New rules will close a loophole that has allowed temporary visa holders to drive a car or ride a motorcycle in New South Wales on a foreign licence without being prohibited from driving as a result of accumulating demerit points for traffic offences.
Study and work visa holders
From 1 July 2023, those who hold temporary visas – such as to study or work in Australia – will be required to obtain a New South Wales driver licence if they have continuously resided in the state for six months and wish to continue driving. The same rule will apply to rider licences.
Visitors
The rules in relation to visitors to Australia – such as tourists – are that they can drive or ride in New South Wales using an overseas licence for up the three months provided they:
- Remain a temporary overseas visitor,
- Have a current overseas driver licence
- Have not been disqualified from driving in New South Wales or anywhere else in Australia or overseas, and
- Have not had a licence suspended or cancelled, or visiting driving privileges withdrawn.
The overseas driver or rider licence must accompany the person, as well as an English translation if it is in a foreign language or, alternatively, an International Driving Permit.
International visitors are encouraged to download the Road User Handbook and get to know the rules.
Interstate travellers and New Zealanders
Australians from other states and territories and New Zealanders (who have special status and generally do not need a visa to live and work in Australia long term) can drive for a period of up to three months on a valid interstate or a New Zealand driver licence.
Heavy vehicles
Those from out of state or New Zealand and hold a licence to drive a light rigid (LR), medium rigid (MR), heavy rigid (HR), heavy combination (HC) or multi-combination (MC) licence, are exempt from obtaining a New South Wales driver licence for a total period of 12 months from the date of arrival.
However, this 12-month period is currently under review and you're advised to check with Transport for NSW for the latest information.
Rules for obtaining a New South Wales driver or rider licence
The rules that apply to obtaining a New South Wales driver or rider licence depend on the country in which the applicant holds their existing foreign licence.
Those who hold a licence issued in any of the following countries are not required to undertake a knowledge test or a driving or riding skills test before they can be issued with a New South Wales licence.
| Austria | Japan |
| Belgium | Jersey |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Luxembourg |
| Canada | Malta (for licences first issued after 2 January 2004) |
| Croatia | Netherlands |
| Denmark | New Zealand |
| Finland | Norway |
| France | Portugal |
| Germany | Singapore |
| Greece | Spain |
| Guernsey | Sweden |
| Ireland | Switzerland |
| Isle of Man (for licences first issued after 1 April 1991) | United Kingdom |
| Italy | United States of America |
Those who hold a licence issued in any of the following countries and are at least 25 years of age are similarly not required to undertake a knowledge test or a driving or riding skills test.
| Bulgaria | Republic of Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Republic of Korea (South Korea) |
| Estonia | Republic of Serbia |
| Hong Kong (must have held the licence for at least 12 months) | Romania |
| Hungary | Slovakia |
| Latvia | Slovenia |
| Lithuania | South Africa |
| Poland | Taiwan |
Those who do not hold a licence in any of the above countries, or who hold a licence in the second group and are under the age of 25 years, will need to pass a knowledge test and a skills test before they can be issued with a New South Wales licence.
Driving offences in New South Wales
It is important for international licence holders to be aware that using a mobile phone is strictly prohibited while driving, and driving after consuming alcohol and drugs are considered to be serious offences.
The demerit point scheme
You will lose driving privileges if you accrue 13 or more demerit points, which can accrue for offences of speeding, failing to stop at a red light (or a yellow light when it was safe to stop before it), illegal turns and so on.
The 'demerit point' scheme is the main penalty scheme for minor traffic offences in Australia.
These types of offences normally also come with fines.
Unrestricted driver licence holders (unrestricted means those drivers who are not on learner or provisional licences) can only accrue less than 13 demerit points over a period of three years.
Different traffic offences have different demerit points. If you accrue 13 points, your licence is automatically suspended.
You can find out more about the demerit scheme, and when double-demerit points are in force across New South Wales here.
If you lose driving privileges, you will then have to apply for a NSW driver licence to be legally in charge of a vehicle on a road.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
