Seniors Driver’s Licence Concessions Australia-Wide
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Welcome to our comprehensive guide on seniors driver’s licence concessions available in each state and territory of Australia. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to stay mobile and independent, especially when it comes to transportation. Fortunately, many Australian states and territories offer various discounts and concessions on driver's licences.
In this guide, we will explore the different types of senior driver’s licence concessions available in each state and territory, and provide you with all the information you need to take advantage of these valuable programs. So, let's dive in!
Australians with a good driving record, who have been unemployed for six months or more and are receiving Centrelink unemployment benefits are entitled to a 65% fee discount on a one-year licence only. Australians who don't have a good driving record but meet the other eligibility requirements are entitled to a 50% fee discount on a one-year licence. The concession is not applicable for restricted or five-year licences.
A ‘good driving record’ is defined as a record that within the last five years:
The concession can only apply to the ACT licence of the cardholder.
Pensioners
Holders of a current Centrelink Pension Concession Card are entitled to a 100% fee discount, in other words completely free, upon issue or renewal of provisional, full or national heavy vehicle licence.
Full fees are payable for restricted driver’s licences.
You must present a current and valid Centrelink Pension Concession Card displaying an ACT residential address.
The concession can only apply to the ACT licence of the cardholder.
DVA Pension Card or DVA Gold Card
Holders of a current Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Pension Concession Card or current DVA Gold Card are entitled to a 100% fee discount, in other words completely free, upon the issue or renewal of a provisional, full or national heavy vehicle licence.
Full fees are payable for restricted driver’s licences.
You must complete a Concession Validation Consent form or provide a letter from DVA confirming the concession entitlement. The letter must be dated no earlier than 14 days before the transaction.
The concession can only be provided to the cardholder. The concession can only apply to the ACT licence of the cardholder.
To apply your DVA concession to your licence, you are required to provide your DVA Unique Identification Number (UIN). If your UIN is not listed on your concession card, please contact DVA. Alternatively, the UIN may be found in DVA-issued correspondence.
However, they do offer registration concessions. The following cards may be eligible for motor vehicle registration discounts:
An eligible pensioner is anyone who holds or receives a:
Eligible pensioners can receive the following free of charge:
You are not eligible for pensioner concessions if you're:
If you are a registered carer or a holder of a Seniors or Senior Savers card, you will receive a NSW Photo Card free of charge. You are not entitled to the other free services that Pensioner Concessions are eligible for.
To register for a carer concession, you must complete the Carers Registration Concession Declaration and submit the completed form to Service NSW.
The NT driver’s licence concession covers the cost of the driver’s licence renewal.
Read more about concession cards you can use at MVR.
You may be entitled to the Pensioner Concession if you hold a pension card issued by the Australian Government.
Benefits include
Concession applications will be verified electronically with Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Eligible applicants under 65 years can receive savings between $11.55 and $56.10, depending on the length of time the full driver's licence is issued.
The discount is applied in line with the length of the renewal so, for example, a one-year extension will save eligible drivers $11.90, two years $23.80, three years $34.00 and $45.90 for a four-year renewal.
Driver’s licence discounts are available to people who hold any of the following:
To find out whether you are eligible for the driver's licence concession click here or call 1300 135 513.
Victoria does not currently offer any senior concession discounts for licence renewals.
However, they do offer registration concessions. The following concessions can be used for registration discounts:
You can read more here.
Safe driver discount
The Safe Driver Discount aims to reward good driving behaviour to those who demonstrate safe driving behaviours behind the wheel.
Full licence holders (car, motorcycle, and heavy vehicle) that are eligible will receive a 25 per cent discount on their renewal.
How do I know if I'm eligible for the Safe Driver Discount?
You are eligible for a concession on your licence if you have a valid:
Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs and in receipt of the Age Pension
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
WA Seniors Card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs (both cards must be presented)
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
Veteran Affairs Veteran Card (Gold) printed with TPI or EDA
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
Letter confirming you are in receipt of or eligible for the Special Rate of Disability Pension either under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 or the Veterans’ Entitlement Act 1986
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs
50% reduction of the fee for the renewal or replacement of driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
WA Seniors Card
50% reduction of the fee for the renewal or replacement of driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
How to Apply
Application forms are available from the Department of Transport Customer Contact Centre by calling 13 11 56 or by downloading a copy here.
