The need to change
your overseas driver licence to a Australian driver licence
depends on whether your stay in Australia is permanent or
temporary.
If you are in Australia on a temporary visa, you can drive on your
overseas licence (provided it is a current, valid licence) for an
indefinite period provided your overseas licence is in English (or
you have an English translation), or you have an International
Driving Permit.
If you are in Australia on a permanent visa, you can drive on your
overseas licence for only three months from the date you entered Australia
or from the time a permanent visa was issued to you. If you want
to continue to drive in Australia after that time you must apply
for a Australian driver licence.
New Zealand residents who hold a current licence are treated as interstate
drivers.
Eligibility to qualify for a Australian
licence
You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a Australian driver
licence.
Full Australian driver licence
You must have held and provide evidence that you have held a
licence for at least three years from your 18th birthday to obtain
a full Australian licence. Any period where you have been
disqualified from driving either in Australia or in NZ, is
excluded when calculating the period of time you have held a
licence.
Exemptions from licence tests
If you hold a driver licence from one of the following countries
you are not required to undertake any tests provided your overseas
licence is current or not expired by more than five years.
However, you still need to make an appointment to changeover your
licence if you are from a recognised country.
|
Austria
|
Finland
|
Isle of Man
1
|
Netherlands
|
Sweden
|
|
Belgium
|
France
|
Italy
|
Norway
|
Switzerland
|
|
Canada
|
Germany
|
Japan
|
Portugal
|
UK
|
|
Croatia
|
Greece
|
Luxembourg
|
Singapore
|
USA
|
|
Denmark
|
Ireland
|
Malta
2
|
Spain
|
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|
1
for licences first issued on or after 1 April 1991
2 for licences first issued on or
after 2 Jan 2004
Driving License
in New Zealand
You can legally
drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a
current driver's licence from your home country or an
International Driving Permit (IDP). After 12 months you are
required to convert to a New Zealand licence. This applies to each
visit to New Zealand.
In New Zealand all
drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their
licence or permit at all times when driving. You will only be able
to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in
your home country. The common legal age to rent a car in New
Zealand is 21 years.
Make sure your
driver's licence is current. If your licence is not in English,
you should bring an English translation with you or obtain an IDP.
Contact your local automobile club for further details about
obtaining an IDP.
A translation of
your overseas licence or permit can be issued by:
the New Zealand
Translation Service, or a diplomatic representative at a high
commission, embassy or consulate, or the authority that issued
your overseas licence (an international driving permit may be
acceptable as a translation).
SAFETY TIPS FOR
DRIVING
Safety Tips that
will help you get the most out of driving on New Zealand's roads.
Road Rules New
Zealanders drive on the left-hand side of the road. Drivers give
way (or yield) to all traffic crossing or approaching from the
right.
The speed limit is
100km/h on the open road and 50km/h in urban areas. You will find
multi-lane motorways and expressways on the approaches to the
larger cities, with most roads being dual carriageways.
Signposting follows standard international symbols and all
distances are in kilometres (km).
Both drivers and
passengers must wear a safety belt in both the front and back
seats. Get plenty of sleep before a long drive. Take regular
breaks - one every two hours and when you get sleepy.
Do not drink alcohol
before driving in New Zealand, drinking and driving laws are
strictly enforced.
Cycling and
Motorbikes Helmets for riders of cycles and motorbikes must be
worn at all times. Rear and front lights on cycles are required at
night. Motorbikes should drive with a headlight on at all times.
Cycling is not permitted on motorways.
Driving
Safely in the Scenic South has particular information on
driving in this area.
For comprehensive
information about driving in New Zealand, from road rules to
vehicle safety, visit the Land
Transport NZ.
