Driving in NSW on an overseas licence
Overseas Drivers Licence Conversion NSW
If you hold an overseas driver’s licence, you may be permitted to drive in NSW for a limited period, depending on your residency status and visa type.
Temporary overseas visitors may drive in New South Wales using a current overseas driver’s licence for up to six months, provided they comply with NSW road rules and carry their overseas licence at all times.
After six months, you are considered unlicenced and are no longer legally permitted to drive on your overseas licence. To continue driving, you must obtain a NSW learner licence and either undertake driving lessons or meet the requirements for obtaining a NSW driver’s licence.
If your overseas licence is not in English, you must also carry either an approved English translation or a valid International Driving Permit whenever you drive .
To legally drive in NSW, you must:
- Hold a current overseas driver’s licence (No longer than 6 Months in Australia)
- Not be disqualified from driving in NSW or elsewhere
- Not have had your licence suspended or cancelled
- Comply with all NSW road rules and licence conditions
If you intend to reside in NSW for more than six months, you will generally need to obtain a NSW driver’s licence if you wish to continue driving.
Driving lessons for overseas licence holders
Licence 2 Drive regularly assists overseas drivers who need to convert their overseas licence to a NSW driver’s licence.
Our driving lessons help overseas drivers:
- Understand Australian road rules
- Learn local driving conditions
- Build confidence driving in Sydney traffic
- Prepare for the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)
- Prepare for the NSW practical driving test
- Identify and correct driving habits that may differ from Australian requirements
Book a driving lesson
We provide driving lessons for overseas licence holders on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and North Shore and can assist drivers preparing for tests at Service NSW Centres (formerly RMS) including Warriewood, Brookvale,Chatswood and Hornsby .
Permanent residents and Australian citizens
If you become a permanent resident of Australia or an Australian citizen, different licence transfer requirements may apply.
In many cases, permanent residents and Australian citizens are required to obtain a NSW driver’s licence within a specified timeframe after becoming a resident.
Because licensing arrangements vary depending on the country that issued your licence and your residency status, we recommend checking the latest requirements directly with Service NSW.
New Zealand drivers licence holders
New Zealand licence holders who move to NSW are generally required to obtain a NSW driver’s licence within three months of residing in NSW.
Specific requirements can vary depending on your circumstances, so we recommend checking the latest information directly with Service NSW.
Contact us 0404 366 526 or send an SMS for more information.
The NSW Road Users Handbook
If you are unfamiliar with Australian road rules, we strongly recommend reading the NSW Road Users Handbook before undertaking any driving lessons or licence tests.
The NSW Road Users Handbook covers:
- NSW road rules
- Road signs and markings
- Safe driving practices
- Speed limits
- Parking regulations
- Roundabouts and intersections
- Hazard awareness
It is an essential resource for anyone converting an overseas licence to a NSW driver’s licence.
Important changes affecting overseas drivers from 1 February 2026
About the changes
From 1 February 2026, the NSW Government introduced significant changes affecting experienced drivers aged 25 years and over from a number of overseas countries and jurisdictions.
Previously, drivers from certain recognised countries were able to convert their overseas licence to a NSW licence without completing a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) or practical driving test.
The NSW Government has also confirmed that Experienced Driver Recognition from these former List B countries ceased to operate in NSW from 1 February 2026.
This means drivers from these countries can no longer directly convert their overseas licence to a NSW licence based solely on their overseas driving experience.
Affected drivers must now pass both a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) and a Practical Driving Test before they can obtain a NSW driver’s licence.
Who is affected by these changes?
Drivers from the following countries and jurisdictions must now pass both a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) and a practical driving test before obtaining a NSW driver’s licence:
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hong Kong (SAR) (for licences held for at least 12 months)
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Republic of Serbia
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea (Republic of Korea)
- Taiwan
Need help converting your overseas licence?
We can help you prepare for both the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) and Practical Driving Test. Our experienced instructors work with overseas licence holders throughout the Northern Beaches and North Shore, helping them understand Australian road rules, build confidence and successfully obtain their NSW driver’s licence.
Contact us on 0404 366 526 or send an SMS to discuss your requirements.
Important disclaimer
Licensing laws and overseas licence conversion requirements can change without notice. While we make every effort to keep this information current, we recommend confirming the latest requirements with Service NSW and Transport for NSW (formerly Roads and Maritime Services (RMS)) before making decisions relating to your licence conversion.
Your local driving school
Servicing the Northern Beaches and North Shore.
Licence 2 Drive is a Northern Beaches driving school that teaches people to drive throughout the Northern Beaches, Upper North Shore and Lower North Shore.
We offer single driving lessons and learn to drive packages aimed at accommodating all budgets and student requirements. Buy driving lessons »
Our driving test preparation includes a two-hour driving lesson, where we give you all the tips and advice required by the RMS requirements to pass your driving test at local Services NSW Centres (RTA) at Warriewood, Chatswood and Brookvale.
Get started with your driving lessons.
STEP 1
Purchase your lessons or lesson pack. Click here or scroll down for prices.
STEP 2
Book your lesson via our online portal. Book now»
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Important: All driving lessons and packs are valid for 12 months from date of purchase