Application for Recognition of an Overseas Issued Driver Licence* in Australia

This form must be completed by an authorised officer of the licence issuing agency of the applying country.

If you have any questions, please contact Austroads at overseaslicences@austroads.gov.au .

* A separate application form is provided for application for recognition of motorcycle rider licences.

Explanation of Terms

¹ A learner driver is a person who has passed a road rules knowledge test and is just commencing the process of learning to drive. The learner driver is not allowed to drive without supervision by a person holding an open or unconditional driver licence³. This is the training period prior to assessment that the person is competent to drive without supervision.

² A novice driver is a person who has passed the learner licence period (as above) and has been granted a licence to ride a restricted power motorcycle or to drive a car without supervision. However, for a period, this person is considered to be still developing their skills. Novice drivers may be subject to extra restrictions such as lower blood alcohol content, late night driving or passenger carrying restrictions.

³ Unrestricted or Unconditional Licence holder is a person who has passed both the learner and novice driver period. As a person who has fully developed and practised their driving skills (in Australia over a period between one and three years) they are considered competent to drive with the minimum allowable restrictions and, if a car licence holder, to supervise learner drivers.

Country

Name of Applying Country *

If your country or jurisdiction is not on the list, please write its name in the field below.

Criterion 1

Licensing System

In Australia a C Class driver licence allows holders to drive a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) not greater than 4,500 kg and constructed or equipped to seat no more than 12 adults (including the driver).

To meet requirements for recognition, the following are required:

a minimum learner driving period of three months OR 30 hours of supervised, on-road driver training as a learner driver ¹ ;
all learner drivers ¹ must be supervised by a person who holds an unrestricted or unconditional licence³ ; and
measures are in place to reduce the crash risk for novice drivers² .

1. Does more than one agency issue driver licences in your country? *

YesNo

Do those agencies operate the same licensing system and licence testing standards? *

Yes No

Please indicate how they are different and which agency’s system you are describing in this application. *

2. What is the minimum age at which a Learner licence can be held? *

3. Do you require applicants to hold a licence as a learner driver¹ for a minimum period before they can take a practical driver test? *

YesNo

What is the minimum period the learner licence must be held? *

4. Do you require a learner driver¹ to be supervised by a person holding an unrestricted/unconditional licence³? *

YesNo

5. Do you require licence applicants to take a vision test and declare any medical condition which might impact their ability to drive safely? Please provide details of the policies and procedures in place in regard to this requirement. *

6. If you have an official document that describes the requirements to gain a car licence in your country, please provide a copy translated into English. *

If you have a file related to your response, please click Browse to attach it.

Browse

Accepted file formats: JPEG, PNG, PDF

7. Do you have an official website that provides an overview of your driver licensing system? *

YesNo

Provide the web address *

8. Do you apply any conditions, restrictions, or other measures to novice drivers to reduce their crash risk? Examples include zero blood alcohol, speed, passenger, or vehicle type restrictions. *

YesNo

Please provide details of these conditions and restrictions, how long they remain in force and to which driver type or age groups they are applied. *

9. Please provide a detailed list of the vehicle class categories against which your driver licenses are issued. *

Criterion 2

Safe System Approach

The Safe System approach adopts a holistic view of the road transport system and the interactions between people, vehicles, and the road environment. Safe System principles are described in the diagram below.

The representation of these principles in driver preparation, a critical aspect of the Safe People pillar, is central to the achievement of Vision Zero – a core objective of the road safety strategy in every Australian jurisdiction.

A Safe System led driver preparation framework provides the most effective pathway for intervention in the occurrence of road crash and road trauma. It provides licensing authorities with significant scope to design and implement a wide range of measures to improve the preparedness of drivers and reduce the risk of road trauma.

Examples of Safe System approaches in driver training include professional driver and rider training, mandated periods of learner driver and rider status, hazard perception testing, drug and alcohol testing and the use of alcohol interlock technology, licence restrictions for novice drivers and riders and lower powered motorcycles for novice riders.

Testing Regimes

To obtain a learner driver licence, an applicant is required to pass a knowledge test of basic safe driving requirements (speed, distractions, fatigue, alcohol and drugs, awareness of other road users etc.), local road rules, traffic regulations and key traffic enforcement considerations.

The completion of a hazard perception test is also highly regarded, either as a component of the initial learner driver testing regime or during a novice driver² period prior to the issuance of an open or unconditional licence³.

