Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
#1
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Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
I checked with the official site for NSW and apparently they will give me an Aussie license simply based on my European one. But the big question is will they keep my other license or will I get it back?
Has anyone gone this route before?
Has anyone gone this route before?
#3
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Many thanks!
Do they require any proof of address or anything like that when issuing a license or do you just declare an address and that's it?
Do they require any proof of address or anything like that when issuing a license or do you just declare an address and that's it?
#4
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Here's the page from the RTA which tells you everything you need:
International Drivers
#5
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Yep you get your EU licence back- I got my NSW licence last month. You need all the ID plus sign a form allowing them to look up your immigration status with DIAC. Be prepared for the cost though: $162 for 5 years! Puts our £20 photocard every 10 years in perspective....
Also, I'd mislaid my UK paper counterpart so had to get a new one and the corresponding photocard sent to me before I could do the swap. There appears to have been a change in the EU rules since the start of the year and a new motorbike category added, the upshot of which is that you can get a provisional NSW motorbike licence (which converts into a permanent licence after 12 months) without having to do any of the tests that local drivers have to do...not very sensible perhaps given that I've never ridden a motorbike before yet according to the law I'm licensed to drive one, but there you go!
Also, I'd mislaid my UK paper counterpart so had to get a new one and the corresponding photocard sent to me before I could do the swap. There appears to have been a change in the EU rules since the start of the year and a new motorbike category added, the upshot of which is that you can get a provisional NSW motorbike licence (which converts into a permanent licence after 12 months) without having to do any of the tests that local drivers have to do...not very sensible perhaps given that I've never ridden a motorbike before yet according to the law I'm licensed to drive one, but there you go!
#6
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Yep you get your EU licence back- I got my NSW licence last month. You need all the ID plus sign a form allowing them to look up your immigration status with DIAC. Be prepared for the cost though: $162 for 5 years! Puts our £20 photocard every 10 years in perspective....
Also, I'd mislaid my UK paper counterpart so had to get a new one and the corresponding photocard sent to me before I could do the swap. There appears to have been a change in the EU rules since the start of the year and a new motorbike category added, the upshot of which is that you can get a provisional NSW motorbike licence (which converts into a permanent licence after 12 months) without having to do any of the tests that local drivers have to do...not very sensible perhaps given that I've never ridden a motorbike before yet according to the law I'm licensed to drive one, but there you go!
Also, I'd mislaid my UK paper counterpart so had to get a new one and the corresponding photocard sent to me before I could do the swap. There appears to have been a change in the EU rules since the start of the year and a new motorbike category added, the upshot of which is that you can get a provisional NSW motorbike licence (which converts into a permanent licence after 12 months) without having to do any of the tests that local drivers have to do...not very sensible perhaps given that I've never ridden a motorbike before yet according to the law I'm licensed to drive one, but there you go!
#8
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Yep you get your EU licence back- I got my NSW licence last month. You need all the ID plus sign a form allowing them to look up your immigration status with DIAC. Be prepared for the cost though: $162 for 5 years! Puts our £20 photocard every 10 years in perspective....
Also, I'd mislaid my UK paper counterpart so had to get a new one and the corresponding photocard sent to me before I could do the swap. There appears to have been a change in the EU rules since the start of the year and a new motorbike category added, the upshot of which is that you can get a provisional NSW motorbike licence (which converts into a permanent licence after 12 months) without having to do any of the tests that local drivers have to do...not very sensible perhaps given that I've never ridden a motorbike before yet according to the law I'm licensed to drive one, but there you go!
Also, I'd mislaid my UK paper counterpart so had to get a new one and the corresponding photocard sent to me before I could do the swap. There appears to have been a change in the EU rules since the start of the year and a new motorbike category added, the upshot of which is that you can get a provisional NSW motorbike licence (which converts into a permanent licence after 12 months) without having to do any of the tests that local drivers have to do...not very sensible perhaps given that I've never ridden a motorbike before yet according to the law I'm licensed to drive one, but there you go!
That's very interesting. Do you have a link for this? (I'm too lazy to Google it)
#9
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#10
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
https://www.gov.uk/changes-to-the-dr...and-categories
There is indeed a new category AM which is automatically on the new licence. How that will translate to swapping it in Aus for a full Mbike licence remains to be seen.
Last edited by Alfresco; May 25th 2013 at 10:10 pm. Reason: Add info.
#11
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
There's a paper part? I just have a plastic card.
#12
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
UK licences consist of two parts, the paper part and the photo card, the paper part is the true licence, the photo card just shows who you are and that you have a licence, doesnt have a chip wich has all your driving misdemeanors on, if you get points for any infraction you have to send the paper part in and the points are put onto there. The photo card is just a convenient way of carry something that hsows you can drive.
#13
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
As part of a Government-wide process to get rid of unnecessary, burdensome and overcomplicated regulation, the Department for Transport is, among other measures, scrapping the regulation requiring motorists to hold a paper counterpart to their driving licence by 2015 at the latest.
Also a holder of a non-GB EU driving licence no longer needs a counterpart after he gets points for an infraction since 1 April 2009:
EU licence holders who do not hold a GB counterpart and all other foreign licence holders can now have a “Driver Record” created at the DVLA (Swansea) to record endorsements on. When the record has been created the DVLA will notify the driver of the record number. The COFP explains the information that needs to be supplied to create the Driver Record.
Last edited by Neptun; May 26th 2013 at 8:53 am.
#14
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
..... and thought $143 for the new Qld chipped licence was a rip-off......oh, that will probably $162 here when the LNP hands down it's first budget......
Last edited by Alfresco; May 26th 2013 at 11:44 am. Reason: fix quote
#15
Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
However, I would be cautious and seek further advice before trying to get an Australian licence before actually establishing residence (if that is what you are contemplating). It can be an indicator of establishing tax residence, and may also start the clock for you to get health insurance without paying an age loading.