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Driver's licenses in Australia

Road rules in Australia may vary from state to state, so it's important to check the relevant government website to understand license requirements and road rules in the area you are residing. Generally, if you are visiting from overseas and hold a current and valid driver's license from your country of origin, you can use it to drive in Australia for a limited period of time, the duration of which varies between each state or territory.

However, if your current license is not in English, you may be required to have it , while some states may require you to obtain an international driving permit instead. If you plan to stay longer, then you will need to convert your license into a valid local license.

Converting your driver's license

The process of converting your license will differ depending on where in Australia you reside and which country your license is from. For instance, in Victoria, you will need to convert your overseas license to a Victorian one if you will be living in the state for six months or more, and you will need to use this to determine what kind of license you can get. To convert your license, you will need to:

1. Advise of any medical conditions you have or prescription medication you take.
2. Make an appointment at a .
3. Complete a .
4. Show VicRoads your overseas license and proof of identity.
5. Take an eye test.

If you are 25 and over and you are converting your license from one of the following countries, you will also need to sit a number of additional tests, including the , the , and a : Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Taiwan.

Obtaining your driver's license from scratch

The steps involved in getting an Australian driver's license from scratch will also differ slightly depending on where you reside in Australia. However, this is the process for those who have moved to Western Australia:

1. .
2. .
3. Take the .
4. and log your hours.
5. Take a .
6. Take your .
7. Get your .

In WA, you must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Learner's Permit, which you need before you can learn to drive a car. To get the permit, you will need to pass the theory test, which assesses your understanding of the road rules. If you pass, you can start learning to drive with a supervising driver. Once you've had your Learner's for six months and you've logged a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving, you're eligible to sit for the online Hazard Perception Test. If you pass, it's time for your driving test. Pass that and you're on your P-Plates! Drivers must remain on their Ps for two years before they automatically obtain their full driver's license.

Demerit points in Australia

In Australia, drivers receive if they commit a traffic offense. Some offenses include speeding, running a red light, using a mobile phone while driving, driving without a helmet or a seatbelt, or failing to display L or P plates. Penalty points are accumulated on your license over time and were introduced to encourage safer driving. Lawbreakers also receive fines with their demerit points.

Good to know:

If you are on a full license and you accumulate 12 or more demerit points over a three-year period, your license will be suspended. Points usually expire after three years.

The websites below provide information for overseas visitors wishing to drive in Australia:

• South Australia
• Northern Territory

Good to know:

You may be required to take a knowledge or driving test, depending on where your license was issued. If you reside in Victoria, the website will guide you through the process.

Tips for driving in Australia

Even if you are a very experienced driver in your home country, take the time to familiarize yourself with the road rules in Australia, as they may differ from what you are used to. The are reviewed every two years and serve as the basis for each state and territory's traffic laws. These laws apply to motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists.

Seatbelts

Australian law requires drivers and their passengers to . Failure to do so will result in fines and loss of license demerit points.

Drink driving

It is illegal to drive in Australia with a legal blood alcohol concentration of 0.05% or higher. If you are on your learner's permit or a provisional license (P-plates), it is zero. There is no shortage of random breath testing in Australia, especially during busy periods such as Christmas and Easter. Penalties vary between states and territories and include heavy fines and loss of license demerit points. The penalties below are from the for blowing over .05 in Victoria:

• Lose your license for a minimum of three months.
• Need to complete a compulsory Behaviour Change Program.
• Need to pay to have an alcohol interlock installed and maintained in every vehicle that you drive for at least six months.
• Be required to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of zero for at least three years.
• Risk jail time for the most serious听.

In addition to these penalties:

• Victoria Police have the power to immediately suspend your license or learner's permit for certain drink-driving offences.
• The vehicle you were driving at the time of the offense could be impounded (regardless of whether you own it).

Using your mobile phone while driving

In Australia, it is prohibited to hold your mobile phone while driving, even if it is not in use. Rules and penalties vary across the country, but it is generally considered illegal to have your phone resting on any part of your body鈥攐n your leg or in your lap鈥攅ven if it is not turned on. being deducted from your license and a fine of AUD 1,209 (USD 787).

Road trains

Large transport trucks, also referred to as 'road trains', are common on country roads throughout Australia. These large vehicles take longer to stop, so it is essential to remain patient and maintain a safe distance when traveling behind them, especially in hazardous weather conditions. The Northern Territory Government offers .

Wildlife

It is vital to remain vigilant when driving in Australia around dawn and dusk, as kangaroos frequently cross over roads in search of food during these times. Car crashes with kangaroos happen all across the country. Kangaroo populations are found in rural and remote areas, as well as on the outskirts of major cities. Therefore, it is essential to slow down when encountering wildlife warning signs. Roads in Australia aren't always well-lit either, making it harder to see wildlife.

Speeding

Speed limits are clearly marked along the roads in Australia, and there are tough penalties for those caught speeding. Speed cameras and red light cameras can be found at intersections nationwide, and police are often deployed with mobile radar guns to catch drivers who exceed the speed limit. The speed limit in urban, built-up areas is usually 50 km/h, 40 km/h around schools during drop-off and pick-up times, and 100 km/h on most freeways. However, some states permit speeds of up to 110 km/h on highways and freeways.

Important:听

Remember that driving is on the left side of the road in Australia.

Importing your car into Australia

Importing your own car to Australia can be time-consuming and expensive, especially considering you can buy a car when you get here. Most expatriates prefer to sell their vehicles in their home country and buy one at their new destination.

If you are looking to buy a new or used car, you'll find car dealerships in most towns and major cities. Used cars are also plentiful on car sales websites, as well as on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace.听Like most places around the world, there are expenses involved when owning a car in Australia:

• Registration between AUD 500 (USD 325) and AUD 1,000 (USD 651) per year, depending on the state of residence,
• Technical inspection before registration,
• Compulsory third-party insurance, which is mandatory in Australia, protects you from third-party compensation claims. This covers you if you injure someone in an accident. Although you will need more expensive comprehensive car insurance if you want to cover the cost of damage to other vehicles.

Other expenses to budget for include annual car service and maintenance, petrol, road tolls and parking fees. This can become expensive if you use your car daily and travel on tollway roads such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Monash Freeway in Melbourne. Finally, petrol in Australia is sold by the liter and can be more expensive than in other countries, and you can expect to pay more in remote and rural areas.