Driving in Australia requires a valid local or foreign driver`s license. Please note that Australian states have different rules for the use of foreign driving licences:
- Holders of Australian permanent residence visas are allowed to drive in Australia for up to three months from the date of entry (Tasmania from the date of issuance of the visa). If they need to continue driving after 3 months, they are required to apply for a local driver`s license. Many friends have been in Australia for a long time but are still using driver`s licenses translated from China. Be careful. Don`t say you haven`t been checked, so don`t worry. People don`t bother to check if you`re okay. If you find out, you`ll have to be sad.
- Foreigners whose visa or nationality has changed and whose driver`s license expires are required to apply for a local driver`s license;
- The Northern Territory allows short-term foreigners to drive with a valid foreign driver`s license for a period of 3 months. For more than 3 months, they must apply for a local driver`s license or an exemption certificate.
- Foreigners can only drive models licensed by their foreign driver`s license in Australia and are required to comply with other requirements of the driver`s license;
- You must carry a foreign driver`s license with you when driving with a foreign driver`s license.
- If the driver`s license is not in English (such as China`s domestic driver`s license), bring the official driver`s license English translation at the same time. It is suggested that holders of Chinese driver`s license should do a good job of translating notarization in China in advance. If you need a driver`s license after coming to Australia, please contact a qualified translator.
The Embassy in Australia reminds citizen of China to pay attention to self-driving in Australia:
- Ensure the validity of Chinese passport, visa and driver`s license, carry the above documents and official English translation of driver`s license with you;
- Do not drive after the expiration of your passport, visa and driver`s license;
- Please pay attention to understand and comply with the local driver`s license regulations, apply for a new local driver`s license in advance;
- Do not drive without a license, drunk or speeding;
- Please keep an eye on the left side of the Australian traffic regulations. For more information, please visit the Chinese citizen residence Australia Manual.
Please refer to the following table for the specific provisions and contact details of the states for the use of foreign driver`s licences:
