Knowledge and driving test exemptions
If you hold an overseas driver or rider licence, you may be exempt from NSW knowledge and driving tests. Check if this applies to you.
Expired Australian licences
If you hold an overseas licence and you've held an Australian driver licence, you don't need to sit knowledge or driving tests to get a NSW licence. As long as:
- your Australian licence expired within the last 5 years, and
- it can be verified.
Testing exemptions for overseas licence holders
If you hold a car or rider licence issued by a recognised country and jurisdiction, you can apply for a NSW licence without passing a knowledge test or driving test.
The licence must be current or expired within the last 5 years, and it must not be a learner licence.
From 1 February 2026, Experienced Driver Status from certain countries ceased to operation NSW. More information about this policy change can be accessed via Austroads.
Knowledge and driving test exemptions
If you hold an overseas driver or rider licence, you may be exempt from NSW knowledge and driving tests. Check if this applies to you.
Heavy vehicle licences
If you are applying for a heavy vehicle licence (classes LR, MR, HR, HC or MC) there are no exemptions. You must pass the relevant knowledge and driving tests, even if you hold an equivalent class licence from a recognised country or jurisdiction.
Recognised countries and jurisdictions
You do not have to pass knowledge or driving tests for a NSW car (class C) or rider (class R) licence if your current licence comes from a licensing authority in one of the following places:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada (any state)
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guernsey
- Ireland
- Isle of Man (licences issued since 1 April 1991)
- Italy
- Japan
- Jersey
- Luxembourg
- Malta (licences issued or renewed since 2 January 2004)
- Netherlands
- New Zealand (except for paper licences)
- Norway
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States of America (any state).
When the exemption does not apply
In some cases, the recognised licensing authority exemption may not apply, for example if:
- you hold a licence from an external territory of a place on the recognised countries and jurisdictions list, you must pass knowledge and driving/riding tests
- you failed a driving or riding test before 20 May 2002, you must retake and pass the relevant driving or riding test
Call us on 13 22 13 or visit any service centre to discuss your situation.