Can Tourists Drive in Australia With a Foreign Licence?

1The General Rules

Austroads, the body of Australian road agencies, describes overseas visitors without a permanent visa as “visiting drivers”. Visiting drivers can use their valid overseas licence, but only for the vehicle types that licence covers, and must follow any conditions on it. You generally only need an Australian licence if your visa status changes, you become a permanent resident, or your overseas licence expires.

You must carry your licence whenever you drive. If it is not written in English, you must also carry either an International Driving Permit or an English translation.

• Your licence must be current and not suspended, cancelled or disqualified.
• Learner and provisional licences are not accepted by rental companies.
• Digital licences may not be accepted at the rental desk; bring the physical card.

2State and Territory Differences

The rules are set by each state and territory, and they change from time to time. According to Austroads, visitors can keep driving on a current overseas licence in the ACT, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, while the Northern Territory requires a local licence or an exemption after three months. Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania publish their own guidance, so check the road authority for the state you will drive in.

New South Wales also requires that you can show police you are a temporary visitor, and has deadlines for people who are staying longer than six months. If you are on a long-stay visa, work visa or moving to Australia, the rules for converting to a local licence apply instead.

3What Rental Companies Ask For

• Your physical overseas licence, held for at least one year (sometimes two for premium cars).
• An IDP or translation if the licence is not in English. Some suppliers ask for an IDP even when the licence is in English, so read the terms.
• Your passport.
• A credit card in the main driver’s name.
• Every additional driver must show the same documents.

Also read: Do you need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Australia?

4Moving to Australia vs Visiting

The rules above are for visitors. If you hold a permanent visa or move to Australia, you will usually need to convert to a local licence within a set period after arriving, and the process depends on your licence country. Some countries’ licences can be transferred without tests; others need a knowledge test and a practical driving test. Each state road authority publishes the list for its state.

5Fines and Demerit Points as a Visitor

Traffic fines are sent to the rental company, which identifies you as the driver and passes on the fine, usually with an admin fee. Visitors can also have demerit points recorded and lose the right to drive on their overseas licence in that state if they exceed the limit. Drive within the limits and keep to the conditions of your licence.

6Road Rules to Know Before You Drive

• Drive on the left, and give way to the right at roundabouts.
• Speed and red-light cameras are everywhere; fines are passed on by the rental company with an admin fee.
• The blood-alcohol limit for full licence holders is 0.05.
• Hand-held phone use while driving is illegal.

Also read: Renting a car in Australia as a tourist

Frequently Asked Questions