ABCDiamond

Info and links for the relevant States on Permanent Residents transferring their UK Car licence to an Australian one.

PR Visa holders have three months in which to change their UK licence over to an Australian one, before they would be treated as driving without a Valid Licence by the Police.

This info valid as at 11 May 2005

NSW & ACT
No theory test required
As from 17 January 2005 customers are exempt the car driver knowledge test if they hold an acceptable car licence from the UK or one of the other recognised countries.

The RTA reserves the right to require customers to undertake a knowledge test or driving test, and may not issue a licence until it is satisfied that the overseas licence is valid.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...l_drivers.html


WA
No theory test required
If you are the holder of a licence from a 'recognised country', you are not required to sit the road rules theory test or the motorcycle theory test (if applicable). However, you are still required to sit the heavy vehicles theory test if you are applying for the equivalent WA classes
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/m.../overseas.html


VIC
No theory test required
If you are an existing licence holder from a recognised country, no tests are required to apply for a car or a motorcycle licence in Victoria
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/


QLD
Theory Test is required.
The test consists of 30 general questions for a motor vehicle licence.
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/L...stion1#licence


SA
Theory Test is required.
You will have to pass a written test on the Australian Road Rules
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licen..._residents.asp


NT
I assume that a Theory test is required, but I can't find any info on the website.
http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/mv...ing/index.html


TAS
Theory Test is required.
A customer must pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian road rules.
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/lice...s_licence.html

logan

You know what'll happen...we'll sit it then QLD will say "you don't have to do a theory anymore"!!!

Bix da Boss

[QUOTE=ABCDiamond] This info valid as at 11 May 2005 [QUOTE]

ABC - should this be qualified with "valid to holders of PR visas ?"

ABCDiamond

You are right, and it actually let me edit it aswell

JAJ

The ACT has its own driver licensing authority.



Jeremy

ABCDiamond

And the lnk is:
ACT
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/
No theory test required
If you hold a current driver licence from an approved country (inc UK), you will not be required to pass a practical driving assessment or a Road Rules Knowledge test.

Big Galah

Yep, and they told me I had to sit a theory test before I could exchage my UK licence (there are some questions you cannot get wrong or you fail ) and I only have a Provisional Spouse Visa (i.e. temporary). The rule is you must change your licence if you are taking up residence in the ACT, regardless of class of visa (i.e. only exemptions are ETA and WHV). This was in November 2004 and I wasn't aware of any plans to change the requirement in the future - at the time.

If you do a search you can find the link to the ACT RTA in case the rules have changed.

Big.

Big Galah

Okay, the rules have changed. Typical. Note the requirement that you must change the licence even if not PR remains.

Big.

ABCDiamond

Was that before January this year ? I assume the ACT would have changed at about the same time as NSW, and the other two States that also changed the rule.

JayDeee

Most places who no longer enforce the theory test rule changed in Jan this year. I also had to change mine on TR (temp spouse vias) in WA

mlbonner

FWIW, you dont in QLD. I phoned up and went in to the Transport Office to clarify this!!! I'm holding out till January 2006 when they'll hopefully drop the theory test I did sit a theory for my boat licence though, so its not like I've done no work at all

gedge

Just wanted to add "good on yer ABCDiamond" for putting it all together. There have been a lot of related questions posted recently, and it's good that someone has pulled it all together. Well done.

Coogee Rocks

So does a Temp (2 year) spouse visa count as a permant residence visa?

gedge

err don't know

ABCDiamond

It may depend on the State you are in
eg:
ACT
"Visiting drivers are not required to obtain an ACT Driver Licence providing their overseas licence and International Driving Permit are current. A visiting driver is a person from overseas who arrives in the ACT with no intention of becoming a permanent resident"
Therefore a "spouse visa" holder intends to become a permanent resident, and therefore would need an ACT licence.