Interstate and overseas licences

If you have a current interstate or overseas driver licence, you can use it to drive in NSW. The conditions and how long you can use it for depend on your circumstances.

 If you have a:

• provisional licence – you also need to follow the conditions of your current interstate or overseas licence
• learner licence – you also need to follow the conditions of your current interstate or overseas licence and the NSW learner licence restrictions.

Interstate and New Zealand licences

You can drive in NSW using your interstate or New Zealand driver licence for up to 3 months, as long as:

• your licence is not suspended or disqualified
• your licence is the correct licence class for the vehicle you’re driving
• you follow NSW road rules
• your right to drive in NSW has not been withdrawn.

To continue to drive in NSW after 3 months, you must transfer your licence to a NSW licence. You must do this within the 3 months.

 Visit service.nsw.gov.au for information about transferring your overseas learner, provisional or full licence.

Overseas licences (except New Zealand)

You can drive in NSW using your overseas driver licence as long as:

• your licence is current and is not suspended or disqualified
• your right to drive in NSW has not been withdrawn
• your licence is the correct licence class for the vehicle you’re driving
• you were not issued an Australian permanent resident visa more than 3 months ago
• you follow NSW road rules.

If your licence is not in English, you must carry an International Driver Permit or a translation of your licence when driving.

You’re encouraged to transfer to a NSW licence if you intend to live in NSW for a long period of time.

If you get an Australian permanent resident visa, you must transfer to a NSW licence within 3 months.

Visit service.nsw.gov.au for information about transferring your overseas learner, provisional or full licence.

Once you have a NSW licence, your interstate or overseas licence is invalid. This is because in Australia you can only have one driver licence.