 3 months.

Link here...

A UK licence can now be changed over to an Australian one with no theory or practical test in any State.

If you do not change yours and you get stopped, they may ask for your passport.
If you only have an Australian passport, you may get stopped for a bit longer as the police may have to check what to do.
You still have three months to change over, but it would be worth changing ASAP, so as not to confuse the police.

You still keep the UK licence, so you can keep using that when you are in the UK.

Oh, I'm sure that is the requirement. However, not everyone knows the rules and there are benefits in not knowing them. When I have been stopped in the past, I was always fine with a UK license and nothing else.

An Australian citizen would be expected to have an Australian driving licence, especially after the 3 months is up.

This would apply to citizens as well as PR's
I didn't get an Australian licence for ages, and was fined on 2 occasions for driving without a valid licence, on top of the speeding fines.

....and make sure you always carry said licence - hubby popped out without his wallet, was routine stopped and copped $80 fine

Harsh.

#

Good to know - my experience was that I got stopped for speeding about 5 times a good few years ago and never got fined for not having a valid licence. This was in Vic.

May have changed now though...