Navigating the roads in Australia is about to become more complex for foreign drivers seeking to call this sunburnt country home.

New national guidelines that came into effect this week will significantly overhaul the driver's licence conversion process, impacting every Australian state and territory.

This change is not just a minor tweak; it's being hailed as the most substantial shift in the Recognised Country Scheme in two decades, and both locals and international residents need to be aware of it.

Austroads, the government-funded agency responsible for managing international licences on behalf of the states and territories, has introduced these changes to 'streamline conversions' from a select list of countries.

The aim is to ensure that drivers from overseas meet the high standards expected on Australian roads, and the new process reflects a commitment to a Safe System approach to road safety.

Foreign drivers seeking an Australian licence may face new training measures and tests under updated national guidelines. Credit: Shutterstock

Previously, overseas drivers could navigate Australian roads with a valid licence from their home country.

However, those planning to live here permanently were categorised into two groups to convert their international licence to an Australian one.

The Recognised Country status included many Western countries such as the US, UK, France, Canada, and Italy, where motorists could fill in paperwork to make the switch.

The second category, the Experienced Driver Recognition Status, encompassed countries like South Korea, South Africa, Taiwan, and Poland.

But here's the kicker: this category will be no more from 30 April 2025.

This means licence holders from these countries will likely need additional training and testing to secure an Australian licence.

Geoff Allan, Austroads Chief Executive, has emphasised that the changes are designed to ensure a more rigorous assessment process and to address concerns such as identity theft and document fraud.

The new system will require applicant countries to confirm the validity and currency of their licences, adding an extra layer of security.

However, for overseas licence holders who only transition to an Australian licence after the Experienced Driver Recognition Scheme ends, further training and testing await.

The process for converting an overseas licence to an Australian one varies from state to state, and those affected are encouraged to visit the AustRoads website for specific information.

In most parts of Australia, a driver with a full licence from their home country can legally drive for up to three months after arrival—except in Victoria, where the period extends to six months.

New South Wales has already set a deadline for international drivers living permanently in the state to apply for local credentials.

The new laws, announced in March, aim to close a significant loophole that allowed international drivers to accumulate demerit points without facing the same consequences as local licence holders.

Two main changes affect drivers with overseas licences, so it's crucial for all parties involved to stay informed and prepared.

Key Takeaways

• Foreign drivers seeking an Australian licence may face new training measures and tests under updated national guidelines.
• The changes are intended to streamline conversions and introduce strengthened assessment criteria for licence recognition.
• The Recognised Country status and Experienced Driver Recognition Status have different requirements for international drivers converting their licences.
• The Experienced Driver Recognition Status will be abolished from April 30, 2025, prompting drivers from those countries to undertake further training and testing.

Do you have a story tip or personal experience related to the changes in the new driver's licence? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[jay2]

If you want to be scared out of your witts , try driving in India. jay2

 

[Jennie]

40 yrs ago a Cabramatta driving school had a system where immigrants from a certain Asian country could get a licence by having the same person do the tests for quite a few people. Some of the people getting these licences had not had a single lesson. It was well known in the area but authorities let it go on because of
" money under the counter".

 

[PattiB]

Will this new Law be legal in Western Australia?
Seems unlikely !!

They are a country on their own…. or so they think they are. We lived there for 10 years & always felt like outsiders once they knew we were from the “Eastern State”.

If you have a legal prescription from a legal doctor from any other state in Australia, it will NOT be recognised in Western Australia. This could be a life or death case.

The Australian Government can change that Law if it wanted to but is too weak to do so.

I get my scripts, from Tasmania, filled in WA. Pharmacists have never questioned them.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I totally agree with all the correspondents on this subject, however, the drivers generally here in Victoria are a bloody disgrace - they don't care about anyone, they just do as they please and get away with it - why? I will tell you why - there are virtually NO mobile Police in Victoria, except in the Metro area - they don't patrol in the country like they used to - why? because we have the most useless bunch of senior officers in Australia - we have a pussy cat leading the force so what else do you expect. Current migrants can tell new arrivals not to worry - you will be OK, our police are too busy doing office work to worry about the general public - and before everyone jumps down my throat - I am referring only to the subject of driving.

