Questions about driving licenses

[mossmac]

Hi there,

Can anyone tell us about driving licenses for South Australia. Are we OK with just our British driving licenses or do we need to get international driving licenses as well?

We plan to hire a car for a few days until we buy one and a friend of ours who lives in South Australia seemed to think that car hire places would only accept an international driving license. Is that correct?

Also, when you do buy a car, how long is it before you have to get an Australian driving license? Can you convert your British/ International driving license to an Australian one or do you have to do tests etc?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Sarah and John

[scooterdan]

Hey Sarah and John,

We are lucky enough that when we all get to SA we can transfer our British licences for SA ones just by paying the appropriate fee. You dont have to retake any tests.

You can drive on a British licence for 3 months....then you will need to transfer it.

One tip i was told was to leave an address in the Uk for the DVLA. If you tell them you are emigrating they will ask you to surrender your licence....there goes your proof for your SA one!!!

Dan and Steph

[Boxertony]

In my intense research I have been informed that you have to gain an international driving permit from the UK before you can drive in Australia and then you can only drive for three months then you have to retake your test and also your driving theory. I have been told by the transport SA registration & licensing authority. Tony

[Guzzler&Sas]

In my intense research I have been informed that you have to gain an international driving permit from the UK before you can drive in Australia and then you can only drive for three months then you have to retake your test and also your driving theory. I have been told by the transport SA registration & licensing authority. Tony

Not sure where your intense research is coming from, I'm afraid it couldn't be more wrong, Scooterdan is spot on check this link http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licen..._residents.asp

Good luck

Guzzler

[scooterdan]

Hey Tony,

I got my info from the following page http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licen..._residents.asp

This states as i mentioned earlier, about the 3 months and not retaking a test.

But this depends on what visa you are on.

Dan

[scooterdan]

Great minds think alike then....!!! You just beat me to the link!!!

Dan

[sarahsmartiepants]

Yep dan spot on.

[cormcvcr]

Hi there,

having arrived just 6 weeks ago, we went to our local driving office and completed the relevant forms, paid the relevant fee, got a photograph taken then within a couple of weeks we were in receipt of our new licence. No tests required.

We still have our uk drivers licence too as they do not ask you to surrender this.

We are on a temporary 3 year visa and if there were any restrictions, I think they would have applied to us, but to our advantage there are none.

[Mr & Mrs Taz]

Hi there,

having arrived just 6 weeks ago, we went to our local driving office and completed the relevant forms, paid the relevant fee, got a photograph taken then within a couple of weeks we were in receipt of our new licence. No tests required.

We still have our uk drivers licence too as they do not ask you to surrender this.

We are on a temporary 3 year visa and if there were any restrictions, I think they would have applied to us, but to our advantage there are none.

Hi,

We are due to arrive in Adelaide within the next 3-4 months on a permanent visa, I currently have the driving license with my photo on it, is this the type you went over with and did you have to bring an International Driving Permit with you as well.

Cheers

Derek & Jak

[scooterdan]

Hey Derek and Jak,

You only need your UK licence with photo card and paper counterpart.

Dan and Steph