The successful completion of a practical on-road driving test or a competency-based knowledge and skills assessment must be undertaken to adequately test the following elements:

Pre-drive check (setting up the car for safe driving – mirrors, signalling, indicators, horn, seatbelt etc.).
Lane changes (changing lanes to right and left and merging of two lanes into one).
Approach (safe approach to intersections and hazards).
Position stop (stopping appropriate distance from vehicles in front, slowing appropriately).
Judgement (perceives hazards and responds appropriately; plans ahead of intended turns; passes other vehicles when appropriate, aware of what is happening in the road and near environment).
Turning manoeuvres (turning corners with and without stopping; following relevant signs and road rules when turning; using roundabouts).
Progress and position on the road (safe and controlled approach to corners, travel at appropriate speed, move with other traffic without impeding the flow of others).
Car control (keeping control of the car when turning, starting from stop on a hill).
Safety margin (keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and road users when moving and passing other vehicles, cycles and motorcycles, pedestrians and workers and first responders on the roadway).
Low speed manoeuvres (reverse parking, angle park, point to point reverse, three-point turn).

The person must be re-tested if their licence has lapsed or been suspended for a period of five years or more.

1. Does your driver licensing and testing system reflect the application of Safe System approach? *

YesNo

Please describe how these are integrated into your licensing system. E.g. is there a national or regional road safety plan or strategy which reflects a Safe System approach? Please provide links to online documents where available. *

Please describe how the licensing system has been designed to support safe road use. When was your testing and scoring regime last reviewed? *

2. Do you have a knowledge test? *

YesNo

Please provide a sample copy of the test and scoring regime in English. *

If you have a file related to your response, please click Browse to attach it.

Browse

Accepted file formats: Word, PDF

3. Do you have a practical driving test/competency-based knowledge and skills assessment? *

YesNo

Please provide details *

4. Is a licence applicant required to undertake and pass a road rules and safe driving knowledge test? *

YesNo

Please describe how this test is administered and its duration. *

5. Is there a minimum correct score or percentage required for passing the test? *

YesNo

Please provide details. *

6. Are there critical questions which must be answered correctly to pass the test? *

YesNo

Please provide details *

7. Is a hazard perception test part of your licence assessment process? *

YesNo

Please provide details. *

8. Are drivers required to hold their learner licence for a minimum period of time before taking their practical driving assessment? *

YesNo

Please state the required time period. *

9. Does the car licence applicant have to undertake and pass a practical, on-road, driving test? *

YesNo

9.1 Is this test undertaken on public roads? *

9.2 Are test routes regularly revised and varied to provide a range of road and traffic conditions? *

9.3 What is the required duration of the test? *

9.4 Please indicate which of the elements listed under Criterion 2 above are tested. *

9.5 Please list any other skills which are assessed. *

9.6 Is the applicant permitted a fixed number of mistakes before being assessed as failing the test? If yes, how many mistakes are permitted? *

9.7 Are there mistakes which will cause an applicant to automatically fail the practical test? If yes, what are those mistakes? *

9.8 Please provide a copy, in English, of the test requirements and any assessment or scoring schedule used in the marking of the test. *

If you have a file related to your response, please click Browse to attach it.

Browse

Accepted file formats: Word, PDF

10. Does a car licence authorise the holder to drive or ride any other class of vehicle? *

YesNo

Please indicate which vehicle classes. *

11. If a practical driving test is not required, is other assessment of competency used? *

Practical test requiredOther assessment of competency is used

Please specify how driving competency is assessed. Please advise which competencies are assessed – refer to the list above in Criterion 2. *

Please provide a copy of the competency assessment guide or sheet in English. *

Browse

Accepted file formats: Word, PDF

12. If a licence has lapsed or been suspended for a period of time, is the applicant required to be re-tested before the licence can be reissued? *

YesNo

After what period must a person be retested? *

13. Does re-testing include only a knowledge test, only an on-road test or both? *

Criterion 3

Evidence of Identity (EOI) Requirements

Evidence produced to confirm the identity of the holder of an overseas issued driver licence must include at least two government issued documents (e.g. a birth certificate, Identity Card or Passport) one of which includes a photograph of the holder if their licence does not include a photograph.