The drivers in Ballarat are particularly bad; not signalling, backing out without looking .... the list goes on. This place has definitely become 'Feral Central' since all these new Estates sprung up! DRIVER BEWARE!

 

[Mika in the van]

Australia has some of the worst drivers ANYWHERE. Having driven in more countries than most Australians qualifies my comment.

Australian road rules differ from one state to another. If you are about to ask: "what about Europe?" Stop right there. There is FAR greater cohesion in road rules across states whose languages and cultures differ, than between an allegedly homogenous single country continent like Australia.

My greatest bugbears:

1. Middle lane hoggers are dangerous and must be removed. You would be in court in the good old Mother Country!

2. Imbeciles who slow down or stop on joining a motorway or dual carriageway.

2a 4r5e holes who won't let others in.

3. Signage. Australia is one of the worst countries for signage and the 50kph no-sign rule is arrant nonsense. If you want safety, put up signs. I personally don't care how expensive unambiguity is. It is the safer option, BY FAR!

4. School zones are inadequately marked. They must ALL be painted red on the road throughout the zone - not least because many roads and even school access roads have no markings to say motorists are entering a school zone. Do you want safety or do you need money?

5. Schools have different holidays. I've been out of school for 40-odd years. What do I know which is a school day or not? A teacher I know was pinged by a copper in Queensland in a school zone. She had gone in to work DURING her school holiday but another nearby school was NOT on holiday and she got pinged by a copper who thought he needed a medal. It was Easter. The teacher assumed everywhere was on holiday but the school that was not on holiday only had a long weekend for Easter itself. If you think this is reasonable, you are thick and you do not deserve to be granted a licence!

Have to agree with you. Moving to South Aus we found that even on a school holiday if lights are flashing you have to do 25. The school holidays are different in every state and the school zone rules are different. As for just a black and white school zone sign, there are so many other signs on the roads that these just blend in. Flashing speed zones signs work well. Then you know if it’s not on, there’s no School kids.
Speed zones are also ridiculous here. Our narrow country roads in our estate are 80. Yet some of the wider main roads are 60. When I asked if it could reduced as there are lots of pedestrians and no footpaths we were told “No. If you want to walk in the road it’s your like youre risking!”

 

[Towing]

Have to agree with you. Moving to South Aus we found that even on a school holiday if lights are flashing you have to do 25. The school holidays are different in every state and the school zone rules are different. As for just a black and white school zone sign, there are so many other signs on the roads that these just blend in. Flashing speed zones signs work well. Then you know if it’s not on, there’s no School kids.
Speed zones are also ridiculous here. Our narrow country roads in our estate are 80. Yet some of the wider main roads are 60. When I asked if it could reduced as there are lots of pedestrians and no footpaths we were told “No. If you want to walk in the road it’s your like youre risking!”

Some private schools start holidays a day earlier than Public ones. At the beginning of terms they start a day later.

 

[Mika in the van]

Some private schools start holidays a day earlier than Public ones. At the beginning of terms they start a day later.

We don’t have any private schools in our town. I’m talking mid holidays and weekends. Not just day before or after.

 

[Mark@Home]

Have to agree with you. Moving to South Aus we found that even on a school holiday if lights are flashing you have to do 25. The school holidays are different in every state and the school zone rules are different. As for just a black and white school zone sign, there are so many other signs on the roads that these just blend in. Flashing speed zones signs work well. Then you know if it’s not on, there’s no School kids.
Speed zones are also ridiculous here. Our narrow country roads in our estate are 80. Yet some of the wider main roads are 60. When I asked if it could reduced as there are lots of pedestrians and no footpaths we were told “No. If you want to walk in the road it’s your like youre risking!”

Just a couple of things to be aware of Mika:

I have seen some wig wags (the alternating flashing lights at the school zone start) not working!!!! Make sure you have an accurate clock.

"On school days" is another blatant money grab and disregard for safety. Not all schools start and finish on the same dates. Police in Indooroopilly have sat outside a Lutheran church school to catch teachers and staff on staff only days leaving the school believing the nearby state school to be also on holiday - $$$ !! This is sheer unadulterated bastardry.

Your report about the refusal to take pedestrian safety seriously is another example of bastardry. Who EXACTLY told you that?