Driving in New South Wales on a foreign licence: visitors and new residents (2026)

Foreign licence · New South Wales2026

According to the NSW Government, checked on 31 October 2026, tourists and temporary overseas visitors can drive on their overseas licence for up to six months, and permanent residents for up to three months from the date they arrive in Australia.

These rules differ from place to place, and they change. We quote the official pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law, for example an international driving permit or a translation: ask them before you book.

At a glance

What the official sources say

Visitors and tourists

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driving in NSW or anywhere else have not had your licence suspended or cancelled, or your visiting driving privileges withdrawn carry your overseas driver or rider licence with you.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 you’re a temporary overseas visitor who arrived in NSW on or after 1 July 2023 and intend to reside in NSW for longer than six months, you will need to obtain a NSW driver’s licence within six months if you wish to continue to drive.

Source: NSW Government: Driving with an overseas or interstate licence in NSW (NSW Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.

If you move there

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.

Source: NSW Government: Driving with an overseas or interstate licence in NSW (NSW Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.

International driving permit and translation

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.

Source: NSW Government: Driving with an overseas or interstate licence in NSW (NSW Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.

Exchanging your licence

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).

Source: NSW Government: Knowledge and driving test exemptions (NSW Government), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.

Hire a car in New South Wales

Hiring a car in New South Wales? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Check the licence rules above before you book: the rental company can ask for more than the law, such as an IDP or a translation.

Compare car hire in New South Wales

Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Visiting Australia?

Driving in Australia, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence

Other states and territories in Australia

Canada, Australia and New Zealand: every province, state and territory in one table

Questions

Can I drive in NSW with an overseas licence?

“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.”

Can I drive in NSW with a UK licence?

As a tourist, yes, for a limited time: “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 you become a permanent resident, the United Kingdom is on the NSW list of recognised countries.

How long can you drive on an overseas licence in NSW?

“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 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.”

Is this legal advice for driving in New South Wales?

No. We quote the NSW Government word for word, as read on 31 October 2026. Rules change, and car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law: check with them and with the official page before you drive.

Spotted a change? Tell us.