Driving in Western Australia on a foreign licence: visitors and new residents (2026)
According to the Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, checked on 31 October 2026, visitors such as tourists, business travellers and people studying or working temporarily can use their current licence, and Australian citizens or permanent residents can drive on an overseas licence for up to 3 months.
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
| Visitors | Allowed on a current licence (no time limit stated) |
|---|---|
| New residents | Citizens and permanent residents: up to 3 months |
| IDP and translation | Not stated for visitors on the pages we read; a licence submitted for transfer must be in English or translated |
| UK licence, exchange without tests | Not stated in text (the page uses an interactive checker we could not read) |
| US licence, exchange without tests | Not stated in text (interactive checker) |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Visitors and tourists
If you are visiting Western Australia from overseas or another Australian state or territory, you can use your current driver’s licence. You are considered to be a visitor to WA if you are a tourist, on a business trip, studying or working temporarily in WA.
Source: Transport WA: Visiting from overseas or interstate (Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you are a visitor to WA, such as a tourist or someone studying or working temporarily in WA, you do not need to transfer your overseas licence to a WA driver's licence. You can drive on your current overseas driver's licence if it is current and not expired.
Source: Transport WA: Moving from overseas (Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you move there
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have a current and valid overseas driver’s licence, you can drive in Western Australia for up to 3 months using your overseas licence. Within this 3-month period, you will need to apply to transfer your overseas driver’s licence to a WA driver’s licence. After this 3-month period you cannot legally drive on your overseas licence, even if it is current and valid.
Source: Transport WA: Moving from overseas (Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
International driving permit and translation
An overseas driver’s licence document submitted to DTMI must be written entirely in English. If it is not, the driver's licence may have to be accompanied by an English translation from an approved translator.
Source: Transport WA: Moving from overseas (Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Exchanging your licence
The steps you need to follow to transfer your overseas licence depend on whether your driver’s licence is from: a recognised jurisdiction a non-recognised jurisdiction.
Source: Transport WA: Moving from overseas (Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Hire a car in Western Australia
Hiring a car in Western Australia? 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.
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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 Western Australia with a foreign licence?
“If you are visiting Western Australia from overseas or another Australian state or territory, you can use your current driver’s licence. You are considered to be a visitor to WA if you are a tourist, on a business trip, studying or working temporarily in WA.”
How long can you drive on an overseas licence in Western Australia?
“If you are a visitor to WA, such as a tourist or someone studying or working temporarily in WA, you do not need to transfer your overseas licence to a WA driver's licence. You can drive on your current overseas driver's licence if it is current and not expired.” “If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have a current and valid overseas driver’s licence, you can drive in Western Australia for up to 3 months using your overseas licence. Within this 3-month period, you will need to apply to transfer your overseas driver’s licence to a WA driver’s licence. After this 3-month period you cannot legally drive on your overseas licence, even if it is current and valid.”
Is this legal advice for driving in Western Australia?
No. We quote the Western Australia Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure 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.
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