1. Is there a requirement for a licence applicant to provide documents that confirm their identity prior to the issue of a first licence? *

YesNo

How many documents are required to establish identity *

2. Is at least one of the required documents a photo identity document issued by a government agency? *

YesNo

How is the identity of the licence applicant verified? *

3. Is the candidate required to present proof of identity in person (face-to-face)? *

YesNo

Please describe how the licence applicant is confirmed to be the owner of the documents providing evidence of identity. *

4. Are documents verified with the issuing agency? *

YesNo

5. Please indicate which of the following documents are acceptable in establishing identity. *

Birth Certificate issued by a government agency Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate issued by a government agencyImmigration documentsCurrent passportPassport which has been expired less than two yearsGovernment issued health, social security or concession cardFinancial institution card with a minimum of a signature and embossed or embedded nameStudent card with the minimum of a photo or signature issued by a government recognised educational institution

6. Please list any other documents that are accepted in these procedures. *

7. If you have an official document that describes your identity checking procedures, please provide a copy in English.

Browse

Accepted file formats: Word, PDF

8. Please describe your procedures for transfer of a driver licence issued by another country for an equivalent licence issued by your country. *

9. Please describe the process you use in transferring a licence from another country. *

10. Do you transfer licences from any country for an equivalent local licence without further assessment? *

YesNo

Please provide a list of those countries. *

11. If the applicant must take a test before transferring a licence and fails that test, what action does your agency take? *

12. Do you require the holder of an overseas issued licence to provide evidence of their identity in addition to the overseas licence document? *

YesNo

Do you use the same procedures described in your answers to questions 1-5 under Criterion 3 or some other process? *

Please describe how you confirm the identity of the licence holder. *

13. Please describe how you make sure the overseas licence document is genuine? *

Criterion 4

Licence Document

To be accepted for transfer by Australia a driver licence document issued by your agency must:

contain a photograph of the licence holder or, if not, be able to be linked to another official government issued identity document which contains a photograph which is issued to all citizens; and
contain sufficient security features to significantly minimise the risk of fraudulent reproduction or alteration after it is issued.

1. Is your licence card/document compliant with the standards provided in ISO/IEC 18013-1? *

YesNo

Does the licence card/document contain a photograph of the licence holder? *

YesNo

Is there another official government document which is issued to all citizens which contains a photograph? *

YesNo

Provide details *

2. Does the licence card/document incorporate any distinctive security features to prevent fraud and/or copying? *

YesNo

Please provide a high-level description of these features. *

3. Does the licence contain the licence holder’s signature? *

YesNo

4. Does the licence indicate the classes of vehicles the holder is authorised to drive? *

YesNo

5. Please provide an authorised photocopy of both sides of an example of your current licence. *

Browse

Accepted file formats: JPEG, PNG, PDF

6. Is Australia able to confirm the validity or authenticity of a licence issued by your country? *

YesNo

Provide details *

Please indicate how a licence issued by your country can be quickly and easily verified by an Australian licensing authority. *

7. Do you currently issue a digital driver licence (mDL)? *

YesNo

Do you still issue an equivalent physical licence? *

Do you plan to start issuing mDLs within the next five years? *

8. Is your digital driver licence considered to be of equal status to a physical licence document? *

YesNo

Is it considered as authority to drive and/or as an identity document? *

9. Do you use the same proof of identity checking procedures described in Criterion 3 above when issuing a digital licence? *

YesNo

Please describe the processes you use. *

Criterion 5

Licence Examiners/Competency Assessors

Licence examiners must undergo training or assessment and be periodically monitored to assure their continuing competence.

1. Do car licence examiners, or those assessing competencies, complete formal training before being authorised to conduct driving tests/undertake assessments? *

YesNo

Please provide details of the training they must undertake. *

Please describe how they are selected. *

2. Are licence examiners monitored to ensure that consistent driver testing practices are maintained? *

YesNo

Please provide an overview of how this monitoring occurs. *

3. What action is taken when monitoring indicates a licence examiner does not meet the required standards? Please provide details. *

Certification

I certify that I am authorised to make this application on behalf of

Write the name of your country or jurisdiction *

and that the information provided is true and correct.

Signature *

Draw signature|Type signatureClear

The signature is considered to be an acknowledgment that the issuing officer verifies the contents of this application and declares that the information provided is true and correct.

Signature (File Upload)

Browse

Accepted file formats: JPEG, PNG, PDF

Name *

Title *

Name of Agency *

Email address *

Telephone number *

Date *

Save and Complete Later