Moving your New Zealand licence to NSW

Whether you're a tourist, temporary resident or permanent resident, if you're from New Zealand – you must get a NSW licence within 3 months of living here to continue to drive on NSW roads.

In NSW, you must be at least:

• 16 years for a learner driver licence
• 16 years and 9 months for a learner rider licence
• 17 years for a provisional driver or rider licence.

Heavy vehicle licences

If you are applying for a heavy vehicle licence and your NZ licence is equivalent to a NSW class LR, MR, HR, HC or MC, you must pass a knowledge test for the class of licence requested.

Car and motorcycle licences

If you hold a NZ car (class C) or motorcycle (class R) photo licence, you won't need to pass knowledge and driving tests to get a NSW licence as long as:

• the licence is current or expired within the last 5 years, and
• you are not a learner driver.

If you meet these criteria, your NZ licence will be converted in line with the NSW licensing scheme.

Paper licences

If you have an NZ paper licence, you must pass a driving test to qualify for the equivalent NSW licence.

Combined licences

If you have a NZ combined car and motorcycle licence and you have already used it to qualify for either a NSW car (class C) or motorcycle (class R) licence:

• Less than 5 years ago – you can convert to a NSW licence without passing tests, as long as the licence is current or expired within the last 5 years
• More than 5 years ago – you must pass the knowledge and practical tests relevant to the class of licence. See rider licence tests or driver licence tests for details.

Learner licences

If you have a NZ learner licence, you will need to pass the following:

1. Driver Knowledge Test
2. Hazard Perception Test
3. driving test.

You will then receive a NSW P1 provisional licence. If you do not pass the driving test, you will need to apply for a NSW learner licence.

• Complete a Licence Application form (PDF, 395.47 KB) (PDF 222.41KB).
• Check you have the right proof of identity.
• Check that your overseas licence shows the first issue date. If it doesn't show this date, contact the NZ authority that issued your licence. You can get an official letter from them confirming your licence details.

Find your nearest service centre. Bring your NZ licence, application form and proof of identity with you.

You will also need to pay the relevant licence fee.

When you visit the service centre, you'll need to pass an eyesight test and have your photo taken.

Your new licence will be posted to you. Our service centre staff will give you a temporary paper licence to drive or ride with until your new card arrives.

What happens to your New Zealand licence

Your NZ licence will be photocopied and returned to you. Once you have a NSW licence, it becomes the licence of authority for you to drive or ride on NSW roads.

As you can only hold one licence at a time in Australia by law, the details of your NZ licence will be recorded in our system. Your NZ licence is no longer recognised and has no authority while you hold a NSW licence.

When driving or riding in NSW, you must follow all the conditions, restrictions or limitations applied to your NSW licence. If the police ask you to produce your licence in relation to a driving matter, you must provide your NSW licence.

Got your NSW road licence? Congratulations!

Whether you have your full licence or you're starting out on a learner or provisional licence, it's important to get to know our road rules.

To learn the rules for NSW:

• drivers should read the Road User Handbook 
• motorcycle riders should read the

  File

  Motorcycle Rider Handbook (PDF 1.53MB)

Stay safe and enjoy your journey.