A guide to converting your overseas licence
A guide to converting your overseas licence to a Victorian licence.
Learn
|
From 1 May 2025, if you're converting your overseas licence from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa or Taiwan, and you are 25 or over on the day of your appointment, you will need to do the Learner Permit Test, Hazard Perception Test and Drive Test.
See Austroads: Countries seeking driver recognition for more information on these changes.
|
How to get started
The steps you need to take and what kind of licence you can get depend on:
- what country your licence is from
- your age
- what kind of licence you have
- how long you have held a licence
- whether you have ever been disqualified or suspended from driving.
Find out what you need to do using our online tool.
Convert your licence
When you need to convert
You can drive in Victoria using your overseas licence for a maximum of 6 months. The 6 months starts from the day you first started living in Victoria, even if you leave and come back.
What you’ll need to do to convert
You will need to:
You may also need to:
- take Victoria's online and/or driving tests.
Who needs to take tests
Some people need to sit the Victorian driving tests to convert their licence. This depends on your age and what country your licence is from.
Some countries have very similar licensing standards as Australia. These are called ‘recognised’ countries. Most people with a licence from a recognised country will not need to do tests to get a Victorian licence.
Countries that have almost the same standards are called ‘experienced driver countries’. Most people who are 25 or older and hold a licence from an experienced driver country will not have to do tests to get a Victorian licence.
People who hold licences issued in other countries, and people who hold licences from experienced driver countries and are younger than 25, will need to do tests.
Austroads has a list of recognised and experienced driver countries.
Tests you might need to do
The tests are:
The Learner Permit Test and the Hazard Perception Test can be done online or in person. It’s cheaper to do the tests online.
The Drive Test must be done in person.
You will need to make appointments for any in-person tests. It’s best to do this once you’ve used our online tool so that you book the right kind of appointment.
Why you might not get a full licence
Even if you have a full licence from overseas or have been driving for a long time, you might not get a full Victorian licence.
You might not get a full licence if:
You are between 16 and 18
If you are between 18 and 18 you will only be able to get a learner permit. You will need to pass a test.
You are between 18 and 21
If you are between 18 and 21 you will only be able to get a probationary licence.
You are older than 21 but have had your licence for less than 3 years.
If you are older than 21 but have had your licence for less than 3 years, you will only be able to get a probationary licence.
How long it takes to get your new licence
How long it takes to get your Victorian licence depends on how many steps you have to take. If you only need to have your licence and identity verified, this can be done in a single appointment.
The process takes longer if you need to do any tests.
The best way to find out the process for you is to complete our online tool.
Remember that if you want to keep driving in Victoria, you need to get a Victorian licence before you have been living here for a total of 6 months.
Costs
You will need to pay for:
- tests (if you need to take them)
- your appointment to convert your licence
- your licence.
It is cheaper to do your Road Knowledge Test and Hazard Perception Test online.
See our licence fees.
Help in other languages
You can get information and help in other languages.