UK driving licence in Australia
Discussion
I haven't read this but it is the licensing stuff for WA
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20668.asp
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20393.asp
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20668.asp
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20393.asp
Within 6 months, go to a Transport office with proof of address (credit card statement) and your UK docs.
Read off an eye chart.
Smile for a camera
Wait a week for them to post it to you.
If you want to keep the HGV type stuff on it, you need a re-test. If you are happy with Car/Bike then there is nothing to do.
Read off an eye chart.
Smile for a camera
Wait a week for them to post it to you.
If you want to keep the HGV type stuff on it, you need a re-test. If you are happy with Car/Bike then there is nothing to do.
Google [bot] said:
Careful, it's 3 months and if you end up outside of that, it's start from scratch I believe. Depends on visa category, but I guess that's all covered in the links posted above.
Ahh, okay. I don't have a visa, so I don't know on that bit.The wife is on a spouse visa and took 5 months to swap it with no issues.
(In Perth)
Edited by Bibbs on Monday 30th July 04:26
Just to add more confusion to this...
Walked into an RTA office and they told me I couldn't get an Aussie licence until I had been here for at least 6 months (but had to get one before 2 years is up). In the meantime they have a process which creates a 'customer account' for me after seeing my UK driving licence, passport and proof of address (all of which they examined very closely and copied). I need this customer number to register (own) a car - you can't register it without one.
Not sure how this relates to the rest of the information on this thread, but this is how Sydney do it in August 2012 !
Walked into an RTA office and they told me I couldn't get an Aussie licence until I had been here for at least 6 months (but had to get one before 2 years is up). In the meantime they have a process which creates a 'customer account' for me after seeing my UK driving licence, passport and proof of address (all of which they examined very closely and copied). I need this customer number to register (own) a car - you can't register it without one.
Not sure how this relates to the rest of the information on this thread, but this is how Sydney do it in August 2012 !
said: Just to add more confusion to this...
Walked into an RTA office and they told me I couldn't get an Aussie licence until I had been here for at least 6 months (but had to get one before 2 years is up). In the meantime they have a process which creates a 'customer account' for me after seeing my UK driving licence, passport and proof of address (all of which they examined very closely and copied). I need this customer number to register (own) a car - you can't register it without one.
Not sure how this relates to the rest of the information on this thread, but this is how Sydney do it in August 2012 !
Good to know.Walked into an RTA office and they told me I couldn't get an Aussie licence until I had been here for at least 6 months (but had to get one before 2 years is up). In the meantime they have a process which creates a 'customer account' for me after seeing my UK driving licence, passport and proof of address (all of which they examined very closely and copied). I need this customer number to register (own) a car - you can't register it without one.
Not sure how this relates to the rest of the information on this thread, but this is how Sydney do it in August 2012 !
pike y said:
Just to add more confusion to this...
Walked into an RTA office and they told me I couldn't get an Aussie licence until I had been here for at least 6 months (but had to get one before 2 years is up). In the meantime they have a process which creates a 'customer account' for me after seeing my UK driving licence, passport and proof of address (all of which they examined very closely and copied). I need this customer number to register (own) a car - you can't register it without one.
Not sure how this relates to the rest of the information on this thread, but this is how Sydney do it in August 2012 !
Its not that simple - you have to be continuously in Australia for 6 months for an NSW licence - if you leave the clock starts again as I found out. My last time before I got a licence, I missed by 2 days - NO - it has to be 6 months in NSW before you get a licence - not sure what happens if you go interstate !Walked into an RTA office and they told me I couldn't get an Aussie licence until I had been here for at least 6 months (but had to get one before 2 years is up). In the meantime they have a process which creates a 'customer account' for me after seeing my UK driving licence, passport and proof of address (all of which they examined very closely and copied). I need this customer number to register (own) a car - you can't register it without one.
Not sure how this relates to the rest of the information on this thread, but this is how Sydney do it in August 2012 !
They where quite happy to give me a customer number so I register the Tuscan though
[and deduct any points I got in the interim 
) Mattt said:
In QLD temporary residents (457) don't need to get an Aussie license. Permanent residents need to within 3 months.
That's what I've found out so far.
Yup, thats what happened to me. 2006 I got here.That's what I've found out so far.
Police also gave me a tug because car came up as an unlicensed driver when they did a plate check.
And points that you dont get taken off your UK license are still in the background for when you swap to a QLD license.
I know b'cos I had 9 waiting patiently in the background, waiting to come active and finishing running their 3 year course
Bob the Planner said:
Its not that simple - you have to be continuously in Australia for 6 months for an NSW licence - if you leave the clock starts again as I found out. My last time before I got a licence, I missed by 2 days - NO - it has to be 6 months in NSW before you get a licence - not sure what happens if you go interstate !
