Driving with an overseas or interstate licence in NSW
Visiting NSW? You can use your interstate or overseas driver or rider licence for the first 3 or 6 months – as long as it's current and you follow NSW road rules.
Tourists and overseas visitors
If you're a tourist or temporary overseas visitor, you can drive in NSW using your overseas licence for up to six months as long as you:
- remain a temporary overseas visitor
- have a current overseas licence
- have not been disqualified from driving in NSW or anywhere else
- have not had your licence suspended or cancelled, or your visiting driving privileges withdrawn
- carry your overseas driver or rider licence with you.
If your licence is not written in English, you must also carry an English translation, or an International Driving Permit. This is issued by the motoring association or embassy of the country that you are licensed to drive in.
You don’t have to get a NSW licence if you meet these conditions and can prove your visitor status to police, if asked.
Interstate and New Zealand licence holders
You can drive with your existing licence for up to three months, as long as you:
- have a current licence interstate or NZ licence
- have not been disqualified from driving in NSW or anywhere else
- have not had your licence suspended or cancelled, or your visiting driving privileges withdrawn
- carry your driver or rider licence with you
- you can prove your genuine visitor status to police, if asked.
Australian citizens and permanent residents
Citizens with overseas licences
If you’re an Australian citizen who lives overseas and has a current overseas licence, you can drive or ride on NSW roads using a current overseas licence. You're allowed to do this for up to three months from the date you arrive in Australia.
If you plan to continue driving on NSW roads, you must get a NSW licence within this three month period.
Permanent residents
If you’re a permanent resident of Australia under the Commonwealth Migration Act 1958, you can drive or ride on NSW roads using a current overseas licence. You're allowed to do this for up to three months from the date you arrive in Australia.
If you plan to continue driving on NSW roads, you must get a NSW licence within this three month period.
Vehicles you can drive
Car licence holders
Overseas and interstate visitors can drive vehicles covered by a NSW class C driver licence:
- 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass or less, and
- seating up to 12 adults including the driver.
Make sure you get to know the road rules for NSW. Read our Road User Handbook.
Motorcycle licence holders
Overseas and interstate visitors can ride motorcycles covered by their overseas licence class.
Make sure you get to know the rider road rules for NSW. Read our Motorcycle Rider's Handbook (PDF 1.53MB).
Heavy vehicle licence holders
Overseas and interstate visitors to NSW can drive the same kinds of heavy vehicles that are covered by their overseas licence.
Make sure you get to know the heavy vehicle road rules for NSW. Read our Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook (PDF 1.99MB).