Driving: your licence and a car
Australians drive on the left, like the UK, and a UK licence is recognised in every main state. How long you can use it depends on your state and your visa.
In 30 seconds
- Permanent residents must swap to a local licence within 3 months in NSW, Queensland, WA and SA. In Victoria anyone living there more than 6 months must convert
- UK licence holders can usually swap without a driving test
- Registration (“rego”) includes compulsory injury insurance in some states; in NSW you buy it separately
How long can you drive on your UK licence?
Carry your UK photocard licence whenever you drive. The rules depend on your state and whether you hold a permanent or temporary visa.
| State | Temporary visa holders | Permanent residents |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Up to 6 months. Staying longer? Get a temporary NSW visitor licence within 6 months of arriving | Get a NSW licence within 3 months |
| VIC | Convert if you live in Victoria more than 6 months | Same rule: convert if you live there more than 6 months |
| QLD | Can keep driving on a valid overseas licence | Can’t drive on it after 3 months living in Queensland |
| WA | Can drive on a current, valid overseas licence | Transfer within 3 months |
| SA | Can drive on a current overseas licence | Get an SA licence within 3 months of becoming a permanent resident |
Once you get a local licence, you can’t go back to driving on your UK one there.
Swapping your UK licence
- NSW: the UK is on the recognised list, so a full UK car licence is exempt from the knowledge and driving tests. It must be current or expired within the last 5 years and not a learner licence
- VIC: UK licences have full recognition. VicRoads’ online checker tells you what you need; some people must pass the Hazard Perception Test, a computer test of spotting road dangers
- QLD: the UK is a recognised country, so UK licence holders don’t need the written or practical test. You declare you’re medically fit and pay the licence fee
- WA: the UK is a recognised country with no extra conditions to convert
- SA: use the online licence checker or call Service SA (13 23 24) to check the requirements. A UK licence is surrendered when you transfer it
- Bring your UK licence and original ID documents. Each state has its own proof-of-identity rules
What a licence costs
| State | Car licence fee |
|---|---|
| VIC | A$96.50 for 3 years, A$330.70 for 10 years (about £51 and £174) |
| QLD | A$94.65 for 1 year, A$212.00 for 5 years from 1 July 2026 (about £50 and £112) |
| WA | A$112.90 to convert an overseas licence (about £59) |
| NSW | No separate conversion fee: you pay the normal licence fee from 1 July 2026, A$74 for 1 year, A$172 for 3 years, A$234 for 5 years or A$434 for 10 years (about £39 to £228). No knowledge or driving test fee for a full UK licence |
| SA | No separate transfer fee for an overseas licence: you pay the normal licence fee from 1 July 2026, A$79 for 1 year up to A$592 for 10 years (about £42 to £312) |
Buying a car
New and used cars are sold through dealers and private sale websites. When you buy, you transfer the registration (rego) into your name with the state transport agency and usually pay stamp duty, a state tax on the purchase.
| State | Safety check when you buy |
|---|---|
| VIC | A roadworthy certificate is usually needed to transfer a used car, with some exemptions |
| QLD | The seller must give you a current safety certificate when the registration is transferred |
| NSW | Some vehicles need a safety inspection to renew rego |
| WA, SA | Check with the state transport agency for your vehicle |
Rego and CTP insurance
Rego is the yearly fee to keep a car on the road. CTP (compulsory third party) insurance covers injuries you cause to other people in a crash. It doesn’t cover damage to cars: for that you need separate comprehensive or third party property insurance.
- Queensland: 12 months for a 4-cylinder car is A$864.50–880.50 (about £455–465) from 1 October 2026, including A$411.80–427.80 of CTP, depending on your insurer
- NSW: you buy CTP insurance (a “green slip”) separately before renewing rego
- WA: the vehicle licence fee includes a motor injury insurance premium
- Your no-claims history from the UK may help with car insurance: ask insurers for a letter from your UK insurer
Road rules and tolls
Speeds are in km/h, and enforcement by cameras is common. Mobile phone, drink-driving and speeding rules are covered in Laws that catch people out. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have toll roads. You pay through a tag account or by buying a pass, so set one up before you drive on them, especially in a hire car.
What to do next
- Check your state’s deadline for swapping your UK licence
- Book your licence conversion with your ID and UK licence
- Get a CTP and car insurance quote before buying a car
- NSW Government: Visiting from overseas or interstate (driving)
- NSW Government: Applying for a visitor licence
- NSW Government: Knowledge and driving test exemptions
- VicRoads: Convert your overseas licence
- VicRoads: Driver licence fees
- Queensland Government: Driving in Queensland on an overseas licence
- Queensland Government: Transferring to a Queensland licence
- Queensland Government: Driver licence fees
- Queensland Government: Registration costs
- Transport WA: Moving from overseas
- SA.GOV.AU: Overseas licence transfer
- NSW Government: Driver and rider licence fees (from 1 July 2026)
- Service NSW: Transfer an overseas driver licence
- SA.GOV.AU: Driver’s licence and permit fees
- Linkt: About toll roads