Monday, 21 October 2024
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.
Austroads manages overseas issued licences on behalf of its member agencies under its Recognised Country Scheme. The scheme, which has been in place for nearly 20 years, has been reviewed and updated to reflect the changing and complex international driver licence environment.
“The new process has been designed with strengthened assessment criteria, greater clarity regarding mandatory requirements and a focus on a Safe System approach”, said Geoff Allan, Austroads Chief Executive.
“Additionally, given the growing reliance on a licence as proof of identify, as well as the rise in identity theft and document fraud, the changes will introduce a mechanism for applicant countries to confirm the validity and currency of their licences”, said Geoff.
Currently, under its Recognised Country Scheme, Austroads manages two distinct administrative arrangements – Recognised Country status and Experienced Driver Recognition status.
Under the new arrangements, Experienced Driver Recognition status will cease on 30 April 2025 in most Australian states and territories and nationally in subsequent months. Countries currently in this category will be encouraged to apply for Recognised Country status.
“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,” Geoff said.
“If an overseas licence holder does not apply to transition to an Australian licence before the Experienced Driver Recognition Scheme ends, they are likely to have to undertake further training and testing before they can be issued with an Australian licence,” he added.
Individuals seeking to convert their overseas licence to an Australian licence should contact the licensing authority in their home state or territory.
Over the next 12 to 18 months, countries currently holding Recognised Country status will be invited to apply for assessment against the revised criteria. Arrangements for exchange of licences issued by those countries will remain unchanged until the completion of reassessment against the revised criteria.
Unless there are specific concerns about the operation or standards of a Recognised Country’s licensing system, each Recognised Country will undergo a reassessment review every five years.
As part of the review, each country will be asked to confirm that information provided in its application remains current or has been enhanced. The reviews will be managed by Austroads on behalf of member agencies.