Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Dec 23rd 2013, 2:28 pm
#16
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
How long does it take to convert a European license once you bring in all the necessary docs? Is this done on the spot or does it take a few days/weeks to complete the process?
Dec 23rd 2013, 5:28 pm
#17
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
About an hour. Walk in to a dept of transport customer service centre and do it there and then.
Dec 23rd 2013, 9:26 pm
#20
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
In the NSW new Service Centres they no longer produce licences and instead give you a bit of paper and post the licence to you which is a real pain which you need the licence for ID.
Dec 23rd 2013, 9:44 pm
#21
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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!
Dec 24th 2013, 5:32 am
#22
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Dec 25th 2013, 12:30 am
#23
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Dang- got to renew my licence in early Jan. Will go to the RTA- is that different to the service centres? You'd think they'd be able to issue the card there and then as they already have all the technology.
Dec 25th 2013, 8:30 am
#24
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
The old RTAs still issue licences there, it's just the ones that have been refurbished, like on York Street in Sydney, that no longer issue driving licences on the spot.
Dec 25th 2013, 10:58 am
#25
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Is a bank letter/statement good enough for ID #2 and as proof of address?
Dec 25th 2013, 11:12 am
#26
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
If I recall correctly, it's easier to get points for your ID if you are within a month or two of first entry to the country. We used our rental agreement as proof of address. There is a guide somewhere - I think available from the DIAC site. ...Or was it attached (or a link) that came with the visa grant notification?
Dec 25th 2013, 12:09 pm
#27
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Dec 25th 2013, 9:46 pm
#28
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
If I recall correctly, it's easier to get points for your ID if you are within a month or two of first entry to the country. We used our rental agreement as proof of address. There is a guide somewhere - I think available from the DIAC site. ...Or was it attached (or a link) that came with the visa grant notification?
Dec 27th 2013, 10:22 am
#29
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
Is there a list of "old vs new" centres where you can go to get a license on the spot as opposed to getting one mailed to you?
Dec 28th 2013, 1:19 am
#30
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Re: Exchanging European license for Aussie one?
And in just a few months time we'll be applying for Australian citizenship.
How time flies 
Thanks to the true friends who have stuck by me from back then until now