Concession card holders can either make an application by attending a Driver and Vehicle Service Centre or post their completed application form to the Department of Transport GPO Box R1290 Perth WA 6844.
All other information and forms can be found here.
In conclusion, the various senior licence concessions available in each state and territory of Australia are an important resource. We hope that this guide has been a helpful resource in navigating the different senior licence concessions available in Australia and that it has provided you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your travel options as you age.
In this guide, we will explore the different types of senior driver’s licence concessions available in each state and territory, and provide you with all the information you need to take advantage of these valuable programs. So, let's dive in!
Australian Capital Territory
Good news for ACT residents, there are a range of concessions available. To learn whether you are eligible, read on. For the concession application form, click here.Centrelink concessions
Health Care CardAustralians with a good driving record, who have been unemployed for six months or more and are receiving Centrelink unemployment benefits are entitled to a 65% fee discount on a one-year licence only. Australians who don't have a good driving record but meet the other eligibility requirements are entitled to a 50% fee discount on a one-year licence. The concession is not applicable for restricted or five-year licences.
A ‘good driving record’ is defined as a record that within the last five years:
- contains no offences where an infringement notice was served;
- contains no conviction/s of a major offence such as drink or drug driving; or
- contains no conviction/s of a motor vehicle-related traffic offence.
The concession can only apply to the ACT licence of the cardholder.
Pensioners
Holders of a current Centrelink Pension Concession Card are entitled to a 100% fee discount, in other words completely free, upon issue or renewal of provisional, full or national heavy vehicle licence.
Full fees are payable for restricted driver’s licences.
You must present a current and valid Centrelink Pension Concession Card displaying an ACT residential address.
The concession can only apply to the ACT licence of the cardholder.
Department of Veterans' Affairs concessions
DVA Pension Card or DVA Gold Card
Holders of a current Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Pension Concession Card or current DVA Gold Card are entitled to a 100% fee discount, in other words completely free, upon the issue or renewal of a provisional, full or national heavy vehicle licence.
Full fees are payable for restricted driver’s licences.
You must complete a Concession Validation Consent form or provide a letter from DVA confirming the concession entitlement. The letter must be dated no earlier than 14 days before the transaction.
The concession can only be provided to the cardholder. The concession can only apply to the ACT licence of the cardholder.
To apply your DVA concession to your licence, you are required to provide your DVA Unique Identification Number (UIN). If your UIN is not listed on your concession card, please contact DVA. Alternatively, the UIN may be found in DVA-issued correspondence.
Queensland
Currently in Queensland, cardholders are not eligible for any concessions on driver’s licence fees.However, they do offer registration concessions. The following cards may be eligible for motor vehicle registration discounts:
- Queensland Seniors Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Veteran Gold Card embossed with TPI or EDA
You can read more here.
New South Wales
You may be eligible for a concession or a discount depending on your circumstances. This may include whether you are a pensioner, a registered carer, a holder of a Seniors Card, or have a good driving record.An eligible pensioner is anyone who holds or receives a:
- current Pensioner Concession Card issued by Services Australia (Centrelink) or the Department of Veterans' Affairs showing a NSW address
- Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card endorsed 'TPI' (Totally & Permanently Incapacitated)
- Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card endorsed 'EDA' (Extreme Disablement Adjustment)
- statement from the Department of Veterans' Affairs stating that you:
- receive a disability pension of 70% or higher
- receive an Intermediate or Extreme Disablement Adjustment Pension
- have been assessed, under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, at 50 or more impairment points
- Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card endorsed War Widow or War Widower.
Eligible pensioners can receive the following free of charge:
- licences
- driving tests
- riding skills test
- Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment log book and guide
- replacement learner log books
- photo cards
- applying or renewing a NSW Mobility Parking Permit (disability parking permit)
- Alcohol Interlock Program launch administration fee.
