Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme
Austroads has reviewed how it determines which overseas jurisdictions receive licence recognition status.
This comprehensive review was undertaken to ensure future recognition decisions are based on a consistent process that is transparent, robust and evidence informed. As a result, a new assessment framework has been developed.
A number of countries previously held Experienced Driver Recognition Status, which permitted experienced licence holders (those aged over 25 years) to transfer their licences without any licence testing. This category of recognition has ceased.
Jurisdictions that held Experienced Driver Recognition status were invited to apply to be assessed for recognition. This process is underway and any changes to the recognition status of those countries will be implemented in late 2026.
Austroads remains committed to supporting road safety and licensing integrity across Australia. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our stakeholders as we continue strengthening the Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme.
Background and Evolution
Australia’s Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme (which is similar to that operating in New Zealand) provides for streamlined conversion of overseas licences to Australian licences for drivers with licences from recognised overseas jurisdictions – in some cases without any additional testing requirements.
Additionally, Australia and New Zealand are parties to international conventions, which allow visitors to drive on their overseas licences for a certain period of time.
Under the Scheme, Austroads manages the administrative arrangements for overseas licence recognition.
Why the Scheme Was Reviewed
Over recent years, the international driver licence environment has become increasingly complex. There have been a variety of challenges for licensing authorities across the globe, growing from:
- Reliance on a licence as proof of authority and competence to drive
- Use of the licence for proof of identity
- Rise in identity theft and document fraud
- Greater personal and employment mobility
Reflecting these concerns, Austroads reviewed the management of overseas-issued driver licences on behalf of its member agencies.
What Has Changed?
Following the review, the Scheme was updated to improve safety, integrity, and consistency. Key changes include:
- Revised assessment criterion to determine whether licence holders from specific jurisdictions are suitable to have their licences recognised in Australia.
- Strengthened licence verification processes.
- Reviews of overseas jurisdictions with recognition status will be undertaken periodically.
Austroads will invite applications from specific jurisdictions to be assessed for recognition on a periodic basis.
How the Scheme Works
Recognition Status
Recognised overseasjurisdictions are assessed as having robust licence integrity processes and strong road safety performance.
Drivers from recognised jurisdictions will have a more streamlined process to transfer to an Australian licence.
Changes to Experienced Driver Recognition
Up until 2025, Australia operated the Experienced Driver Recognition scheme whereby holders of licences from these overseas jurisdictions, who were over the age of 25, could be issued a comparable Australian licence without further training or assessment.
The Experienced Driver Recognition status ended for all Australian states and territories in early 2026. Jurisdictions that previously held Experienced Driver Recognition status were invited to apply to be assessed for Recognised Overseas Licence status.