How to transfer an overseas driver licence to Queensland licence? (Complete Guide 2023)
Disclaimer
Please note: the below information is general information. It is not to be considered legal advice. If you still have any further questions about transferring your overseas licence to a Queensland driver licence, please:
- Call the Department of Transport general enquiry line: +61 7 3328 4811 (Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, excluding public holidays.)
- Send online messages to the Department of Transport – https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/help/online-services-help/live-chat-with-us-via-messaging
- Review the Department of Transport page for more information: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/overseas/transfer
Introduction
A valid driver licence is a necessity in life, especially when you live in Queensland. If you have an overseas driver licence and wondered if you can convert it into a Queensland licence, then this is the perfect guide for you. In this guide, we will address all of the important questions, such as a step-by-step guide on how to convert your licence and who needs to pass a written road rules test or a practical driving test.
1. Who must apply for a Queensland driver licence?
You must apply for a Queensland driver licence, if you:
- Are a permanent residence visa; and
- Have been living in Queensland for 3 months.
2. If I do not have permanent residency, do I need a Queensland driver licence?
According to the relevant law, if you do not hold a permanent visa, you will be regarded as ‘visiting drivers’. This means that you can use your valid overseas licence to drive.
Please be aware that, you must:
- Carry your overseas licence with you at all times together
- Have a NAATI English translation if your overseas licence is not written in English.
- Only drive vehicle types allowed under your overseas licence
- Drive according to any conditions on their overseas licence, such as automatic or manual transmission or need to wear prescription glasses.
If you are visiting Australia only for a short period of time, you can apply for a Queensland driver licence, but it is not necessary.
3. How to transfer an overseas licence to a Queensland driver licence
Step 1: find the closest centre
You must visit one of the following centres:
- the Transport and Main Roads customer service centre or
- a Queensland Government licence issuing centre or
- a Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) or
- a licence-issuing police station (in rural or remote areas of Queensland)
To find the closest centre to you, please click here.
Step 2: Translate your documents
If your overseas driver licence is not written in English, then you must use a translator approved by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) to translate your document.
Step 3: Collect your documents
You must prepare the following files:
- All of your identity documents
- Your NAATI translated version of your overseas driver licence
- Proof that you live in Queensland (an electricity bill or a lease agreement)
Please know that all documents must be originals — photocopies and certified copies are not accepted.
Step 4: Complete your medical declarations
You might need to complete a medical declaration to provide that you are medically fit to drive the desired vehicle type.
One of the most common relevant medical conditions is the need to wear prescription glasses while driving.
Step 5: Pay the licence fee
The cost of your licence fee will depend on the duration of validity of your Queensland driver licence.
For example, as of July 2022, a 1-year licence costs around $85.65, whereas a 5-year licence costs around $191.80.
For more information on the fees, please click here.
4. Do I need to pass any tests?
It will depend on:
- The country your overseas driver licence was issued (Recognised countries and Experienced driver recognition countries)
- The desired licence class you want: learners, provisional or open licence or a heavy vehicle licence.
| If applying for a QLD learner licence | If applying for a QLD provisional or open licence for a car or motorcycle | If applying for a QLD provisional or open heavy vehicle licence (class LR, MR, HR, HC or MC) | |
| Recognised countries • Austria • Belgium • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Canada • Croatia • Denmark • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Guernsey • Ireland • Isle of Man (for licences issued on or after 1 April 1991) • Italy • Japan • Jersey • Luxembourg • Malta (for licences issued on or after 2 January 2004) • Netherlands • Norway • Portugal • Singapore • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • United Kingdom • United States of America • (External territories of these countries/jurisdictions are excluded) |
No need to pass a written road rules test, If:
For the RE motorcycle licence / learner motorcycle licence, you must have held a provisional or open class C licence for at least 1 year in the last 5 years. |
No need to pass a written road rules test or a practical driving test, if:
you had a driver licence (not a learner licence), which corresponds to a class C, RE or R licence |
You must pass a written road rules test and a practical driving test. |
| Experienced driver recognition countries • Bulgaria • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Estonia • Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China)* • Hungary • Latvia • Lithuania • Poland • South Korea • Romania • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa (Republic of) • Taiwan • (External territories of these countries are excluded) |
No need to pass a written road rules test, if: • you are 25 or older and • you held within the last 5 years, a learner licence that corresponds to a class C, RE or R licence. For the RE motorcycle licence / learner motorcycle licence, you must have held a provisional or open class C licence for at least 1 year in the last 5 years. |
No need to pass a written road rules test or a practical driving test, if: • you are 25 or older and • held a driver licence (other than a learner licence) within the last 5 years, that corresponds to a class C, RE or R licence |
You must pass a written road rules test and a practical driving test.
*Special Note for Hong Kong Licence holders: If you have you’re your licence for 12 months and are 25 years of age or older, then you do not need pass any written or driving test. |
5. What if my licence is not from a country on the recognised countries list?
If your licence is from a country that is not on the recognised countries list, such as China, then you will need to pass a written road rules test and practical driving test to get your Queensland driver licence.
There is relevant law stating that if you pass both the theory and practical tests, your overseas licence will be converted, based on years of driving experience and age, to the class of licence they would have been on had they commenced driving in that Australian jurisdiction.
6. If I have a Queensland driver licence, can I still use my overseas licence?
No! If you have received your Queensland driver licence, you can no longer drive with your interstate or overseas licence in Queensland.
7. Conclusion
If you have permanent residency, you must consider transferring your overseas driver licence to a Queensland driver licence. It is also important to remember that when transferring, which country issued your driver licence can determine whether or not you will need to pass a written or practical test.
There are a total of 4 different licence types in Queensland, and each licence type has its own restrictions. For more information on the different types of licences and how this can affect you, please take a look at this blog post.
