Think you’re ready for a road trip in Australia? Make sure you have the right to drive aside from the motivation to travel the country. Driving in Australia with an international drivers license can mean restrictions in certain states. Whether you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, or just doing a road trip it’s better to check state requirements than end up with an unnecessary ticket.
Receiving a drivers license in your home country probably means it’s okay to drive in Australia. Certain states though have restrictions to how long visitors can use their drivers licenses.
Just to clarify, an international drivers license is an official document brought along with your overseas drivers license. It’s a UN-recognized document translated in multiple languages for driving abroad. Unless your drivers license is in English already, you’re required to travel with this. Or, an official translated copy of your drivers license, in order to drive in Australia.
Aside from checking you can legally drive in Australia with an international drivers license, you have to follow all road rules in each state.
In Australia, drivers licensing is broken up for each state, here I’m including everything you need to know for the different states.
Disclosure: I am not a lawyer or professional and am not liable for information or recommendations given in this article.
Table of Contents
New South Wales
Once a state with some restrictions for visitors driving in NSW, it’s not the case anymore. Anyone with proof that they are a visitor in NSW can drive in the state without any restrictions. Those on WHV are visitors, so you’re good here for this part of the road trip.
According to NSW Roads and Maritime Services, visitors are okay to drive as long as their drivers license is valid. As in, they can’t have their drivers license suspended or disqualified. That could either be abroad or in NSW. It’s also important to carry your drivers license with you. Local NSW residents can provide their license on their mobile device, but this isn’t the same for visitors.
Victoria
As of October 29, 2019 it’s mandatory for all drivers regardless of their visa to have a Victoria drivers license if they plan to stay more than six months in the state. This goes for having an interstate or an international drivers license.
Most people on WHV won’t need to exchange their driver licenses if they’re just driving through Victoria. It’s easy to check online if Victoria recognizes a drivers license. In some cases you may not need to surrender your drivers license, and just pay a fee to have a Victoria license.
Queensland
Overall driving in Queensland with an international drivers license isn’t too difficult. Similar to NSW, visitors don’t need to convert their drivers license. And, there’s no time-frame in which visitors can drive in Queensland until being forced to get a state license.
There’s a few catches to this, if you have a Queensland drivers license you have to use it. Meaning if you do have a Queensland state license, you have to show it to police, if questioned. And, if you become an Australian resident, or even get a resident visa you have to get a Queensland driver license within three months.
Planning to travel the country? Check out my essential tips for buying a vehicle and other tips for van life.
Northern Territory
Those with interstate and international drivers licenses can drive in the NT legally for up to three months. After this, your drivers license is invalid for driving in the NT. However, this is only for those staying in the state for a continuous period of three months. If you’re popping in and out of the state then the time period resets.
The NT has exemptions to these three month rule, though. If you can prove you’re a resident of another state or country and planning to stay in the state less than 12 months, it’s possible to have an exemption. Other conditions may apply, and the state decides these exemptions on a case-by-case basis. There’s some fees and conditions for transferring an international drivers license, but not an interstate drivers license.
Western Australia
Driving in WA has nearly the same laws for international drivers licenses to NSW. Meaning those on WHV and other visitors can drive in WA for any time period as long as your license doesn’t have a suspension or cancellation. This also counts for tourists and anyone else temporarily visiting WA.
If your drivers license has expired, you’ll have to get a new one from the state. Again, visitors must insure they follow WA road rules and pay for any fines issued from authorities.
Southern Australia
All visitors can drive in SA for any amount of time as long as their drivers license is still valid. If the drivers license expires whilst in SA, or you become a permanent resident you’ll have to apply for a drivers license in the state.
This means most people on WHV and other tourists are fine to drive in SA as long as they have a valid drivers license in English.
Tasmania
Similar to other states, those with an international drivers license are cleared in drive in Tasmania for any time limit. This comes with the conditions your drivers license is translated and valid.
The only times people with international drivers license need to change over to a Tasmania license is if they have permanent visa. In which case it will have to be done within three months of being in the state. So those with WHV are okay to drive in Tasmania while working or staying in the state. International learners licenses aren’t recognized in the state.
Australian Capital Territory
Driving in Australia with an international drivers license is okay in the capital territory. Simply put, visitors driving in the ACT are okay to drive in the state. This is true for as long as your drivers license is valid. ACT views someone as a visitor if they have no intention of becoming a resident there.
If the international drivers license is a learners, it’s still possible to drive in ACT but you’re obligated to follow the road rules for a learner and any other restrictions according to your drivers license.
Think you’re ready to drive? Check out my tips on buying a vehicle to travel Australia and understanding vehicle insurance in Australia.
