Driving with an overseas licence in NSW

Driving with an overseas license in NSW

On 1 July 2023 changes were introduced in NSW that impact overseas drivers.

According to the NSW Government website, the two core changes that impact overseas drivers are:

The first change is a 6-month residency rule whereby temporary visa holders who intend to reside continuously within NSW for 6 months or longer will need to convert to a NSW licence within 6 months if they wish to continue to drive.

The second change is a withdrawal of driving privileges, a new arrangement that will start for all persons in NSW driving on an overseas driver’s licence. Through this change, Transport for NSW will permanently withdraw a person’s visiting driver privileges if they:

• accrue 13 demerit points, or

• are convicted of a serious driving offence (listed under section 224 of the Road Transport Act 2013), or;

• are suspended or disqualified from driving a motor vehicle in any part of Australia or another country; or

• are convicted of a drug or alcohol-related driving offence.

If these overseas licence holders wish to drive again in NSW, they will be required to obtain a NSW driver licence once they have completed their suspension or disqualification period (whatever is applicable). They will not be permitted to drive again in NSW using their overseas licence.

For further information, you should refer to the NSW Government website:

www.nsw.gov.au...or-interstate

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case-specific information or advice, please get in touch with SCA Connect.