ajruk

Hi, Can anyone answer this for me. I have held a UK license for 12 years. I am moving to Melbourne for 2 years on a student visa, and then I intend to stay afterwards. I know I need to do something to allow me to drive for 2 years+, but what? Is it just a matter of exchanging my license or do I NEED to resit my test. I can cope with either, but my mrs took 6 times to pass in uk, and is an atrocious driver, and will probably never pass again. Therefore I am hoping for her sake, it is just a matter of trading it in!

slipshot

You will get different responses to this.

I was in Melbourne for 2.5 years and remained on the UK license and never had an issue despite being pulled for speeding a few times (not that difficult!). I don;t think there is any need to retake the test but I think that after a period of time living there, if you are still on a UK license and you do decide to change, you then have to retake your test. Thus it would be better to find out if I'm right on this and what this timeline is.

Individual states may also have individual rules so it would probably depend on your intended destination.

ajruk

Sounds fair! It would be Victoria. Does anyone know the rules for there????????????????????????????????????????

ABCDiamond

It depends on the Visa you on.

Permanent Resident
A Permanent Resident is normally allowed to drive for 3 months before needing an Australian Licence, after that period they would be classed as driving without a valid licence.


Visitors
A person on a Visitors Visa does not have to abide by the same rules, and would be allowed to drive a private vehicle on a valid CURRENT driving licence from their own country, for as long as they have a valid visitors visa.

Visiting motorists are required to carry their licence (and English translation if applicable) at all times while driving and produce it to Police on request. Production of their temporary visas may also be required as evidence of their temporary residential status.

Driving in Victoria, Australia

New arrivals from the UK, and other selected countries

If you are the holder of a Private Vehicle Licence from the UK and other 'recognised countries', you are not required to sit the road rules theory test or the motorcycle theory test (if applicable), nor a road test.

ajruk

Okay, so techincally while on a student visa, it is a visitors visa?? Is that right??? Also, can I exchange it for an australian one after getting permanent residency, or would I need to resit my test?

Thanks

ittakesages

Sorry didn't come over on a student visa - ours was a permanent one but just to let you know, we didn't have to resit a test we just booked an appointment at Vic Roads, filled in forms, had a photo taken, handed over the cash and got our licence - really straight forward.

ajruk

Excellent that's great news! Thanks for that

quoll

Dont know about Vic but the only test they may give you is an eyesight test otherwise it is a pay through the nose 5 year renewal job. If perchance you do go back to UK you just do the exchange thing in reverse.

nicklizhumphreys

Hi all, I guess we are in the same boat to we are due to move to Adelaide in Jan 09 to live anyone have advise on this and also if for example we are still driving around on a UK lience after 3 months and we have some sort of smash, would our insurance be invalid?

Love to hear from someone

S and L

Hi, I have a similar query. I will be going to Melbourne on holiday to activate my permanent Residents Visa. Is the 3 months from that date or will I still be able to use it for 3 months when I move across permanently.

THanks

ajruk

nick, are you studying in adelaide?

nicklizhumphreys

no My wife has a job (reason for the move) and I will try and get work myself.

hereshoping

It's 3 months from when you take up residency (so when you move properly)

ABCDiamond

After 3 months you would be classed as "Driving without a valid licence" and subject to Police Prosecution if caught. (I did it, got caught, and paid up)

Insurance companies do have the option to disallow any claims, under that condition aswell.

As far as the police are concerned, it is 3 months from the date of entry on a residents visa.
The fact that a person returns to the UK "for a holiday", after taking up residency, is of no consequence to them.

As soon as you arrive, get an Australian licence, it is safer.

JAJ

Visiting the state for a short vacation, even if you have a permanent visa, does not constitute taking up residence.

Without an address in the state, you can't even get a licence if you want one.