When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
Jul 21st 2008, 11:09 pm
#16
Happily living in Tsv,Qld
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 390
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
We have an address in Aus, that's not the problem.
I just want to have my licence with me when I arrive in Aus so that i can get it swapped ASAP...
I just want to have my licence with me when I arrive in Aus so that i can get it swapped ASAP...
Jul 21st 2008, 11:13 pm
#17
No Clean Feed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Hampton, Victoria
Posts: 1,381
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
I agree that having an Aussie license is the best form of ID over here, but your situation is now different in that you have a points judgement against you in the UK which you really should sort out first.
I'm not telling you what to do, this is just the opinion of one person, but I would certainly get that cleared up first. Especially as it will not impact you at all over here, but could cause an irritation to you in the long term back in the UK. Like genital herpes, it could make back and bite you in the arse.
Al
Jul 21st 2008, 11:28 pm
#18
Happily living in Tsv,Qld
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 390
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
I was just presuming that things like buying a car, getting insurance etc would be easier with an Aus driving licence, and as you said - a good form of ID which all goes towards building an Australian identity, which is currently non-existent....
Jul 21st 2008, 11:36 pm
#19
No Clean Feed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Hampton, Victoria
Posts: 1,381
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
In the first few months of being here we bought a new car, insured it, rented a long term house, insured that, took out all number of bank accounts, credit cards, utility services (gas, electric, water, etc), I even got accepted by the local shooting association, joined a club and got a Provisional Firearms License including police interviews, etc all with my UK passport and UK drivers license. As long as you can prove who you are then they are happy.
The big hurdles are 1) get your bank accounts and cards that leads to 2) getting your first bank account statement which leads to 3) getting your house (rental or buy) which leads to 4) getting your utility/bank bills. Once you have them, in conjunction with your Passport and License you are full on ID'ed up. Having an Aussie Drivers license just means you don't have to carry all this extra ID around (passport with visa, UK license, etc) when you sign up for stuff.
The only draw back I can see in your situation will be you being without your UK license for a few weeks while it's sorted out. Nothing major other than you won't be able to drive during that time.
for the record if you are ever asked for 100 points of ID it means the following
Group A - each document is worth 70 points
- A fully certified birth certificate (or copy certified by a Justice of the Peace)
- A current passport (UK passport with valid Visa will work fine)
- An Australian citizenship certificate.
- A current licence or permit issued under Australian law, eg. Driver's licence (UK license will work fine)
- Identification issued by Government authorities eg. one of the following:
- Public Service employee identification
- Evidence of your entitlement to financial benefits or other entitlements from the Commonwealth or a State or Territory Government
- A student identification card issued by an Australian educational institution
- A statement from your employer or an acceptable referee verifying your identity and certifying that they have known you by your name for at least twelve months. (Preferably with a photograph of you signed by the employer or referee).
- Official correspondence addressed to you such as a public utility account (eg. gas, water, electricity), council rates, bank statement or similar (some institutions want one from each category thus bills are good to have with you)
- Bankcard, Visa or other credit card
- Any other document which in the opinion of the person to whom it is produced, provides similar verification of the applicant's identity.
Al
Last edited by bigAPE; Jul 21st 2008 at 11:46 pm.
Jul 21st 2008, 11:43 pm
#20
Feeble Minded
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Cairns, QLD
Posts: 1,612
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
I would be inclined to phone DVLA and ask for their advice - give a change of address to someone you trust (family) and just say to DVLA that you are coming to Australia for "a while" and need your UK licence with you, don't need to tell them that you are planning to change to a QLD one, just that you need your UK licence to drive there, is there any way that the matter could be expedited if you came into a DVLA office so that the points would be on your licence but that you would have in done in time before you go?
The couple of times I've had dealings with DVLA I found them them to be quite approachable and helpful.
Good luck with it
The couple of times I've had dealings with DVLA I found them them to be quite approachable and helpful.
