apple3

Hi all!

Having finally made it here, I'm just wondering which state would be the best for getting a driving licence. I have an Irish provisional licence.

Also, is there any way of getting around having to drive with a fully licenced driver for a year? My OH can't come with me to work. We'll not be working in locations close to eachother and our hours are very different. Are they really that strict about it?

The Bloke

You will need to contact the transport department in the state you intend to settle in, as rules can differ in each state. Not having an open licence, you may have to start again on a learners permit. Most states are now going the way of having learners permits lasting at least 1 year before you can take you test. If it is a requirement that you need to have a fully licenced driver with you, you will have to make other arrangements such as using public transport. Have you considered that option.

moneypenny20

It all appears a bit vague

wmoore

I reckon it would be easier to get your licence in Ireland first.

NickyC

Definitely avoid NSW. It gets harder and harder to get a license here.

You now have to:
1. Take a computer-based test to get your Learners Permit
2. Log 120 hours driving on L plates with an experienced driver sitting beside you
3. Take a practical driving test with an examiner
4. Drive for 1 year on red P plates
5. Take a second computer-based hazard awareness test
6. Drive for 2 years on green P plates
7. Take a third computer-based test
8. Finally get your full license.

Not for the faint-hearted - you need to be really keen to do all that....

chrisandvee

What about WA the oh only has a provisional and we were gonna wait until we got to oz

Wendy

See here: http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/1210.asp

Wendy

South Australia:
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licen...r_learners.asp

Queensland:
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home...ing_a_licence/

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

ACT:
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/licensing/licencelearner.htm

NT:
http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/mvr/l...rspermit.shtml

Tasmania:
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/lice...driver_logbook

And I know it's been covered but I may as well post the link - NSW:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...ex.html?llid=1

Dorothy

I've been driving for 28 years and WA wanted to put me on P plates because I had only been driving in Australia for 10 months before moving to Perth. It's only because I bitched and told her to shove her license I'd keep my SA one that she relented.

Wendy

Someone else had trouble last week with WA. I wonder if it was the same person behind the counter

smurtaza

I found Victoria to be the easiest. Try Vicroads Dandenong and I am sure you will get it. Then you can get your VIC license transferred to NSW, very easily.

scrum

Given how strict the Australians are on road traffic law I would not even think about driving solo on a learner permit

- it is not in the least bit like driving in Ireland where the requirements for learner drivers are not enforced - poorly trained drivers on provisional licences driving without a qualified driver is one of the reasons why the death toll in Ireland among male 17-30 year olds is one of the highest in Europe.

The chances of being stopped at a checkpoint for a breath test are relatively high compared to Ireland and if you get caught at one of these checkpoints on a learner permit it is more than likely the car will be impounded and you arrested and charged with god knows how many traffic offences

- for example while in Oz for eight weeks earlier this year myself and the OH met three checkpoints one in NSW and two in Vic - at two of them we were breathalised and we had to produce passport and licences to show that we were tourists (the hire car we were in had WA plates which made the cops suspicious) and as an example of how strict they are at the checkpoints they also checked that our two girls were in booster seats and they spoke directly to the children when checking their ages !!! to ensure that they were entitled to be using booster seats and not 5 point restraints as required for younger children.

To sum up its not worth the risk - get yourself onto public transport while you see out the time on a learner permit! or get a scooter.

Mark

seang

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.