Foreign Licence Holders Given Deadline To Get NSW Drivers Licence

With the focus on road safety, the NSW Government is advising that all motorists driving on a foreign licence will now have a maximum of six months to convert to a NSW drivers’ licence if they wish to reside in the state and remain on the road.

The NSW Government can also revoke or remove your driving privileges on your overseas licence if you incur 13 demerit points, are charged or convicted of a serious driving offence, or drug or alcohol offence, or face suspension or disqualification from driving, anywhere in Australia or another country.

The input of tightening the overseas licence usage removes a loophole which required only new arrivals to New South Wales from 1st July 2023 had to convert their overseas licence within six months of living here.

Under the new regulations announced on 29th February 2024, the conversion process will affect drivers who have been driving on a car or motorbike overseas licence, regardless of when they arrived in New South Wales. However existing residents will have 12 months from 1st March 2024 to undertake the transition. Drivers using a foreign licence before July 1, 2023 and want to remain on the road must obtain a NSW licence by 1st March 2025.

This timeframe will allow sufficient time for Service NSW to process additional tests and licences while still handling the normal flow of learners and provisional licence tests.

The Regulation change will mean no one will be able to drive around for years on New South Wales roads without coming under the NSW drivers licence system. When every driver comes under the same set of rules then safety is enhanced, but for repetitive rule breakers who have previously had a place to hide behind driving on an overseas licence they will now face the full force of the NSW laws.

The contents of this article are general in nature. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact your legal practitioner.

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