Good luck with it
Jul 21st 2008, 11:48 pm
#21
Happily living in Tsv,Qld
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 390
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
Sounds like a plan - cheers.
just hope the next letter arrives in the next few days...
just hope the next letter arrives in the next few days...
Jul 22nd 2008, 12:44 am
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: hull, yorkshire
Posts: 72
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
with reference to driving on uk licence for a min 3 months
my husband failed to give way at the lights in adelaide and got caught by the police - we had only been in the country for about 2 weeks - the police said because we were perminant resisdants he needed an oz licence so he made me drive, he took all my cousins details and actually hand delivered the fine (VERY EAGER)
I had to get an oz driving licence so we could buy the car, for the rego n insurance.
this is only my experience and in no way saying other comments are wrong
my husband failed to give way at the lights in adelaide and got caught by the police - we had only been in the country for about 2 weeks - the police said because we were perminant resisdants he needed an oz licence so he made me drive, he took all my cousins details and actually hand delivered the fine (VERY EAGER)
I had to get an oz driving licence so we could buy the car, for the rego n insurance.
this is only my experience and in no way saying other comments are wrong
Jul 22nd 2008, 1:21 am
#24
No Clean Feed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Hampton, Victoria
Posts: 1,381
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
This is what the law says per state:
Queensland
When would my authority to drive in Queensland on my foreign driver licence be withdrawn?
Your authority to drive in Queensland on your foreign driver licence will be withdrawn if you:
* become medically unfit to drive safely
* have lived in Queensland for three months since gaining Australian citizenship or a visa allowing an indefinite stay in Australia.
Source: Queensland Transport Licensing
Your authority to drive in Queensland on your foreign driver licence will be withdrawn if you:
* become medically unfit to drive safely
* have lived in Queensland for three months since gaining Australian citizenship or a visa allowing an indefinite stay in Australia.
Source: Queensland Transport Licensing
If you have a permanent residence visa and intend on living in WA you must obtain a WA drivers licence within 3 months of getting the visa. After this period your overseas authority to drive will not be recognised.
Source: WA DPI Licensing Services
Source: WA DPI Licensing Services
Permanent residents
If you are issued a permanent visa and become a resident of South Australia you must surrender your overseas licence and obtain a South Australian Driver's Licence within three months.
Source: SA DTEI Licensing
If you are issued a permanent visa and become a resident of South Australia you must surrender your overseas licence and obtain a South Australian Driver's Licence within three months.
Source: SA DTEI Licensing
Overseas drivers - licences
The need to change your overseas driver licence to a Victorian driver licence depends on whether your stay in Victoria is permanent or temporary.
If you are in Victoria on a temporary visa, you can drive on your overseas licence (provided it is a current, valid licence) for an indefinite period provided your overseas licence is in English (or you have an English translation), or you have an International Driving Permit.
If you are in Victoria on a permanent visa, you can drive on your overseas licence for only three months from the date you entered Victoria or from the time a permanent visa was issued to you. If you want to continue to drive in Victoria after that time you must apply for a Victorian driver licence.
VicRoads - Licensing
The need to change your overseas driver licence to a Victorian driver licence depends on whether your stay in Victoria is permanent or temporary.
If you are in Victoria on a temporary visa, you can drive on your overseas licence (provided it is a current, valid licence) for an indefinite period provided your overseas licence is in English (or you have an English translation), or you have an International Driving Permit.
If you are in Victoria on a permanent visa, you can drive on your overseas licence for only three months from the date you entered Victoria or from the time a permanent visa was issued to you. If you want to continue to drive in Victoria after that time you must apply for a Victorian driver licence.
VicRoads - Licensing
You must change over your driver licence and vehicle registration within three (3) months of residing in the Northern Territory.
Source: NTG Licensing
Source: NTG Licensing
Overseas Drivers who become ACT Residents
People from other countries who take up residence in the ACT must hold an ACT Driver Licence to drive a motor vehicle. When you move to the ACT your current overseas licence or International Driving Permit is valid for only three months.
