What You Need to Know About Driving in Australia as a Non-Citizen

Posted by dtechdrivertraining on October 6th, 2017

This information is based on the assumption that you already have a valid license in your home country. If not, then you definitely need to enrol to a Driving school Silverwater or one near you to go through driver education and meet all the requirements for an Australian diving license. Your driving school will offer more information on what you need to enrol.

If you have a valid license from your home country, here is what you need to know. 

You Have a Grace Period

Note that different territories may have slightly different requirements for non-citizen drivers like Driving school Silverwater but generally speaking, you can drive on your overseas license for the first three months. After this you definitely need a state license.

You Don’t Necessarily Need to Take a Test

Many Australian residents have to go through driver training and testing afresh regardless of how long they have been driving in their home country. There are however a few exceptions including;

• If your license is from a country considered to have similar licensing system as Australia. These countries include most nations in the EU, Japan, USA and Canada. You definitely need to check with your state regulations to ensure this is true.
• If you have a New Zealand license
• You have previously held an Australian license and are currently using an overseas license. Again, you need to check with the state regulations to ensure that you don’t have to take the drivers test.

The good news is once you take the RTA driving test in Sydney and pass it, you won't have probationary restrictions on your license as is the case with new drivers.

Getting an Australian License

If you don’t meet the aforementioned requirements, then there is no option but to take the Australian driving test. This typically includes a computer-based theory test and a practical test.

Computer Based Test

You can take this test at any RTA office. Practice tests are available online if you feel you need to polish up on your theory. If you don’t pass this test the first time round, you can take it again although you may be charged a fee for taking the test again.

Practical Driving Test

Once you are done with the theory test, you have to take a practical driving test. Failing the test means you are immediately stripped of your visiting driver privileges. You then have to apply for a Lerner's license which you use until you pass the test. Note that the same restrictions such as maintaining a speed below 80km/h and driving with a companion with a valid driver's license at all times apply.

Once you pass the practical test on the second try, the probationary restrictions are lifted. This is however only true if you have had your overseas license for more than three years.

If you have doubts about passing the practical driving test, it is worth hiring a professional driving instructor Bankstown to polish up on your driving. Remember that rules and regulations for overseas drivers may vary from state to state.