If you have any inquiries on how to get an Australian drivers license because you are an international student then i can guarantee that you are on the right page as all your questions will be answered here.
If you are migrating to Australia and you already have your country’s own driver license and you wish to find out if it will be accepted, also read through this post.
This article will be straight to the point as it will provides all the information relating to getting a drivers license in any state of Australia.
Table of Contents
General Information On The Australia Drivers License
For general awareness, i must bring to your notice that every applicant for an Australian drivers license should know that every state or territory in Australia has its own Department of Transport (often referred to as DOT).
These DOTs are in charge of granting driver’s licenses to individuals who have applied for them and any licenses issued by the Department of Transport are valid throughout all Australian states.
What Is An Australian Drivers License
An Australia Driver’s License refer to the official permit required for a person to legally drive a motor vehicle in Australia.
The issuance of driver licenses, alongside the regulation and enforcement of road use, are all managed by state and territory governments.
Every state in Australia has its drivers license, however, no matter the one you are granted by the state you are currently at, the drivers license will be generally recognized and valid in other states and territories as said earlier on.
Australian Drivers License For International Students
If you just currently migrated to Australia as an international student and you don’t have any driving license from your country then you have to apply for an Australian Drivers License as a learner.
However as earlier said you have to consider the state of Australia you are in and from there apply in order to get one so that you can now therefore enjoy going to school.
Hence, nothing can stop you from obtaining a license on your first try, provided you learn to drive properly and make it a habit.
All the processes for each of the states in Australia will be addressed to here in this article in order to guide you in your application process into getting a drivers license successfully.
Australian Drivers License For International Students Who Has Overseas Drivers License
Generally, you’re allowed to drive in Australia with an overseas drivers license if you’re a temporary visitor.
But if your license isn’t written in English, you’ll need to carry a formal English translation or an International Driving Permit.
If your overseas license ceases to be valid during the period of your stay and you still wish to continue driving, you may be eligible to apply for an Australian license.
However there’s an exception in Victoria if you are issued a permanent visa then you can drive for 6 months from whichever is the later date of when you first entered Australia or when your permanent visa was accepted.
Australian Drivers License For International Students According To States
Different states in Australia has little difference in their application process for an international Australian drivers license, that’s why in the following subheading, they will listed out with their respective fees.
1. New South Wales — Roads and Maritime Services
The stages in getting a NSW drivers license takes about 6 processes which will be highlighted and the link has also be given for more details.
- The processes begin with you passing the DKT (Driver’s knowledge Test) in order to get your learner’s license first.
- The second stage (for those under the age 25 years) is you taking supervised driving practice to achieve one hundred and twenty (120) hours of driving experience.
- You will also need to hold your learner licence for at least ten (10) months before progressing to stage three, the Hazard Perception Test.
- The stage three is where you will have to sit and pass a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) which is a computer based test to check your ability on hw to respond to dangerous situations on the road.
- Take note that if you under 25 you will have to hold your learners license for 12 months and must complete the above 120 hours of driving hours but if more than 25, you are free to go on to the next stage after passing the HPT
- Stage four is when you actually book and then pass your driving test to get your provisional P1 (red) licence and you will need to hold your P1 licence for at least twelve (12) months before you can progress to the next stage.
- After one year on the P1 licence, you can now finally apply to upgrade to the NSW provisional P2 (green) licence.
- You will need to hold your P2 licence for at least twenty four (24) months before you can progress to the final stage six.
- This is the last stage for you can now apply and process to hold a full, unrestricted NSW Drivers Licence.
The application fee for the license is AU$232.
The official website for NSW in order to apply for drivers license is here
2. Northern Territory — Department of Transport
Before getting a full license you must these following below first;
- learner licence (L plate)
- provisional licence (P plate).
Then the processes includes;
- After you’ve studied the NT Road Users’ Handbook or attended all your DriveSafe NT theory classes, you can take the driver knowledge test (theory test).
- After you get your driver licence receipt, you can start learning to drive.
- Your provisional licence will be mailed to the address shown on your driver licence receipt after passing the pratical driving test.
- After you’ve completed the period of your provisional licence, you’ll be eligible for a full driver licence.
The application fee is AU$102 is the lowest.
The official website for Northern Territory in order to apply for drivers license is here
3. Queensland — Department of Transport and Main Roads
You can apply to obtain a licence, including a learner licence if you do not have a driver licence and will be living in Australia for more than six months.
- You will be asked to pass an eyesight test
- Pass a written ‘road rules’ test
- Arrange a practical driving test appointment
- Take a practical driving test
The application fee is AU$251
The official website for queensland in order to apply for drivers license is here
4. South Australia — Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
In order to get a driver’s license in south australia, it’s the same process as the NSW processes.
The application fee is AU$254
The official website for SA in order to apply for drivers license is here
5. Tasmania — Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
If you are eligible to have your licence issued:
- You will need to provide evidence of identity
- your licence photo and signature will be captured
- you will need to complete a form notifying the Registrar of Motor Vehicles of any medical conditions that may affect your driving
- you will take an eye test
- you need to pay the learner licence fee.
The application fee is AU$250
The official website for SA in order to apply for drivers license is here
6. Victoria — VicRoads
- In order to apply you must meet the minimum age requirements.
- be physically fit to drive.
- pass all the practical and theoretical examinations.
- pay the prescribed fees.
- submit a properly completed application form.
The application fee is AU$213
The official website for Victoria in order to apply for drivers license is here
7. Western Australia — Department of Transport
- Download and complete the driver’s licence application form.
- Visit a Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional agent with your application form and identification to take the theory test.
- You will need to pay the computerised test fee, new driver application fee and Learner Guide and Log Book fee.
The application fee is AU$133 which is one of cheapest of all
The official website for Victoria in order to apply for drivers license is here
8. Canberra
The application process is the same as the northern territory process.
The application fee is AU$204
The official website for canberra in order to apply for drivers license is here
Age Requirement For Drivers License
Check out the table below to know different age requirements in different states and territories to get a learner’s permit in Australia:
| State / Territory | Age Requirement to Get a Learner’s Permit |
|---|---|
| Canberra |
|
| New South Wales (NSW) |
|
| Northern Territory (NT) |
|
| South Australia (SA) |
|
| Queensland (QLD) |
|
| Victoria (VIC) |
|
| Tasmania (TAS) |
|
| Western Australia (WA) |
|
Licence classes
There are different license classes that one can apply for and they are all respectively outlined below
- Class C – Car licence includes a:
- motor vehicle (other than a motorbike) with a GVM not over 4.5t that is constructed or equipped to seat not more than 12 adults (including the driver);
- tractor or implement; and,
- motor vehicle mentioned above that is towing a single trailer with a GVM not over 9t (but not two or more trailers).
- Class R – Motorcycle licence includes a:
- motorbike towing a single trailer designed to be towed by a motorbike.
- Class LR – Light rigid vehicle licence
- Class MR – Medium rigid vehicle licence
- Class HR – Heavy rigid vehicle licence
- Class HC – Heavy combination vehicle licence
- Class MC – Multi-combination vehicle licence
Conclusion On Australian Drivers License For International Students 2025/2026
The application website gives crucial information related to the Australian Drivers License For International Students 2025/2026 for candidates to start applying now.Also, don’t forget to bookmark our website Ketote, as we continue to provide you with the best School and Job Offer just like Australian Drivers License For International Students 2025/2026, with all Articles posted on our Ketote being Accurate and free from Misinformation.