Source: ACT Road Transport Authority
People from other countries who take up residence in the ACT must hold an ACT Driver Licence to drive a motor vehicle. When you move to the ACT your current overseas licence or International Driving Permit is valid for only three months.
Source: ACT Road Transport Authority
Driving on your overseas licence
You can drive in Tasmania on your overseas licence if you –
Source: Tasmania DIER
You can drive in Tasmania on your overseas licence if you –
- are a visitor OR
- have a temporary visa (e.g. international students, refugees, working, holiday) OR
- have a permanent visa and have been in Australia for 3 months or less
Source: Tasmania DIER
Last edited by bigAPE; Jul 22nd 2008 at 1:24 am.
Jul 22nd 2008, 1:38 am
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: hull, yorkshire
Posts: 72
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
we was in adelaide at the time - i must say the policeman was abit of a bleep and was all abit dodgy to me - but when your in a diff country for the short time we was you dont argue your case.
Jul 22nd 2008, 7:34 pm
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
You shouldn't have replied to the letter and just left.
They could not attach points to you without confirmation that you were driving.
When you came back you could have said thought you'd gotten rid of the car at the time. Or you could have said you'd returned it. I've had letters to them go missing and they don't care - they have just quashed the ticket.
I'd still forget about it. Say that set up redirection but you heard nothing more.
They will not pursue you over this.
They could not attach points to you without confirmation that you were driving.
When you came back you could have said thought you'd gotten rid of the car at the time. Or you could have said you'd returned it. I've had letters to them go missing and they don't care - they have just quashed the ticket.
I'd still forget about it. Say that set up redirection but you heard nothing more.
They will not pursue you over this.
Jul 23rd 2008, 3:14 pm
#27
Happily living in Tsv,Qld
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 390
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
Well, my second letter came today - but get this:
Lovely!
So worries over...
(after a page of facts etc...)
We will not be prosecuting you on this occasion...
We will not be prosecuting you on this occasion...
So worries over...
Jul 23rd 2008, 10:51 pm
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Narangba Queensland
Posts: 55
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
A new spin on this one
1. Did validation visit in June
2. Thought speed limit on highway was 120kmh
3. Actual limit 100kmh
4. Got zapped speed camera 112kmh
5. Got fine though today $100 and 1 demerit point.
6. Paid fine
Question when I go over in October to live will the 1 demerit go onto my brand new Queesland drivers licence??
Cheers
1. Did validation visit in June
2. Thought speed limit on highway was 120kmh
3. Actual limit 100kmh
4. Got zapped speed camera 112kmh
5. Got fine though today $100 and 1 demerit point.
6. Paid fine
Question when I go over in October to live will the 1 demerit go onto my brand new Queesland drivers licence??
Cheers
Jul 23rd 2008, 10:57 pm
#29
No Clean Feed
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Hampton, Victoria
Posts: 1,381
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
A new spin on this one
1. Did validation visit in June
2. Thought speed limit on highway was 120kmh
3. Actual limit 100kmh
4. Got zapped speed camera 112kmh
5. Got fine though today $100 and 1 demerit point.
6. Paid fine
Question when I go over in October to live will the 1 demerit go onto my brand new Queesland drivers licence??
1. Did validation visit in June
2. Thought speed limit on highway was 120kmh
3. Actual limit 100kmh
4. Got zapped speed camera 112kmh
5. Got fine though today $100 and 1 demerit point.
6. Paid fine
Question when I go over in October to live will the 1 demerit go onto my brand new Queesland drivers licence??
Sorry
Al
Last edited by bigAPE; Jul 23rd 2008 at 11:05 pm.
Jul 24th 2008, 1:38 am
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Wigan
Posts: 76
Re: When you swap your UK licence, do points transfer? (QLD)
