If you're a permanent Australian resident, or hold a permanent visa and you intend to stay in NSW, you are not considered to be a visitor. As such, you are allowed to drive in NSW on a current overseas licence for a maximum of three months. After that, you will need to apply for a NSW licence to continue driving.

New Zealand licence holders, regardless of whether you are a permanent or temporary resident, must obtain a
NSW licence within three months of living in NSW or you must stop driving.

You need to meet age requirements to be issued with a NSW licence. You must be at least 16 years for a learner driver licence and 17 years for a provisional driver licence.

Your overseas licence will be taken into account when you apply for a NSW licence, and once you have passed any required tests, the NSW licence is issued in line with the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme. You will need to meet
the requirements to progress through each stage.

NSW equivalents for overseas drivers

Driver, current learner - Learner driver licence. You may be eligible to take a driving test without being issued
a NSW learner licence

Driver, held for less than 12 months - Provisional P1 driver licence. A knowledge test and driving test may be required

Driver, held for more than 12 months but less than 3 years - Provisional P2 driver licence. A knowledge test and driving test may be required

Driver, held for more than 3 years - Unrestricted driver licence. A knowledge test and driving test may be required

Please call 13 22 13 or visit any registry or service centre to discuss your particular situation.

Interstate drivers

If you move to NSW from any Australian state or territory and hold a current licence you can be issued a NSW equivalent licence. NSW will match the expiry date of your licence for no fee up to a maximum of ten years.

If you have an expired licence of no more than five years, you can be issued a NSW equivalent, fees may apply.
If your licence has expired more than five years, licence tests are required and fees may apply.

You need to meet age requirements to be issued with a NSW licence. You must be at least 16 years for a learner driver licence and 17 years for a provisional driver licence.

Your licence will be converted in line with the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme. You will need to meet the requirements to progress through each stage.