Useful Information

• be at least 16 years of age.
• pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT)
• prove your identity.
• pass an eyesight test.
• pay the licence and test fees, unless you’re eligible for a concession.

• be at least 17 years of age
• have held a learner licence for at least 12 months, unless you’re aged 25 years or older
• have logged at least 120 hours driving time in your Learner Driver Log Book, including at least 20 hours of night driving.
• your current learner licence
• evidence you’ve passed the Hazard Perception Test (HPT)
• proof of identity documents (if applicable)
• your contact lenses or glasses (if you wear them)
• your concession card details (if applicable)
• your payment
• the – ‘Licence Application form completed”.
• If you’re 25 or older you can attempt the HPT and driving test at any time after obtaining your learner licence.

• Have held your P1 licence for at least 12 months, you can apply for a provisional P2 class C driver licence.
• You can also apply for this licence if you’ve held:
• an interstate provisional or unrestricted licence, or
• an overseas licence (not learner) for more than 12 months but less than 3 years.
• Note: If you obtained your provisional P1 licence before 20 November 2017, you’ll need to successfully complete the Hazard Perception Test (HPT).
• evidence you’ve passed the HPT (if applicable)
• your current licence
• your proof of identity (if applicable)
• your concession card details (if applicable)
• your contact lenses or glasses (if you wear them)
• your payment
• the  – ‘Licence Application form completed”’.

• have held your P2 licence for at least 24 months
• prove your identity
• pass an eyesight test

• If you hold an overseas licence, you are allowed to drive the vehicles covered by your overseas licence in NSW indefinitely, as long as:
• You remain a temporary overseas visitor
• Your overseas licence remains current
• You have not been disqualified from driving in NSW or anywhere else
• You have not had your licence suspended or cancelled, or your visiting driving privileges withdrawn
• You carry your overseas driver or rider licence. If your licence is not written in English, you must also carry an English translation, or an International Driving Permit.
• You don’t have to get a NSW licence if you comply with these conditions, and can prove your genuine visitor status to NSW Police, if required. You should read the Road Users Handbook, the Motorcycle Riders’ Handbook and/or the Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook to learn the current road rules in NSW.

If you hold a New Zealand licence, you must get a NSW licence within three months of living in NSW, regardless of whether you are a temporary or permanent resident, or you must stop driving. See Moving to NSW for more information.

If you’re an Australian citizen who lives overseas, are not a permanent resident of NSW, and have a current overseas licence, you’re allowed to drive in NSW as a temporary overseas visitor. There is no need to apply for the issue or renewal of a NSW licence.

If you’re a permanent resident of Australia under the Commonwealth Migration Act 1958, you can drive or ride on a current overseas licence for a maximum of three months from the date you arrive in Australia. To keep driving, you need to obtain (not just apply for) a NSW licence within this three month period.

• If you’re a temporary overseas visitor (ie not an Australian citizen and not a permanent resident of Australia), you can choose to apply for a NSW licence if you wish.
• The following condition applies:
• Your licence will show the letter Q in the conditions area on the front of the card. The accompanying text ‘Evidence of permanent residency status not provided’ will be printed on the back of the card.
• These rules do not apply if:
• You’ve previously been issued a NSW licence
• You’re transferring a licence from another Australian state or territory, to a NSW equivalent
• You’re a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand licence holder. In this case you’re exempt from the Q condition, however you must obtain a NSW licence within three months of living in NSW, regardless of whether you’re a temporary or permanent resident, or stop driving.

If you become an Australian citizen or permanent resident while you hold a temporary overseas visitor licence, you can have the Q condition removed if you wish.

You will need to attend a registry or service centre in person and provide proof of your permanent residency status.

If your licence has not expired, you can apply for a replacement licence and pay the replacement fee. The replacement licence will have the same expiry date as the licence with the Q condition.

Alternatively, you can wait until your licence expires, and then renew it without the Q condition. If you provide proof of your permanent residency status, you can renew for one, three or five years. You may be eligible for a ten year licence if you are aged 21 to 44 years.