They where quite happy to give me a customer number so I register the Tuscan though [and deduct any points I got in the interim )
Just applied for my WA driving licence, full procedure as follows: (may differ for other states)They where quite happy to give me a customer number so I register the Tuscan though
[and deduct any points I got in the interim ) Go to "Shire" (driving authority office) and produce UK passport, driving licence, an Australian bank card (must be an EFTPOS one not a savings one) a letter from an institution proving your australian address (I took a bank letter) and another form of photo ID. I didn't have one, so I signed for and paid $25 for a "prove your age" alcohol card.
Having sorted the prove your age card instantly and then submitted said card you choose 1 year ($37) or 5 years ($120) and get a photo snapped at the counter
8 working days later you will have your licence.
The licences are renewable ad infinitum whether you choose 1 year or 5 years
There was no time limit save the usual 12 month limit on driving abroad on a UK licence
There is no element of any test, eyes or otherwise
Your car and motorbike accreditations are duplicated, if you are old enough to have de facto lorry licences (I am) or have any other hgv or whatever they will not be transferred and you will have to sit new driver tests for all of these.
It's purely a paper exercise and it takes around 20 minutes nose to tail.
Hope this helps
Cheers Minimax, We're due in Perth in about a month and the above is very useful!
So: Arrive.
Get hire car on UK licence (company willing to provide for 4 weeks)
Swap to Aus Licence and get customer number.
Buy car and register it?
Buying a car looks expensive and complex out there. Expect a 'Waaaaah!' Thread soon.
So: Arrive.
Get hire car on UK licence (company willing to provide for 4 weeks)
Swap to Aus Licence and get customer number.
Buy car and register it?
Buying a car looks expensive and complex out there. Expect a 'Waaaaah!' Thread soon.
WeirdNeville said:
Cheers Minimax, We're due in Perth in about a month and the above is very useful!
So: Arrive.
Get hire car on UK licence (company willing to provide for 4 weeks)
Swap to Aus Licence and get customer number.
Buy car and register it?
Buying a car looks expensive and complex out there. Expect a 'Waaaaah!' Thread soon.
Yes that's about right So: Arrive.
Get hire car on UK licence (company willing to provide for 4 weeks)
Swap to Aus Licence and get customer number.
Buy car and register it?
Buying a car looks expensive and complex out there. Expect a 'Waaaaah!' Thread soon.
get your aus address and bank sorted so you have your official letter to prove your address, and apply at a local "shire" office and that's it 
pm me if you like fellow, I arrived 2.5 months ago and have waded through all the omfg HOW MUCH stuff and the admin stuff
Get your aus bank account before you leave the UK, I used westpac, you apply online and they mail you your account details etc, then a chap calls you a week or so later to give you your telephone banking pin and your customer number, then all you have to do is turn up at a branch of your choice within 3 weeks of arrival and produce your passport for all your paraphernalia to arrive at your aus address ready to go (bank cards, PINs etc). If you leave it longer than 3 weeks after arrival you will have a nightmare getting the account started!
Cars are utterly insanely priced here, unless you want a ford or a Holden
Just thought I'd update the thread having been to the WA Transport office yesterday to get my licence sorted.
The whole process took about 30 minutes and goes a little something like this....
1) Turn up and get a form from the lady at reception.
2) Fill in the form including details of your current (UK) licence and tick the box for the type of WA licence you want (car, motorbike etc.)
3) Sit and wait 15 minutes watching the steady stream of people coming and going from driving tests and theory tests.
4) Get called to the counter where you present your forms and appropriate identification. The full ID list is on the department for transport website but I took; UK Licence (only the photocard was needed), Medicare card, Visa grant notice (they checked with Immigration anyway), Oz bank card, UK Passport, Proof of address (bank statement).
5) Do an eye test
6) Pay the money
7) Walk out with a temporary licence number and instructions to get in touch if the card hasnt arrived in the post within a month.
The whole process took about 30 minutes and goes a little something like this....
1) Turn up and get a form from the lady at reception.
2) Fill in the form including details of your current (UK) licence and tick the box for the type of WA licence you want (car, motorbike etc.)
3) Sit and wait 15 minutes watching the steady stream of people coming and going from driving tests and theory tests.
4) Get called to the counter where you present your forms and appropriate identification. The full ID list is on the department for transport website but I took; UK Licence (only the photocard was needed), Medicare card, Visa grant notice (they checked with Immigration anyway), Oz bank card, UK Passport, Proof of address (bank statement).
5) Do an eye test
6) Pay the money
7) Walk out with a temporary licence number and instructions to get in touch if the card hasnt arrived in the post within a month.
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