You are not eligible for pensioner concessions if you're:
- a NSW Health Care Card holder applying for a replacement card
- an interstate-issued pensioner concession card holder.
If you are a registered carer or a holder of a Seniors or Senior Savers card, you will receive a NSW Photo Card free of charge. You are not entitled to the other free services that Pensioner Concessions are eligible for.
To register for a carer concession, you must complete the Carers Registration Concession Declaration and submit the completed form to Service NSW.
Northern Territory
The NT driver’s licence concession covers the cost of the driver’s licence renewal.
How to claim
To receive the concession, you must provide your membership number to a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) office when renewing either your:- vehicle registration
- NT driver’s licence.
Read more about concession cards you can use at MVR.
South Australia
You may be entitled to the Pensioner Concession if you hold a pension card issued by the Australian Government.
Benefits include
- exemption from the payment of stamp duty on compulsory third-party insurance
- 50% reduction in the driver's licence fee.
How to apply for the concession
Email
Complete an application form and scan and email to [email protected].Phone
Call Service SA on 13 10 84. Consent to a Centrelink confirmation check will be required.In-person
Complete an application form and attend a Service SA customer service centre.Concession applications will be verified electronically with Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Tasmania
There is no licence fee for people 65 years and over, however, there is a small photo card fee of $11.15.Eligible applicants under 65 years can receive savings between $11.55 and $56.10, depending on the length of time the full driver's licence is issued.
The discount is applied in line with the length of the renewal so, for example, a one-year extension will save eligible drivers $11.90, two years $23.80, three years $34.00 and $45.90 for a four-year renewal.
Driver’s licence discounts are available to people who hold any of the following:
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Services Australia Health Care Card
- DVA Health Card – All Conditions (‘Gold Card’)
- DVA Health Card – For Specific Conditions (‘White Card’)
- are members of the Transport Access Scheme (for people with a severe disability)
- eligible asylum seekers.
To find out whether you are eligible for the driver's licence concession click here or call 1300 135 513.
Victoria
Victoria does not currently offer any senior concession discounts for licence renewals.
However, they do offer registration concessions. The following concessions can be used for registration discounts:
- Centrelink concession
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) concessions
You can read more here.
Safe driver discount
The Safe Driver Discount aims to reward good driving behaviour to those who demonstrate safe driving behaviours behind the wheel.
Full licence holders (car, motorcycle, and heavy vehicle) that are eligible will receive a 25 per cent discount on their renewal.
How do I know if I'm eligible for the Safe Driver Discount?
- You must have held a Victorian licence for at least 39 months and 1 day, and
- You have not incurred any demerit points or committed any serious road offences for a 3 year period that ends 3 months before your licence expires.
- The discount has been introduced for driver licence renewals expiring from 13 November onwards.
Western Australia
You are eligible for a concession on your licence if you have a valid:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- WA Seniors Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.
Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs and in receipt of the Age Pension
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
WA Seniors Card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs (both cards must be presented)
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
Veteran Affairs Veteran Card (Gold) printed with TPI or EDA
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
Letter confirming you are in receipt of or eligible for the Special Rate of Disability Pension either under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 or the Veterans’ Entitlement Act 1986
100% exemption from payment of the driver’s licence or WA Photo Card fee for the renewal or replacement of a driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs
50% reduction of the fee for the renewal or replacement of driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
WA Seniors Card
50% reduction of the fee for the renewal or replacement of driver's licence or WA Photo Card.
How to Apply
Application forms are available from the Department of Transport Customer Contact Centre by calling 13 11 56 or by downloading a copy here.
Concession card holders can either make an application by attending a Driver and Vehicle Service Centre or post their completed application form to the Department of Transport GPO Box R1290 Perth WA 6844.
All other information and forms can be found here.
In conclusion, the various senior licence concessions available in each state and territory of Australia are an important resource. We hope that this guide has been a helpful resource in navigating the different senior licence concessions available in Australia and that it has provided you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your travel options as you age.
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