Driving with an overseas licence in 南澳

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Driving with an overseas licence

If you are visiting from overseas, or you've recently moved here permanently, make sure that you are driving legally and safely.

On this page:

Short term visitor
International driving permit
New residents
Applying for a South Australian driver's licence
Recognised overseas licences
Non-recognised overseas licences
English translations and language services

Short term visitorIf your visit is temporary, you may drive the equivalent vehicle in Australia as authorised by your current licence issued to you in your home country, as long as:

• your licence is written in English or accompanied by an English translation
  
  
• you have an International Driving Permit
• you haven't been disqualified from driving in any country.
  

You must carry your licence and translation or International Driving Permit at all times while driving and must produce these and your temporary visa to Police on request.

If your overseas licence expires while you are in Australia, you must obtain an Australian licence.

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International driving permitAn International Driving Permit (IDP) is a special permit for tourists, authorised by a United Nations Treaty to allow motorists to drive internationally without further tests or licence applications.
An IDP is proof that you hold a valid driver’s licence in your home country and is a requirement for renting a motor vehicle in many countries.
In South Australia, you can apply or renew an IDP at the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Inc (RAA).  You’ll need to take a copy of your current driver’s licence into any RAA Office along with a passport size photo, fill out an application form and pay the fee.
An International Driving Permit is only valid for 12 months and must be accompanied by the licence issued in your home country.
For more information and to download the application form visit the RAA website.

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New residentsNew permanent residents or citizens must apply for a South Australian driver’s licence in South Australia within three months of arrival.

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Applying for a South Australian driver's licence You may be eligible for the equivalent class of licence as your foreign licence. Minimum age requirements apply.

Go to any Service SA customer service centre and present the following documents:

• your current driver's licence - if this is not written in English you must bring an approved English translation or your International driving permit
• evidence of identity - proof of your identity, signature, age and address
• payment for your written test, if required
• your medical certificate, if required
• concession card, if entitled.
  

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Recognised overseas licences South Australia recognises the driver licensing and testing standards in the countries listed below. If you hold, or have held a driver's licence within the last five years you are not required to undertake equivalent driving tests in South Australia.

Austria	Belgium	Canada
Croatia	Denmark	Finland
France	Germany	Greece
Guernsey	Ireland	Isle of Man
Italy	Japan	Jersey
Luxembourg	Malta	Netherlands
New Zealand	Norway	Portugal
Singapore	Spain	Sweden
Switzerland	United Kingdom	United States

If your foreign licence is for a class other than a car or motorcycle, and you wish to keep that class of licence, you must undertake a practical driving test in a vehicle of that class (excluding road trains and B-doubles).

New Zealand licence holders will be issued with the equivalent South Australian driver's licence for all licence classes.

Under the age of 16 years:

• If you hold a full (unrestricted) foreign licence and are under the age of 16 years you are not eligible to hold a South Australian learner’s permit or driver's licence.
• If you hold a full foreign licence but are under the age of 16½ years, you may be issued a learner's permit.
• If you hold a full foreign licence but are under the age of 19 years, you may be issued a provisional licence.
  

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Non-recognised overseas licences Under 19

• If you hold a full (unrestricted) foreign licence and you are under the age of 16 years you are not eligible to hold a South Australian learner’s permit or driver's licence.
• If you hold a full (unrestricted) foreign licence and you are under the age of 16½ years, you may be issued a learner's permit after passing the necessary tests.
• If you hold a full (unrestricted) foreign licence and you are under the age of 19 years, you may be issued a provisional licence after passing the necessary tests.
  

You must comply with all of the conditions of the licence or permit and the requirements of the graduated licensing scheme.  


Over 19 If you hold a full foreign licence and you are aged 19 years or over you must pass the Australian road rules theory test.

You will be issued a temporary driving permit, which is valid for one month, during which time you are required to pass a practical driving test.

If you do not pass the practical driving test within that month or if you fail a validation assessment you must then apply for a learner's permit.

Sometimes after passing a practical driving test with a private authorised examiner a further practical driving test with a government assessment officer (known as a validation assessment) is required before a South Australian licence is issued. There is no charge for this test.

When you have passed these driving tests you will receive a certificate of competency.

Present your certificate of competency at a Service SA customer service centre to obtain your South Australian driver's licence.

After you have paid the fee and had your photograph taken, a temporary driver's licence will be issued and your photo licence will be posted to you.

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English translations and language servicesTranslation services are available through:

The Interpreting and Translating Centre
24 Flinders Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8226 1990
Web: www.translate.sa.gov.au

Alternatively, you can contact the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters NAATI on (08) 8410 5233 or visit www.naati.com.au for a list of translators.
When driver's licence translations are acceptedDriver's licence translations will only be accepted if they are:

• an original document (photocopies, faxes and certified copies are not acceptable)
• from a Consulate Office in Australia, signed by a consulate officer, and on official consulate letterhead, or
• authorised by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
  

Translations are also acceptable if they have been provided either directly by or with the endorsement of the South Australian Government Interpreting and Translating Centre or interstate equivalent or the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).