Question - UK drivers licence
Jan 26th 2010, 3:32 pm
#16
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Re: Question - UK drivers licence
We looked at this during our validation in August and went along to the licensing centre in Joondalup Perth.
Our main concern was the fact we had validated our visas and the 3 month allowance for change time frame. That turned out OK as they will change your license at any time for the obligatory fees, however if you are stopped by the police then you may get fined, we go in three weeks and new licenses are one of the first things to sort. The one additional gem the issuing clerk gave us is that they inform the DVLA of the change of license to WA and as I understand it making your UK license invalid, although I didn't ask I assume you get the same courtesey if you come back to the UK as you do in Australia driving on a UK license.
Our main concern was the fact we had validated our visas and the 3 month allowance for change time frame. That turned out OK as they will change your license at any time for the obligatory fees, however if you are stopped by the police then you may get fined, we go in three weeks and new licenses are one of the first things to sort. The one additional gem the issuing clerk gave us is that they inform the DVLA of the change of license to WA and as I understand it making your UK license invalid, although I didn't ask I assume you get the same courtesey if you come back to the UK as you do in Australia driving on a UK license.
Jan 26th 2010, 8:58 pm
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
I changed my UK licence to a Victorian one just last week.
I've been here about 3 months, called up VicRoads to make an appointment and went to their office. At the appointment I filled in a form and they copied my passport, UK licence and utility bill for proof of address. Then they asked me to do a short eye test and took my picture. A week later I got my Victorian licence in the post. Easy peasy!
They didn't do anything to my UK licence except photocopy it.
I've been here about 3 months, called up VicRoads to make an appointment and went to their office. At the appointment I filled in a form and they copied my passport, UK licence and utility bill for proof of address. Then they asked me to do a short eye test and took my picture. A week later I got my Victorian licence in the post. Easy peasy!
They didn't do anything to my UK licence except photocopy it.
Jan 26th 2010, 10:29 pm
#18
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 781
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
Different states have different rules in regards driving licenses. Some return it intact, others punch a hole in it to show it is no longer valid.
You can always hang on to your UK one of course and not get an Aus one - that's what we've done. Not saying it;s right thing to do, but it is feasible.
As for a Aus one in the UK - if you hand in the Aus one the DVLA take it off you and send it back to Australia for cancellation, leaving you with your UK one only.
You can always hang on to your UK one of course and not get an Aus one - that's what we've done. Not saying it;s right thing to do, but it is feasible.
As for a Aus one in the UK - if you hand in the Aus one the DVLA take it off you and send it back to Australia for cancellation, leaving you with your UK one only.
Jan 26th 2010, 10:56 pm
#19
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 16
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
I changed my UK licence to a Victorian one just last week.
I've been here about 3 months, called up VicRoads to make an appointment and went to their office. At the appointment I filled in a form and they copied my passport, UK licence and utility bill for proof of address. Then they asked me to do a short eye test and took my picture. A week later I got my Victorian licence in the post. Easy peasy!
They didn't do anything to my UK licence except photocopy it.
I've been here about 3 months, called up VicRoads to make an appointment and went to their office. At the appointment I filled in a form and they copied my passport, UK licence and utility bill for proof of address. Then they asked me to do a short eye test and took my picture. A week later I got my Victorian licence in the post. Easy peasy!
They didn't do anything to my UK licence except photocopy it.
Mind you the 'test' involved me driving around the block while the examiner reminisced about his time in England, and I reported my UK licence lost to the DVLA and got a replacement.
I appreciate this is no longer relevant but thought I'd share my experience anyway.
Jan 27th 2010, 12:07 am
#20
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Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 412
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
NSW we went along to the RTA filled in the forms, they copied passport and driving licence. We had our cousin sign a declaration saying that we lived at the address we'd given, as we had no proof. We had to do the eye test, had our photos taken, sat and waited for about 5 minutes and then were handed our licences over the counter. UK licence is still in tact. Although, with the new photo licences in the UK, they will actually lapse after the 10 year photocard runs out. We were going to try and keep it going but you have to pay every 10 years and sign to say that you are resident, which we're not. If you move back though you can just fill in a form and get a new one without retaking the UK test.
Jan 27th 2010, 1:55 am
#21
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Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 743
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
Nope, in WA you just show your UK licence and get a Western Australia licence. The only test you have to do is an eye test.
Jan 27th 2010, 2:21 am
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 172
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
Different states have different rules in regards driving licenses. Some return it intact, others punch a hole in it to show it is no longer valid.
You can always hang on to your UK one of course and not get an Aus one - that's what we've done. Not saying it;s right thing to do, but it is feasible.
As for a Aus one in the UK - if you hand in the Aus one the DVLA take it off you and send it back to Australia for cancellation, leaving you with your UK one only.
You can always hang on to your UK one of course and not get an Aus one - that's what we've done. Not saying it;s right thing to do, but it is feasible.
As for a Aus one in the UK - if you hand in the Aus one the DVLA take it off you and send it back to Australia for cancellation, leaving you with your UK one only.
"Tourists and visitors staying less than three months (varies by state and territory) are permitted to drive using their home country licence. Visitors staying more than three months must apply for a licence in the state in which they reside." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%...e_in_Australia)
I hold three driving licences: UK, Australia (WA) and India (Gujarat) I have never had problems when dealing with relevant licencing bodies in any of the countries, hence would assume all are valid.
Jan 27th 2010, 4:15 am
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
That is correct, my wife changed her Aussie one to a UK one when we moved back to the UK, then changed it back to an Aussie one when we came back 4 years later, no fuss, no tests etc.
Jan 27th 2010, 4:18 am
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
As a PR it just isn't worth it. Temp Visa holders are OK though, they can drive on a valid UK licence all the time they have a temp visa.
Jan 27th 2010, 5:36 am
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
Having said that, the UK licence is nothing to do with Oz and I'm not at all sure they are within their rights defacing it. When I saw they were about to do it to mine I swapped it for my US licence - which was due to run out shortly!
Having said *all that* your UK licence won't be valid anyway since you won't have given them the correct address...........
Jan 27th 2010, 7:25 am
#26
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
I think the punching the hole in the UK licence depends on what jobsworth you get in any state or territory
. I also believe it's actually illegal for one country to deface the property of another country. As far as I'm concerned, the only people I would allow to punch a hole in my UK driving licence is DVLA.
. I also believe it's actually illegal for one country to deface the property of another country. As far as I'm concerned, the only people I would allow to punch a hole in my UK driving licence is DVLA.
Jan 27th 2010, 8:14 am
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
I think the punching the hole in the UK licence depends on what jobsworth you get in any state or territory. I also believe it's actually illegal for one country to deface the property of another country. As far as I'm concerned, the only people I would allow to punch a hole in my UK driving licence is DVLA.
. I also believe it's actually illegal for one country to deface the property of another country. As far as I'm concerned, the only people I would allow to punch a hole in my UK driving licence is DVLA.
Jan 27th 2010, 9:13 am
#28
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
It can't be legal. Southport QLD T didn't ask to do it to mine, or my husbands. Only heard it mentioned on here.
Jan 27th 2010, 9:17 am
#29
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
My wife and I were permitted to keep our UK licenses. A holepunch was not involved!
Jan 27th 2010, 9:18 am
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: Question - UK drivers licence
Be interesting to punch a hole in one's own Oz licence and then take it into the local RTA office! See what they say. Goose, sauce, gander etc.