The
requirement to change your overseas driver licence to a Victorian driver
licence depends on whether your stay in Victoria is temporary or permanent.
If you are in Victoria on a
temporary visa, you can drive on your overseas driver licence (it must be
current and valid) for an indefinite period provided your overseas driver
licence is in English (or you have an accompanying English translation or
International Driving Permit).
If you are in Victoria on a
permanent visa issued under the Migration Act 1958, you may drive on your
overseas driver licence for:
six months from the date you first
entered Australia (if the permanent visa was issued before you
entered Australia); or,
six months from the date when the permanent visa
was issued to you (if the permanent visa was issued to you in Australia)
If you want to continue driving in Victoria after this time you must hold a
valid Victorian driver licence.
New Zealand residents who hold a current and valid driver licence are treated
as interstate
drivers.
Eligibility to qualify for a
Victorian driver licence or learner permit
Victorian
full driver licence
To obtain a Victorian full driver licence you must have held and provide
evidence that you have held an overseas driver licence for at least three
years from your 18th birthday. Your overseas driver licence must be current or
not expired by more than five years. Any period where you have been suspended
or disqualified from driving is excluded when calculating the period of time
you have held a licence.
Victorian
probationary driver licence You must be at least 18 years of age
to obtain a Victorian probationary driver licence. No age exemptions apply. If
you have held an overseas driver licence for less than three years, an
appropriate probationary period (P1 or P2) will apply, depending on your age
and the amount of time your overseas driver licence has been held (you must
provide evidence). Any period where you have been suspended or disqualified
from driving is excluded when calculating the period of time you have held a licence.
Victorian
learner permit
You must be at least 16 years of age to obtain a Victorian learner permit (at
least 18 years for a motorcycle). No age exemptions apply.
Licence translations If your licence is in a language
other than English, it must be accompanied by an English translation. The
translation is at your own cost.
VicRoads only
accepts translations completed by:
a NAATI accredited (any level) translator, or
an official translation from the country of origin, or
an appropriate consulate in Australia.
An International Driving Permit is
acceptable as a translation of an overseas driver licence.
How to apply - Victorian driver
licence test To obtain Victorian driver licence
(full or probationary) you need to make an appointment to undertake a road law knowledge test,
hazard perception test
(HPT), eyesight test and a drive test (except as
noted below) at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre. You must complete and
pass the road law knowledge test and hazard perception test before you attempt
the drive test.
If your overseas driver licence is
no longer valid for driving in Victoria (see above information regarding
permanent visas), you will still be able to undertake the driving test, as you
are exempt from holding a learner permit for the duration of the test.
Exemptions from licence tests If you hold a driver licence from
one of the countries in the table below you are not required to undertake any
tests provided your overseas driver licence is current or not expired by more
than five years. However, you still need to make an appointment to changeover
to a Victorian driver licence.
Whether you hold an Overseas / International Licence from
one of the abovementioned countries, or another country in which case you may
need to pass the Drive test, Melbourne Driving School will tailor a driving
lesson program to suit your specific requirements.
Melbourne Driving School are Overseas Licence Conversion
specialists, and are fully conversant with the Vicroads Driving test assessment
criteria.
If you require your Victorian Drivers Licence then call
0414771101 to arrange your driving lesson appointment.
