Very belatedly I passed my driving test here in Perth a few months ago. However, I am now realising that may all have been pointless as I'm not staying in WA and driving here for the next 2 years. I know a driving test pass doesn't get you an International driving licence until I've done 18 months of P plates and the 6 month hazard perception test in WA. Does anyone know if there's any merit for an Australian driving test pass in Europe? I'm moving to France.

A quick google gave me an exchange guide for Germany (possibly not much help as :koff: it isn't France but they're both EU so presumably have similar rules.. or not.) I'm sure a bit more time might find a French guide.

The German one will accept a transfer to a driving licence from a WA P1/P2 licence so you might be in luck.

Transferring an Australian licence to a German one

Okay, I found a similar site for France but it didn't distinguish between open and P1 or P2 licences. It did say that you needed to have an Australian licence and an International Drivers Permit, which you can get if you have a P1/P2 (but I think you can get one with a learner licence too so don't know how much help that is)

http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/pari/driving.html

Thank you Dreamy.

Unfortunately I think it means coming back in 6 months time to do the hazard perception test and then getting the provisional licence - which will give you an International Licence. Hopefully I can combine that with my citizenship ceremony.

I got so flustered about the test I'd be devastated if it means nothing overseas!

G'Day TE...A driving test is a seriously stressful thing - I passed my HR test by the skin of my teeth and I pretended to the old boy inspecting that I was doing it to get a job in 'the mines' and that I had hungry mouths to feed..

never mind it was only mine...

If the Germans accept the paperwork and issue a license then you might just be able to take that to the French..so Dreamy might have a point - and oh, I get there are distances between the countries but after living in Australia you could just suck it up and visit Luxembourg where you can drive between France and Germany in 30 minutes...he he

Don't you to have lived here for the 12 months immediately prior to getting citizenship?

Yes. 3 years and I think 1 as a pr. I've already passed the test. Just waiting for the ceremony.

I've never really understood why the hazard perception test comes after you have already been driving for 18 months.

Can't you hop across the channel and do one of those intensive weekend pay to pass courses and graduate with a full UK licence, instead of the WA P1/P2 thing?


S

But then there's the hassle of trying to get a test booked (big waits), needing the paper bit of the bloody licence, proof of UK address for DVLA etc..... gggggrrrrr

Excuse my brief detour on this thread... but can somebody please confirm that a Queensland P plater is ok to drive on UK roads?

I reckon you should be able to. Try the test.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence

and if moving there...

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence