Overseas licence holders

Temporary visitors, students and workers
Students, visitors and those who are working in South Australia on current temporary visas are permitted to drive with an overseas licence as stated below only while that licence is current. If that licence expires, you are required to obtain a South Australian licence.

If you hold a current overseas Driver's Licence of a particular class you may drive a vehicle of an equivalent class in South Australia if:

• you also hold a current international driving permit
• your foreign licence is written in English or is accompanied by an English translation of the details on the licence
• you are not disqualified from driving in South Australia or elsewhere.

You are required to carry your licence (and English translation if applicable) at all times when driving. You must produce the licence and your temporary visa to Police on request.

Permanent residents
If you are issued a permanent visa and become a resident of South Australia you must surrender your overseas licence and obtain a South Australian Driver's Licence within three months.

South Australia recognises the driver licensing and testing standards in the countries listed below. If you hold, or have held within the preceding five years, a Driver's Licence for a car or motorcycle only, you are not required to undertake equivalent driving tests in South Australia.

Recognised foreign licensing and testing standards:

*New Zealand licence holders will be issued with the equivalent South Australian Driver's Licence for all licence classes.

If your foreign licence is for a class other than a car or motorcycle, and you wish to keep that class of licence, you must undertake a Practical Driving Test in a vehicle of that class (excluding Road Trains and B-Doubles).

If you hold a licence from a country not listed, you are required to pass the Theory Test based on the Australian road rules. You will then receive a temporary permit which is valid for one month, during which time you are required to pass a practical driving test with an Authorised Examiner.

When you pass the driving test you will receive a Certificate of Competency which should be presented to obtain your South Australian Driver's Licence.

After you have paid the licence fee and your photograph has been taken, a temporary Driver's Licence will be issued to you and your photo licence will be posted to you.

If you do not pass the test within that month you must then apply for a Learner's Permit.

If you hold a Foreign Licence of a class other than a car ormotorcycle and you wish to keep that class of licence, you will have to take your practical test in a vehicle of that class (excluding Trains and B-Doubles.

To apply for a Driver's Licence, please present the following at a Customer Service Centre:

• your current Driver's Licence. If your licence is not written in English you must bring an English translation of your Driver's Licence, or your International driving permit
• evidence of identity which is proof of your identity, signature, age and address
• payment for your written test if required
• medical certificate if required
• concession card if entitled.

In most cases, you will be eligible for the equivalent licence of your foreign licence, however minimum age requirements apply. If you hold a full (unrestricted) foreign licence but are under the age of 19, you will be issued a provisional licence. Likewise, if you hold a foreign licence but are under the age of 16½, you will be issued a learner’s permit.

*Licence translations will only be accepted if:

• they are an original document (photocopies, faxes, and certified copies are not acceptable); AND
• from a Consulate Office in Australia, signed by a Consulate officer, and on official Consulate letterhead; OR
• authorised by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI), and bearing the official NAATI stamp.

Translation services are available through The Interpreting and Translation Centre, 24 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000, telephone (08) 8226 1990, www.translate.sa.gov.au. Alternatively, you can contact NAATI on (08) 8410 5233 or visit www.naati.com.au for a list of translators.

For further information, go to Interstate or Overseas Drivers.