Applying for a Licence in Australia or New Zealand

Applying for a New Zealand Licence

New Zealand recognises certain overseas country's driver licences. For information about which countries are recognised, or how to become a recognised country for New Zealand please visit  www.nzta.govt.nz


Applying for an Australian Licence

Austroads has released new arrangements for the transition of overseas issued driver and motorcycle rider licences to Australian licences. The arrangements provide for more streamlined conversion of licences from certain countries, in some cases, without any additional testing requirements.

These changes do not apply to visitors to Australia who will continue to be able to drive on Australian roads if they hold a valid overseas licence and comply with all conditions of that licence.

Under the new arrangements, from 30 April 2025, if you have a licence issued by a country on the Experienced Driver Recognition list, it is likely that you will have to undertake further training and testing before you can be issued with an Australian licence.

After 30 April 2025, these countries will be invited to consider applying for Recognised Country status:

  • Bulgaria
  • Czech Republic
  • Estonia
  • Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China)
  • Hungary
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Poland
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Republic of Korea (South Korea)
  • Republic of Serbia
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Taiwan

I missed the deadline for exchanging my licence, what do I do?

If you are 25 years of age or older and miss the deadline for exchanging your licence issued by a country on the Experienced Driver Recognition list, it is likely that you will have to undertake further training and testing before you can be issued with an Australian licence.

To check the requirements, please make direct contact with the relevant Australian road agency.

If you miss the deadline for exchanging your car or motorcycle licence issued by a Recognised Country there may be changes to the conditions required to transfer your licence, including the need to undertake further training and testing. To check the requirements, please contact the licensing authority in your home state or territory.

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guernsey
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man (for licences first issued on or after 1 April 1991)
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta (for licences first issued on or after 2 January 2004)
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • UK
  • USA